Giuseppe Verdi

SATURDEE OPRY LINKS

A weekly Quixotic pursuit for appreciators of opera who don't expect too much, would-be appreciators of opera who don't know what to expect, and those somewhere in-between,
such as your host.

Thrown together in haste every
Saturdee morning by
Rip Rense

Giacomo Puccini

OPRY LINKS 16: Sad Sopranos. . .


Anna Moffo                             Leona Mitchell

Saturdee Opry Links Overture!
Mozart, "La Clemenza di Tito."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAJVbylLDEU

1.
One of the most piquant arias in all opera certainly must be "Ebben, no andro lontana," from "La Wally" ("Luh Wuhl-LEE") by Alfredo Catalani. It is pretty much the only thing that the composer is remembered for, despite having composed five other operas. The aria has some of the originality and emotive power of Puccini, which is curious in that Catalani resented Puccini's popularity. The poor man died at 39 from tuberculosis, but this deeply affecting aria lives on. Here it is, sung by soprano Victoria de los Angeles.
Setting: The main square of Hochstoff, Switzerland, 19th century
Synopsis: Wally is in love with Hagenbach. However, her father does not like Hagenbach and wants her to marry his own friend Gellner. He gives her an ultimatum : marry Gellner or leave the house. When faced with the decision, Wally decides that she must leave. She despairs that she will never see her house again but she knows that she must be firm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D2uL2S_fcY 
Translation:
http://www.aria-database.com/search.php?individualAria=605 


2.
If you think that operas are often super melodramatic, concerned with archly tragic circumstance, and feature emotional singing that is wrenching to experience. . .you would be right! Here is one such aria, from Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera" ("A Masked Ball"), "Morrò, ma prima in grazia," Or "I will die, but first in mercy. . ." In a glorious later recording by Maria Callas, where her voice is surprisingly dark---and very moving.
Setting: A room in Renato's house, Boston, late 17th century
Synopsis: Renato threatens Amelia with death so that she will atone for the sins she has committed with Riccardo. She pleads with Renato to see her son one last time before he kills her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iD5BfWJN8c 
Translation:
https://opera-cat.livejournal.com/17765.html 

Or, if you'd rather see it sung by someone in a crazy dress:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRPLxTBgSlI


3.
Vincenzo Bellini, as you all know, composed groundbreaking operas in the early 19th century. He was known for writing---inventing, really---the first extended, flowing melodic lines in opera (for which he earned the nickname, "the Swan of Catania".) Like Catalani, Bellini died tragically young, at 33, from intestinal complications, yet several of his eleven operas remain part of regular repertory today---largely due to those flowing, melodious lines. Here is one example, from "La Sonnambula," "Ah! Non Credea Mirarte." These words, and the line that follows them, are inscribed on Bellini's tomb. "Ah! non credea mirarti / Sì presto estinto, o fiore," which translates to "I did not believe you would fade so soon, oh flower." Here is wonderful Anna Moffo in a tender, exquisite rendering.
Setting: Near the mill in a Swiss village, early 19th century
Synopsis: While sleepwalking, Amina prays for Elvino and then sings her sorrow. She remembers the engagement ring that he took from her when he believed she was unfaithful to him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnktTbRZuF8 
Translation:
http://www.aria-database.com/search.php?individualAria=678 
 

EXTRA: Bellini's tomb (very worth a look):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_Bellini#/media/File:Annoncredamirarti.JPG 


4.
Although Bizet wrote his operas forty years (and more) after Bellini, it is no insight to say that his astonishing melodies owe a debt to Bellini's groundbreaking work. Here again are the dark, beguiling vocal contours of Anna Moffo, with the arresting, "Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante," or "Michaela's Aria," from "Carmen." A prayer for courage.
Setting: A mountain pass
Synopsis: Searching for Don José, who she still loves in spite of the smugglers, Micaëla finds herself alone in the mountains.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRrYwTxxQ_g 
Translation:
http://www.aria-database.com/search.php?individualAria=41 
Poor Ms. Moffo sang herself into premature retirement. She overextended her capabilities and severely damaged her voice in the late '60s, and never recovered. Opera is a very perilous undertaking, folks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Moffo


