Virginia Zeani Part 3 Interview with George Jellinek 1993

George Jellinek interviewed Virginia Zeani in 1993 for his celebrated New York classical music radio show, "The Vocal Scene".

In Part Three, Zeani talks about singing Aida and Manon Lescaut and about her vocal technique. She says that Licia Albanese was an inspiration to her particularly in Madam Butterfly.

She ends by saying that becoming an American Citizen has rejuvenated her.

This is a speech interview as the vocal items are already posted separately on YouTube or on Charles Handelman's Podcast. However, this part of the interview ends with an attractively fresh perfomance of "O mio babbino caro"

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Virginia
• Zeani
• Italian
• Opera
• Verdi
• Aida
• Callas
• George
• Jellinek

[CharlotteinWeimar]

marighim2008 (6 days ago) merci! *****

[basenjidiva]

Zeani's instrument is flawless; perfectly even from top high e to bottom. Exquisitely evocative in delivery, her diction and phrasing are icomparable. Teneste la promessa is heartrending, and Gioia fills one's heart.

Color, phrasing, emotion, all are tutta uno. And she is still, in her 80's, devastatingly gorgeous.

Zeani is the standard of excellence, to which the rest must strive to achieve. Moreover, she is personally lovely; modest. with a delicious sense of humor and compassion. Brava!

[pearlmuth3]

Yes she is sharp and has that wit and was a great singer she always is interesting to talk with besides hearing her. Spoke to her on the phone two years ago and she was as you say very modest. We missed her in Chicago since Fox never brought her here sadly.

[corellithebest]

Thank you very very much, Charlotte, for posting this interview. I am impressed now by her personality, too. I liked when she said she missed her late husband, and when she said she would have liked to have a daughter, too. She is a gorgeous woman!

[trumansf]

Thats what it is, the mask, just like Maria. She is amazing!!!

[brodsky96]

great!... Charlotte....

[marighim2008]

Merci!