Irmgard Seefried: Schumann: Gedichte der Maria Stuart, Op. 135

Mozarteum Salzburg, 1969.

1. Abschied von Frankreich
2. Nach der Geburt ihres Sohnes
3. An die Koenigin Elisabeth
4. Abschied von der Welt
5. Gebet

In memoriam I.S., one of the twentieth century's greatest proponents of Lieder.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mary
• stuart

[embenadorfinearts]

I OF I

Irmgard Seefried has a very touching tone and musically can be extremely effective like in this rarely interpreted cycle. Seefried is the prototype of a singer with a lot of potential who has made huge mistakes in singing some roles which were not suitable to her voice.

[suffisance]

@embenadorfinearts Very interesting--what do you think were her bigger mistakes? Lower or heavier roles?

As an interpreter, Seefried is a huge personal heroine of mine. As you are saying, I believe--even when the going gets rough, the "musical intents" compensate hugely. You are very welcome.

[RIRRATTO]

It was late in her career and the voice had changed, but her singing is so touching !

[suffisance]

@RIRRATTO So glad this was appreciated! Yes, in these last public performances I wonder if she's not already showing effects of illness. But so affecting.

[suffisance]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it--it is my special favorite :)

[gepopo1]

Es ist richtig, dass die Seefried in früheren Jahren stimmlich noch makelloser war. Insbesondere war die Tiefe besser eingebunden. Dennoch singt sie diese Lieder vielfarbig und sauber artikuliert. Man versteht jedes einzelne Wort. Viele Sängerinnen der heutigen Zeit sollten sich an dieser mustergültigen Aussprache ein Beispiel nehmen. Es freut mich, dass ich diese Aufnahme hier entdeckt habe.

[embenadorfinearts]

PIANO: ERIK WERBA

[embenadorfinearts]

II of II Usually, singers are accepting these roles even when the voice is not ready to boost their careers or singing loudly all the time higher than their capacity. A good teacher should be the best guide but not always though. Personally ,the best great singer / teacher was Hans Hotter who worked with students technically and musically in a very sober way giving key tips for control of breath, place of voice and to remedies to bad habits. Best regards.

[embenadorfinearts]

I of II

Dear Suffisnace: Thank you for your comment. A key in a singer career, is to evaluate the limits of a voice and when it is time to interpret specific roles. Seefried did sing some heavy roles (Verdi including) which was not suitable for her voice.

[embenadorfinearts]

II of II This engendered quite quickly deterioration in her voice (Bach Matheus Passion / K. Richter). This said this is a highly skilled interpret & musically superior compensating lack of voice coloration. What is behind the voice are the musical intents and in the end it is what is important as well as being very convincing. Thank you for posting this document.