Sempre Libera - Traviata Contest - Joan Sutherland

I think we had so much fun with the Puritani contest, we should try out a differnt opera. This time I choose Verdi's La Traviata, and the aria is the final cabaletta in act I, Sempre Libera. I started each one right at the introduction to the cabaletta segment. I am sure I will hear about it from the masses! But once again since we are working with video material not every soprano can be included, some sopranos such as Sills and Gruberova have videos released on commercial dvd, therefore, I am not including them. I am going to follow tradition here and use a score of 1-5 for two catagories singing/characterization. Here are the singers I have included and the dates of the performances:
June Anderson - 2000
Joan Sutherland - 1975
Daniela Dessi - 1994
Ileana Cotrubas - 1981
Stefania Bondadelli - 2004
Cecilia Gasdia - 1986
Elena Mosuc - 2001
Darina Takova - 2001
Renata Scotto - 1973
Anna Netrebko - 2003
Mary Dunleavy - 2001
Nelly Miricioiu - 1993
Mariella Devia - 1999
Dimitra Theodossiou - 2000

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sutherland
• opera
• traviata
• verdi

[anthonyhenrysmith]

this is not a 1975 performance of sutherland it is during 1980's in Australia so i think in her late 50's is unfair to have used this clip

[coloraturafan]

yes, this is 1975, the Met in Tokyo....

[motardbear15]

She is absolutely "yhe" very best Violetta of all (except Callas) , Joan Sutherland has excatly the "voice" for all the acts (not only the first one and the last one ) ! She had all the agilitu of the end of the first aria , but also the power in the medium for the second act (for exemple) ! I really don't care about that or that note ! I don't care ! She ist "la prima donna assoluta" , the real Coloratura lirica

[TheRealAngelHeart]

Nothing wrong with this performance. Oviously she was more agile when she was younger, and her pitch was more spot on. This said I am not a huge fan of Joan Sutherland, but noone can deny that she had great technique and some of the best placed high notes in the profession. Traviata was a perfect role for her vocally.

[1717PRO]

80 for voice / characterisation? who cares?????!!!!!

[calaftheeast]

Most elegant display of vocal acrobatics.

That final note is as solid as a diamond. She is Violetta.

[Liu666able]

@anthonyhenrysmith Do they speak Japanese in Australia?

Get your facts clear before writting such stupidity!!

[bellini7verdi]

absolutamente indestructible

[cybertopc]

Has to be our Joan...god rest her soul...What a voice..going whatch it again even if it is youtube!!

[BMX90]

@anthonyhenrysmith I wouldn't mind at all if this were the 1980 version, becuse she is just amazing!!

[musicalopera93]

one of the BEST Violetta i have ever heard...and imagine! this is only through youtube..imagine it LIVE!!!!

[lastupendaboy]

Joan wins again!The staccatii Cs and coloratura to the cadencing Ab all in one glorious breath seals the deal......RIP darling,untouchable Joan!

[mermanonbroadway]

the tenor is pretty dreadful

[LaStupenda]

@LaMostraESopra Between Joan and anyone, for that matter.