I am no fan of Fleming, but why do you think she is miked? I heard her sing 20 years ago in a house with over 2,000 seats. I know she was not miked then. While I wasn't crazy about her singing, I had no trouble hearing her.
The way Tebaldi sang "mia madre aveva una povera ancella...il suo nome ..BAR-bara..." will never be surpassed. For me she was the greatest Desdemona of all time, just as Leontyne was the greatest Aida, Vickers the greatest Peter Grimes, etc.
We keep bumping into each other, Paulo... Thanks to Onegin65 for posting, and to Nate for sending my way.... and catch you soon, Paulo! ! Best. Doug --
Tebaldi leaves most of the others far behind. As for Fleming-she is just the idol of Americans who would be better served in Idolizing the greatest American vocalist-Rosa Ponselle.
I agree that Tebaldi is the greatest Desdemona ever, and I was lucky enough to see her perform the role many times in person at the Met in the 1960's and 1970's. However, do not disparage Renee Fleming. I have seen her Desdemona in person, and it was truly memorable. If you have never heard her sing, the trip to New York to see her at the Met will be time well spent.
@uniqueattack yes! I find this role to be particularly stunning in the context of Kiri's voice! (I'm Kiri's biggest fan). Tebaldi has such a gorgeous voice, similar of that to Kiri's, and I think this is also amazingly beautiful!
Federicopera-Thank you! If you would like to make a comparison-listen to Oda Slobotskaya do the letter scene from Eugene Onegin,and then the Fleming version. I love this aria and have heard it from all that do it,but nobody IMHO has ever done it better than Oda.
I have to agree with you about your ideas on Fleming and Rosa. Rosa is in my opinion the greatest ever. Fleming really has everything a singer could want, but she always screws things up by trying to over jazz them.
the fact that desdemona emphasizes a lot the central register of the voice makes it an especially good part for her, since she doesn't have to go up a lot to the top of the voice that unfortunately was very often a little flat and not quite focussed (as is here, too, the high a sharp at the end, if we are really really honest...). some say the reason of that impression is that she made most of her recordings after her peak. does anyone know more about this? thanks!
i must confess, i never quite liked tebaldi. but now i am very happy i heard this: it helps me understand why she became so famous. it's lovely, musical (even if a little "old-fashoined") singing, a beautiful, round tone, and a very touching simple expressivity.
alvarito45-Sorry,but I don't know Frittoli. To me IMHO,there was Rosa Ponselle,Erna Berger,Lotte Lehmann,Kirstin Flagstad,Maria Callas,and a few others not as much known. Claudia Muzio is one of those. Elizabeth Renberg is another,as is Elizabeth Schwartzkopf.Pardon the spelling on the last one-at least
alvarito45-I finally heard Frittoli,and think her to be good dramatically,but not in the class of a Scotto or a Te Kanawa. In Miserere -she is pale in comparison to Rosa Ponselle. She is very good though.Best wishes.
There are certain singers that will I will forever identify with certain roles; e.g., Leontyne Price as Aida, Maria Callas as Norma, Jon Vickers as Florestan, etc. For me, Tebaldi personified Desdemona; the pathos, the stunning Italian diction and gorgeous phrasing ( "era il suo nome BAR-bara-- perfection!) are unforgettable. Oh, and she had one of the most beautiful voices of all time!
Wonderful warm, round tone - beautiful!
Pearlaceous 1 month ago
so nice!
mickjohn76 4 months ago
Angelo
giuseppecaruso2 1 year ago 2
Que voz más bella
PapagenoHannover 1 year ago
beautiful
ZsaZsadoll 1 year ago
@lamusicahera
I am no fan of Fleming, but why do you think she is miked? I heard her sing 20 years ago in a house with over 2,000 seats. I know she was not miked then. While I wasn't crazy about her singing, I had no trouble hearing her.
PeterPetronovich 2 years ago
The way Tebaldi sang "mia madre aveva una povera ancella...il suo nome ..BAR-bara..." will never be surpassed. For me she was the greatest Desdemona of all time, just as Leontyne was the greatest Aida, Vickers the greatest Peter Grimes, etc.
billyguns2 2 years ago 3
Such beauty of tone.
54spiritedwill54 3 years ago 8
Renata Tebaldi -was IMHO opera in those days!!
paulostroff99 3 years ago 3
We keep bumping into each other, Paulo... Thanks to Onegin65 for posting, and to Nate for sending my way.... and catch you soon, Paulo! ! Best. Doug --
CurzonRoad 2 years ago
@CurzonRoad So nice to hear from you my friend Doug. Hope all goes with you.
paulostroff99 11 months ago
Tebaldi leaves most of the others far behind. As for Fleming-she is just the idol of Americans who would be better served in Idolizing the greatest American vocalist-Rosa Ponselle.
paulostroff99 3 years ago 15
I agree that Tebaldi is the greatest Desdemona ever, and I was lucky enough to see her perform the role many times in person at the Met in the 1960's and 1970's. However, do not disparage Renee Fleming. I have seen her Desdemona in person, and it was truly memorable. If you have never heard her sing, the trip to New York to see her at the Met will be time well spent.
opera535989 3 years ago 3
opera535989-Opera as with many or any other art -is subjective! Best wishes.
paulostroff99 3 years ago 2
Listen again to KiriTeKanawa...havn't found words yet for some phrases and colors!!!!!
uniqueattack 2 years ago
@uniqueattack yes! I find this role to be particularly stunning in the context of Kiri's voice! (I'm Kiri's biggest fan). Tebaldi has such a gorgeous voice, similar of that to Kiri's, and I think this is also amazingly beautiful!
saxamaphoneguy1 1 year ago
I totally agree!!!!!
