wow...the young Leontyne Price! just when I want to Hail My dear Beverly(sills) or the breathtaking Anna(Moffo) the greatest - I listen to Price...and I just love them all so much!!!!and that D flat!!!!
If you think this is frightening look up Cecilia Bartoli in "La Cenerentola". She looks like she is simultaneously demonically possessed and blissfully insane. Watch it on mute and you'll swear you're seeing Lucia Di Lammermoor lose it in front of a giant cake!
If you think this is frightening look up Cecilia Bartoli in "La Cenerentola". She looks like she is simultaneously demonically possessed and blissfully insane. Watch it on mute and you'll swear you're seeing Lucia Di Lammermoor lose it in front of a giant cake!
I now own the "Great Stars of Opera" DVD that features this 1963 videotaped performance. And with the combination of Ms. Price, orchestra, sets, costume, lighting, and Mel Brandt's off-camera setting of the scene, damned if it didn't make me cry. Thank Providence for the Bell Telephone series!!
how do you think singers can get top notes without tightening the trout?
do you know that singing top notes piano(little voice , not laud) is THE most difficult task, and most valuble . Why do you think singer need to scream out of their lungs singing top notes? If some do that it means they singing throat sound, which has nothing to do with bell canto, and it is NOT considered quality singing. Bottom line
Price is incredible, THE best of all the times!, Goddess!
Mega, those of who who watch Price videos often have locked horns with "paternostro63" many times. He has many different names which he uses to make the same silly claims about Price over, and over and OVER again. It's almost a bit of a game to play "spot the troll" with him. For some reason he hates Leontyne Price. All we can do is pity him. What else can you feel for someone who can not feel the joy the rest of us do when listening to this great artist sing.
The record at La Scala was 22 minut3es for Callas in "Anna Bolena". the mad scene of course; easy to time because there's a CLOCK over the stage!
Marilyn Horne was about to break the record in "L'Assedio di Corinto" when her arm got tired of holding up her sword (another pants role) and she let it drop at 21 minutes. The only applause was from the "Claque," up in the cheap seats, and they're paid. Sills didn't pay enough. She got 3 minutes.
Leontyne RULES! The fantasically beautiful color of the voice, the technical perfection, the spin on the voice so that the legato is absolutely seamless, allied with that big sound and great range. What else could you ask for?
Absolutely Great Performance. Her timing and all of her notes run clean and true. This girl was certainly one of the greatest female opera singers of all time. We have good voices today but nothing like Leontyne.
when you listen to EVERYONE else in the world sing(well,almost everyone...not the shower singers)...and you come back to the divine Miss Price - well...she rules the opera world and always wiil!!!!
Well, one thing's for sure...we all love the diva. As far as the notes, well, we've got, "deh non dirgli, improvvido" rising to B-flat at :48-1:00; then we have a ravishing high C at 1:29; then we get two luscious B- flats (the 2nd of which is the ossia from the written D-flat) couched in a single phrase from 1:38 to 1:50; And at 2:14, she serves a high D-flat in the cadenza. Great to see so many Price lovers who also know music. We were all on the same page, just different paragraphs.
perfection. there is nothing that is not delightful about ms. price's voice, and her technique is rock solid on top of that. wow. can't we clone her or something? we need voices like this today.
A 42 minute ovation when she sang this role at the MET in 1961. People love her or they heat her...never seems to be any gray with Madame Price. I love her...she is #1! The thing about Ms. Price is that she was so honest about her own shortcomings...she would tell you straight up the wrongs and flaws in her voice and acting...she was La Prima Donna Assoluta. Brava!
Sorry to be a nag, but I love accuracy. It is a C, not a D-flat in the rising phrase. Not I teach this stuff all day everyday and I have the scores and checked. Either way, it is impressive and she still remains my favorite.
This is amazing. That is not a Db, though, it is a Bb as she does the ossia marked in the score. However, she still sounds amazing as ever and she will forever be the master of her domain.
I keep coming back to this one, because it's just that glorious. That smiling breath at 1:27 is so fabulously Leontyne. Just for the sake of accuracy, the note is Db, as in fa, of Ab major.
Callas sang the D as written in this aria during her performances in Mexico City (1950); she also included rather distracting E flats in "Di tale amor." By the time she worked with Serafin in this role, and later recorded it with Karajan both the written D and the interpolated E flats were gone. Price sang the high D at her debut at the Met, exactly as she sings it her. Like Callas, she later discarded this highly exposed note. Ponselle recorded it with the D, but did not attempt it on stage.
The score has a high D, which most sopranos do not or cannot execute. It comes a few bars earlier (ah, le pene), but Price chooses to sing it -exquisitely- in the cadenza. Verdi wrote the high D, and we're fortunate to have had this great artist sing it with such incandescent beauty.
The line 'Thank God for film' was uttered in THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT. Allow me to now say 'thank God for videotape!!' The original 1963 color broadcast of this when it was originally aired on THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR still survives, thank you very much, and permanently freezes Ms. Price's youth, grandeur, beauty of face and voice, and flawless performance in even this small segment of IL TROVATORE. Thank God it is also available on DVD. Thank you, vainmusic, a million times for keeping this.
The most beautiful singing on earth. She was consistent in her craft, and her talent was just amazing. There are not enough superlatives in any language that can do justice to the artistry of Ms. Price. What a worker she was and how she knew about the voice.
c'è qualcosa di scuro, di misterioso nella voce della Price in grado di affascinare, di dare i brividi. E la sua pronuncia dell'italiano e il suo fraseggio sono straordinario. Impossibile non amare un soprano così!
I loved this comments even more! You are so right on the spot in your carachterization of Price, the voice and the persona! Thank you once again ! Impossibile non amare un italiano cosí !
Stome3139: Are you being offensive or just plain stupid? Ms Price, like all other Verdi sopranos, has her own unique voice and you may or may not like it. But inadquate fortes, light voice? Soubrette? Ms Price is regarded as a spinto soprano. Weakness of voice is not their trademark! Brava, Ms Price!
