Birgit Nilsson sings Isolde's Liebestod

Perhaps then you should spend some time figuring out what the big deal is surrounding you.... not that I'm suggesting there is....

Andante,
I must echo your "Bravo Sweden" remark. Sweden gave me my favorite soprano, Nilsson, and favorite tenor, Bjoerling. What 's going on up there? Both were giants among giants.

I'm not sure Operanut9, but I do have a good friend from Sweden, and we've had this discussion. Sweden also gave us Bergman ( both Ingrid and Ingmar ), Garbo, and they were most definitely giants too!

I think that you should compare like with like- Flagstad's performance with Furtwangler is a studio recording and the liebestod was recorded at the beginning of a session when madame Flagstad was fresh, not at the the end of a live, open-air performance when Madame Nilsson had just sung the whole role! Please compare Madame Nilsson's recording with Solti with Madame Flagstad's recording on which, as I am sure you are aware, she had Elizabeth Schwarzkopf sing the high notes.

metacarple-No,I was not aware of this being the case. What is your source of information on this contention. I was never aware that Flagstad needed the additional help,and have never before heard this That her (Flagstad's) high notes not being powerful enough is truly news to me.

It is definitely true that Flagsatd had to have Schwarzkopf sing her high Cs in the legendary Furtwangler recording of "Tristan."Flastad never had a strong "top."

The high 'c's in act 2 were sung by Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, whose husband, Walter Legge, was the producer of the recording. This is not intended to take away from Madame Flagstad's incredible musicianship or artistry - she was just afraid of the top notes. For my money, Flagstad is at her very best as Fricka in Solti's 'Das Rheingold - golden voiced indeed and is to be regretted that she died before the recording of 'Die Walküre' was made.

I feel so lucky to have seen Ms. Nilsson sing the role of Princess Turandot and Elsa (Lohengrin) with the Met. I, also, saw her perform the entire ring cycle with Georg Solti at Covent Gardens over the Christmas holidays in 1968. I was very young but that stands out above so much.

This gives me everything I need.

oh good. now we know what you think. :) awesome! I was wondering, seeing as how I know nothing at all about anything. can I trust you to help me with your saying whenever I need it?
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