Virginia Zeani - 'Papers, papers' - The Consul - Menotti

[DanRobSo]

Just curious - what language does the Foreign Woman sing in the Italian traslation of "The Consul?" Of course, you know in the original English version she sings in Italian!

[corellithebest]

Although I normally do not like contemporary composers as much as I admire traditional ones, Mme Zeani has undoubtedly, with her innate artistry and spontaneity, managed to marvellously impersonate and portray all the bitter despair and frustration of the character completely driven to suicide because of rigid bureaucracy. In addition, the music is utterly depressing, gloomy, menacing, and the words are heart--wrenching.

[MyStacey84]

good information shared:>)

[slaraffenlandia]

DAs ist ja nicht nur eine Frage über Vielseitigkeit. Es ist vor allem die Frage, wer zu der Rolle dramatisch(st) passt. Und da ist mir die Borkh am besten!



[slaraffenlandia]

Ganz schön, doch man vergisst nicht Inge Borkh.

[jocmuc]

@slaraffenlandia

ich liebe beide in dieser rolle und vergesse die borkh auf keinen fall.

aber keine frage, wer von den beiden vielseitiger ist.

virginia ist einfach eine assoluta

[kelyn1994]

Fantastic

[giandoroma]

The conductor was Thomas Schippers, of course. This production, signed by Menotti himself, opened in Florence Maggio Musicale in june 1972 and was a few days later seen in Spoleto with the same cast and team.

[gainutdinn]

@giandoroma Correct me if I'm wrong the cast:: John Sorel: Gianluigi Colmagro Magda Sorel: Virginia Zeani La madre: Giovanna Fioroni Il poliziotto: Carlo Zardo La segretaria: Joy Davidson Mr. Kofner: Graziano Del Vivo La straniera: Bibiana Goldenthal Anna Gomez: Giuliana Matteini Vera Boronel: Teresa Rocchino Il prestigiatore: Nico Castel Assan: Giorgio Giorgetti

[richw57]

WOW

[wenarto]

brava diva

[archibaldvery]

Such a shame not to be able to rate this recording. Here Zeani gives a perfect example or raw emotional beauty and has such a varied expressive palette of vocal colours. She is wonderful, one of the unfortunately lost old school...

[pauldave]

The only version of this aria I have ever heard that even comes close to Eileen Farrell.

Brilliant. I can't believe this was recorded in 1972. Her vocal life was extremely long.

And again I say brilliant.

Thanks, Charlotte

[nispen]

I only heard the original English version before. She sings beautifully.

[basenjidiva]

Zeani's voice rings with passion and drama! Very moving rendition.

Brava, Zeani!

[Medsas]

this is the italian version?

[Klassizismus]

The music is not quite my cup of tea, but Zeani is again a VERY intense performer and brings life to the drama! I hadn't heard of Zeani until I saw your videos, thank you for that! It's such a shame that so many great opera singers were neglected by the recording companies... Virginia Zeani, Grace Bumbry, June Anderson etc. Best wishes. (P.S. I'll answer to your message later on ;))

[corellithebest]

@Klassizismus You wrote exactly what i think, too! Atonality in general is not my cup of tea, but Zeani's portrayal of this desperate and humiliated woman brought me to tears. She has managed, with her innate spontaneous artistry, to bring words to genuine artistic life. The worda and the music emanate a certain lingering sense of horror and doom.

[marighim2008]

Belle personalite, belle voix, superbe version!

Merci infiniment!*****

[SENAFOREVER]

Adorata, divina...

Grazie alla Signora Zeani, grazie per sempre.

Bravissima per l'Eternita.

[operadonna]

I love you

[SINGINGOPERAFAN]

THIS is what opera should be all about!!!!!!

[sergiu17]

VIVA Zeani....

[JefRoberts]

The great Zeani. She is riveting. Thanks for posting.