Callas, Verret, Sutherland, Dimitrova, Nilson, Suliotis, Caballe, Scotto, J.Anderson, G.Jones, L.Price...The Godlen Age...I pray we have voices like these in the future!!!
I actually saw price, not during her peak years, but in 1991, once she had retired from opera and begun to perform in recitals almost exclusively. Even at her advanced age, she had a beautiful tone, amazing breath control, and weight. I was absolutely dazzled by her incredible talent. I will consider her recital one of the high points in my lifetime as a music lover.
New to the scene, Leontyne is the QUEEN of the DIVAS as we knoe the term diva. Her high notes are superb and thank GOD she knew when to retire to other repetoire and off the Operatic stage. The other negative person should go to his favorite and leave Leontyne to her loved ones....
Price has such a wide vocal range--this can be confusing to people who do not know anything about easy and fine singing. But if you like hard singing, pushed or fabricated high notes--then Price is not your lady.
Are you talking about the older Price? She did begin easing up on the high notes, and understandably so. I'm glad she was intelligent enough to try to preserve her voice. And I kinda glad that she continued going for the high notes--I have a high note fetish.
And so the people who gave her hours and hours of bravos, standing ovations, cheers and hosannahs in her career all had super hearing? Huh..I wish I had been blessed with it.
I sure heard them! Now get this: Sometimes her pianissimi felt louder than her fortes! Their bright focus drew you in, like the bright coal in a fire. Loudness is WAY down the list of vocal virtues.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
David:Price fortes had NO power and she had NO fortissimo.Her Verdis are exotic, her Aida is NOT Verdi Aida, her Trovatore is NOT Verdi Trovatore, nothing to do with Verdi, perhaps Gershwin.Price was a LIGHT voice, her voice was small, singing late Verdi operas she seemed a soubrette
I heard every note in the Shrine Auditorium, 6000 seating, and I was in the balcony. It was as powerul asa when I heard her at Carnegie Hall. What theater were you in?
had become a success in Europe, but nearly half a century ago, before her American debut
and before her work was honored by the
US President and the United Nations The high C taken at a pianissimo in this aria is one of the great showpieces of the Verdi repertoire- there is probably no on regularly singing in the US today who would even try it
I feel very strongly that none of us can judge what is undoubtedly the great gift that has been given to the world, let alone the opera world. She's doing this live and there is so much artistry and attention to detail that we just listen awe-struck. She is a treasure and there is no place for any of us to criticize her, take her apart, slice her up, etc. She is Price-less, without peer and more than sublime. She is more than legend.
All of our petty little comments, praises, criticisms, etc., scarcely mean much when you think about it, do they? Whether you loved her, hated, her or just want to pick her technique apart, the woman is a legend. She knew her voice better than any of us, and freely admitted her flaws. She many times admitted that the top came easy but the bottom was "WORK." Brava, Leontyne! Oh, by the way, did I mention I think the woman is SUBLIME!!!
Can't vaimusic delete these wretched comments by this pathetic creature who takes the time to create various screen names all in the endeavor of defaming Madame Price? A low calling in life, indeed.
I don't understand all of these comments about the SIZE of a voice. Size doesn't mean much. Many of the world's most beautiful voices--like many of the most beautiful PEOPLE--aren't big.
There are so many other qualities to consider in a singer: warmth of timbre, smoothness of legato, musicality, diction, breathing/phrasing, intensity of emotional communication, etc. Price was among the most distinctive of singers in ALL of those areas. And her voice, by the way, WAS ... NOT... SMALL.
davidperk, That's exactly what I meant earlier. Check out my list of beautiful voices, a handful of them are rather smaller (and just for the record, neither Mitchell nor Arroyo are listed...).
To my spirit, Price's voice speaks much higher and more intensively than large spintos Mitchell and Arroyo. Mitchell's breath and musicality are tiresome to me. I love Arroyo's tone but I'm not moved by it. On the other hand, Caballe's heavenly sound pierces deep into my heart and tears it...
I don't agree about Caballè, her voice is not good for me and as an artist she seems to me awful.Martina had a gorgeous voice, eveness, lovely tone, her voice lacked some edge a bit and very few low notes, but Martina had a great voice, her Don Giovanni/Elvira is wonderful, her '70 Teatro Colon Un ballo in maschera too
Leona Mitchell had a gorgeous voice too but here I agree with you too, her musicality hmmm...and Mitchel articulation was awful, her phrasing was not good too BUT Caballe, you cannot understand her in any languague she is singing, and Caballè voice was small, uneven, no bottom, the middle was hollow and high notes on forte very awful, I do have a theory about Caballe...
No, potrobsas, Price's upper range was large and powerful. It easily filled the major Opera Houses, including your hometown Teatro Colon. I suggest you stop blasting Tebaldi's recordings on your earphones and go check your hearing immediately, before you loose it completely.
I saw Price at the Colon, the only time she sang there, '69 Il Trovatore.She had a big success but Cossotto Azucena got the major atention.Price received an ovation in "D'amor sull ali", it's true Price voice was not big, it could be heard at the Colon but not great power in any part of her voice.Two years later, 1971 I saw Martina Arroyo and yes, she had a very big voice
jerodo, Thank you for the honesty. Of course Price's voice wasn't nearly as huge as Arroyo's, their instruments are much different. But to say that Price's upper range was "tiny, disappeared, etc" is just plain slandering & I confront it. Price's was just big enough to be heard above the staff at large venues. Cossotto had a huge dramatic mezzosoprano, when she shared the stage with another singer who wasn't as powerful she'd draw more attention to herself. That happens at any given House.
Thank you for the missing piece in my technique my friend, the mystery behind her voice could be solved, but what a glorious sound, huh? RCA can put a mike in my molar at anytime. ;)
Whatever she did, it's the most beautiful sound I ever heard. And I also heard her in person, in '89, '97, and 2001. Amazingly large, free and and sensuous tone. Wasn't born yet in '69.
