Joan Sutherland - 3 Hoffmann Heroines - Olympia

Joan Sutherland - Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Olympia - 1984

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sutherland
• opera
• offenbach

[pipposback2]

"Sing all three roles in Hoffmann? My dear, would you pay me three salaries?" - Maria Callas

[iriisblue]

The mid-voice tremolo you observe did not appear in later performances. For example, the 1986 LUCIA and others. Here, though, factors to consider are that this is a dress rehearsal (most singers very tired; many often mark) and this is, essentially, Sutherland's warm-up. She did not do pre-performance vocalizing. But, yes, the entire status of the instrument, and its size, remained remarkably intact for 40 years.

[flicfan416]

@aircat29 Yeah, I agree, a lot of my anti -callas remarks were made ignorant of her earlier recordings. She now holds a very large place in my heart

[aircat29]

@flicfan416 ME TOO BUT CALLAS IS CALLAS...

[andrecooper555]

@operagirl529 Callas did have dazzling coloratura, and great drama in her voice. You don't have to see her to hear her "acting". Her voice may be an acquired taste, but once you acquire the taste you love it can't get enuf of her....not all of her recordings were great tho...even if you've acquired the taste.

[andrecooper555]

Was that a trill or a wide tremolo? A wide tremolo is all that many singers can manage but not the great Sutherland! So what was that? An intended comic effect? A bad night? Or a bad/different trill for her (but a superb trill in most people's arsenal)? ....How could I say it was a "bad" trill??? It was a fast alternation of 2 notes...so it was a good trill, but not as "tight" as normal for her.

[leprincebeaumont]

@Ulrica75 ma ti rendi conto delle stronzate che hai il coraggio di dire? più rispetto per un mostro di bravura cha a 58 anni si permette di cantare così strepitosamente bene Olympia!

[leprincebeaumont]

Che dire? La più grande di tutte! Favolosa!

[altanotte]

The voice was like a laser beam even at this stage in her career. The overly fast tempo did not bother her at all. Great comic acting too. Brava!

[highbaritone]

This is a final dress rehearsal for a live performance that never happened, Thanks to an industrial dispute. I was there in the lobby when it was announced that the performance was cancelled. A very sad day to say the least, as you can see it was to be televised. So we have a little history here of Joan at about 56 singing all the rolls. Really the only one who could have in her time. A one of, just like the other great other singers who stood out!

[yglofmi]

@flicfan416 really? she is so ugly!