There's a taped conversation with Calls and Visconti, where a famous maestro tells Callas 'I wish I could cut your voice into a million pieces to see what makes it sound like that', to which she replies 'maybe it's a heat I put into it'. When I listen to recordings like this I can't help but think that Callas sang like that to soothe her tortured soul and in doing that, provides the same nourishment to us all who are fortunate enough to be able to listen to that divine voice decades later.
there really is no one like her who can command such a formidable repertoire...............the world was blessed when this great artist lived..............thanks be to God we have a record to remember her by
I just can't help crying whenever I listen to this piece, especially from 5:21. Verdi was a genius, and so was Maria Callas!!!! Her interpretation of the Willow Song goes straight to the heart!!!! 😭😭😭😭💕💕💕💜❤️💗
Nunca nadie podrá igualar a Verdi en música de ópera. La orquestación en esta aria es absolutamente increíble. Una vez oigo a la Callas y la siguiente a la orquesta y después el conjunto con su magnificencia.
The highest art of which a singer is capable....authenticity, divinely expressive, and unforgettable. Thank you for this performance and for the perfectly gorgeous photo of Callas! She brings me to my knees beside her.
Ah Maria, who -- who but you can take the music internalize the deepest meaning of that music and express it with your Godgiven expressive instrument and we would believe this is the first time we as listeners are hearing the music! RIP Great Artistic Genius
No one has ever and will ever come near her, Maria Callas - she made every piece of music she ever touched sound anew and be reborn true to its original form. Endless thanks, Maria.
Reduced to tears! The pacing is so right, the innocence shines through, yet (dare I?) the performance is somewhat uneven. The luscious voice, when exactly accurate, erases the occasional wobble that crops up earlier in the aria to transform it to a thing of unimaginable beauty. I put it down to composer, conductor and VOICE.
Μαρία Καλογεροπούλου, η Μαρία Κάλλας, η δική μας Μαρία, η αιώνια, με την θεϊκή φωνή. Εμείς οι απλοί πολίτες, που δεν την ζήσαμε, πόσο ευγνώμονες της είμαστε!! Δεκαετίες μετά κι η μαγεία της είναι αξεπέραστη! Είτε στην Επίδαυρο, στον τόπο που την γέννησε, την Ελλάδα, είτε στα θέατρα του κόσμου, το αποτύπωμά της θα μένει ανεξίτηλο, σημείο αναφοράς! Ευχαριστώ.
Every singer, every person has their own unique voice, tone etc. Yes, indeed some of those roles were composed with a ideal sound in the composers' mind, however, be open and enjoy the different interpretation, different color of voice, just like flowers and green in the forest, would you criticize why this flower is here and why this forest tree grow in this shape? Just enjoy and be grateful to the singers, conductors, composers etc... and Thank you for sharing Callas version of Ave Maria.
2020 .... are You still listening YOU TUBE James Long ? ..... unless I did compared the numerous versions of BELLINI's "Casta Diva", MOZART's " Exultate Jubilatate " or BIZET's " Carmen " .... because I am presently learning Lyrik Sang and learn a lot when listening every Soprano or singing with ..... I feel convinced that each interpretation has got its particular character and beauty...... So, you wedre right and I won't compare the Divas anymore !!! Francine GALTIER
Я тоже предоставлю мистеру Лонгу гулять по лесу, а сам буду сопоставлять различные исполнения, не спрашивая у него разрешения. Кстати, мне интересно, не приходилось ли ему сталкиваться со скверным исполнением, к примеру? Что он делал в этом случае? Продолжал восхищаться? Гм-м. Закончу цитатой из мудрого арабского поэта: Когда мы оценить достоинство хотим, Всего уместнее одно сравнить с другим.
If one were to anneal gold and steel and silver and glass one would get a faint idea of the sheer improbable magic of this beautiful, passion-infused voice.
Yes, all of those elements but the glass must be dark red, blood colored. A young woman desperately in love with her husband,who is preparing to kill her, unjustly, for what she does not know.
What IS IT about La Callas that moves us so?? She has some rare, indescribable quality that, even with her vocal challenges, approaches the divine in this recording.
@@kbhprinsesse , si, solo lei ci e' riuscita. Basta solo questa scena per poter affermare che che se avesse affrontato il ruolo per intero sarebbe stata la piu' grande Desdemona. Accontentiamoci di questa scena che comunque e' l'esecuzione piu' alta immaginabile. Non ha rivali d'alcun genere. Shakespeare e Verdi che si esprimono universalmente per tramite della voce della Maria. Un privilegio per noi tutti che ascoltiamo assoluto.
