Gruberova is perhaps one of the worst Anna Bolenas ever
She does not have the range or weight in her voice to sing the role
Her middle is very hollow and her low notes are simply not there
For this role (an Assoluta role) one needs chest voice like a mezzo and high notes like a soprano
Gruberova only has the high notes, that's why she had to change so much of the music to suit her voice because she simply couldn't sing it as written when the music went to the low register
Primo, what's your opinion on Netrebko currently singing Bolena ? She's sung it in Vienna and now the Met. There are clips of it on Youtube. I think she's terrible. She's totally unsuited to Bolena. She's great in Lucia and Puritani, but Bolena was not for her. Bolena hasn't been sung by a major star in years, so she took a big risk. She's definitely no Callas, no Sutherland or Sills, all 3 who were fabulous Bolena. Netrebko's way out of her league.
I actually think Sutherland was dreadful as Anna Bolena, she has a nasty wobble in her middle voice and she had to transpose everything to avoid the low dramatic passages and also transpose down the final cabaletta to climax on a high note. And Sills...well, she had the range but she sounds like she is screaming in her middle voice when singing Anna Bolena. For me the ultimate Anna Bolena is Callas, and I think Netrebko did ok sans trills and sans lowest notes.
@OperaMystery80 I am in total agreement there. I think with her, often her appearance helps her rather than her voice. Perhaps I am too harsh, but, I was not pleased at her rendition of Casta Diva. It's especially apparent if one has heard Sutherland or Callas' rendition of Anna Bolena and other works. It makes me a little worried for the future of opera. :(
Sutherland's Anna Bolena was quite dreadful, she sang it way past her prime without the required range in the middle and low notes. Maria was and is the best, but overall Anna Netrebko has long since been just "a pretty face" considering she gained quite a bit of weight, and her singing as been improving a lot as of lately.
What a shame that impresarios of that time were not wiser and did not provide a studio version of the complete opera with her. We could have one of the best Donizetti`s work performed in the best possible way. Anyhow we are glad to have live recording from Scala premiere evening at least.
EXCELLENT BUT HER GREATEST IS NORMA. I adore callas she rules supreme!!!!!
scott12061972 1 month ago
Listen to this serene fragility bursting with emotional substance... This is true Belcanto at its best...!
odyssorpheus 1 month ago
Callas is splendid as always.. And Donizetti writes the BEST madness scenes!
MademoiselleSonushka 4 months ago
Gruberova IS the best Bolena.
Though I love Callas , Sutherland and Sills.
I do not like much Netrebko, I'm sorry.
Swan607 5 months ago in playlist MARIA CALLAS 1
@Swan607
Gruberova is perhaps one of the worst Anna Bolenas ever
She does not have the range or weight in her voice to sing the role
Her middle is very hollow and her low notes are simply not there
For this role (an Assoluta role) one needs chest voice like a mezzo and high notes like a soprano
Gruberova only has the high notes, that's why she had to change so much of the music to suit her voice because she simply couldn't sing it as written when the music went to the low register
primohomme 5 months ago 2
@primohomme
Ok, you are right. her low notes are , maybe, not there.
Anyway, her high notes are wonderful and the audience enjoy with them a lot.
Anyway, I agree with you. ;-)
Swan607 5 months ago
She brings tragedy alive................
callastochter 7 months ago
Primo, what's your opinion on Netrebko currently singing Bolena ? She's sung it in Vienna and now the Met. There are clips of it on Youtube. I think she's terrible. She's totally unsuited to Bolena. She's great in Lucia and Puritani, but Bolena was not for her. Bolena hasn't been sung by a major star in years, so she took a big risk. She's definitely no Callas, no Sutherland or Sills, all 3 who were fabulous Bolena. Netrebko's way out of her league.
OperaMystery80 8 months ago
@OperaMystery80
I actually think Sutherland was dreadful as Anna Bolena, she has a nasty wobble in her middle voice and she had to transpose everything to avoid the low dramatic passages and also transpose down the final cabaletta to climax on a high note. And Sills...well, she had the range but she sounds like she is screaming in her middle voice when singing Anna Bolena. For me the ultimate Anna Bolena is Callas, and I think Netrebko did ok sans trills and sans lowest notes.
primohomme 8 months ago 2
@OperaMystery80 AGREED! I don't even think Netrebko was a good Lucia.
Nacidodelmar 6 months ago
@OperaMystery80 I am in total agreement there. I think with her, often her appearance helps her rather than her voice. Perhaps I am too harsh, but, I was not pleased at her rendition of Casta Diva. It's especially apparent if one has heard Sutherland or Callas' rendition of Anna Bolena and other works. It makes me a little worried for the future of opera. :(
serpentineprincess 5 months ago
@serpentineprincess
Sutherland's Anna Bolena was quite dreadful, she sang it way past her prime without the required range in the middle and low notes. Maria was and is the best, but overall Anna Netrebko has long since been just "a pretty face" considering she gained quite a bit of weight, and her singing as been improving a lot as of lately.
primohomme 5 months ago
What a shame that impresarios of that time were not wiser and did not provide a studio version of the complete opera with her. We could have one of the best Donizetti`s work performed in the best possible way. Anyhow we are glad to have live recording from Scala premiere evening at least.
jirizika1962 9 months ago
she is so beautiful
dancingrl5678 11 months ago
7:56 to 8:16 : real moments of life. So touching...
mozarthaydn 1 year ago
assolutamente meravigliosa...
"oh, chi si duole" è la storia del dramma lirico...è una lezione che tutti dovrebbero avere, nella gola e nel cuore...
NathairMacBrighit 2 years ago
Divina como siempre brava callas nadie como tu La Divina.
MAPIAKALLAS 2 years ago
Wonderful!!!! Which recording is this from? Is it the EMI 1957 live recording from La Scala with Simionato under Gavazzeni?
Operaphile 2 years ago
It's a studio recording, made in 1958. A recital that also included the mad scenes from ''Il Pirata'' and ''Hamlet'', called: "Mad Scenes"
AOG93 2 years ago
I am curious. I am considering purchasing the Anna Bolena recording. Any thoughts?
intermediatespecies 2 years ago
Callas' is the best bolena, warts and all. After her...only Beverly Sills.
primohomme 2 years ago
"Warts" ?
CatalinaDM56 2 years ago
There are cuts to the music...
primohomme 2 years ago
Ahh, okay...thank you!
CatalinaDM56 2 years ago