Don Pasquale Contest - Ileana Cotrubas

[Cissy97]

I like Gabriella Sciutti's version to everyone else's.

[rlee1976]

Ooooooooh oooooh oooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhh­hh

I just realized what it is....

When Cotrubas sang... it's like I'm not listening to a disembodied sound - I'm usually listening for top notes, and middle notes and bottom notes, because that's what most singers these days do, they sing and you just are geared, ready to hear a sound you want to hear, and here - that is not the case at all. Her whole entire voice - top to bottom - has this core in it that goes right through you! It has heart!

[Tenorbravo]

Ms. Cotrubas is "MAGNIFICA, UNIQUE AND VERY ORIGINAL." wHAT wonderful voice she has. I understand why Placido Domingo sang La Traviata with her. She is perfecta.

[nornsnornsnorns]

Perfection from a totally treasurable artiste

[hedgechair]

II saw her 2-3 times in the late 60,s early seventies. Most beautiful eyes and facial expressions. Voice had, and retained girlish flashes throughout life, like hints of violets in red wine. Violetta from Covent Garden about 1979, magic.

Physically elfin and lovely in Pelleas and Melisande 1967, Glyndebourne, when I was about 18. Never any need for us to abandon our critical faculties, but let us be grateful for all the glorious singers we have and can now enjoy.

[rlee1976]

I love this, but her trill never came into fruition... maybe 10 to 15 years earlier, this would've sounded better.

[jeanmolin55]

Splendida Ileana!

Sai anche tu la virtu' magica!

Pieni voti: 5/5

Brava !!!

Grazie per il post

[joanabanyeres]

grande Ileana.

[misterbigboy]

Good, but she struggles to push out the notes near the middle/end and a couple of cracks at the end... Perhaps a little strained through this part, but nice quality of her notes.

Voice: 4

Character: 3

Overall: B-

[owlclarke]

Glorious Singer! 4.5

[cotrubas]

5/5

But Dress 1.5

[pagerbear]

Give her a break! We all made fashion mistakes in the 80s! ;-)

[68bobsport]

Cat Stevens wore a similar Cleopatra-style dress last season on So You Think You Can Dance. Ileana Cotrubas was ahead of her time!

I love her. 5/5. Sure there are a few slips, but this is a live performance. The woman was a tremendous artist.

[matthieusarah]

@pagerbear and I am sure will still do! ;). What wil think our children when they see what a Netrbko, or an Elina Garança wear on stage today!

[BeauTenor]

I always thought there was something very sweet about Cotrubas' voice. Technically, it's not that great, but it's believable because she sings with such sincerity. 4.5/4.5

[NART65]

Beau Tenor I do not know why on earth you bother to write such assinine comments. "Very sweet but technically not that great." And who are you? She has had a great career and believe you me she does not need you to judge her. Her popularity and respect for her in opera houses around the owrld is testement to this.

Are you the bench mark for what is or is not technically great, no,I do not think so? Keep your comments to yourself.

[BeauTenor]

Like I tell everyone. I have an opinion. You may not like it, but that's your problem, not mine. Opera is a subjective experience, and that's what makes it great. I happen to like this voice, since you're having a problem with your reading comprehension skills. I should be able to come here and voice an opinion without some jerk calling me an ass. If you don't like what I have to say, no one is forcing you to read it. Grow up.

[omarbearcub]

WHO ARE YOU ?.. to understimate the opinion of people, ass hole !!!such as opera critic ...far away of a real one... And please be more sensitive with people who hasn't luke of have your intelect!!

[justTgerman]

pretty nice, but slightly lacks of intonation to my ear, not taking some notes too carefully. and in the height a little sharp.

3.5/3.5

[rawdonqueen]

She relies on a beautiful lyric voice, rather than spectacular technique. Nicely understated character. 4.5/4.5

[dutchtallguy]

Nice warm, girlisch but breakable voice. A likable person too. She gives her own ring to this aria. 4/4

[Iareto]

I've always enjoyed her timbre.  4/5.

[tinyvoicedgheorghiu]

True artist.

Singing 4

Characterization 5

[Orfeus80]

4/5. I like that she doesn't overdo it with the character like a lot of the others and there is a distinction between the first and second part of the scene. I've always found her vocal production a bit strange, unsupported.

[sschimel]

She always reminded me of Gilda Radner. This is the first time I've seen video of her in concert rather then staged opera. She sound great for that point in her career, though the fioriture isn't terribly accurate. 4/5

[hotazzoperastud]

lovely performance and such a wonderful artist.. brava 5/5

[patjan92]

I had my doubts, but.....4.5/5