Who cares if she does or doesn't have visual problems? Callas was very nearsighted and didn't wear her glasses on stage. She couldn't see the other performers very well, but who cared? She was Callas! The same applies to June Anderson. If you can sing brilliantly, that's all that matters. And June Anderson sings brilliantly.
Quel merveilleux souvenir Anderson et Kraus chantaient à Garnier ces 2 récitals et j'ai eu la chance et le bonheur d'assister à l'un des deux récitals, un très beau moment vocal et un très beau souvenir...Merci à operara.
Tremenda anderson,realmente espectacular,una clase de canto en si mismo este video,escuchenlo con auriculares,es asombroso el detalle...de la pulida tecnica..
you are right, the US is sometimes more focused in commercial singers with good publicity like Domingo etc than pure art, this soprano has a very rich tone, sing very nicely and is an inspiraton for others.
Beautiful, prime June. She has always given great life to this role (and sang it quite often) - I too grew up with her during her days at Lyric Chicago, San Fran etc... I think I attended every american debut role of hers. Great artist and nice lady, she was always cheerful and friendly.
"mpsmithpfm" you make a fair point,,lol,,They say the chorus hears all the gossip,,but whether they get it right or not is another matter..Anyway,,Best wishes to you.
"mpsmithpt's" voice teacher needs a kick up the arse for spreading stupid rumours like that. Are Anderson's clips here on Youtube "mediocre?" Why are such minor characters often such bigots ?
I was in the audience that day! However, what I most vividly remember about the concert is Kraus singing Una furtiva lagrima. I wonder why Anderson's Traviata did not impress me more at the time. Musicianship, technical brilliance--she has it all.
Alfredo Kraus is awesome too but his voice was too powerful and loud. That part of the aria is supposed to be sweet and graceful. When he sang his little solo in the middle it seemed like he was yelling look at me ,look at me I'm singing! But did anybody notice that he goes up to a C# closer to the end of his small solo! Thats AWESOME!!
I didn't like that it seemed like she was simply vocalising instead of singing from 7:23 - 7:26 but with such a brilliant performance and that glory note at the end, I'll overlook it.
I've seen June in many roles & met her through a friend. Saw her do Traviata at Lyric Opera Chicago. Intermission btwn Acts 2 & 3 was long though. Usually 20 minutes it extended to 30, 40, 45; they announced she had a problem but chose to continue. Her last act was the most memorable ever. We talked to June the next day, she said something had been sprayed backstage; she had an asthma attack, recovered enough that she wanted to finish; she wasn't really acting; she knew just how Violetta felt.
That's a great story. I met her backstage after her Norma at the Lyric - I'm such a fan I was petrified into virtual silence - and my friends who arranged the intro will never let me live it down.
I wasn't that way with June since we met away from the opera. I was mouth wide-opened when I met Renee Fleming. The only thing I could say to her was, "Thank you. Especially, for the new Handel CD." Her response was, "How sweet." My friends were amazed since I'm never shy...
Good for you, June! An absolutely wonderful essay of this difficult aria. Kraus held his own, too! I believe this duo had a special chemistry that made their performances together thrilling for the listener. Like Sutherland/Pavarotti, Freni/Pavarotti. Thanks for posting!
lol Kraus was not 'easily' into his 70's, he was barely 60, in fact his 60th birthday was a couple of months earlier. Still, he's perfection, what portamento! Anderson is fabulous, so superior than trashy Netrebko or Gheorghiu in the role.
This is just my opinion, but my sense is she is highly appreciated in Europe but is "bloody underrated" here in the US. Maybe because she has seemed to favor performing in European houses so much of her career. Other thoughts?
Yes nickbigd, she has always been well loved here in Europe. I think America was slow in seeing how good she was and by the time they did, she was loaded with European work. As a fluent French-speaker it's not surprising she likes France and has an abode there.
According to my voice teacher (who sang with her numerous times when he was in the chorus at the Met), she a little strange--"e strano". She will nail everything in rehearsals, but somehow would give a mediocre performance. Plus, she's had lots of problems with her vision and has even had to have a cast/chorus member guide her around the stage!