Desdemona is a character unlike most of the women Callas played. She’s an innocent. A victim. The sweetness Callas brilliantly expresses is tinged with an awareness of impending doom as someone here says. That sweetness is so exquisitely heartbreaking. And so hard for a diva used to being a protagonist. Years I have loved you. And I go on finding new aspects of your utter brilliance. May you be blessed in Heaven with all the Love we owe you on Earth.
Her execution of the the dynamics, especially the pianissimo should be roundly applauded! Her interpretation is flawless!! And I've just sent the last 1/2 listening to well know sopranos singing this aria! Callas gets my BRAVA!
I hate it. She absolutely fails to execute all dynamic markings as instructed; seems she's making the opera as she sings - should have just written Othello herself.
I don't have the score! But after listening to Renee Fleming and others, Callas definitely does this emotional score the most justice. As for the dynamics, having heard several versions, I do not believe she made up the dynamics. That said - if she did - she improved upon it, as a great singer can. I just put on a production of my own operetta, and learned a lot from my Mezzo, who improved my music, as Callas did for Verdi. I hope this answer satisfies you Sniff, Sniff, even if you don't agree with it! Best regards, Sue
@@yungsuicide9529 lately a lot of people seems to have more problems with hearing issues , the reason the good OPERA its gone and we have painful singers and opera directors, is we are not used to anymore to ART, everything just commercial and money, the reason we don't have anymore ARTISTS but just singers that will not be remembered , maybe just as the dark era of the melodramma ...
no me canso de escuchar esa voz, ese tono, esa interpretación del aria en cuestión, puede que haya que tengan mas voz, mas algo, pero la divina, sencillamente daba vida a las arias que canto y es un placer para los sentidos poderla escuchar.
Como sempre, Callas não apenas canta e interpreta uma personagem. Ela é a personagem. Sua interpretação realça a música esplêndida de Verdi. Ela eleva sua personagem a alturas celestiais. Maria Callas é única, absoluta, a maior soprano dos séculos XX e XXI.
If I don't feel anything when I look at you- do I feel anything when I look at anyone else? Too many years of spousal abuse, too much physical pain, too much emotional pain. I am in the hands of my Lord
This masterpiece Maria sings with beautiful voice is full of emotion and beyond description and comfortable to the ears From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵
There are a huge number of Artists, Historians, Scientists I admire. What am I supposed to be, a Nympho? I am a devout Catholic, and with only one man occupying my heart- and you know darn well who that is
Ave Maria, piena di grazia, eletta Hail Mary, full of grace, chosen Fra le spose e le vergini sei tu, among wives and maidens art thou, Sia benedetto il frutto, o benedetta, blessed be the fruit, o blessed one, Di tue materne viscere, Gesù. of thy womb, Jesus. Prega per chi adorando a te si prostra, Pray for the one who kneels in prayer before you, Prega nel peccator, per l'innocente, pray for the sinner, for the one who is innocent, E pel debole oppresso e pel possente, and for the weak and oppressed, and for the mighty, Misero anch'esso, tua pietà dimostra. also wretched, show thy mercy. Prega per chi sotto l'oltraggio piega Pray for the one who bows his head La fronte e sotto la malvagia sorte; under injustice and under misfortune; Per noi, per noi tu prega, prega for us, pray thou for us, pray Sempre e nell'ora della morte nostra, ever and in the hour of our death, Prega per noi, prega per noi, prega. pray for us, pray for us, pray. Ave Maria . . . Hail Mary . . . Nell'ora della morte. in the hour of our death. Ave!. . .Amen! Hail! . . . Amen!
SUCH a beautiful, Divinely inspired prayer! And, so in keeping with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy! Offering it up when life is challenging, and praying that God will use it for the redemption of the world! I wanted to sing this during Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday. But, opera has very limited appeal. ...I adore Callas's musicianship! I long to sing that way one day in the future. I probably won't ever get there, but that doesn't mean I don't want it with my whole soul! I consistently go to her for musical inspiration!
Like 3 people singing in one. I love her voice tone rather than the sweet voices or like an angel voices. Their voices do not have doors, windows or roof like Maria was saying when you want to be good soprano. Every soprano have lovely voices, if you do not have doors, windows, roof etc. you can't make it.