Hello soundfond: It seems you interest size very much for what I read, Leona Mitchell had a much bigger voice than Price, I saw Mitchell in 1990/92 and 1994.Arroyo as I told before, more voice than Price, like two times.Not to mention Sutherland two times and a half more voice than Price.Caballè NO, Caballè voice was smaller than Price even
Not so much size, jerodo. If you read, for instance, a list of favorite singers of all times that I posted in my Youtube profile, you'll find singers of all voice types, larger & smaller, lighter & heavier, brighter & darker. What makes a voice beautiful to me has a whole array of distinct aspects, not necessarily bound to the size of it.
Who are you to say she would've been good in this or that? Her extensive recording legacy and her glorious stage career singing Verdi roles brought her worldwide ovation and the largest shelf of important awards to an Opera singer in History. This is all out there for everyone to see. I repeat: leave your limbo of denial.
Beauty of tone, a very long breath span, weight, and sheer volume in the higher register are all abundant in Leontyne Price's voice and that's why she was an epitome of the Verdian soprano. The rest of the world(even the italian critics) agrees with this. You're the only one who insists on denying those facts.
All you display is ingratitude and bitterness. At least now you started spelling terms right, good sign. I'll be still generous: when one says pure crystal, purity and seeming fragility come to mind. Nilsson had shiny metal and potent clarity, not crystal. Anna Moffo, e.g., had crystal voice. Leontyne Price's never had crystal either, hers is foggy, smoky, haunting, though the upper range has brightness(not the same as clarity), some squillo and "giro"(study that too).
It's hard to believe the critics on here! The nerve to even compare her to Milanov! Milanov's voice started to diminish after 32 years of age. There is really no comparison. Price sung effortlessly. Her range was heavenly. How dare anyone to say she was ok? This lady was gifted! Respect that!!!
What is with the critisism, To stome3139 I would like to know if you sing, if so do you have the world regognition of Miss Price? Everyone has thier own taste as to wshat is believed to be the best,however to describe her as just ok is a paradox considering the achievments she achieved in er career.(least we not forget in her time the critics were waiting for anything to prove that a Black person could not sing opera, Iwill just assume she proved them all wrong.)
Just gorgeous; I wish we had the entire aria. I love voices that "arrive on time," also called a "fast rise;" this lady's voice ALWAYS arrived on time, we never had to wait as we do while some sopranos adjust their lazy technique.
Reading some of this criticism, which sounds tedious and reminds me of frog dissection, makes me wonder if anybody can sing this aria radically better without the alleged imperfections. Perhaps the perfect version of this aria may only exist in some of these listeners' overcritical minds. For me, after listening to many renditions, Price is one the great Leanoras of the 20th century, regardless of any imperfection anybody may find.
how can I describe the feeling I get when she sings this...I feel guilty - like I'm stealing something. How can she be this amazing????? there has to be a God!!!
beefnotfish: Indeed there is a God. And I dare to say Leontyne Price's voice is one of The Almighty's proud creations. I could not agree more with your comments about her, my friend. I also feel somehow elevated by her heavenly singing. May The Lord forever Bless her heart.
I have a recording of sopranos with Miss Price singing this aria from a live performance...and somehow...this is even better! truly, the most heavenly soprano who ever lived. if Verdi could have heard her...well - I don't think he would allow anyone else to ever sing Leonora(s) or Aida!
This is the reason she received the longest standing ovation in the Met's history, 42 minutes, at the end of her debut in this role. Milanov had her moments, but she could NEVER touch Price in this role or any other Verdi role. Leontyne is the BEST verdian soprano. Period!
Who was her coach at Julliard? I'd like to thank her, and her coach before her:o)! My God this woman's voice is simply stunning. Legato like that... man... takes soooome talent!
I've never heard an angel singing, but I think it's something like this. Just divine...not just the voice, but also the feeling and the emotions...I love her
She is acceptable here, the middle a bit engolato and she has much air in the middle, not a pure voice, the top is carried easily though not very interesting, the voice on top was very little and had no power but in this aria she is ok
funny I thought she was displaying vocal variety and skill especially in her top by not belting it but just titialting us with her lovely piano use of her instrument especially when she goes from bottom to top in 2:16 that is pure skill
Humm... you do know that's how it supposed to be as per the markings in Verdi's score, stome3139? And what is engolato? Further, you are the very first critic to say her top was "very little and had no power" seeing as how she is renowned for her effortless upper register and impressive volume. I think it's fine to be a critic, but don't criticize based on misinformation.
I am sorry urgrad03 I don't want to offend you but it seems you have little idea about voices.Just Price has reputation for having a tiny top, yes she had an easy top (because she was a lyrical and a light voice) but TINY, NO power.
You do know miss Price was concidered a spinto with a rather large voice? The reason why her top here sounds small is because she sings the notes pianissimo, which is one of the hardest things to do in singing, especially when it comes to high notes. Price sang a powerful high E in her recording of Gildas "Caro Nome" even, and that note shows her top had power!
And if Mr. stome3139/potrobsas is so good with musical notation as he shows off, he'll know that the high E-natural in the end of Caro Nome is 4 1/2 tones above the A-flat, pass which he claims Price's voice becomes "tiny". And that's a recording, which he also claims would "prove him right". He contradicts himself left & right. I heard her live in NYC 7 years ago and the entire voice is large and soaring, way pass her called "prime".
operamagnus: Leontyne Price had an average lyrical soprano voice parted in three pieces, the middle had much air, it was not a pure and crystal voice and her voice above Aflat was so little...her top simply did not bloom, there was very little diference in volume between her piano Bflat, B, C and her forte Bflat, B and C and she had NO fff (fortisimmo)
perfection.
tklogan111809 5 months ago
forever beautiful
MariaAntoinetteF 7 months ago
Couldn't have been sung any better. Sterling performance.
Fegen 8 months ago
Class act this Leontyne is.
iamnotadrunk 10 months ago
omg that note at 214 she hit??? what was that??? it sounded so perfect lol
chicagomarchingbands 10 months ago
stunningly beautiful, technically brilliant, & simply ravishing sound.
sensual1213 11 months ago
My God My God....
ministertwan 11 months ago
Wat year was this exacly?
ahmad123987 1 year ago
@ahmad123987 1963
vaimusic 1 year ago
This is like a dream.