This is the sort of rumor and innuendo that is so awful. Very sad. Have you actually ever been to see her perform? I have numerous times (including all her roles at the Met) and cannot recall anything remotely approaching "mediocre." Was she "mediocre" in Rigoletto? Semiramide? And what is your source for these purported eyesight problems - she seems to make it around the stage of La Fenice just fine on her own in the recently released Daphne DVD.
Hey nickbigd-- can't you see thatmpsmithpt's teacher WAS IN THE CHORUS while June was A HEADLINER? I hoped you laughed the rumor off...I haven't heard June live-- I envy you there-- but all of her recorded stuff is HOT. Be well!
@mpsmithpt I know you posted that comment 3 years ago, but I just thought I'd point out how funny it is that you mention "she's had lots of problems with her vision" like having eyesight problems (whether or not that's at all true) is some kind of deep-rooted personality flaw.
I love June and Alfredo together. I heard her sing this at the Met 14 years (!) later in 2001 and she looked stunning, sang beautifully and was very moving in the final act.
I always love June, but Kraus is like...my hero in this clip! He sounds so good! June is, as in most cases, amazing here. I've never heard her sing this before, but I like her voice for the role. Definitely a good performance
Kraus was easily into his 70's at the time this was done...and he had no problems with the high D-flat in the Romeo et Juliet "Addio" they sang together (I have the CD).
I adore June Anderson!
SymphonyBrahms 7 months ago
Who cares if she does or doesn't have visual problems? Callas was very nearsighted and didn't wear her glasses on stage. She couldn't see the other performers very well, but who cared? She was Callas! The same applies to June Anderson. If you can sing brilliantly, that's all that matters. And June Anderson sings brilliantly.
jmuslvr 11 months ago
Quel merveilleux souvenir Anderson et Kraus chantaient à Garnier ces 2 récitals et j'ai eu la chance et le bonheur d'assister à l'un des deux récitals, un très beau moment vocal et un très beau souvenir...Merci à operara.
66jjma 1 year ago
Tremenda anderson,realmente espectacular,una clase de canto en si mismo este video,escuchenlo con auriculares,es asombroso el detalle...de la pulida tecnica..
martindogo 1 year ago
That last high note is wonderful!! Thanks for the post!!
vocalpianist 2 years ago 7
A true artist. Too bad she wasn't appreciated as much in the US.
goldenthroat86 2 years ago 6
you are right, the US is sometimes more focused in commercial singers with good publicity like Domingo etc than pure art, this soprano has a very rich tone, sing very nicely and is an inspiraton for others.
tena2 2 years ago
Beautiful, prime June. She has always given great life to this role (and sang it quite often) - I too grew up with her during her days at Lyric Chicago, San Fran etc... I think I attended every american debut role of hers. Great artist and nice lady, she was always cheerful and friendly.
Ronizetti 2 years ago 4
"mpsmithpfm" you make a fair point,,lol,,They say the chorus hears all the gossip,,but whether they get it right or not is another matter..Anyway,,Best wishes to you.
Ivanhoe2 4 years ago 2
"mpsmithpt's" voice teacher needs a kick up the arse for spreading stupid rumours like that. Are Anderson's clips here on Youtube "mediocre?" Why are such minor characters often such bigots ?
Ivanhoe2 4 years ago 2
Well, you could, but he's dead.
Did you ever sing with her? Then you really don't know.
I love June. Always have. I was just trying to impart an interesting comment about her.
mpsmithpt 4 years ago
I was in the audience that day! However, what I most vividly remember about the concert is Kraus singing Una furtiva lagrima. I wonder why Anderson's Traviata did not impress me more at the time. Musicianship, technical brilliance--she has it all.
Matt75003 4 years ago 2
June Anderson= AMAZING AS ALWAYS!!
Alfredo Kraus is awesome too but his voice was too powerful and loud. That part of the aria is supposed to be sweet and graceful. When he sang his little solo in the middle it seemed like he was yelling look at me ,look at me I'm singing! But did anybody notice that he goes up to a C# closer to the end of his small solo! Thats AWESOME!!
blkmichaux 4 years ago
She is stunning; simply stunning.
I didn't like that it seemed like she was simply vocalising instead of singing from 7:23 - 7:26 but with such a brilliant performance and that glory note at the end, I'll overlook it.
