Part II - Your Favorites: FREDERICA VON STADE

THIS PART IS FOR YOUR FAVORITES! Please discuss this artist with your comments!

Frederica von Stade, Mezzo-Soprano (born 1945)

Jules Massenet - Cendrillon
Enfin, je suis ici
Conducted by Julius Rudel
(Recorded 1978)

My personal opinion: We know all kinds of mezzo-sopranos: The dramatic, the lyrical, the ravishing and the sophisticated - but with Frederica von Stade we have a very rare exemplar of a singer: A charming mezzo-soprano voice! "Dazzingly gracious command, one of America´s finest artists and singers" wrote "The New York Times". Known to family, friends and fans by her nickname "Flicka", she has enriched the world of classical music for three decades. Miss von Stades career has taken her to the stages of the worlds great opera houses and concert halls. She began at the top, when she received a contract from Sir Rudolf Bing during the Metropolitan Opera auditions, and since her debut in 1970 she has sung nearly all of her great roles with that company. With impressive versatility, she has effortlessly traversed an ever-broadening spectrum of musical styles and dramatic characterizations. A noted bel canto specialist, she excelled as the heroines of Rossinis "La Cenerentola" and "Il barbiere di Siviglia" and Bellinis "La sonnambula". She is an unmatched stylist in the French repertoire: a delectable Mignon or Périchole, a regal Marguerite in Berlioz "La damnation de Faust", and, in one critics words, "the Mélisande of ones dreams" (One of my favorite operas!). Her elegant figure and keen imagination have made her a great interpreter of trouser roles, from Strauss Octavian and Composer to Mozarts Sesto, Idamante and Cherubino (Perhaps the best since Jurinac). Miss von Stades artistry has inspired the revival of neglected works such as Massenets "Cherubin", Thomas "Mignon", Rameaus Dardanus, and Monteverdis "Il ritorno dUlisse in patria". Her ability as a singing actress has allowed her to portray wonderful works in operetta and musical theater including the title role in "The Merry Widow", and her repertoire is continually expanding with the works of contemporary composers. She has made over seventy recordings with every major label, including complete operas, aria albums, symphonic works, solo recital programs, and popular crossover albums. And she won many prizes for her tireless work. I first heard her in the late 1970s in the unmatched recording of Massenets "Cendrillon" under Rudel, and I believe it was one of her finest roles (and it became also one of her signatures). Here she is with her great aria from the beginning of Act III. I´m very happy you gave her 59 votings (and position 10). Frederica von Stade always was one of my favorites, but unfortunately I could not consider her for my first part of 100 Singers - the variety of amazing mezzos was much too big. But here she is, and you´ve done what I missed. Congratulations and both thumbs up!

THE COMPLETE OVERVIEW: GO TO ALL SINGERS IN THIS LIST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBsScnQWVlU

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Frederica
• von
• Stade
• Mezzo-Soprano
• Massenet
• Mozart
• Cherubin
• Rossini
• Metropolitan
• Opera
• Julius
• Rudel

[courthousedoc]

I have always loved Flicka. Gracious, intelligent, and a fabulous artist. She is a complete artist. I have never heard anyone say anything but great things about her, the artist and the person. In the backstabbing world of opera, it's almost unheard of. I would certainly have put her in your fist list instead of Bartoli.

I hadn't heard this recording. Is that a high D??? WOW!! Go Flicka!!!

[mizofan]

Who could not like Flicka? Adorable Voi che sapete with Cotrubas and Kiri te Kanawa on youtube. Yes, she and Jurinac both superb

[dangmills]

There aren't enough opera recordings of her POO I love her warm tone and sweetness on stage

[Agnetich]

Flicka is impeccable.

[soulten46]

I heard her live in 2008 over the summer (amazing)! I will hear her again at Brevard in Asheville,NC. I am really excited to hear her again!

[raigekimaru]

I don't mean this as an insult, but she sounds like a soprano to me

[linnyloo2]

Words are so inadequate. Flicka is magical -- a brilliant actress with an exquisite voice. She has a way of connecting, with the material and with her audience, like no one else. Watching her in recital, you feel like she's an old friend, singing just for you. The fact that she is a kind, caring human being who makes the world a better place adds to her great appeal.

[steakopera]

I saw her at Brevard music festival in North Carolina, 1996. Just charming and dazzlingly gracious, like you'd mentioned. Photogenic as well. She gets all the attentions even when she plays supportive role.

[samat1961]

Von Stade would always be in my 'top 100', if not my top ten, because while other mezzos have greater richness of tone and variety of colour perhaps, she has the much rarer gift of being affecting in whatever she does.

[tenorvoicefan]

Es gibt zu Miss von Stade nicht viel zu sagen. Eine solche Stimme und vor allem, eine solche Persönlichkeit spricht für sich selber.

Soviel Charme und Esprit, das muss man suchen! Leider sucht man heute wohl (Ausnahmen bestätigen die Regel) vergebens. Eine der wenigen Bel Canto Sängerinnen unserer Zeit. Interessant in dem Zusammenhang ist, auch La Bartoli ist ein Mezzo!