Thanks for posting.
PIPZZZ02 1 year ago
she sings with the angels
fludu1 1 year ago
@fludu1 Not yet she doesn't!
liedersanger1 10 months ago
MY GOD!!! There has Never been a voice like hers and Never will be either!!!! WOW!!
Operaman41 1 year ago
wow...the young Leontyne Price! just when I want to Hail My dear Beverly(sills) or the breathtaking Anna(Moffo) the greatest - I listen to Price...and I just love them all so much!!!!and that D flat!!!!
maestromuffin1 2 years ago
Vaya armónicos que tiene la voz de Leontyne,
son preciosos para unavoz oscura como lade ella.
Ha sido siempre una gran Leonora,para mi la mejor.
Sólo Callas Caballé se le acercan.
Una voz perfecta para Verdi,su Aida es
de leyenda,no os perdais el video
de O patria Mia
MARJALET2 2 years ago
So wonderful that one forgets that her open mouth sometimes looks frightening
KarinWettig 2 years ago
my boyfriend and i laughed out loud at this comment he fiinds 2:15 particularly frightening i think it is gorgeous singig and yes slightyl terrifyng
Babs22h 2 years ago
If you think this is frightening look up Cecilia Bartoli in "La Cenerentola". She looks like she is simultaneously demonically possessed and blissfully insane. Watch it on mute and you'll swear you're seeing Lucia Di Lammermoor lose it in front of a giant cake!
jalex11 1 year ago 7
@jalex11 This comment nearly sent me to the ER! Omg! Fun and funny!
chanlerbrown21 1 year ago
LOL! Glad you enjoyed it!
jalex11 1 year ago
I looked it up!!! WHAAAHH!! on and off playing it on mute. Made my day. hahahahahaha
Seacitylady 1 year ago
@Seacitylady Six months later I see your post. You are a tasteless idiot!
slicksteve1943 1 year ago
@slicksteve1943 thats because 6 months later they still live in their parents basement
Aprostime123 1 year ago
She tried singing this with her mouth shut, but it didn't work.
VantisDoroHall 2 years ago 11
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If you think this is frightening look up Cecilia Bartoli in "La Cenerentola". She looks like she is simultaneously demonically possessed and blissfully insane. Watch it on mute and you'll swear you're seeing Lucia Di Lammermoor lose it in front of a giant cake!
jalex11 1 year ago
Magnifica!!!!
Faborizi 2 years ago
WooHOO, Leontyne!!! What legendary sound! We are so blessed to have these memories of her--
4piglite 2 years ago
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So Beautiful!!!
TheStargazer23 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
TheStargazer23 2 years ago
What a voice! ...There is a God.
dawu4726 2 years ago
I now own the "Great Stars of Opera" DVD that features this 1963 videotaped performance. And with the combination of Ms. Price, orchestra, sets, costume, lighting, and Mel Brandt's off-camera setting of the scene, damned if it didn't make me cry. Thank Providence for the Bell Telephone series!!
mca1218 2 years ago
What a beautiful gift Leontyn Price shares to this art. Amazing!
I can't believe I have not heard of her until today!
Penguindude99801 2 years ago
Wow, a soprano who actually takes the high d flat in the final cadenza.. Price's voice is like gold.
kgarmaker123 2 years ago
Why the rude language? Is there any need for that to express opinion about singing?
thorhild49 2 years ago 4
Paternostro63 is evermore one fucking idiot.
RVP57 2 years ago
for Paternostro63,
how do you think singers can get top notes without tightening the trout?
do you know that singing top notes piano(little voice , not laud) is THE most difficult task, and most valuble . Why do you think singer need to scream out of their lungs singing top notes? If some do that it means they singing throat sound, which has nothing to do with bell canto, and it is NOT considered quality singing. Bottom line
Price is incredible, THE best of all the times!, Goddess!
MegaBreez 2 years ago 8
Mega, those of who who watch Price videos often have locked horns with "paternostro63" many times. He has many different names which he uses to make the same silly claims about Price over, and over and OVER again. It's almost a bit of a game to play "spot the troll" with him. For some reason he hates Leontyne Price. All we can do is pity him. What else can you feel for someone who can not feel the joy the rest of us do when listening to this great artist sing.
FoggyRoad81 2 years ago 8
Brava!!
priscillaofmanila 2 years ago
What in the world? No performance should be this good!!! All sopranos must bow down after this footage. Thank you SO MUCH for posting.
musikenergy 2 years ago 6
the il trovatore at the met in 61 had the extensive ovation for leontyne and franco corelli. fabulous
r2d2lance 2 years ago
I believe the ovation lasted over 45 minutes...
r2d2lance 2 years ago 4
Hmm- it was a telecast. No audience.
The record at La Scala was 22 minut3es for Callas in "Anna Bolena". the mad scene of course; easy to time because there's a CLOCK over the stage!
Marilyn Horne was about to break the record in "L'Assedio di Corinto" when her arm got tired of holding up her sword (another pants role) and she let it drop at 21 minutes. The only applause was from the "Claque," up in the cheap seats, and they're paid. Sills didn't pay enough. She got 3 minutes.
nmcaia 2 years ago
Her dress is so pretty
neherenia08 2 years ago 2
which performance recieved the 42 minute ovation
bmrcutiepie 2 years ago
Leontine paints the hairs on the back of your neck. My Dad's favorite & now i understand why.
Boooyah Mariah Who!! (im remembering how she used to hit high notes for sillyflamboyance)
paapakobe 2 years ago 3
Such wonder, such beauty.
libro07 2 years ago
Leontyne RULES! The fantasically beautiful color of the voice, the technical perfection, the spin on the voice so that the legato is absolutely seamless, allied with that big sound and great range. What else could you ask for?
RossiniSoprano 2 years ago 17
Beautiful trills! Brava!
Aniretak205 3 years ago 3
MARAVILLOSA!!!!
