Virginia Zeani's Dramatic Lucia J Mad Scene 2 London 1957

[sttar1982]

che brava complimenti ottima tecnica:)

[violetavalery]

incredible!!

[MultiZahl]

Ein wundervoller dramatischer Koloratursopran-bravissima Virginia Zeani!!!

[Ariadne7710]

What a beautiful lovely silvery,voice but with lots of warmth. Great technique and a wonderful interpretation. I had only seen her name in passing in the past but since you recently started drawing everyone's attention to her I played a few of your posts and it was a relevation. A pity some of the big Opera Houses outside Italy didn't give her the recognition she deserved. And a great lady also. I heard her interview.

[hugothebear]

I try very hard not to live in the past but the moment I heard this I found myself wishing that "modern" ladies would put this level of musicianship, vocal focus and intensity into the music itself. I have no idea what Zeani did in the way of "acting" but everything is here in this wonderul clear focused open throated voice. What a treasure and what a shame that this singer was so overshadowed by her great contemporaries, surely this lady deserved equal recognition. She still stuns me !

[arturo8402]

I can't stop listening to this woman..I didnt think it got any better than Joan but this is definately of the same caliber if not more....and her legato and coloratura was intense and beautiful, and her Ebs were AMAZING!!!

[youfeda]

favolosa!

[bellini7verdi]

ni de cerca como callas ni sutherland

[GermanOperaSinger]

Dame Joan was a great singer, but Mme. Zeani lived the character. With Sutherland you hear a great sound, but Mme. Zeani's performance is ART. Just sensational.

[corellithebest]

Thank you, dear Yvonne, for this immensely precious operatic jewel! Just a question: so this was not at Covent Garden, but at another London theatre, Stoll Theatre? And I like so much her photos here, do they represent her as Lucia? What an acting!

[CharlotteinWeimar]

@corellithebest The Stoll Theatre in London was built by Oscar Hammerstein as The London Opera House. It was superb,even larger than Covent Garden. Zeani sang there with a visiting 100% Italian touring company in a scratch production. She never sang Lucia at Covent Garden & only made her debut there as Violetta as a last minute replacement for Sutherland. Unfortunately they sang the same repertoire & Sutherland, being our home grown rising star was given precedence. But oh, how we needed both!

[christineannemarsden]

In comparison with Joan's recordings of this , Zeani makes the emotions more real and the voice really rings! Thanks again Yvonne

[basenjidiva]

The gorgeous Zeani possessed the art of making believable all manner of absurdity, including Lucia! Such a gift... Her vocality is positively luscious, and her Bel Canto simply shimmers!

Thank you for posting this treasure.

Bravissima!

[opertutto]

Charlotte, what a heart-stirring rendition of the mad scene! Zeani's approach to it is individual and supported with a secure technique. I first heard her on the Decca/London disc which contained two excerpts from Lucia. And thank you for the stunning photographs. George

[corellithebest]

Zeani's sublime, ethereal and magical, and yet full-bodied, genuinely and essentially human Lucia is the only one I have heard so far that, in conveying the profound complexity and tragic fragility of the character can be measured to Callas' one! Mesmerizing artistry of Mme Zeani!

[Kievest]

As the great Jan Peerce used to say, "opera is about the MUSIC, not the

individual!" Virginia Zeani was more about being a fine vocal artist and

selfless serveant of the composer than playing the primadonna! Her

Lucia is a revelation of and personal connection to the emotional truth

and reality of the role. However, it is Zeani's direct and superb expression

in this performance that was history making and deserves legendary

designation. Thank you , Yvonne! Amazing!

[corellithebest]

@Kievest I absolutely agree with you! And the best examples of sublime sopranos who were "humble servants" of the composer and his music were Callas and Zeani! And "a servant of the composer" were exact Callas' words!

[MrIV74]

Ravishing singing...Thank you.  IV

[CurzonRoad]

What can one say?

Great, g-r-e-a-t performance!

Thank you!

Doug --

[dantitustimshu]

Much more than being an important historical document, this is a tour de force in recreating Sir Walter Scott's heroine, a creature of flesh and blood who is completely torn apart by the dreadful machinations going around her. Bravissima Mme Zeani and thank you so much, Yvonne, for sharing this timeless jewel with us!

[corellithebest]

@dantitustimshu Absolutely agree! I enjoy so much Mme Zeani's rendition of Lucia! She, like Callas, has, after many years, restored genuine humanity to that character!

[sospello]

All it takes for an opera to go right to the hearts of listeners is the right interpreter of the main role. And this is magical. Thank you, Yvonne; thank you, Mme Zeani.

[MsDucess]

I have no words .M-me Zeani was my mentor.Thanks dear Yvone for sharing .Kiss ,hugss Criss

[PopoliDiTessalia]

As fantastic as ever; just Zeani!

Many thanks, dear Yvonne for sharing.

Kind regards,

Julien