Gaetano Donizetti - Rosmonda d'Inghilterra - "Perche non ho" (Beverly Sills)

This new double download is a special treat. Recently I found two versions of an air from Donizetti's "Rosmonda d'Inghilterra" "Ancor non guinse... Perché non ho del vento... Torna, ah! torna, o caro oggetto...", which was used as an alternative aria for Lucia opening cavatina. Now, to be totally honest, I just can't warm up to this aria as a whole: I just don't like the recitative and the cental aria. The cabaletta, on the other hand, is quite glorious. Still, I think it would be interesting for everybody to listen to this obscure aria. Now, the two versions that I'm talking about are: 1) Beverly Sills's rendition on her CD "Bellini & Donizetti Arias"; 2) a relatively early (circa 1961-1962) rendition by Joan Sutherland (this one can be found either on "Voice of the Century" or on "Tribute to Jenny Lind"). Now I'm aware that there seems to be a real battle going on between diva lovers, in particular, between Sills/Sutherland fans. I love both these wonderful singers, so I'm really not trying to find out who is the best opera singer. I just think it would be interesting to compare both renditions: the approach is quite different. Still, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so all ideas are welcome :-) . Your comments would be most valued. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. Due to the sheer size of the aria, I divided each rendition into two parts: the recitative and the aria (+ cabaletta).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Joan
• Sutherland
• Donizetti
• Rosmonda
• d'Inghilterra
• Coloratura
• Cabaletta
• Beverly
• Sills

[Tenorboy29307]

It is Sills all the way for me as glorious as Joan was. You know, Sills did have a trill that was a bit different, but that is why I like it. It is almost birdlike...like a warbling kind of thing. Unique and just so beautiful if you ask me.

[FoggyRoad81]

There is a wonderful smile in her voice that is just great to hear.

[CaptFitzbattleaxe]

How did we get Sills and Sutherland in the same century? Two lovely accounts of this aria.

[lginpdx]

Sill's trill could be described as being more like a warble. Very distinct and bewitching.

[aragall77]

I am a Sutherland fan.

But this is just perfect.

[DonRolini]

I love this!

[talmadge1926]

i appreciate your comment. Donizetti wrote for the voice of Fanny Persiani and temporary accounts of her voice are more or less identical with the description you give here of Sills. Voices such as Callas, Caballe and Sutherland would not have been understood or appreciated in this type of role ( and even today they are sometimes misplaced) and I think Sills is very much underated and often dismissed as lightweight.

[MastersoftheOpera]

Bel canto was Sills strongest repertoire. She just happened to perform @ the same time as the bigger crowd-magnets Sutherland and Caballe who sang the same stuff around the same time only with bigger voices..though Sills was not equipped with the big voices of her predecessor Maria Callas, she did have some of Callas acting skills. Sills was an expressive singer who used her voice to bring out the dramatic aspects of her roles. She had a warm, beautiful voice and lots of stamina.

[talmadge1926]

In my humble opinion Beverly Sills was the last exponent of the grand coloratura style of the 19th century brought into the 20th by Tetrazzini and Galli Curci. Fast, light and in firm control her trills were spectacular and her top notes absolute showstoppers. The footlights became a little dimmer when she died.

[asdfopera]

I posted the Yvonne Kenny version if anyone wants to hear that one. Someone should post the Lella Cuberli version because I'd like to hear that one. This is such a beautiful music. I don't really care about comparing the sopranos because I think Sills, Sutherland, and Fleming all sing it very well on their own and making comparisons only spoils enjoying the music.