Bumbry has the right sound for Leonora that dark,plangent, dramatic,tone and the soaring top, her voice is huge yet supple and agile. I love her in excerpts from this role and would have loved to hear her sing it in it's entirety. I would have liked to hear her in the Trovatore Leonora too. I admired Bumbry as a Mezzo and as a Soprano
what a marvelous performance of this aria! Bumbry's voice has the dark, dramatic yet soaring quality this aria demands.Her version ranks up there with my favorites,Rosa Ponselle,Renata Tebaldi, Eileen Farrell,Leontyne Price,Martina Arroyo and Aprile Milo
SO was this song for her range? I understand that she is a mezzo soprano. I heard Leontyne sing this and she is a soprano? So on this piece it doesn't matter??
When she hit that pianissimo high b-flat I almost jumped out of my chair. That was incredible. There is life in this voice. Earth. It's a very personable voice. It's a quality that can't be taught. Some have it, some don't. Bumbry HAD it.
I maintain this is the best Pace around! She just SINGS this aria. I have her full Forza from 83 at the Met and SHE should have been given the broadcast. She, Carerras, and Bruson were 100% better than their more readily excepted colleagues who got the broadcast performance.
They get more muscles... but as the other they have to capture their voice, their body to reach the highest level... that's not a colour... that's a potential and lots of work !
Loved the "mezzofied" approach to both High B-flats. Nailed 'em cleanly, like many sopranos fail to do. The only drawback is that Grace is hardly emotionally involved in this aria. She waits until after the last note to then put on the "woe is me" face.
What is the process of "mezzofication" (something apparently drastically different from whatever else there is) that is able to occur particularly in the sound of a pianissimo and then fortissimo B-flat?
Her facial expressions seemed more serene than dramatic which I think made her seem a bit disengaged. Nevertheless beautiful interpretation, I love her "Maledizione" and yes she breaks my heart too for not holding that last note longer.
I always thought of Bumbry's voice as "soprano-ish". To have started out a mezzo, her strenghth is certainly in the middle to upper middle register; the bottom is a bit brassy. This performance certainly makes the grade, but it sounds a bit "studied." I, nevertheless, enjoyed this joint concert with Verrett. Both women had wonderful moments.
This wasn't the most moving performance of the aria that I have heard. I would like to have heard her play with tempo and phrasing a bit more. It seemed a bit rushed through.
I think every artist brings something very special and individual to the role or aria he/she is performing; I also like Angela Gheorghiu's interpretaion, but Bumbry's phrasing is quite exciting here, for example in "Né togliermi dal core l'immagin sua saprò", in the first "Fatalità!", "Non ti vedrò mai più!" and finally in "Misero pane, a prolungarmi vieni/La sconsolata vita... Ma chi giunge? Chi profanare ardisce il sacro loco?".
But you're right she doesn't show each emotion in this.
Such great diction, great phrasing, and a wonderful sound; which all led up to a disappointing ending. I wish she had held the final B flat longer. However, the facial dramatics and gesturing did help to pass the downtime at the end. Very good performance.
One must not forget that opera is an art form. It is the art to remain within the boundaries of good taste. If you are looking for acrobatics, then you should go to a circus. A good example of this is Pavarotti. At the end of his career he was not singing the opera but using it more as a showcase for his abilities. It is like Nixon thinking that he is the presidency. Grace Bumbry was an artist of her craft. I have personally enjoyed her performances many a time.
Oh yes, i agree. Personally, I like it when sopranos hold out the ending on this aria because it's so difficult to do. Callas never sustained this note for very long, either. But you're right, it's the total package of the aria that counts. Bumbry knows what she's doing. She's not my favorite, but I do recognize her great skill.
Yes, I know how tempting it is to want such a note to last forever but I think that is the trick/art in having you want more. Bumbry was not one of my all time favorites but she was up there with the rest of them - maybe not at the top of Mt. Olymp but she did enjoy the view.
Not bad for a mezzo. Actually, I adore her and she sings this better than 95% of the full-time sopranos out there. She couldn't quite do a pianissimo high b-flat on "in van la pace" a la Leontyne Price in her prime, but that's a tiny quibble for a sensational peformance!
