Aida Contest - O Patria Mia - Leona Mitchell

I hope everyone enjoys these postings. I have tried to put together a small sampling of videos that represent the best of Verdi and the best of the soprano voice. As with any Verdi music the aria is difficult in its own way. Aida is a part that has many facets, beautiful and devious as they are. 1-5 for Singing/Characterization:
Galina Kalinina - 1989
Leyla Gencer - 1963
Sharon Sweet - 1990
Birgit Nilsson - 1964
Orianna Santunione - 1973
Leona Mitchell - 1995
Maria Guleghina - 1998
Aprile Millo - 1992
Daniela Dessi - 2000
Galina Gorchakova - 1995
Herva Nelli - 1949
Gilda Cruz-Romo - 1977 (sorry for the poor audio)
Violeta Urmana - 2006
Mirella Freni - 1987
Renata Tebaldi - 1959
Gabriella Tucci - 1961
Leontyne Price - 1985

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mitchell
• opera
• verdi

[esquire2K11]

Yessss Leona!!!



[thevuitt0ndon]

Lol these comments are hilarious. Ignorance amongst adults...even-so, yes leona was a lil flat on the C, still an impressive performance given her age. At the end of the day, PRICE OWNS this piece! Ps. Foul language only makes one look like an idiot. #thatisall

[HU1914]

Brava Leona, You are indeed a Goddess!!!!

[boy170ful]

esta gente que pide? impresionante BRAVA

[Twisterjoe]

She was a personal assistant slave, not a field slave. A reigning princess could dress her personal slave in anything she liked, knowing the slave would never dare take it, or believe that she owned it. A royal princess' slave might even be a confidant and friend for all we know. Just possible.. Amneris is not Cruella deVille, just the loser in the love match.

[Lindow]

I never understand why costume designers give Aida such lavish things to wear. She is a princess in a slave's position in the story for God's sake, Amneris is the princess. These way over the top attires take away from the meaning of the story and especially from the beauty of this particular aria and the way Verdi wrote it.

[Iareto]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I personally find Freni's voice much more beautiful than Miss Mitchell. She is very talented and I like her in a lot, but there's no reason to try and suggest she's better than an artist of Freni's calibre.

[ykaiilah]

I don't understand why there is not more talk about how good Leona was.

[gustavoanmosura]

sois todos unos resentidos con las energias mal focalizadas.......me imagino que vosotros cantareis con una tecnica y voz muchisimo mejores que ella para criticarla....mamarrachos

[silvanero]

Beautiful singing, expressive phrasing, gorgeous voice....Love the sound and quality of Ms Mitchell's voice !!!!