Every time, when I hear this, I get a confidence that angels in heaven take lessons of chanting by listening this performance of celestial Maria:(( Besides Un bell di vedremo․
Прошу прощения, но ваша способность суждения мне представляется ниже уровня среднего класса: только это делает возможной подобную оценку данной оперы Верди. Было бы весьма интересно ознакомиться с вашим личным рейтингом оперных произведений.
ACT FOUR Desdemona’s bedroom. A bed, a prie-dieu, a table, a mirror and some chairs. A lighted lamp hangs before the image of the Madonna above the prie-dieu. On the right is a door. It is night. (Desdemona, with the assistance of Emilia, is preparing for bed.) EMILIA Was he calmer? DESDEMONA He seemed so to me. He commanded me to go to bed and there await him. Emilia, I pray you, lay upon my bed my white wedding nightgown. (Emilia does so.) Listen. If I should die before you, lay me to rest in one of those veils. EMILIA Put such thoughts from you. DESDEMONA I am so sad, so sad. (seating herself mechanically before the mirror) My mother had a poor maidservant, she was in love and pretty; her name was Barbara; she loved a man who then abandoned her. She used to sing a song, the song of “The Willow”. (to Emilia) Unbind my hair. This evening my memory is haunted by that old refrain. “She wept as she sang on the lonely heath, the poor girl wept, O Willow, Willow, Willow! She sat with her head upon her breast, Willow, Willow, Willow! Come sing! Come sing! The green willow shall be my garland.” (to Emilia) Make haste; Othello will soon be here. “The fresh streams ran between the flowery banks, she moaned in her grief, in bitter tears which through her eyelids sprang her poor heart sought relief. Willow! Willow! Willow! Come sing! Come sing! The green willow shall be my garland. Down from dark branches flew the birds towards the singing sweet. Sufficient were the tears that she did weep that stones her sorrow shared.” (to Emilia, taking a ring from her finger) Lay this ring by. (rising) Poor Barbara! The story used to end with this simple phrase: “He was born for glory, I to love...” (to Emilia) Hark! I heard a moan. (Emilia takes a step or two.) Hush... Who knocks upon that door? EMILIA ‘Tis the wind. DESDEMONA “I to love him and to die. Come sing! Come sing! Willow! Willow! Willow!” Emilia, farewell. How mine eyes do itch! That bodes weeping. Good night. (Emilia turns to leave.) Ah! Emilia, Emilia, farewell! Emilia, farewell! (Emilia returns and Desdemona embraces her. Emilia leaves.) (kneeling at the prie-dieu) Hail Mary, full of grace, blessed amongst wives and maids art thou, and blessed is the fruit, o blessed one, of thy maternal womb, Jesu. Pray for those who kneeling adore thee, pray for the sinner, for the innocent and for the weak oppressed; and to the powerful man, who also grieves, thy sweet compassion show. Pray for him who bows beneath injustice and ‘neath the blows of cruel destiny; for us, pray thou for us, pray for us always, and at the hour of our death pray for us, pray for us, pray! (She remains kneeling and, with her head bowed on the prie-dieu, repeats the prayer silently, so that only the first words and the last are audible. ) Hail Mary ... ... and at the hour of our death. Hail! Amen! (She rises from her knees and goes to bed.) (Othello appears on the threshold of a secret door ... He comes forward ... places his scimitar on the table ... hesitates in front of the candle, wondering whether to put it out or not ... Looks at Desdemona ... Puts out the light ... Makes a gesture of fury ... Approaches the bed ... Stops ... Raises the drapes and stands for a long time contemplating the sleeping Desdemona... He gives her a kiss... another kiss... and another one. Desdemona awakens.)
You bring us to this point and then abandon us right before the tragic denouement. Are you going to complete this scene, or do we have to use our imperfect memory? Thank you for how far you went.
5 лет назад
People keep repeating stupid remarks like 'she was past her prime'. I mean what the hell does that even mean? It's obvious that in one point comes the apex and afterwards the decay. Every living thing has a natural arch of development and decay. Repeating nonsense frases like such does not have anything to do with her artistry and voice and doesn't make your opinion on her singing more or less valid and substantial. She always remains integral - regard her as "in prime" or not, like it matters.