5.
Here is a Verdi aria that, for my money (not a potent boast), is as moving as one written by Puccini. Poor Violetta, realizing at last that she is dying, bids "farewell to the past, happy dreams of days gone by. . ." From "La Traviata," here is gifted Anna Netrebko in a Metropolitan Opera production, singing "Addio, del passato." Heartbreakingly beautiful.
Setting: Violetta's bedroom
Synopsis: Violetta is now poor and about to die. She receives a letter from Alfredo's father saying that Alfredo has discovered why she lied about her love for him and is coming to her. She knows that it is too late, though, and sings a farewell to her happiness with Alfredo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSr7hh9mbyg
Translation: http://www.aria-database.com/search.php?individualAria=310


6.
And back to the Swan of Catania, specifically, the long, elegant lines of Bellini. From his 1830 opera, "The Montagues and the Capulets," here is Juliet wondering "wherefore art though, Romeo," from her balcony. The soprano is poor Natalie Dessay, who retired too early after struggling with vocal problems for years (and the removal of a vocal cord nodule in 2002.) This is "Oh, quante volte," or "Oh, how much time. . ."
Setting: Giulietta's balcony in the palace of Capulet, Verona, Italy, 15th century
Synopsis: Giulietta worries because she does not know where Romeo has gone. She is in love with him and waits with ardor for him to come. She wishes to see his silhouette in the light of the day and hear his sigh which reminds her of the breeze.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPciYNe6dzM
Translation:
http://www.aria-database.com/search.php?individualAria=581


7.
No "Sad Soprano" edition of Saturdee Opry Links would be complete without Puccini. Here is Kiri Te Kanawa singing "Donde Lieta Usci," from "La Boheme." Ascolta, ascolta!
Setting: The barrière d'Enfer, on the outskirts of Paris
Synopsis: Rodolfo and Mimi have had a fight, with Rodolfo saying that Mimi has been flirting with other men. However, the real reason he wants to separate from Mimi is because she is very sick and he cannot bear to watch her die. He reveals this to Marcello, but Mimi overhears him and, after Marcello leaves, she comes to him and asks him to return all of her possessions to her former room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtutBlSS0AQ
Translation:
http://www.aria-database.com/search.php?individualAria=35

EXTRA: Joyce DiDonato teaches the aria in a master class!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIZZ_rw1SYs


8.
Superb Leona Mitchell seems somewhat forgotten now, despite having been a spinto soprano at the Met for eighteen seasons (!). One of her standout moments was in portraying "Liu" in Puccini's "Turandot." Here she is toward the end of her career, in 1988, with the plaintive, heart-rending aria, "Signore, Ascolta." How I wish Calaf had married her instead of the looney-tune, Turandot.
Setting: The streets of Peking
Synopsis: Liú, Calaf, and Timur are in the midst of a processional to the execution of the Prince of Persia who attempted to win the Princess Turandot by answering three riddles. If he had given the correct answers, he would have married the Princess, but the price for incorrectly answering them was death. During the processional, Calaf catches a glimpse of Turandot, falls in love with her immediately, and decides to attempt to answer the three riddles. Liú sings this aria to beg him not to risk his life for the Princess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDMEmYuDmFE
Translation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signore,_ascolta!

Go Fund Me for a Mitchell documentary:
https://www.gofundme.com/documentary-on-opera-singer-leona-mitchell?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_dn_cpgntopstickysmall_r


9.
This isn't everyone's cup of tea (including me), but it is a tremendous sequence, a rather stunning example of great singing. At least in my uninformed, amateur opinion. This is Shirley Verrett in Verdi's "Don Carlo," a real tour-de-force of a scene that she meets admirably. What was I saying earlier about melodrama and anguish characterizing so much of opera? Watch all the way through and try to resist the compulsion to applaud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLpLH5hl3Ps
Setting: The King's cabinet, Madrid, Spain, 1559
Synopsis: Eboli has betrayed her Queen and friend Elizabeth to the Queen because her advances to Carlos have been rejected. In retaliation, Elizabeth gives her the choice of being exiled or becoming a nun. After she leaves, Eboli curses the gift of beauty that she has been given, saying that it has been the cause of all her problems. She swears to save Carlos from the imprisonment that has resulted from her betrayal.
Translation: http://www.aria-database.com/search.php?individualAria=569


FINAL BOW:
Manon Lescaut is a our last sad soprano of the day, here lamenting her decision to opt for money over love---and feeling portent of doom. From Puccini's "Manon Lescaut," here is Maria Callas with "In quelle trine morbide."
Setting: Geronte’s house, Paris, France, 18th century
Synopsis: Remembering Des Grieux’s love, Manon is not sure she made the right decision to live with Geronte. Even with the luxury she has, there is something that chills her soul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjpy_k1W9ag 
Translation:
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/classical/work.asp?id=2002&notes=true&webcast=true 

 

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