Federicopera 3 years ago
Federicopera-Thank you! If you would like to make a comparison-listen to Oda Slobotskaya do the letter scene from Eugene Onegin,and then the Fleming version. I love this aria and have heard it from all that do it,but nobody IMHO has ever done it better than Oda.
paulostroff99 3 years ago
I have to agree with you about your ideas on Fleming and Rosa. Rosa is in my opinion the greatest ever. Fleming really has everything a singer could want, but she always screws things up by trying to over jazz them.
moghedien13 3 years ago 3
@paulostroff99 You coundt have been more accurate!!!
Federicopera 11 months ago
the BEST ever in this role!
cleanears 3 years ago 4
Che meraviglia!
Greatest Desdemona ever.
ombreross 3 years ago 2
She owns this role
wobblatura83 3 years ago 2
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the fact that desdemona emphasizes a lot the central register of the voice makes it an especially good part for her, since she doesn't have to go up a lot to the top of the voice that unfortunately was very often a little flat and not quite focussed (as is here, too, the high a sharp at the end, if we are really really honest...). some say the reason of that impression is that she made most of her recordings after her peak. does anyone know more about this? thanks!
wwwoyzeck 4 years ago
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i must confess, i never quite liked tebaldi. but now i am very happy i heard this: it helps me understand why she became so famous. it's lovely, musical (even if a little "old-fashoined") singing, a beautiful, round tone, and a very touching simple expressivity.
wwwoyzeck 4 years ago
thanks so very much!
ElliePearl 4 years ago
Stunning.Nobody does it better!Thank you Dobrib!
paulostroff99 4 years ago 2
Do not forget Scotto, Te Kanawa, Frittoli. They also do it great
alvarito45 3 years ago
alvarito45-Sorry,but I don't know Frittoli. To me IMHO,there was Rosa Ponselle,Erna Berger,Lotte Lehmann,Kirstin Flagstad,Maria Callas,and a few others not as much known. Claudia Muzio is one of those. Elizabeth Renberg is another,as is Elizabeth Schwartzkopf.Pardon the spelling on the last one-at least
paulostroff99 3 years ago
If you do not know her, just key Barbara Frittoli here in You tube. You will find her at once, and admire her inmediatly!!! For sure!!
alvarito45 3 years ago
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And Fleming!!!
OperaLover84 3 years ago
alvarito45-I finally heard Frittoli,and think her to be good dramatically,but not in the class of a Scotto or a Te Kanawa. In Miserere -she is pale in comparison to Rosa Ponselle. She is very good though.Best wishes.
paulostroff99 3 years ago
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Um...and Fleming! The best I think!
OperaLover84 3 years ago
Gloriously beautiful!
Elisabetta611 4 years ago 6
There are certain singers that will I will forever identify with certain roles; e.g., Leontyne Price as Aida, Maria Callas as Norma, Jon Vickers as Florestan, etc. For me, Tebaldi personified Desdemona; the pathos, the stunning Italian diction and gorgeous phrasing ( "era il suo nome BAR-bara-- perfection!) are unforgettable. Oh, and she had one of the most beautiful voices of all time!
billyguns2 4 years ago 14
At this role,Renata was unreachable: voce verdiana,beautiful sound un delicate rendition.
saverioorlando 4 years ago 6
and delicate!
saverioorlando 4 years ago
There is none that can sing with such simplicity , beauty , so convincing , so natural .. wish there were more videos with this extraordinary singer!
My sincere thanks to those that are posting them!
bachianasbrasileiras 4 years ago 4
Like a ANGEL!
Rossalita 4 years ago
Mrs TeBaldi has the most beautiful voice.... Pity the video has these silly Japanese subtitles and destroys part of the image....
GDMADY 5 years ago 3
Perfect voice, also she is very beautiful and so feminie.
michaud1 5 years ago 2
Her voice is so beautiful. Clear diction.
Nobody sings this aria like her. It is so warm and rich. She is perfect. Great Tebaldi.
michaud1 5 years ago 2
Such beauty of tone. No one sings this role like Tebaldi. Thank you.
mrrk 5 years ago 2
Yes! No Desdemona sings with this beauty of sound and phrasing!!! And her vocal acting is very natural and convincing too.
GavinLyKW 5 years ago
Yes, you are so right. Tebaldi is with out peer in this role.
mrrk 5 years ago
Perfection
potrobsas 5 years ago 2