Since no one else mentioned! 9:29 she crescendoes on a sustained trill! Others ignored the trills altogether while she turned them into means of artistic expression. It's almost Abi's blood is boiling up in her veins, and she is drunk with lust for power. I can almost picture her throw up a little in her mouth getting oh so exited. Same with the ascending trills: a Callas specialty (also in Bolena, Gilda and Amina). I can't stomach the stupidity of those people who still debate whether Callas was a good singer. She IS the Ultimate singer/vocal actor in all history. By the way, someone is calling her Divina at 7:46. Could be the earliest example on record!?
… Callas' arsenal of technical feats was beyond Olympics and I don't think anyone else ever repeated them... the people who claim she wasn't a good singer are imbeciles and clueless about singing (Just like the one who had said for the Queen of Omitting High Notes // Flagstad that you never had to worry when she sang about the next note --- because she wouldn't even try it :D)
@@brodereck1 her decline was caused by her personal life more than other causes. She invested more time with Onassis and less practising. That's the reason.
"In a good night Callas was better than all of us put together" And this night was one of those many nights. Imagine being there and feeling that shockwave of a voice, my god.
She establishes the mood from the beginning of the recitative (probably the most vocally difficult written by Verdi), and her "scorno" is clearly and forcefully established in "Che sono io qui?... peggior che schiava!" The phrase "Su tutti il mio furore piombar vedrete!" reminds me of what Callas thought of her detractors. Incredible contrast between the bombastic recitative and the cavatina "Anch'io dischiuso un giorno." The cabaletta after the interruption of the chorus is, in a word, insane: angular, rapidly-paced, with quick leaps from one register to another and scale passages that run from the top of the soprano's range to the very bottom. These technical difficulties were probably carefully calculated by Verdi in order to reveal the rough character of the register shifts that naturally occur in the voice of a dramatic soprano in attempting such athletic feats. This gives Abagaille an edgier, even more dramatic presentation, indeed forces a more dramatic presentation into the voice, assuring the audience of real fireworks onstage. These are nearly impossible demands, and make one wonder what kind of qualities the original Abagaille, Giuseppina Strepponi, had at her disposal. Strepponi, Verdi's second wife, may hav ruined her voice by singing this role. She retired from the stage at age 31! Bravissima Callas!
Lohengrin O We forgot 1 minor element my friends "PMS" H! HAVE NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED.🏃🔥👸😹 Now shall we continue☝? Arnold Bourbon Amaral 🌍🌏🌎💙🇮🇹🇪🇸🇫🇷🇺🇸🇨🇳🇩🇪🇬🇧🇷🇺
This Abigaille's big scene and Callas is superhuman here, but she's such an artist that my favorite parts of her Abigaille are elsewhere. I get shivers every time I hear her duet with the baritone, with that insane interpolated high Eb - one of the most exciting moments ever recorded, I think. But I'm almost more in love with Abigaille's dying scene, which imposes modest vocal demands and is mostly piano - but Callas is so extraordinary in the coloring and phrasing, draining her tone of life but keeping the music somehow ethereal and sensuous and electrifying. There are trumpeters who can "do" Abigaille - for example Dimitrova, who really is a machine - but her Abigaille is as flat as paper. Callas's Abigaille, on the other hand, is a thundering creation, a real character.
@@-giakhanh--kayden-8337 yes! One of her misteries. She was able to unify all her registers when required. Yet in other ocassions the break is evident.Imo its a style choice or simply the nature of the voice. I dont know any other singer who had uneven registers but could sing multiple ocatve scales with perfect conection. Smooth transition from head into chest voice.
Это Настоящее Совершенство, без преувеличния, никогда и никто не перепоет La Divina!!!! Давайте еще скажем огромное спасибо, как оказалось, великому педагогу Марии, Эльвире де Идальго, которая бережно вырастила, улучшив максимально, отточила ее Божественный голос!!!! Как сложно построить и как легко и быстро разрушить, что сделал Онассис, видимо он не ведал, что творил, ему это было не дано, он был обычный гангстер, откуда мы знаем, может у него вовсе не было слуха, а уж то, что у него не было сердца просто не подлежит никакому сомнению !!!
