The "Nacqui all'affanno" Contest - Frederica von Stade

"How to end an opera?" That was surely one of the quetions composers asked themselves in the good old days (circa 1800s). The possibilities were endless, but the most "popular" opera ending certainly was an aria for the heroine: Anna Bolena, Amina, Elvira, Zoraide, Elena... This is only a short list of opera heroines, who get the final word in their respective operas. Rossini's La Cenerentola also ends with a final aria for the title heroine. Angelina's "Nacqui all'affanno" is a wonderful example of the rondo aria form: it starts with a gentle cantible, where there is much room for expression, and ends with a brilliant cabaletta, that was used by Rossini two times before "La Cenerentola". I do hope that you enjoy this new voting (the system is the same: the marks range from 1 to 5; there are two categories: singing/characterization; so your mark (+ comment :-) ) should look like this: (*/*)). Next - the delightful Frederica von Stade.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Rossini
• Frederica
• von
• Stade
• Contest
• Coloratura
• Nacqui
• All'affanno

[Faircrowd1]

Suely the best mezzo-soprano in the world. thank you!

[bripat22]

Von Stade OWNS the role of Cenerentola

[Desigovia]

5/5 from me. Like I remarked on another post.There are no facial contortions or histrionics. The voice just flows effortlessly from mezzo to soprano and both low and high notes are nailed with ease. A beautiful singer, actor and person.

[dangmills]

I can't find this album... only the DVD ARRGGGHHH Help please?

[ALEAM77]

I like a lot this mezzo coloratura... it's a real coloratura...with the lightness of the coloratura, the color of the soprano for the acute note and also the very rich tone of the mezzo (not too dramatic for this role)...Just my feeling...sorry for my english I'm french...

[nclysander]

Watch her rendition from the Ponnelle film (also on YouTube). Von Stade had plenty of soul.

[g4thz]

It's equally accurate, it's similar timbre, it's just as fast as anything I hear from "these days"... (I'm thinking of Joyce)

But it lacks the soul. This is more: I have a pretty voice, listen to me sing.

Now we get a little more soul that von Stade doesn't seem to attain except for on the high notes right at the end (particularly 5:56)

[leoperarm]

I LOVE your contests!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sacopenapa]

I really love Von Stade, but there is also Teresa Berganza!

[vitellia]

She has a beautiful voice, but I think her coloratura could be a little more aggressive and articulate, a la Bartoli and Larmore. Her embellishments aren't that great either. (Where was Dr. Gossett?!) But then she sounds much more feminine and even vulnerable, which is interesting. 3/4