My Dear , people were so intimidated by Callas Genius and Gift that they consciously or unconsciously had to remove her something ! Greatest nonsense have been said about her even by the closest and most sharp musician ! I sometimes wonder if it's because she was woman encompassing such a high musical knowledge : Beautiful powerful voice and technique , Language skills , perfect sight reading , playing piano , scenic motion and gesture , body discipline, passion , comprehension of the character ...
Well actually such foolishness makes such opinions less valid as in invalid as in without value. And excrement is also a substance such though does not even rise to that.
I'm belonging to those, who do not want to listen to old opera singers. Callas's voice here is not my cup of tea. I have many operas with her, when she was in her prime. I can listen to her for days. But not this particular aria. I prefer Montserrat.
Tebaldi is lovely to hear. She does not have Maria's range. Comparing like champagne and Coca Cola. Maria's voice is lovely low, mid, high and very high. She was trained by the best. Alvira de Hidalgo
Nein, gerade das ist es nicht. Meine persönliche Meinung, ich will dir deinen Standpunkt nicht absprechen. Hingabe an die Schönheit des Universums? Die finde ich bei Tebaldi, te Kanawa und bei der von mir extrem bewunderten Mirella Freni. Hier höre ich erstmals einen widerständigen Geist, jemanden, der sich erstmals auflehnen will, nicht kann und darf, ihre Verzweiflung finde ich herzzerreissend. Ein irdischer Mensch ersteht vor meinem Ohr. Das war es, was sie einzigartig machte. Ich weiss nicht, ob sie sich dieser Hörwirkung bewusst war. Mein Hörtip, ganz anders, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf mit der gleichen Arie. Viel Vergnügen!
Mi parea. He seemed so to me M'ingiungse di coricarmi e d'attenderlo. He told me to undress, get into bed and wait for him Emilia, te ne prego, Emila, please Distendi sul mio letto la mia candida Lay out my pure white wedding garments veste nuziale. upon my bed. Senti! Se pria di te morire dovessi Listen! If I happen to die before you Mi seppellisci con un di quei veli. Bury me in one of those veils. Son mesta tanto, tanto. I am sad always, always. Mia madre aveva una povera ancella My mother had a poor maid Innamorate w bella; She was in love and beautiful Era il suo nome Barbara; Her name was Barbara; Amava un uom che poi l'abbandonò, She loved a man that then abandoned her, cantava una canzone; And she sang a song; La canzone del Salice. The song of the willow. Mi disciogli le chiome. Undo my hair. Io questa sera ho la memoria plena di This evening I have haunted memories quella cantilena. of this lullaby. "Piangea cantando nell'erma landa, "She wept singing in the lonely land, piangea la mesta. the sad girl wept. O Salce! Salce! Salce! O Willow, Willow, Willow! Sedea chinando sul sen la testa! She sat with her head inclining upon her breast, Salce! Salce! Salce! Cantiamo! Cantiamo! Let's sing! Let's sing! Il salce funebre sarà la mia ghirlanda." The willow will be my funeral garland." Affrettati; fra poco giunge Otello. Hurry; Otello will be coming in a little while. "Scorea noi rivi fra le zolle in fior, "The brook flowed between the flowering banks, gemea quel core affranto, She moaned in grief, e dal le coglia le sgorgava il cor, And her eyes flowed with bitter tears l'amare onda del pianto, in which her heart sought solace. Salce! Salce! Salce! Willow! Willow! Willow! Cantiamo! Cantiamo! Let's sing! Let's sing! Il salce funebre sarà la mia ghirlanda." The willow will be my funeral garland." "Scendean l'augellia voldai rami cupi "The birds flew down from branches verso quel dolce canto. towards this sweet singing E gli occhi suoi piangean tanto, tanto, And her eyes wept so much that Da impietosir le rupi." the rocks pitied her." Riponi quest'anello. Here take this ring. Povera Barbara! Poor Barabara! Solea la storia conquesto semplice suono finir: She used to end her song with this simple saying: "E gli era nato per la sua gloria, io per amar." "He was born for glory, I for love." Ascolta. Odo un lamento. Taci. Listen! I heard a moan. Qui batte a quella porta? Who knocks at the door?" "Io per amarlo e per morire "I to love him and to die. Cantiamo! Cantiamo! Let's sing! Let's sing! Salce! Salce! Salce! Willow! Willow! Willow! Emilia, addio. Emilia, farewell, Come m'ardon le cigia! How my eyes do icth this evening! È presagio di pianto. Is it the presence of weeping? Buona notte. Good night. Ah! Emilia, Emilia, addio, Ah! Emilia, Emilia, farewell! Emilia, addio! Emilia, farewell!
