Bel raggio lusinghier - Semiramide Contest - Mariella Devia

Semiramide is notoriously difficult role, like Norma it challenges all the dramatic and pyrotechnic abilities of the singer. That is why very few singers even attempt this role. This opera is very much like Norma is the respect that few singers qualify true success in the role. Bel raggio lushinghier is spectacular show stopper; it gives the soprano ample opportunity to show off their coloratura and high notes. So it is a perfect piece to use in this contest.
One side note of interest: These contests are supposed to be fun, their purpose is to compare the techniques and portrayals of some of the world's finest singers. I never intended for these videos to become a breading ground for soprano bashers. So when you are posting comments, I just ask that you remain aware of others. Also, if you are posting a score lower than 3 please give some reason for it. It would only benefit the contest if we know more about what you think about the given performance.
Again a score of 1-5 for singing/characterization:
Elena Mosuc -- 2005
Edita Gruberova -- 2000
Katia Ricciarelli - 1981
June Anderson -- 1987
Cecilia Bartoli -- 1997
Vitoria Loukianetz -- 2005
Ángeles Blancas -- 2004
Iano Tamar -- 1992
Cecilia Gasdia -- 1994
Adelaide Negri -- 1980
Ermonela Jaho -- 2001
Montserrat Caballe -- 1980
Mariella Devia -- 1992
Joan Sutherland - 1983

Category:

Music

Tags:

• devia
• opera
• rossini

[raigekimaru]

not exactly a role I would cast her in but that's one impressive E6.

[coloraturafan]

@raigekimaru I guess we should all be thankful that you aren't casting operas then!

[Dogaradodia]

And the winner is...

Mariella Devia - Intergalactic Soprano

Bravissima, Devia! Luv ya...

[etinlacente]

"Semiramide is notoriously difficult role". Not for Devia.

[raigekimaru]

@coloraturafan

forgive me, at the time I wrote this comment, I had heard little of Devia and the stuff I heard was about her absolute worst stuff on youtube. I didn't know what I was talking about when I wrote this comment. after hearing more of her (especially in her prime), my opinion has pretty much done a 180 =P

[skitzo429]

@DiomedesDioscuro Well, no one recorded as much as sutherland haha More importantly though, Sutherland stopped singing this role in the correct key after her 30s, first a semitone lower, then a whole step, then a minor third at the very end. Also, Im pretty sure she never performed this live in the correct key, she very seldomly performed high Es live even when she was young

[skitzo429]

@raigekimaru shes the queen, semiramide is a perfect role for her

[DiomedesDioscuro]

This video shows perfectly Devia's aptitudes and talent, and could be used to illustrate a definition of bel canto

But for Semiramide Sutherland is still my favourite. I have to admit that the quality of my Semiramide recording with Devia is live and with a regular sound quality, though. Am I wrong, coloraturafan, or Mariella Devia has not recorded as many titles as one may expect from a singer of her standard?

[coloraturafan]

hahahaha.. I just saw that you are actually the old youtube user spsp2sp3sp3dsp3d2... now your comments are put into perspective :)

[daphnebeloved]

Superb!The real bel canto, the very well projected voice with edge, with color, harmonic and precise timbre till the last seat of the theater...not mention good legato...Devia and Anderson are excellent at this aria!

[viafilodrammatici]

Why don't you want to go into this anymore? Cannot get yourself out, hehe?

[coloraturafan]

Deviafan is not coloraturafan, thanks for asking. hahahaah... your posts are totally pointless. Good luck with your lovely collection here on youtube (I just looked at your channel for the first time, I really wasn't missing anything), I am sure everyone values all the time and effort you spend on your countless video uploads.... hahahaha... we are done here.