I could listen to this endlessly and still I would discover new things each time! This Nabucco and this Abigaille are just SO perfect that I really wonder if it wasn’t just a dream and it never happened for real 🥰
Esta grandísima cantante, actriz, intérprete que llamamos La Divina, de la cual no habrá otro otra, al menos en los años de vida que Dios me dará, es una arquitecta vocal y en esta intrincada aria lo demuestra absolutamente Un millón de gracias por compartir esta magnífica grabación, querido amigo virtual Lohengrin O. Calurosos saludos desde Santiago de Chile. Dr. Fernando Rivas-Burattini.
The most mountainous, torturous, gruelling role a soprano will ever sing, yet Callas dominates the score like a GODDESS. Gives me chills from beginning to end. The strident, imperious entry, the mercenary declarations in chest voice, the speed and fullness of her coloratura leaps, everything is gigantic here. Callas just got opera so instinctively. Abigaille wants to be a Queen- you have to sing like a motherfucking QUEEN.
Nabucco is an amazing opera. The role of Abigaille is exquisitely written as well. Many singers have the sheer power for it, others have the necessary voice balance, some have the agility required for it, but no one has ever had all those things combined. No one but Callas. There are decent Abigailles around, some might have even been very good, but there has only been one great Abigaille, and her name is Maria Callas. And to have sung it at such a young age... It is absolutely breathtaking. One of the greatest roles, regardless of what form of art we are discussing, and it found its perfect match in the shape of the greatest voice the world has ever heard and will ever hear.
...but she never sang it again but only parts in recitals and studio recordings... and imagine that Legge could have had her Studio Abigaille instead of Cavalleria and Pagliacci... this role is truly impossible to sing as written and Maria knew it, that is why she never sang it again
@@LohengrinO The fact that she only sang it once makes it much more special, but it is indeed a pity that there is no studio recording of it. I recently saw some performances of Nabucco. Not a particularly good production, but it had an amazing orchestra and was brilliantly conducted. The Abigaille was good, but she lacked agility and all that comes with it. She, Fenena, and Zaccaria were the highlights of the cast, but not mind-blowingly so. The choir was breathtaking. I can't even fathom what the audience experienced when it was Callas on that blessed Neapolitan stage in 1949.
@@j.j.schlachtfeld9325 yes but that is the problem... others have the power to ride the orchestra but not top notes, others no low notes, others no agility and no one sings the trills... the best Abigaille I have heard after Callas is this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5HTRZdsMdHU.html
Lohengrin O Although a bit forced on the higher end of her range, I must admit that Várady’s Abigaille is nothing short of remarkable. I especially liked her lower notes during the cabaletta. They added a lot to the performance. I think I’ve just been swallowed by a black hole full of Abigailles where I have to watch every single Abigaille-related video available on RU-vid. It is indeed a wonderful role with sensationally written music :D
J.J. Schlachtfeld it's called addiction my friend it comes with the territory. And people like you and I that have a deep understanding of the greatest art form in the entire world. Thanks to LOHENGRIN O💙 and CALLASFAN💙 and others💙🏃 we are truly blessed indeed my friend indeed. I can say no more. Sincerely Arnold Bourbon Amaral ADIO👸 🏃🏃🏃
9:29 I hear an authentic trill. Like an actual one....guess what? Projected over a heavy verdian orchestra and only the middle voice. I’ve never heard that ever before in any human!
I think Callas was one of few singers that had a true understanding of 'trill', it's variations, and uses. There is an audio on youtube of part of her master class at Julliard where she discusses the trill. A great listen, for anyone interested in a true trill and what it can do.
Thanks for sharing... I heard this performance before and was thrilled by every note sang by La Divina... however, what’s done from 3:09 to 3:15 is one of the best voice controls I have ever heard including classic and modern music - not sure anyone can pull that off maintaining the fullness of the notes, especially in the low one...