30martin082007 3 years ago
SUPERBA
neronnenn 3 years ago
Her voice sang me out of my most gloomy days in 1963...
Thank Leontyne...Thank You for sharing it.
ogkeedah 3 years ago
this was pretty much perfect. jeez, leontyne.
JuillHope17 3 years ago 4
Absolutely Great Performance. Her timing and all of her notes run clean and true. This girl was certainly one of the greatest female opera singers of all time. We have good voices today but nothing like Leontyne.
dlagrua 3 years ago 4
i love leontyne!!
arturo8402 3 years ago
That was very very sultry! Beautiful and emotional! Thank U for posting Valmusic. And please post more Leontyne's vids please!
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago
when you listen to EVERYONE else in the world sing(well,almost everyone...not the shower singers)...and you come back to the divine Miss Price - well...she rules the opera world and always wiil!!!!
beefnotfish 3 years ago 7
Well, one thing's for sure...we all love the diva. As far as the notes, well, we've got, "deh non dirgli, improvvido" rising to B-flat at :48-1:00; then we have a ravishing high C at 1:29; then we get two luscious B- flats (the 2nd of which is the ossia from the written D-flat) couched in a single phrase from 1:38 to 1:50; And at 2:14, she serves a high D-flat in the cadenza. Great to see so many Price lovers who also know music. We were all on the same page, just different paragraphs.
yes4albert 3 years ago
perfection. there is nothing that is not delightful about ms. price's voice, and her technique is rock solid on top of that. wow. can't we clone her or something? we need voices like this today.
benjaminvox 3 years ago 5
A 42 minute ovation when she sang this role at the MET in 1961. People love her or they heat her...never seems to be any gray with Madame Price. I love her...she is #1! The thing about Ms. Price is that she was so honest about her own shortcomings...she would tell you straight up the wrongs and flaws in her voice and acting...she was La Prima Donna Assoluta. Brava!
htshoward 3 years ago 2
Sorry to be a nag, but I love accuracy. It is a C, not a D-flat in the rising phrase. Not I teach this stuff all day everyday and I have the scores and checked. Either way, it is impressive and she still remains my favorite.
milt48 3 years ago
its a D-flat interpolated.
2muzikiluv 3 years ago 7
It's a D flat!
yodavidnavarro 3 years ago 2
that's chicken feed to someone of her colossal talent!
Lillibet12 3 years ago
hunny its a dflat
johngarner3 3 years ago 3
This is amazing. That is not a Db, though, it is a Bb as she does the ossia marked in the score. However, she still sounds amazing as ever and she will forever be the master of her domain.
milt48 3 years ago
It's a D-flat in the rising phrase just before the final cadenza.
D.
liedersanger1 3 years ago 3
If you don't have a piano, you can tell it's a D-flat because it's half a step up from the high C at 1:30.
liedersanger1 3 years ago 4
I keep coming back to this one, because it's just that glorious. That smiling breath at 1:27 is so fabulously Leontyne. Just for the sake of accuracy, the note is Db, as in fa, of Ab major.
yes4albert 3 years ago
oh that was a fierce breathe!
justinian693 3 years ago 3
Why did you start in the MIDDLE of the aria? :(
I guess you are trying to lure us to buy the DVD...smart marketing!
cantante189 3 years ago
OMG.... words have to been invented yet...
brodsky96 3 years ago 2
So beautiful it hurts. Stunning.
judycadana 3 years ago 6
Callas sang the D as written in this aria during her performances in Mexico City (1950); she also included rather distracting E flats in "Di tale amor." By the time she worked with Serafin in this role, and later recorded it with Karajan both the written D and the interpolated E flats were gone. Price sang the high D at her debut at the Met, exactly as she sings it her. Like Callas, she later discarded this highly exposed note. Ponselle recorded it with the D, but did not attempt it on stage.
MusicaParola 3 years ago
PERFECTION
daniellockwood 3 years ago
The score has a high D, which most sopranos do not or cannot execute. It comes a few bars earlier (ah, le pene), but Price chooses to sing it -exquisitely- in the cadenza. Verdi wrote the high D, and we're fortunate to have had this great artist sing it with such incandescent beauty.
MusicaParola 3 years ago 3
I believe callas hit a high D in her youtube recording if not in the cadenza soomewhere else in the piece check it out
Babs22h 3 years ago
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It's wonderful, although that high note was rather vulgar.
Laeliapurpurata 3 years ago
WHAT A VERDI SINGER!!!!
TreblesBasses 3 years ago
HER BEAUTY IS BREATHTAKING!!!
LeeVita19 3 years ago 2
her costume is gorgeous especially the shape the arm streamy things give her body....
Babs22h 3 years ago 3
yes...i love her costume...she has such a nice look to her. and her voice my god!
handelfan610 3 years ago
Yes, she looked exceptionally regal in 18th (17th?) century period dress. The royal blue and gold dolman-like sleeves are especially flattering.
mca1218 3 years ago 5
the diva rules...the greatest singer...EVER!!!!
beefnotfish 3 years ago 4
The line 'Thank God for film' was uttered in THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT. Allow me to now say 'thank God for videotape!!' The original 1963 color broadcast of this when it was originally aired on THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR still survives, thank you very much, and permanently freezes Ms. Price's youth, grandeur, beauty of face and voice, and flawless performance in even this small segment of IL TROVATORE. Thank God it is also available on DVD. Thank you, vainmusic, a million times for keeping this.
mca1218 3 years ago 2
that last comment was directed at stome3139.