El Otelo de Shakespeare, recreado por Verdi en la magnífica voz de la Callas, explica mejor el femicidio que muchos expertos «Esposa mía, quise besarte antes de matarte. Ahora te beso, y muero al besarte»
As I recall it, "Othello" (like most of the plays) was 90% written within a fortnight, with the usual revisions and improvisational improvements as it was put to stage. The 'willow song' scene was added later, however, with significant revisions to Act V, with other significant enlargements to the part of Emilia, mainly because we had such a good 'no' girl (poached from the ranks of Red Bull, but how I did love their entertainments) among our merry players. I've never heard a contemporary production with the perfect melody for the willow song, and Verdi (bless his soul) seems to have missed the trimeter rhythm altogether. Not that he failed to dispatch his task. I always cry when Desdemona is killed, it feels so personal. If only she were as immortal as O? * * * DESDEMONA My mother had a maid called Barbary. She was in love, and he she loved proved mad And did forsake her. She had a song of willow. An old thing 'twas, but it expressed her fortune, And she died singing it. That song tonight Will not go from my mind. I have much to do But to go hang my head all at one side And sing it, like poor Barbary. Prithee, dispatch. EMILIA Shall I go fetch your nightgown? DESDEMONA No. Unpin me here. This Lodovico is a proper man. EMILIA A very handsome man. DESDEMONA He speaks well. EMILIA I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip. DESDEMONA (sings) 'The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, Sing all a green willow. Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee, Sing willow, willow, willow. The fresh streams ran by her and murmured her moans, Sing willow, willow, willow. Her salt tears fell from her and softened the stones, Sing willow'--- Lay be these.--- 'willow, willow.' Prithee, hie thee. He'll come anon. 'Sing all a green willow must be my garland. 'Let nobody blame him his scorn I approve'--- Nay, that's not next. Hark, who is't that knocks? EMILIA It's the wind. DESDEMONA (sings) 'I called my love false love, but what said he then? Sing willow, willow, willow. If I court more women, you'll couch with more men.' So get thee gone. Good night. Mine eyes do itch. Doth that bode weeping? EMILIA 'Tis neither here nor there. DESDEMONA I have heard it said so. O, these men, these men! Dost thou in conscience think---tell me, Emilia--- That there be women do abuse their husbands. In such gross kind? EMILIA There be some such, no question. DESDEMONA Wouldst thou do such a deed fro all the world? EMILIA Why, would not you? DESDEMONA No, by this heavenly light. EMILIA Nor I neither, by this heavenly light. I might do't as well i'th' dark. DESDEMONA Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world? EMILIA The world's a huge thing. It is a great price for a small vice. DESDEMONA In truth, I think thou wouldst not. . . .
Have you ever thought that a comment like this makes you appear judgmental and ignorant? Rap is neither ugly nor ugly. It is genre that, in its own right, should be respected.
Verdi, Otello. Ave Maria. Um instante de recolhimento, em que Desdêmona esquece o mundo para elevar a alma à Virgem Maria. Ela não pede proteção, na verdade está nessa hora alheia ao terrível drama que se desenrola. A prece é freqüentemente interpretada em tom de aflição, mas não foi a intenção do incomparável autor da música, que adivinhou perfeitamente os sentimentos da personagem.
Callas never did Desdemona on stage, because probably Desdemona is too passive a character. The only true great moment being the Willow song. When she recorded this she was way over her prime...but still....the exemplary diction and who caring and lovely does she sing ..Salce o salce...Well as usual she starts where the others stop.
Forse il personaggio, appena qualche battuta qua' e la, e' piuttosto elementare. Il solo momento grande e tragico e' questa scena che interpretata e cantata così non ha eguali. Le altre cantanti, tutte incluse, non arrivano a tanto, sono finte. Qua' c'e' Shakespeare di mezzo musicato da Verdi. Una cantante comune non ne sa trarre nulla, e' troppo difficile. Stessa cosa per Lady Macbeth.
@@shirleyrombough8173 Ширли, вы напрасно пытаетесь спорить. "Over her prime" - точный диагноз. Через два года Мария окончательно расстанется с оперной сценой, да и в этой записи обе верхние ноты она бы спела лучше, если бы могла. Восхищение перед великой певицей не должно заслонять от нас объективно существующие вещи.