The mark of the true 'artiste' is being willing to bend to the intentions of the composer, making the most of the music, and to pull the audience into the world Verdi created. The role of Abigaille is one of t h e single most challenging ever written. That Callas, even at her heavier weight could finish this role and come off stage looking as though she could sing it again after a 45 minute respite is absolutely amazing.
.... Fantastica e perfetta in ogni sua performance!! La commozione che suscita lei è profonda... Lei è uno spettacolo nello spettacolo basti dire questo!! Non si è mai appagati della sua voce perché Lei è la sola ... MARIA CALLAS. Un saluto ed un grazie a te caro Lohengrin0 da Elsa.
Elsa Asta ...era detta la Divina! Al Covent Garden per una Tosca si fecero 11 giorni di fila.Poi venne il rozzissimo,Onassis,e fu l'inizio della fine,lei lo amava,lui la considerava un trofeo! Sposo' la ex Kennedy che lo "aggiusto'" ben bene facendogli firmare un contratto matrimoniale milionario! (A quei tempi) La Divina non si riprese piu', tanto che il tenore Di Stefano andando in visita da lei a Parigi,ella esclamo':"Pippo finalmente ogni giorno un giorno in meno.." Terribile epilogo.
@@cosimoepicoco7022... Caro Cosimo purtroppo come vedi anche le persone più in vista e famose e come esseri umani difronte ad un sentimento vero ci si scioglie come neve al sole!! A lei non mancava proprio nulla... Beltà e raffinatezza, ricchezza e fama ed un talento da vendere e malgrado ciò non è valso a nulla, aveva tutto e nulla perché le mancava la felicità dell' anima!! Grande ed indimenticabile Maria Callas. Grazie Cosimo di avermi fatto conoscere più particolari della vita della "Divina". Un caro saluto... Elsa
Elsa Asta ...aveva sposato il ricchissimo Meneghini,ma non lo amava ed era piu' grande di lei.Purtroppo al cuore non si comanda.Ha amato la persona sbagliata,peccato! Gli ultimi anni della sua vita sono stati pessimi! Ha pagato un prezzo troppo alto per il successo ottenuto.Il compianto Maestro Zeffirelli che era suo amico personale, neanche lui si era piu' ripreso completamente della di lei morte,intossicata da farmaci che dimenticava di aver gia' preso e ne prendeva ancora.Mori' in solitudine il suo corpo fu subito cremato da parenti rapaci,e le sue ceneri disperse nel mar Egeo.
The fruition of three titans: Callas, Gui - and most importantly, Maestro Verdi. Verdi has written here some of the most grueling vocal lines for the female voice, with immense coloratura, octave jumps and a range that goes from the third octave to the sixth; but ofcourse Callas nails it on the head. Don't you find it shocking how easily Callas sails through each register so easily? A weightless elevator of voice...
N. Lidar I had to take my blood pressure my friend need I go on? Did anybody watch that miserable performance of Aida last weekend? LOL my wife says sometimes I'm a glutton for punishment when it comes to Opera LOL I watched the entire thing in 3 days hellacious days. NEED I say more. Bless me Opera GODS🗿 for I have sinned 📖. My Penance was 10 Renata Scotto OPERAS Traviata, Suor Angelica, Tosca, Manon, Sonabulla, Macbeth, il Tabarro,Aida,Boheme,Giocanda. 5 Nebtreko Arias on U-TUBE. And 10 Natalie Dessay Sonabullas. Of course I took a shortcut and said Renata Scotto x 10 Ana Nebtreko ×5,Natalie Dessay × 10. I was on house arrest and I got caught cheating therefore had to watch 5 Janet Jackson videos 5 J.Lo Dance Party Videos. I cheated again and eat plugs the smallest kind available skin color Etc. I will seek solace and rest 😌 Arnold Bourbon Amaral 🎶🎵🎼🌏🌎🌍
It's surprising how she considered herself fat. Most opera singers are 2xs her size. If she would have loi only 25 - 35 lbs she would have.looked beautiful and possibly been able to support her beautiful voice. Even being thin her voice was awesome.
