AulicExclusiva Wins ~ "Mystery Soprano" is Margaret Truman (c.1950)

[ryan33bttm]

The voice may be slightly fragile and undeveloped but it is extremely pleasant to listen to. I’m not aware of another first daughter (before or sense Margaret Truman) who had ANY talent, let alone a beautiful soprano singing voice…

[RRaquello]

I've read a Time Magazine review of her singing written at the time (can't remember the exact date) and they seemed to think that she had a pleasant stage presence and was very sweet, but was being pushed in over her head because of who she was and wasn't ready to perform difficult music on a public stage. I know nothing about singing, so I can't make any judgment myself. Maybe she would have been better off doing popular music instead of opera.

[olhobbler]

I have heard people make light of her singing, I think she sounds quite good, I dont understand these statements of instability, ect..Pretty strong performance imho.

[catamaraner]

Thanks for posting this -- I had heard catty review of her singing from people who had experienced it, but had never heard an actual recording. I'm wondering what working in a slightly lower register and being a little more relaxed would have done for her tone and even her problem of tending to slide off the notes at the flat end (better breath control, better support = less flatting?). Too many social expectations constrain "serious" singing, from choice of material to execution - then, and now

[mayatatyana1]

Doug, lovely performance. Thank you. Maya

[Patrick8782]

Thank you,i had to do some Research on Margaret for my homeschool assignment and i had to go online YouTube is great!

[CurzonRoad]

@weightfeather1

Yes, indeed, a truly delightful personality. I've seen her on the "What's My Line" postings you refer to, and seem to also recall seeing her in other television appearances, most likely in the 1960s. Many thanks!

[dinastein44]

Ms. Truman has a pleasant timbre, but her voice is somewhat unstable and undeveloped. She was only about 25 when she recorded this - I'd have thought it was an older mezzo who hadn't sung for some time. Charming recording, nevertheless! Thanks for sharing.

[CurzonRoad]

Dinastein: The ghost Ms. Truman's father is NOT happy with your comment! :-D

Cheers, etc.

Doug --

PS: President Truman didn't take kindly to criticism of his daughter's singing.

[dinastein44]

LOL... sorry about that! But you seem to understand quite a lot about music and singing in particular. Just between us - don't you agree? I won't tell Truman's ghost if you won't!!

[CurzonRoad]

Do I agree?

.... absolutely!

LoL!

Doug --

[arpeggio1358]

@dinastein44 She is pretty bad. I'd say that "unstable and undeveloped" was being kind. And yes, her father did not take kindly to criticism of his daughter's singing. I agree that she sounds like a much older soprano who hadn't sung in some time.

[waytooambitious]

Organically genuine American musical culture - and very good in both composition and execution.

[starsend64]

Thanks for sharing. I grew up in KC and always wondered what her singing was like.

[CurzonRoad]

Thank YOU!

a pleasure!

[andyrawn]

DOUG ~

Speaking as a singer of course, I think you have Founded a possible Internet Club in this, the 1st of an International:

"Guess This Great Singer Quiz!"

Bravo ~

ANDY

[CurzonRoad]

Hi Andy: Actually, appears several other youtubers have already conducted such quizzes. Good fun! Meanwhile... confess I'd never heard Ms. Truman's voice until coming across this disc. Moreover had never heard this lovely song. Are you by chance familiar with the music, and composer? THANKS! Doug --

[genia106]

Douglasio,

Was that critic a Republican?

I would like to hear a Republican sing as GOOD! So there..........

I think she is Wonderful!

I give her a second BRAVO!

[CurzonRoad]

Hmmm.... good question! Unless mistaken, believe the Post, even 50+ years ago, was a very liberal paper. Perhaps once again truth is stranger than fiction? As always, thank you, Genia!

[SENAFOREVER]

Bravo!

[cantorandopera]

I knew that M Truman sang but never heard her before - bravo to Doug for finding this but bigger kudos go to AulicExclusiva!

[Kievest]

Words of praise simply fail me!

[Shabannie]

I had never heard Margaret sing. I had heard the story that her father did not take unconstructive criticism well. The critic was just being nasty. Thank you for posting this. I am pleased to hear that she sang well.

-------Ellen

[Bivolari]

I stand by my first opinions. A aged contralto, an even older soprano or a man singing in falsetto.

[CurzonRoad]

What would President Truman have said or done to you?!

[Bivolari]

He would have sent me to Korea....unless it was an election year!!!

[CurzonRoad]

Oooofffff!

Anyway...... many thanks!

Cheers, etc

Doug --

[AulicExclusiva]

I had never heard her voice before. It was just an educated guess.

[CurzonRoad]

Good guess! THANKS, AE! Cheers, etc. Doug --

[AulicExclusiva]

NOW you'll have to post one of my requests!

[CurzonRoad]

Sure, you name it (if I have), fire away!

[AulicExclusiva]

As if you didn't know! L' amour est une vertu rare from Thaïs, sung by Miss Mary Garden!

[CurzonRoad]

Okay.... my pleasure.... later (unfortunately MUCH later) tonight. Cheers, etc. Doug --

[vstasov]

Very impressive educated guess, AulicExclusiva.

[AulicExclusiva]

Thanks!

The fact that she was singing a piece by a signer of the Declaration of Independence of the US made me think of Margaret Truman, as well as the late-40s sound of the recording. The slight similarity to Eleanor Steber also suggested someone very American.

How far is West Virginia from Missouri?

[meltzerboy]

And I have heard her voice, but did not recognize it here. Congratulations, Aulic. Now you can ask Doug to post Galli-Curci's first recording of the Echo Song, perhaps.