Liwah 4 years ago 3
I've seen June in many roles & met her through a friend. Saw her do Traviata at Lyric Opera Chicago. Intermission btwn Acts 2 & 3 was long though. Usually 20 minutes it extended to 30, 40, 45; they announced she had a problem but chose to continue. Her last act was the most memorable ever. We talked to June the next day, she said something had been sprayed backstage; she had an asthma attack, recovered enough that she wanted to finish; she wasn't really acting; she knew just how Violetta felt.
jmi2 4 years ago
That's a great story. I met her backstage after her Norma at the Lyric - I'm such a fan I was petrified into virtual silence - and my friends who arranged the intro will never let me live it down.
nickbigd 4 years ago
I wasn't that way with June since we met away from the opera. I was mouth wide-opened when I met Renee Fleming. The only thing I could say to her was, "Thank you. Especially, for the new Handel CD." Her response was, "How sweet." My friends were amazed since I'm never shy...
jmi2 4 years ago
Good for you, June! An absolutely wonderful essay of this difficult aria. Kraus held his own, too! I believe this duo had a special chemistry that made their performances together thrilling for the listener. Like Sutherland/Pavarotti, Freni/Pavarotti. Thanks for posting!
InformedListener 4 years ago
I am shocked at this! I never thought June Anderson could perform like this. I am glad she can give a performance of her life. Brava, June!
cuteasian4you 4 years ago
One of the very best ever heard.
nlupos 4 years ago
lol Kraus was not 'easily' into his 70's, he was barely 60, in fact his 60th birthday was a couple of months earlier. Still, he's perfection, what portamento! Anderson is fabulous, so superior than trashy Netrebko or Gheorghiu in the role.
tklogan11809 4 years ago
Amen to that
nickbigd 4 years ago
Netrebko and Gheorghiu can't touch the great June Anderson
Houndentenor1998 2 years ago 15
Fabulous!
emvillaume 5 years ago
Beautiful both Anderson and Fraus
benderpm 5 years ago
This is just my opinion, but my sense is she is highly appreciated in Europe but is "bloody underrated" here in the US. Maybe because she has seemed to favor performing in European houses so much of her career. Other thoughts?
nickbigd 5 years ago
Yes nickbigd, she has always been well loved here in Europe. I think America was slow in seeing how good she was and by the time they did, she was loaded with European work. As a fluent French-speaker it's not surprising she likes France and has an abode there.
geoden 5 years ago
According to my voice teacher (who sang with her numerous times when he was in the chorus at the Met), she a little strange--"e strano". She will nail everything in rehearsals, but somehow would give a mediocre performance. Plus, she's had lots of problems with her vision and has even had to have a cast/chorus member guide her around the stage!
mpsmithpt 5 years ago
This is the sort of rumor and innuendo that is so awful. Very sad. Have you actually ever been to see her perform? I have numerous times (including all her roles at the Met) and cannot recall anything remotely approaching "mediocre." Was she "mediocre" in Rigoletto? Semiramide? And what is your source for these purported eyesight problems - she seems to make it around the stage of La Fenice just fine on her own in the recently released Daphne DVD.
nickbigd 5 years ago
Hey nickbigd-- can't you see thatmpsmithpt's teacher WAS IN THE CHORUS while June was A HEADLINER? I hoped you laughed the rumor off...I haven't heard June live-- I envy you there-- but all of her recorded stuff is HOT. Be well!
InformedListener 4 years ago
@mpsmithpt I know you posted that comment 3 years ago, but I just thought I'd point out how funny it is that you mention "she's had lots of problems with her vision" like having eyesight problems (whether or not that's at all true) is some kind of deep-rooted personality flaw.
Symposeum 1 year ago
She is so beautiful and talented and her singing is first rate. Why is she so bloody underrated?
bosancherosi 5 years ago
I love June and Alfredo together. I heard her sing this at the Met 14 years (!) later in 2001 and she looked stunning, sang beautifully and was very moving in the final act.
nickbigd 5 years ago
I always love June, but Kraus is like...my hero in this clip! He sounds so good! June is, as in most cases, amazing here. I've never heard her sing this before, but I like her voice for the role. Definitely a good performance
Iareto 5 years ago
Kraus was easily into his 70's at the time this was done...and he had no problems with the high D-flat in the Romeo et Juliet "Addio" they sang together (I have the CD).
mpsmithpt 5 years ago
oops...Rigoletto, not R&J!
mpsmithpt 5 years ago