This is a very dear gift. Warmest thanks, Lohengrin! Sometimes I try to imagine those Neapolitan who attended the opera. Lei cantava Turandot qui in primavera, vero? Her repertory of 49 always frightens me! She was "very young" AND had already a decade of experience! This week Brünhilde, next week Elvira, this month Kundri, next month Turandot,.... UNBELIEVABLE! She was eating vocal killers for breakfast and thereafter drank Aida and Norma... Who did call her Sacred Monster?
1952, the unrepeatable year... in one year, in between weeks apart: Norma, Lucia, Puritani Elvira, Lady Macbeth, Aida, Armida, Gilda, Vespri Elena, Euridice (Haydn), Kostanze (Serail in complete performance), Gioconda, Tosca, in one afternoon recital Lucia / Abigaile / Lakme / Lady M, Traviata, Leonora (Trovatore)... in one year the repertoire others dont sing in 40 years of career... and she survived with a Glorious Voice for the future Medeas, Traviatas, Normas, Lucias etc That is why I say that Time is relevant... what is the use of keeping your vocal health for 40 years if u spend all your life singing 3 roles with 1 year interval in between them... Time for Geniuses is THE MOST relevant thing (Mozart etc)
@@LohengrinO if we were in Turin that afternoon... To this unbelievable list, let me add two other roles: a marvelous Gilda who blasts superhuman E6 in Mexico, and la duchessa Elena... Is this a USUAL rep? God NO! That's why I insist to set all of our sentiments aside and look at her as she was. Callas stands far, far beyond our love / hate.. This is the opera itself embodied in the figure of a woman.
Lohengrin O Time is LENEAR indeed. Maria doesn't have to go back and say to herself I should have done Turandot 10 years ago😭 indecisive wenches. Thanks for the great post my friend OLBRIGADO Arnold Bourbon Amaral ADIO 💙🌏🌍🌎
"...e questi mezzi colori... un canto sul Genio della Callas" (dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf for Callas: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-e2-fPB-7mQc.html)
Sencillamente estratosférico, me pregunto si el público presente era realmente consciente de lo que estaba presenciando, salvo algunas excepciones evidentes que se manifestaban en euforia, la respuesta del público me parece exigua, por supuesto que algún tiempo después Callas tenía al mundo bajo sus pies, pero personalmente no me perdonaría no saltar de la butaca y tirarle flores a un talento semejante aunque sea desconocido. Gracias por compartirlo 😊
Es que ninguna otra ha conseguido hacer el salto de dos octavas con esa bravura, ni los trinos de la cabaletta, ni la agilidad de fuerza de este papel tan tremendo, con una brillantez estratosférica en su salida del primer acto, por ejemplo. Todas fallan en el recitativo, o en el aria, o no pueden con las exigencias vocales del final, pero Callas podía con todo, y lo que hace a partir de 9:50 es sobrehumano. Con todo, la gran artista está más allá de todo ese circo, pues en el aria y en la escena final demuestra que no iba a haber Norma, Violetta o Tosca como ella.
Un ouragan vocal, une tornade de rage et d'aigreur malsaine, un cyclone qui arrache tout sur son passage, tant d'incroyable beauté théâtrale. Callas immortelle dans son rôle absolu : tremblez dieux de l'enfer ★ (and housand thanks to Lohengrin O !)
She owned this. Some of those who came after her held their own in some spots, but they never quite got to this level of vocal perfection. 9:53-10:00 Absolutely unreal.
One of my favourites from Callas. It would be nice if someone put her performances up with rolling sheet music so we can read the words while listening, as well as further understand the demands of the music. Someone did this, but a rather rude person deleted the videos. Some of these included the Lady M arias, along with many others that she sung. Once again, great post.
Lohengrin O let us pray 🙏 Arnold Bourbon Amaral we can always buy the score 🎼🎵🎶📖 I have the score for Aida, the best of Verdi the best of Puccini the German composers and the French composers. It wasn't that expensive my friend. