Who knows how or why I managed to stumble across this recording. I sang Sharpless in a Butterfly production directed by Mme. Albanese. I spent 4-5 days a week with her for 6 weeks. It was unreal. I hung on EVERY word that came out of her mouth. In a coaching one day she said, "The words, the words...the public wants the words. Sing to the public." I have never forgotten those words. What has to be the greatest moment of my life, musical otherwise, took place during a staging rehearsal. The tenor and I worked or way through the opening. We were scheduled to stage the Entrata next. We were ahead of schedule with no Butterfly - so Licia said let's do it and she got up and I got to sing the entire exchange with her. She sang most of it down and octave in quiet voice. Her eyes told me everything. I saw Butterfly. I saw where Butterfly lived within her. I am still in awe of what I learned from her in coachings, rehearsal, or standing next to the giant oil painting of her as Violetta the many times I visited her apartment. True and authentic artistry.
Born in 1909 she was 71 when she did this performance Five years later in 1985 at 76 she was in Follies in Concert. She was 105 when she died in 2014 Remember that she sang the Otello third act duet with Mario Lanza in the fifties movie Serenade
Dear StuartLou, Thank you so much for posting this video!!! I cannot begin to explain the atmosphere that she created when she sang. I am the tenor singing the Don Pasquale Duett with her. She is my inspiration as to what Opera is.The beauty, eleganz, gentleness, kindness and graciousness along with the highest artistic acomplishment is what I saw in her and learned from her. The opera world of today ís a far cry from what I saw in her. Thank you and God Bless You, Michael Vaccaro
Thanks for answering my question. I do remember Stella Roman. I heard her several times when she came to San Francisco Opera. She had a certain appeal but for me (at the time. a teenager) no one could touch Albanese. Now at almost 90, I still feel the same way. Albanese's heart and spirit infused her voice and enriched us all. I can't imagine my life without Puccini, Verdi and Albanese.
Une légende incontournable de la scène lyrique. L'expression et la sensibilité à fleur de peau, principalement dans les opéras de registre vériste. Une intelligence musicale exacerbée et des nuances toujours justes. En dépit de quelques erreurs de carrière, un parcours irréprochable aux côtés des plus grands. Un personnage indissociable de la vie musicale européenne puis surtout américaine, elle aura lutté inlassablement pour la préservation du "canto espressivo" (tout comme la regrettée Magda Olivero) et prodiguera pendant de longues années ses conseils et surtout, son savoir, à de nombreux jeunes artistes. Sa présidence à la tête de la L.A. Puccini Foundation à NYC la maintiendra au sommet des personnalités lyriques les plus attachantes du XXème siècle. J'ai eu la chance et l'honneur de bien connaître L.A., et elle laisse un vide irremplaçable dans mon cœur, dans nos cœurs. Son legs artistique est unique. Merci. Cet extrait est extraordinaire! Toute sa passion est intacte! RIP.
This is by far the most deeply moving video I have ever seen. All her essence and presence is fully there. Her wonderful use of space and flawless vintage of that unforgettable voice. I hope and think she must surely know how much she is loved, and she returns it with many splendors. And such graciousness! I was moved to joyful tears, and spent some time filled with warm fuzzies.
Love her, love her, love her! I was so privileged to know her and work with her. I've learned my Traviata and Mimi from her records. She was the best. I am so blessed knowing her! Viva Licia!
This clip demonstrates why she was such a popular "star" . . . she is committed to her art; she works hard at delivering the goods, nothing is taken for granted, and she shares her joy of making music with those who are present. Age had definitely taken it's toll in this clip, but there is still much to enjoy, and to reminisce about.
God, what a truly marvellous thing to have been privileged to watch! The toll of age on the voice is obvious enough, but here it was still in remarkable shape - and the warmth, class, graciousness, inherent sense of drama and great good humour of the lady herself are deeply affecting and heart warming. Just a joy to behold!
What a masterclass in how to perform Voi lo sapete. There is a tremendous depth in her rendition that shows her remarkable sense of integrity in drama. Very few can pull that off. She did so extremely well. Brava. I wish I could give her a hug and kiss.
To the tenor in the duet with Licia: first,thank you for answering my question. Second, your duet is beautiful. I envy you for your lovely voice and for your association with a legendary singer and a wonderful woman
Licia never “lost” her voice. I heard her sing a beautiful Liù in Newark, with Nilsson and Domingo, when she was 65. That’s Stella Roman at the end of this video. SHE unfortunately lost her voice early.
A darn good informal performance from a soprano whose voice had passed it's prime years and years before. This is surely not the Albanese of her golden period in the 1940's and 1950's, but still there are rare flashes of what once was. She remained a lovely, lively, and busy woman until she died at an age we all should be so lucky to reach withthe good quality of life she had. R.I.P. dear Licia!
either she or the piano was a little flat at the close of her first number...but she was the greatest mimi interpretation during her time. even here you can see the transformation to that poor starving little parisian girl at 70 something. a heart soul and body which loved to sing...what a fulfilled life..because she did it.
You got that right: they surely don't "make 'em like that anymore." She must have been quite a gal. BTW -- watch her performance of "One Night of Love," from the "Voice of Firestone" that she appeared on in the early 50s. She sang it with an insinuating smile, clearly suggesting that she new what she was singing about!
