Giacomo Meyerbeer - Robert le Diable - "Idole de ma vie" (Joan Sutherland)

No star-soprano can do without a big opening aria replete with a cabaletta (sometimes with chorus). Isabelle from "Robert le Diable" is proof of this rule. Presented here is the interpretation of Joan Sutherland which seems to me the best rendition of the three that I've heard (Renata Scotto (an excellent, dramatic account) and June Anderson (seriously underpowered)). I'm thinking of posting the other two in a little bit. Hope you enjoy :)!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Joan
• Sutherland
• coloratura
• Meyerbeer
• Robert
• le
• Diable

[coloraturafan]

I have to admite I love Scotto's version of this aria. It is on my MP3 player. Sutherlands approach is all together differnt from Scotto, I would say Sutherland comes closer to an ideal French sound. Her voice is brighter and the coloratura easier. Great posts, thank you.

[LindoroRossini]

There is also a version of this cavatina by June Anderson coming up :)!

[operajk]

Cher LindoroRossini, merci pour cet extrait qui est magnifique. Merci à Mme Sutherland de nous avoir permis de connaitre cet héroïne chantée de si belle façon. J'ai la chance d'entendre June Anderson à Paris et je voudrais vraiment vous dire combien elle était extraordinaire. Sa voix convenait à merveille à ce rôle et si la repise de la cabalette n'était pas au rendez-vous c'est que le chef l'a refusée (on peut le comprendre l'oeuvre est très longue) mais June l'a regrettée.

Merci c'est superbe

[LindoroRossini]

C'est rien, mon ami :)! Je veux encore présenter la version d'Anderson demain ou dans quelques jours (je ne suis pas sûr en ce moment). Sa voix te rappelera peut-être cette soirée merveilleuse ;)!

[spsp2sp3sp3dsp3d2]

Sutherland is in a league of her own. I haven't heard anyone else sing this aria and cabaletta quite like her. The only other interpretations I know of, besides Anderson and Scotto of course, is one by Patrizia Ciofi (recorded live in 2000 I believe). I'll post it soon.

[alcanuck]

again the diction. Joan has a a very thick Australian accent, I have heard people sing in English and I understood every second word maybe. Her French is just fine and so was her Italian. Its impossible to enunciate in the high tessitura, impossible. She was sloppy at times , true but who cares with a voice like that.

[65attila]

Joan's voice, technique and stylish singing are one of the glories of sinfing. This great

performance shows all off.

Thanks for posting-John

[27846545]

this opera is the key of all romanticism. We have the sources here of all the later french opera: from Gounod to Offenbach. And the third act has a relationship with the 2nd. of Parsifal.

[Hako2004]

The sound is so luxurious and sensual, and the singing itself stunning. I continue to be amazed by the abundance of breath, the flexibility and dazzling tone. Incomparable.

[whatever456]

Joan to Ricky: "Ricky what opera is this again? La donna de something or other?"

Ricky to Joan: "No, Dear. It's Robert le Diable

Joan: Oh that's right. Thank you dear. And one more question. What language am I singing?

Ricky: Joan, really. What difference does it make?

[65attila]

I understand the ,ost important thing about Sutherland's work - her voice and technique. I have heard too many beautiful pronounced performances from others which vocally were junk. One dioes not alwayg get everything. Joan did fine by me.

[save312]

Erismena il canto romantico non abbisogna di particolari accentazioni ma si esegue sul fiato SFIORANDO le consonanti che mots vuoi tu in pagina di agilità elegiaca? Studia

[Erismena]

Heureusement, elle ne chantait que 20 minutes... Et puis Vanzo et Ramey étaient admirables dans la déclamation!!

Mais oui, cette femme a les notes mais ce qu'on lui demande en premier, c'est de chanter un texte et d'incarner un personnage!! Pourquoi écrire un livret sinon?

Alors, qu'elle ne chante pas de temps en temps la note écrite passe encore mais que l'on est tout le temps 2 voyelles et 5 consonnes (et jamais de mots)... non merci!!

[Erismena]

Oui, ouvrage et recréation parisienne remarquable.

Mais grâce à Vanzo et Ramey... il n'y aurait qu'Anderson, ce serait un fiasco!!

[Erismena]

Et elle ne prononce pas mieux l'italien... cette chanteuse est l'arnaque du siècle!!

[Erismena]

Ouh la... Comment peut-on accepter ce genre de jugement dans le lyrique?

C'est du texte (et du théâtre) en même temps que de la musique...

Hors, hormis sa qualité vocale, c'est minable!!