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Arias or Duets : Opera favorites |
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Ave Maria : OthelloRene Fleming and Kiri te Kanawa comes in my mind. |
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hebrit 14-Aug-10, 15:46 |
Puccini : Turandot : Signore ascoltaThe poignant aria by the slave Liu, in love with Calaf and who knows it is an impossible love. I have in mind the performance by Katia Ricciarelli (recording with Maazel). This recording was live but the only time we realize it was live is because the audience could not resist applauding after this moving performance. |
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Turandot: PucciniThx for the compliment hebrit. I must say your choice "signore ascolta" with Katia Ricciarelli is also a very good choice ! |
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hebrit 15-Aug-10, 10:32 |
Mozart : Catalogue ariaLet me choose the greatest comic aria : When Leporello enumerates all the conquests of his master, Don Giovanni to Donna Elvira : the catalog lists 1003 from Spain, and then come all the other countries. Then the beautiful, the ugly, the fat, the old ones (just to complete the catalogue) and the Don's favourites : the young ones. What is remarkable in this aria is the way the music changes to emphasize all the caracteristics of the different types of ladies. Like having 5 or 6 arias in one. But then all the arias from Don Giovanni are remarkable. Just about the greatest opera. Period. |
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Mozart: Don Giovanni: Il mio tesoroI love Luigi Alva's voice on this particular Aria. |
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Mozart: Don Giovanni: la ci darem la manoI enjoy the performances of Samuel Ramey and Kathleen Battle. Also Ramey and Upshaw. |
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hebrit 16-Aug-10, 09:07 |
Il mio tesoroDon Ottavio is the opposite of Don Giovanni. He is a bit tame, timid, not too courageous, attentive to other's needs, with almost female qualities: so this aria depicts him so well, in complete opposition to Don Giovanni's assurance, arrogance, cynism present in most of his arias (except of course when he is trying to win a lady's heart : La ci darem la mano). So Don Giovanni has the energetic, he-male arias, and we get the lovely ones from Don Ottavio (and from Don Giovanni when he wants to add to his catalog). Leporello for the comedy ; the ladies for the different types of women attracted to Don Giovanni (even Donna Anna might be in that group, according to some commentators). And sophisticated arias for the aristocrats. And popular arias for the peasants Zerlina and Masetto. You never get bored listening to Don Giovanni, from the first note of the overture to the moral of the story. |
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Verdi : Aida : Celeste AidaIs so ironic, that Verdi place this aria too soon to be performed, almost after minutes later the Overture has been played. That means that the singer (Radames) has to be ready without any warm up on his voice. Verdi is a genius ! hebrit: nice analysis on Don Giovanni. |
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hebrit 16-Aug-10, 11:26 |
Verdi and warm-upsAnother great example of Verdi being though on the tenor is Otello. He must spring on stage and cry 'Esultate!' in full voice. At least, 'Celeste Aida' starts more softly. I have an anecdote about this : I saw Otello in Montreal during Expo 67. Jon Vickers was singing Otello. As he came in, he stumbled, without acually falling. But like a true pro, he went on with a powerful 'Esultate!' that convinced everyone. How about Mario del Monaco? No problem with the 'Esultate!' with him. What a powerful voice. But it is said he could not sing softly, and the culprit was the singing method he was using to be able to sing so loud. So there was no subtlety in his singing : loud and louder. |
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Bizet :Parle-moi de ma mere ( Carmen)I believe that perfect Micaela and Don Jose was Leona Mitchell and Jose Carreras. Sometimes I feel the sadness for both characters on this Aria. The letter from Don Jose's mother is more a revelation of Micaela love for Don Jose. For him is his nostalgic love for home and his mother. Carreras was on his prime time during his Don Jose role . He is Don Jose ! |
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Puccini: Si mi chiamano Mimi. (La Boheme)Angela Gheorghiu sings this aria so beautiful and with such a passion. |
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Puccini :Nessun dorma ( Turandot )sung by Calaf who falls in love with the cold Princess Turandot. It was one of Pavarotti favorite arias . |
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La Forza del Destino: VerdiMaria Callas is remarkable on this aria. The recording of 1954 in Milano. |
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Samson et Dalila :Saint Saens Such a great and sweet duet. Placido Domingo and Denyce Graves. |
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La donna e mobile; Rigoletto |
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Flower Duetwww.youtube.com Maddy Mesple - soprano;Danielle Millett - mezzo soprano. |
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And here's the score...Enjoy |
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Nessum Dorma (Turandot) |
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Der Holle Rachewww.youtube.com |
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Au fond du temple saintwww.youtube.com |
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Stunningly beautiful aria, but not from an operaI love countertenors, and thought we needed one represented here. www.youtube.com |
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very beautiful indeedwww.youtube.com |