Renata Tebaldi in one of her rare excursions into the Wagnerian repertory as Elisabeth in Tannhäuser. Her rendition of Elisabeth's greetings to the Hall of Song, sung here in Italian, from Act 2 of the opera comes from a live performance on 3 December 1950 at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples, conducted by Karl Böhm.
@meltzerboy Nilsson was far better in Strauss (and Turandot) than she ever was in Wagner. And as for Tebaldi in Tannhäuser, she can almost complete with Flagstad, and that's saying a great deal. Tebaldi could indeed have done some of the "lighter" Wagnerian roles with great credit, but fortunately there are a few recordings of selected "arias".
Marilyn Horne was once asked why she specialized in the bel canto opera and responded she might have continued to sing Verdi roles and other music, but felt she did not excel as in Rossini. An honest self-evaluation. Perhaps Tebaldi felt the same about singing Italian opera rather than Wagner, and perhaps Nilsson should have confined her singing to Wagner (and Turandot). Yet, with regard to Tebaldi, I think she might have been a very successful Wagnerian soprano had she followed that path. TY.
No.
ArchiducDeBelgrade 8 months ago
Wonderful.TYJames for sharing and Tim for posting.
paulostroff99 11 months ago
Wonderful singing by the great Tebaldi!
CanadaPisces 11 months ago
@meltzerboy Nilsson was far better in Strauss (and Turandot) than she ever was in Wagner. And as for Tebaldi in Tannhäuser, she can almost complete with Flagstad, and that's saying a great deal. Tebaldi could indeed have done some of the "lighter" Wagnerian roles with great credit, but fortunately there are a few recordings of selected "arias".
VivaRenata 1 year ago
Marilyn Horne was once asked why she specialized in the bel canto opera and responded she might have continued to sing Verdi roles and other music, but felt she did not excel as in Rossini. An honest self-evaluation. Perhaps Tebaldi felt the same about singing Italian opera rather than Wagner, and perhaps Nilsson should have confined her singing to Wagner (and Turandot). Yet, with regard to Tebaldi, I think she might have been a very successful Wagnerian soprano had she followed that path. TY.
meltzerboy 1 year ago