Absolutely Marvelous!!!!!
esquire2K11 4 months ago in playlist Opera
Bumbry has the right sound for Leonora that dark,plangent, dramatic,tone and the soaring top, her voice is huge yet supple and agile. I love her in excerpts from this role and would have loved to hear her sing it in it's entirety. I would have liked to hear her in the Trovatore Leonora too. I admired Bumbry as a Mezzo and as a Soprano
intelegentable 7 months ago
what a marvelous performance of this aria! Bumbry's voice has the dark, dramatic yet soaring quality this aria demands.Her version ranks up there with my favorites,Rosa Ponselle,Renata Tebaldi, Eileen Farrell,Leontyne Price,Martina Arroyo and Aprile Milo
intelegentable 7 months ago
i had to keep repeating the first note.. so unexpected... inspired!
0o0doir0o0 8 months ago
Stunning. Image and sounds do not appear fully synchronised which gives a funny effect, at least close-up. But just stunningly beautiful.
mabemawi 8 months ago
Que potencia dramática y que hermosa voz. Perfecta para este tipo de rol.
Maicosco 10 months ago
Que potencia dramática y que hermosa voz
Maicosco 10 months ago
this is ctually a good soprano role for her.... nice job here
TerrancePogue 1 year ago
wow the opening had me!!!!!!!
kenndogg 1 year ago
@kenndogg Yeah, I've never heard an opening quite like that!
andrecooper555 1 year ago
Bravissima
youfeda 1 year ago
i love that freak of a voice she has...singing BOTH soprano rep AND mezzo rep, being known for something from both venues...HAHAHAHAHAHAMAZING!
jomoses07 1 year ago
SO was this song for her range? I understand that she is a mezzo soprano. I heard Leontyne sing this and she is a soprano? So on this piece it doesn't matter??
chicagomarchingbands 1 year ago
Miss Bumbry has a "voce stupenda e grande interprete " NICE JOB. THANKS YOU FOR SHARING THIS GEME.
Tenorbravo 2 years ago 2
When she hit that pianissimo high b-flat I almost jumped out of my chair. That was incredible. There is life in this voice. Earth. It's a very personable voice. It's a quality that can't be taught. Some have it, some don't. Bumbry HAD it.
Iareto 2 years ago 3
Girl can definitely sing.
JohnnyMarsden 2 years ago 12
Such control. Molta bella!
Jvanella83 3 years ago 4
Mitica!
30martin082007 3 years ago
yo, She's kinda hot.
Chilair1 3 years ago 3
@Chilair1 hilarious!!!
kenndogg 1 year ago
WOW beautiful voice..its so plush and big..like a big soft pillow..
musoph21 3 years ago 17
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was too funny
courtneybaritone01 3 years ago
Bumbrylicious!
CalifaJohn 3 years ago 3
I maintain this is the best Pace around! She just SINGS this aria. I have her full Forza from 83 at the Met and SHE should have been given the broadcast. She, Carerras, and Bruson were 100% better than their more readily excepted colleagues who got the broadcast performance.
courtneybaritone01 3 years ago 3
They get more muscles... but as the other they have to capture their voice, their body to reach the highest level... that's not a colour... that's a potential and lots of work !
neochmia 3 years ago
Loved the "mezzofied" approach to both High B-flats. Nailed 'em cleanly, like many sopranos fail to do. The only drawback is that Grace is hardly emotionally involved in this aria. She waits until after the last note to then put on the "woe is me" face.
UrsulanChild 3 years ago
What is the process of "mezzofication" (something apparently drastically different from whatever else there is) that is able to occur particularly in the sound of a pianissimo and then fortissimo B-flat?
vinemp 3 years ago
SING BUMBRY!!
UneeQStyLZ 3 years ago
Ummmmm......Where is her standing ovation at the end there?!?! haha! That High B flat at 4:05 is ridiculously amazing!! LOVE HER!!
blkmichaux 4 years ago 2
Her B flat at 4:05 is brilliant. That´s a very tricky tone for lot´s of spinto sopranos.
dannymaestro 4 years ago 4
Her facial expressions seemed more serene than dramatic which I think made her seem a bit disengaged. Nevertheless beautiful interpretation, I love her "Maledizione" and yes she breaks my heart too for not holding that last note longer.