Roots567 3 years ago
The most beautiful singing on earth. She was consistent in her craft, and her talent was just amazing. There are not enough superlatives in any language that can do justice to the artistry of Ms. Price. What a worker she was and how she knew about the voice.
larespo1 4 years ago
this is one of the extremely few good readings of this area
Lohengrin 4 years ago
Pochi soprano affrontano il repertoir di Verdi con così straordinaria padronanza e bravura. La Price è una di quelle. Brava Leontyne!
italien444 4 years ago
Grazie mille!! I loved your comment !
swe50 4 years ago
c'è qualcosa di scuro, di misterioso nella voce della Price in grado di affascinare, di dare i brividi. E la sua pronuncia dell'italiano e il suo fraseggio sono straordinario. Impossibile non amare un soprano così!
italien444 4 years ago
I loved this comments even more! You are so right on the spot in your carachterization of Price, the voice and the persona! Thank you once again ! Impossibile non amare un italiano cosí !
swe50 4 years ago
Stome3139: Are you being offensive or just plain stupid? Ms Price, like all other Verdi sopranos, has her own unique voice and you may or may not like it. But inadquate fortes, light voice? Soubrette? Ms Price is regarded as a spinto soprano. Weakness of voice is not their trademark! Brava, Ms Price!
swe50 4 years ago
Leontyne Price is a dream Leonora. Both in this and in Forza.
I can understand the men. :D
canafinwe 4 years ago
What of Ponselle,Flagstad and Lehmann?
paulostroff99 4 years ago
Callas, Verret, Sutherland, Dimitrova, Nilson, Suliotis, Caballe, Scotto, J.Anderson, G.Jones, L.Price...The Godlen Age...I pray we have voices like these in the future!!!
pirocagrande 4 years ago 2
I actually saw price, not during her peak years, but in 1991, once she had retired from opera and begun to perform in recitals almost exclusively. Even at her advanced age, she had a beautiful tone, amazing breath control, and weight. I was absolutely dazzled by her incredible talent. I will consider her recital one of the high points in my lifetime as a music lover.
tremonishasmarts 4 years ago
New to the scene, Leontyne is the QUEEN of the DIVAS as we knoe the term diva. Her high notes are superb and thank GOD she knew when to retire to other repetoire and off the Operatic stage. The other negative person should go to his favorite and leave Leontyne to her loved ones....
amd73td63 4 years ago
sorry for the mispelled word know...
amd73td63 4 years ago
Sublime, although the interpolated hi note was quite unexpected, and the trill at the end. I love it!!
coopandre 4 years ago
larespo1: by far the brightest comment in this forum.
nichtsleezy: on the mark in your comments about Price's beautiful voice and also in regards to trepicioni/potrobsas mental case.
trepicioni/potrobsas/stome3139: stop annoying others with your obsessively negative sick vibe and go get some professional help for your mind.
soundfond 4 years ago
Price has such a wide vocal range--this can be confusing to people who do not know anything about easy and fine singing. But if you like hard singing, pushed or fabricated high notes--then Price is not your lady.
nichtsleezy 4 years ago 2
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RCA engineers say Price recorded with a microphone in her molar tooth
trepicioni 4 years ago
lier, lier, pants on fire..
soundfond 4 years ago
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In the theater her high notes could not be heard
trepicioni 4 years ago
First: I do not believe that any engineer said what you claimed.
Second: Why do you keep watching her videos only to defame her name? I think that you are mentally and emotionally disturbed.
nichtsleezy 4 years ago
lier, lier, pants of fire..
soundfond 4 years ago
Are you talking about the older Price? She did begin easing up on the high notes, and understandably so. I'm glad she was intelligent enough to try to preserve her voice. And I kinda glad that she continued going for the high notes--I have a high note fetish.
coopandre 4 years ago
And so the people who gave her hours and hours of bravos, standing ovations, cheers and hosannahs in her career all had super hearing? Huh..I wish I had been blessed with it.
FoggyRoad81 4 years ago
I sure heard them! Now get this: Sometimes her pianissimi felt louder than her fortes! Their bright focus drew you in, like the bright coal in a fire. Loudness is WAY down the list of vocal virtues.
davidperk 4 years ago 3
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David:Price fortes had NO power and she had NO fortissimo.Her Verdis are exotic, her Aida is NOT Verdi Aida, her Trovatore is NOT Verdi Trovatore, nothing to do with Verdi, perhaps Gershwin.Price was a LIGHT voice, her voice was small, singing late Verdi operas she seemed a soubrette
stome3139 4 years ago
Sorry. You're in a different universe from the rest of us. But keep on enjoying it.
davidperk 4 years ago 3
Stome3139-only your whimpers would be considered soubrettish!
nichtsleezy 4 years ago 2
hahahahha. you're an idiot!!
hahahahahaha! you have no clue what you are
talking about!
hahahaha!
Roots567 3 years ago
I heard every note in the Shrine Auditorium, 6000 seating, and I was in the balcony. It was as powerul asa when I heard her at Carnegie Hall. What theater were you in?
nmcaia 2 years ago
It does not get better than this!! Such a beautiful voice and what easy high notes!!! I am melting...
nichtsleezy 4 years ago
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This is a D'amor sull'ali rosee version sung by a soubrette, that is how Price sounds
trepicioni 4 years ago
Trepicioni or Stome-obviously you have some problems with Leontyne. Why do you continue to watch her videos?
nichtsleezy 4 years ago
OK someone get me a hat or a towel,
'cause I think all my hair just fell out.
Brava Leontyne, Brava!
ShangoJamal 4 years ago
its very very amazing how this lady sings , what a great voice.
this are legends of the opera music , same as maria callas and pavarotti. great artist.
waaoo i love it.
alexjcn3 4 years ago
this live telecast was done after Leontyne
had become a success in Europe, but nearly half a century ago, before her American debut
and before her work was honored by the
US President and the United Nations The high C taken at a pianissimo in this aria is one of the great showpieces of the Verdi repertoire- there is probably no on regularly singing in the US today who would even try it
onstage!
