Anna Bolena - New York 1985 part 2

Conductor Richard Bonynge - 1985
Orchestra - New York City Opera
Chorus - New York City Opera
Anna Bolena - Joan Sutherland
Enrico - Gregory Yurisich
Giovanna - Judith Forst
Percy - Jerry Hadley
Rochefort - Jan Opalach
Smeton - Cynthia Clarey
Hervey - Gran Wilson

Category:

Music

Tags:

• opera
• donizetti

[hayyu2008]

Why did she sing this role so late in her career? As much as I adore Joan, I never liked the fact she transposed down! .... I think when someone gets to that age, people appreciate the legend of who the singer is rather than the voice! The applause is well earned as she was a legend and set a benchmark in how Bel Canto shoudl be sung! Love you Joan!

[MrCafiero]

OMG he is such an idiot.

[mjmacmtenor]

Dame Joan is a little better in the staged production from Canada (a year earlier). However, I like some of the secondary roles better her - particularly Jerry Hadley as Percy and Cynthia Clarey as Smeaton.

[MisterPapageno]

@Ariadne7710 Yes :) I am ver glad to have had this nice conversation with you! ;) Wish you all the best, and hope to find you around again! Byee

[Ariadne7710]

@MisterPapageno You are not the only one who is tough with Netrebko. Many people do the same and at the same time overlook many faults in other singers. In my opinion they believe that her success is because of her looks.

Callas stands apart from everybody else even though her voice quality was not the most beautiful because she had flawless technique, great musicality and instinctive feeling for the music. Each character she sang became very much ALIVE.. That was her very special talent.

[MisterPapageno]

@Ariadne7710 I have been very tough with this singer on Youtube, but I have found her improved from Vienna, though still approximate and superficial. Unfortunately I have never seen Callas, but her CD are absolutely fine, especially the Dallas reahearsal, which is a monument to her hard work on this opera!

[Ariadne7710]

@MisterPapageno You see, I think because I saw some Callas performances early in my life, which have been very intense and unforgettable experiences I have never seen a Norma, or a Bolena, or aTraviata or a Medea or a Lucia which I really enjoyed fully. It is sad because every time I go to see one of these operas I come out still not satisfied. Maybe I should stop going to the opera altogether.

[Ariadne7710]

@MisterPapageno Netrebko's performance at the Met, although not perfect, is the best one I have seen apart from Callas. The Callas performance in 1957 was on a different level, it stands alone and I was fortunate to see it. Netrebko has good middle and low range and although her technique still needs more work it has improved a lot since Vienna. Her legato is better, her trills (which EVERYBODY goes on about) now are very good and her phrasing is also very good. The pitch is still not perfect

[MisterPapageno]

@Ariadne7710 I understand your point. Did you like last Netrebko's performance of Anna Bolena ?

[Ariadne7710]

@MisterPapageno That is just my point. Neither her high nor her middle registers are "fine". They may be fine for a 59 year old, but a 59 year old should not be tackling Anna Bolena however wonderful their voice was at 30. I saw Sutherland singing "Esclarmonde" in 1983 and it was a very sad and dreadful experience. I was embarrassed for her. I am amazed that she felt that it was acceptable to sing roles like that at her age and to transpose so much music so that she could carry on singing.