Virginia Zeani & Oda Slobodskaya Two of the Greatest Sopranos

Oda Slobodskaya and Virginia Zeani, two of the finest singers every to have graced the operatic stage, were grievously neglected by the major recording companies. Only two tracks of Zeani and none at all of Slobodskaya have been re-released on CD and their singing was in danger of being totally lost. Thanks to YouTube and independent recordings made from radio transmissions, their wonderful work can again be placed before the public.

They were both schooled in the singing tradition from the time of Rossini. Manuel Garcia was one of Rossini's tenors and his three children, Manuel Garcia II, Maria Malibran and Pauline Viardot Garcia were all singers. Pauline Viardot went to Russia and taught with great success for many years. Two of her pupils were Natalia Iretskaya and Lydia Lipkowska and they taught Oda Slobodskaya and Virginia Zeani.

Hearing them together there are clear similarities. Their voices, though highly individual, display a rock steady technique. They have tonal clarity with warmth, together with exceptionally clear articulation, and this enables them to phrase and interpret most expressively and to convey great passion without strain.

This video is part of the SLOBODSKAYA - ZEANI PROJECT and there will be more postings to come.

1 Tatiana's Letter Scene from Eugene Onegin - opening
2 Tatiana's Letter Scene - ending
3 "Sempre libera" - ending from unrehearsed ROH Debut

Category:

Music

Tags:

• opera
• Russian
• Italian
• Slobodskaya
• Zeani

[OLIVCHEN77]

Hello, its very interessting. I dont know, that Zeani was a "Grandpupil" of Viradot!

And this two singers are very, very fantastic. I think Zeani would be today a superstar. She was lyric- but she also manages Aida very good. Thank you- by the way- your paintings are nice!!!

[mariasarda]

Thanks !!!!!

[Heraopera]

They are favorites of my collection too! BRAVE!

Thanks for sharing this video/pictures.......