Arrow
bestmaster3 4 years ago 2
Thank you:)!
urgrad03 4 years ago
I feel very strongly that none of us can judge what is undoubtedly the great gift that has been given to the world, let alone the opera world. She's doing this live and there is so much artistry and attention to detail that we just listen awe-struck. She is a treasure and there is no place for any of us to criticize her, take her apart, slice her up, etc. She is Price-less, without peer and more than sublime. She is more than legend.
larespo1 4 years ago 5
All of our petty little comments, praises, criticisms, etc., scarcely mean much when you think about it, do they? Whether you loved her, hated, her or just want to pick her technique apart, the woman is a legend. She knew her voice better than any of us, and freely admitted her flaws. She many times admitted that the top came easy but the bottom was "WORK." Brava, Leontyne! Oh, by the way, did I mention I think the woman is SUBLIME!!!
htshoward 4 years ago 2
Can't vaimusic delete these wretched comments by this pathetic creature who takes the time to create various screen names all in the endeavor of defaming Madame Price? A low calling in life, indeed.
direfranchement 4 years ago
Nothing special, ordinary
mariaperrucha 4 years ago
Mariaperrucha- you must be looking in the mirror!
nichtsleezy 4 years ago
I have reasons to believe potrobsas, stome3139, trepicioni, espacecardin and jerodo4330 are all accounts from one single person...
soundfond 4 years ago 2
I don't understand all of these comments about the SIZE of a voice. Size doesn't mean much. Many of the world's most beautiful voices--like many of the most beautiful PEOPLE--aren't big.
There are so many other qualities to consider in a singer: warmth of timbre, smoothness of legato, musicality, diction, breathing/phrasing, intensity of emotional communication, etc. Price was among the most distinctive of singers in ALL of those areas. And her voice, by the way, WAS ... NOT... SMALL.
davidperk 4 years ago
davidperk, That's exactly what I meant earlier. Check out my list of beautiful voices, a handful of them are rather smaller (and just for the record, neither Mitchell nor Arroyo are listed...).
soundfond 4 years ago
To my spirit, Price's voice speaks much higher and more intensively than large spintos Mitchell and Arroyo. Mitchell's breath and musicality are tiresome to me. I love Arroyo's tone but I'm not moved by it. On the other hand, Caballe's heavenly sound pierces deep into my heart and tears it...
soundfond 4 years ago
I don't agree about Caballè, her voice is not good for me and as an artist she seems to me awful.Martina had a gorgeous voice, eveness, lovely tone, her voice lacked some edge a bit and very few low notes, but Martina had a great voice, her Don Giovanni/Elvira is wonderful, her '70 Teatro Colon Un ballo in maschera too
jerodo4330 4 years ago
Leona Mitchell had a gorgeous voice too but here I agree with you too, her musicality hmmm...and Mitchel articulation was awful, her phrasing was not good too BUT Caballe, you cannot understand her in any languague she is singing, and Caballè voice was small, uneven, no bottom, the middle was hollow and high notes on forte very awful, I do have a theory about Caballe...
jerodo4330 4 years ago
No, potrobsas, Price's upper range was large and powerful. It easily filled the major Opera Houses, including your hometown Teatro Colon. I suggest you stop blasting Tebaldi's recordings on your earphones and go check your hearing immediately, before you loose it completely.
soundfond 4 years ago
I saw Price at the Colon, the only time she sang there, '69 Il Trovatore.She had a big success but Cossotto Azucena got the major atention.Price received an ovation in "D'amor sull ali", it's true Price voice was not big, it could be heard at the Colon but not great power in any part of her voice.Two years later, 1971 I saw Martina Arroyo and yes, she had a very big voice
jerodo4330 4 years ago
jerodo, Thank you for the honesty. Of course Price's voice wasn't nearly as huge as Arroyo's, their instruments are much different. But to say that Price's upper range was "tiny, disappeared, etc" is just plain slandering & I confront it. Price's was just big enough to be heard above the staff at large venues. Cossotto had a huge dramatic mezzosoprano, when she shared the stage with another singer who wasn't as powerful she'd draw more attention to herself. That happens at any given House.
soundfond 4 years ago
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I don't want to disturb you soundfond, but I heard Price in 1969 and the voice was small, she almost seemed Despina singing Il Trovatore, Sorry
And another thing, that story of Price easy top notes, I will tell what she did, she tighted the troath to can sing them easily but she had no power
paternostro63 2 years ago
Thank you for the missing piece in my technique my friend, the mystery behind her voice could be solved, but what a glorious sound, huh? RCA can put a mike in my molar at anytime. ;)
Con mucho amor,
Justinian
justinian693 2 years ago
Comment removed
RVP57 2 years ago
Whatever she did, it's the most beautiful sound I ever heard. And I also heard her in person, in '89, '97, and 2001. Amazingly large, free and and sensuous tone. Wasn't born yet in '69.
tenornmd 2 years ago
I love Leontyne. I fing her voice amazingly perfect. I think she had the most perfect voice ever!!
yodavidnavarro 2 years ago 5
Hello soundfond: It seems you interest size very much for what I read, Leona Mitchell had a much bigger voice than Price, I saw Mitchell in 1990/92 and 1994.Arroyo as I told before, more voice than Price, like two times.Not to mention Sutherland two times and a half more voice than Price.Caballè NO, Caballè voice was smaller than Price even
jerodo4330 4 years ago
Not so much size, jerodo. If you read, for instance, a list of favorite singers of all times that I posted in my Youtube profile, you'll find singers of all voice types, larger & smaller, lighter & heavier, brighter & darker. What makes a voice beautiful to me has a whole array of distinct aspects, not necessarily bound to the size of it.
soundfond 4 years ago
Who are you to say she would've been good in this or that? Her extensive recording legacy and her glorious stage career singing Verdi roles brought her worldwide ovation and the largest shelf of important awards to an Opera singer in History. This is all out there for everyone to see. I repeat: leave your limbo of denial.
soundfond 4 years ago
Beauty of tone, a very long breath span, weight, and sheer volume in the higher register are all abundant in Leontyne Price's voice and that's why she was an epitome of the Verdian soprano. The rest of the world(even the italian critics) agrees with this. You're the only one who insists on denying those facts.
soundfond 4 years ago
Longbreathing yes BUT sheer volume NO.Price voice had NO sheer volume and in the upper register the voice was SMALL.
stome3139 4 years ago
All you display is ingratitude and bitterness. At least now you started spelling terms right, good sign. I'll be still generous: when one says pure crystal, purity and seeming fragility come to mind. Nilsson had shiny metal and potent clarity, not crystal. Anna Moffo, e.g., had crystal voice. Leontyne Price's never had crystal either, hers is foggy, smoky, haunting, though the upper range has brightness(not the same as clarity), some squillo and "giro"(study that too).
