It was for the MET centennial anniversary. I was lucky to be there. Just wonderful long day. Malfitano and Kraft and Morris...i never her since à better trio in " les contes d'Hoffman"with à perfect french diction. (I am french).Best regards
Jean Kraft had a long, illustrious career and should not be overlooked here. The piece would not of course be complete without her and a major contribution it was.
How well I remember Jean Kraft. I listened to the Met on radio since I was a teen-ager. She was a staple at the Met and sang in many opers. I also watched this broadcast on TV and taped it. I have watched it many times. James. Catherine and Jean were all superb artists. I agree with VMDICKS about Jean.
I have heard many artists perform this trio and they were the best of course. However, the passion here to sing as if in performance was stunning, one of the best and Malfitano made the final notes glorious. Superb. This rendition was part of a the Gala of Stars series on PBS.
I remember seeing this Gala on PBS waaay back! This was before James Morris's big move into Wagner roles (which were a huge success), and before Catherine Malfitano's big move into dramatic roles (which were thrilling, but took a huge toll on her voice). They are all amazing here, and Malfitano's final high-C# is just as awe-inspiring as Sutherland's!
This was the most intense trio I've ever seen. Jean Kraft killed it. Every mezzo should try to be like her, at least in power and presence. Thanks for posting this video.
Malfitano really drives this with great intensity. The others, including the orchestra, step up and match her. A great performance of this exciting trio
This was so extraordinary as a performance of this piece which is just amazing as a composition flat out. All the soloists hit their marks. Morris with his excellent tone line allied with the a great laugh hit it . Malfitano in her lyric French soprano phase has strong firm line, bright sound and focused high notes with chest sounds. The volume is just right and her acting always theatrically intense. Kraft with her focused burnished dark Mezzo makes all the right sounds. Her scale of grandeur is ideal and more importantly she managed to not sound like a soprano or a garbly witch like so many that tend to sing this role. And finally Levine and the orchestra. The rhythmic pulse is taught and the climaxes almost a bit rushed but the conducting is just fantastic. This piece can often get way too hyper or be too slow and disjointed. Levine manages to keep the scale of the piece but moves it along to the finish line. It emerges like a mis èn scène of colours /images. Reaching to a ultimo finish it all explodes as the composition intends to. Stunning work by the instruments and violin solo was very angled and a big deep sound. They just don't have performances like this nowadays as many modern productions are on a separate page it seems. Bravi!
The best, Malfiano, with that fantastic Re b , good the rest. The worst, Levine. He was running a race, not Playing music. Please , see and listen alla Scala's version 1995 with gallardo Domas and the incredible Samuel Ramey. Never heard this rol sung and acted like him. The set....... FANTASTIC!!!!
