Virginia Zeani -The Tales of Hoffmann 1 - Olympia's aria

Virginia Zeani was one of the first sopranos to sing all three principal roles in "The Tales of Hoffman". Three different "voices" are needed, coloratura soprano, lyric soprano and lyrico spinto soprano, Here in the first scene she sings the song of Olympia, a life size mechanical doll, which needs frequent winding up .
The photographs are from the production at La Scala Milan. The poor quality live recording is from the Grand Theatre Geneve in 1966. Despite technical inadequacies I am posting this set of three for the sake of completeness.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Offenbach
• Virginia
• Zeani
• French
• Opera
• Hoffmann
• Coppelia

[basenjidiva]

Gorgeous coloratura technique; precise staccato,

incredible trills, she knows all the tricks, and is a world-class vocal magician!

Perhaps there is something more that can be done with this role, but for the life of me, I can't imagine what, how, or who!!!

Thank's to CharlotteinWeimar for the posting of these treasures. We are greatly indebted to you for sharing these treasures with us.

Please know we are grateful.

[tonyantony1]

She's so great and so underrated!Unfortunately, I can't find many recordings of her.

[MultiZahl]

Grandios -Virginia Zeani kann eben ALLES singen-Ihr Repertoir ist grenzenlos -Bravissima !!!!

[Ellevius]

It is not too late to give her the recognition she deserves.

For heaven's sake, she is best, and has incredible class.

She is in the league of Maria Callas.

There are not many there.

[ramirogorriti]

Virginia es todo.

[MrIV74]

What incredibly strong colaratura singing...

[Tenorbravo]

Que Bella Voce" Ms. Zeani has. She has it all : talent,timbre,singing techique,canto assoluto,acting, musicianship,phrasing,very original,unique and magnifique. The Perfecta Olympia. A gift from GOD. Thank you for sharing this video clip.

[NEBESHIKU]

She sings really well and she in deed was a gorgeous woman. Back in her day record companies where more interested in good singers and not looks. That is why i wonder why they didn't record her since she is a great singer and drop dead gorgeous. If she was around she would have put the likes of Netrebko and Georghui out of business. Today record companies only care for good looks and not good singers and since she was beautiful and a great singer...

[abracadabranque]

Une palette exceptionnelle!Je ne comprends pas ce qu'elle tricote dans certaines vocalises.Mais que ne pardonnerait-on pas à une telle voix!

[harunrathore]

A very nice rendition of the Doll Song. So many singers are tempted to overdo the second verse by adding unpardonable coloraturas. Thereby they forget that Olympia is a wind-up doll that has neither feelings nor can she vary from the programme she was fed with. Virginia Zeani enters very well into that spirit.

[65attila]

@robertdonkers

You are right. Zeani did not get yhe recognition that she deserved.

Regards-John

[paulostroff99]

Great