Lady Macbeth takes a sip of water.
Shirley Verrett (Lady Macbeth) backstage at La Scala, Milano, 1975
(via bassnicky)
This blog is about my favorite historical singers, from the dawn of recording up until the late 20th century. Most of them are classical or opera singers, but I love many other types of music (especially jazz), so surprises are to be expected. I use the phrase "historical singer" somewhat loosely to refer to any retired or dead artist who may be considered to have made a significant contribution to the history of singing. Enjoy!
Ask me anything
November 11, 2012
July 25, 2012
Chilean soprano Nora López sings Macbeth
Like many sopranos of the 1960s and 1970s, López is very much under the influence of Callas. However, she puts many of her more famous contemporaries to shame with her rock-solid voice and technique.
July 6, 2012
Martha Mödl sings Macbeth in German (1951)
“La Luce Langue” is one of the highlights of the 1865 version.
June 21, 2012
Tito Gobbi sings Macbeth (1969)
I have always thought of this aria as Macbeth’s “Dio di Giuda” moment, the point when the tyrant understands the evil of his ways and sees that things could have turned out differently. The difference is of course that Nabucco repents and asks for God’s forgiveness, whereas Macbeth doesn’t.
June 21, 2012
Olivia Stapp sings Macbeth (1986)
This cabaletta was written in 1847 for the original version of the opera; it is reminiscent in style of Lady Macbeth’s Brindisi. In the 1865 version, it was cut and replaced by “La Luce Langue.” Any comparison between the two is necessarily unfair: this is a fine but workmanlike example of Verdi’s early manner, whereas “La Luce Langue” is a visionary piece of music theater.
April 29, 2012
Veriano Luchetti sings Macbeth, conducted by Claudio Abbado (1975)
Luchetti passed away on April 23rd.
April 8, 2012
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau sings Macbeth (1964)
March 4, 2012
Margherita Grandi sings Macbeth, conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham (1948)
Grandi’s studio recordings of Macbeth were the only ones available until Callas included three selections from the opera in her 1958 recital disc of Verdi arias.
February 26, 2012
Elizabeth Connell sings Macbeth (1987). She dodges the final high note, but her sense of drama and vocal color is impressive.
Elizabeth Connell passed away on Feb. 18th.
June 18, 2011
Italo Tajo sings Macbeth (1952)
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Three lieder by Schumann
(1) Der Nussbaum
(2) Widmung
Both from Myrthen (26 songs for voice and piano), Op. 25.
(3) Ich Grolle nicht from... -
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Maria Callas and Giulietta Simionato in the HISTORIC, 1955, La Scala, Norma.
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Ava Gardner addresses fans at the October 8th 1953 premiere of Mogambo
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Maria Callas and Giulietta Simionato rehearse for the HISTORIC, 1955, La Scala, Norma.
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Emily Dickinson’s manuscript of “[The way Hope builds his House]”
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Spent the entire day at the John K. King Bookstore, Michigan’s largest used bookstore, and unfortunately they wouldn’t let me camp...
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