SweetFiness 4 years ago 2
I always thought of Bumbry's voice as "soprano-ish". To have started out a mezzo, her strenghth is certainly in the middle to upper middle register; the bottom is a bit brassy. This performance certainly makes the grade, but it sounds a bit "studied." I, nevertheless, enjoyed this joint concert with Verrett. Both women had wonderful moments.
albertthrelkeld 4 years ago
What do you mean by "studied"?
Klassizismus 4 years ago
This wasn't the most moving performance of the aria that I have heard. I would like to have heard her play with tempo and phrasing a bit more. It seemed a bit rushed through.
albertthrelkeld 4 years ago
I think every artist brings something very special and individual to the role or aria he/she is performing; I also like Angela Gheorghiu's interpretaion, but Bumbry's phrasing is quite exciting here, for example in "Né togliermi dal core l'immagin sua saprò", in the first "Fatalità!", "Non ti vedrò mai più!" and finally in "Misero pane, a prolungarmi vieni/La sconsolata vita... Ma chi giunge? Chi profanare ardisce il sacro loco?".
But you're right she doesn't show each emotion in this.
Klassizismus 4 years ago
Such great diction, great phrasing, and a wonderful sound; which all led up to a disappointing ending. I wish she had held the final B flat longer. However, the facial dramatics and gesturing did help to pass the downtime at the end. Very good performance.
swdanielson 4 years ago 3
One must not forget that opera is an art form. It is the art to remain within the boundaries of good taste. If you are looking for acrobatics, then you should go to a circus. A good example of this is Pavarotti. At the end of his career he was not singing the opera but using it more as a showcase for his abilities. It is like Nixon thinking that he is the presidency. Grace Bumbry was an artist of her craft. I have personally enjoyed her performances many a time.
mrteryx 4 years ago 3
Oh yes, i agree. Personally, I like it when sopranos hold out the ending on this aria because it's so difficult to do. Callas never sustained this note for very long, either. But you're right, it's the total package of the aria that counts. Bumbry knows what she's doing. She's not my favorite, but I do recognize her great skill.
swdanielson 4 years ago
Yes, I know how tempting it is to want such a note to last forever but I think that is the trick/art in having you want more. Bumbry was not one of my all time favorites but she was up there with the rest of them - maybe not at the top of Mt. Olymp but she did enjoy the view.
mrteryx 4 years ago
lol, very good. well said.
swdanielson 4 years ago
You're not supposed to hold that last note for too long.
sexymodelboy 4 years ago
Class dismissed!
schicchi1160 4 years ago
Amen.
mm9913 4 years ago 2
Well, a great deal of her recordings are in the mezzo-soprano repertoire..... Amneris, Eboli.. etc.
kmillard 4 years ago
bumbry's pianissimo high-B in Gioconda (i think the phrase is "Enzo, te amo") is absolutely gorgeous, one of the best in the world of opera.
StarRaft 4 years ago
Not bad for a mezzo. Actually, I adore her and she sings this better than 95% of the full-time sopranos out there. She couldn't quite do a pianissimo high b-flat on "in van la pace" a la Leontyne Price in her prime, but that's a tiny quibble for a sensational peformance!
kmillard 4 years ago
Caballe is the only comparable pianissimo high b flat, but why must we compare singers, Bumbry sizzles here in her own right.
mm9913 4 years ago
i enjoy her better than verrett in this aria.
canzonettasullaria 4 years ago
Bumbry's voice was like a cannon, colossial in size and weight.
benderpm 4 years ago
INTENSE!!!
macmusikpro 4 years ago
This is as secure as I've ever heard her top notes. Glorious sounding.
FoggyRoad81 4 years ago
i totally agree
johngarner3 4 years ago
Absolutely bell like top!!
mm9913 4 years ago
Beautiful, Grace is my favorite next to Jessye Norman
tjaphrodite 4 years ago
very nice
daplatano5 5 years ago
her sound is one of the most beautiful that i have heard.
lamarcallas 5 years ago