soundfond 4 years ago
It's hard to believe the critics on here! The nerve to even compare her to Milanov! Milanov's voice started to diminish after 32 years of age. There is really no comparison. Price sung effortlessly. Her range was heavenly. How dare anyone to say she was ok? This lady was gifted! Respect that!!!
jibaritobueno 4 years ago
What is with the critisism, To stome3139 I would like to know if you sing, if so do you have the world regognition of Miss Price? Everyone has thier own taste as to wshat is believed to be the best,however to describe her as just ok is a paradox considering the achievments she achieved in er career.(least we not forget in her time the critics were waiting for anything to prove that a Black person could not sing opera, Iwill just assume she proved them all wrong.)
hassia1 4 years ago
Just gorgeous; I wish we had the entire aria. I love voices that "arrive on time," also called a "fast rise;" this lady's voice ALWAYS arrived on time, we never had to wait as we do while some sopranos adjust their lazy technique.
billyguns2 4 years ago
Reading some of this criticism, which sounds tedious and reminds me of frog dissection, makes me wonder if anybody can sing this aria radically better without the alleged imperfections. Perhaps the perfect version of this aria may only exist in some of these listeners' overcritical minds. For me, after listening to many renditions, Price is one the great Leanoras of the 20th century, regardless of any imperfection anybody may find.
operaoaf 4 years ago
totally i agree
Tristiano 2 years ago
This is incredible, even for Price. One of her best recordings of this aria. How about that Trill?
markhh 4 years ago
Sheer perfection!
Reebblu 4 years ago
how can I describe the feeling I get when she sings this...I feel guilty - like I'm stealing something. How can she be this amazing????? there has to be a God!!!
beefnotfish 4 years ago
beefnotfish: Indeed there is a God. And I dare to say Leontyne Price's voice is one of The Almighty's proud creations. I could not agree more with your comments about her, my friend. I also feel somehow elevated by her heavenly singing. May The Lord forever Bless her heart.
soundfond 4 years ago
Heavenly
wantok99 4 years ago
I have a recording of sopranos with Miss Price singing this aria from a live performance...and somehow...this is even better! truly, the most heavenly soprano who ever lived. if Verdi could have heard her...well - I don't think he would allow anyone else to ever sing Leonora(s) or Aida!
beefnotfish 4 years ago
Never in my life have I heard a voice like that of Leontyne Price. It was that voice that brought opera into my life. Thank you Leontyne.
wjoconnor44 4 years ago 2
This is the reason she received the longest standing ovation in the Met's history, 42 minutes, at the end of her debut in this role. Milanov had her moments, but she could NEVER touch Price in this role or any other Verdi role. Leontyne is the BEST verdian soprano. Period!
cdivo39 4 years ago
My goodness...This is just perfection.
mimisings2 4 years ago
Who was her coach at Julliard? I'd like to thank her, and her coach before her:o)! My God this woman's voice is simply stunning. Legato like that... man... takes soooome talent!
urgrad03 4 years ago
Thank you for posting this video of the DIVA singing Aida! She is utmost heaven! I guess I'll always love Leontyne forever... *sigh*
cuteasian4you 4 years ago
Oh my goodness. The voice of a siren that wraps me up and takes me on a journey...death is the double bar.
baroquegeek 4 years ago
This is perfect
gransasso101 4 years ago
I've never heard an angel singing, but I think it's something like this. Just divine...not just the voice, but also the feeling and the emotions...I love her
floryo2006 4 years ago
get a hold of the milanov 52 recording with bjorling. time stops when milanov sings this aria. i would love to know what you think after you listejn
ilprincipedipersia 4 years ago
Would you really like to know? I don't think so.
metropolitan1966 4 years ago
She is acceptable here, the middle a bit engolato and she has much air in the middle, not a pure voice, the top is carried easily though not very interesting, the voice on top was very little and had no power but in this aria she is ok
stome3139 4 years ago
funny I thought she was displaying vocal variety and skill especially in her top by not belting it but just titialting us with her lovely piano use of her instrument especially when she goes from bottom to top in 2:16 that is pure skill
Babs22h 4 years ago
Humm... you do know that's how it supposed to be as per the markings in Verdi's score, stome3139? And what is engolato? Further, you are the very first critic to say her top was "very little and had no power" seeing as how she is renowned for her effortless upper register and impressive volume. I think it's fine to be a critic, but don't criticize based on misinformation.
urgrad03 4 years ago
I am sorry urgrad03 I don't want to offend you but it seems you have little idea about voices.Just Price has reputation for having a tiny top, yes she had an easy top (because she was a lyrical and a light voice) but TINY, NO power.
stome3139 4 years ago
You do know miss Price was concidered a spinto with a rather large voice? The reason why her top here sounds small is because she sings the notes pianissimo, which is one of the hardest things to do in singing, especially when it comes to high notes. Price sang a powerful high E in her recording of Gildas "Caro Nome" even, and that note shows her top had power!
operamagnus 4 years ago
And if Mr. stome3139/potrobsas is so good with musical notation as he shows off, he'll know that the high E-natural in the end of Caro Nome is 4 1/2 tones above the A-flat, pass which he claims Price's voice becomes "tiny". And that's a recording, which he also claims would "prove him right". He contradicts himself left & right. I heard her live in NYC 7 years ago and the entire voice is large and soaring, way pass her called "prime".
soundfond 4 years ago
I meant 5 1/2 tones.
soundfond 4 years ago
Oops sorry operamagnus, you're right. It's 4 1/2 tones above A-flat.
soundfond 4 years ago
operamagnus: Leontyne Price had an average lyrical soprano voice parted in three pieces, the middle had much air, it was not a pure and crystal voice and her voice above Aflat was so little...her top simply did not bloom, there was very little diference in volume between her piano Bflat, B, C and her forte Bflat, B and C and she had NO fff (fortisimmo)
stome3139 4 years ago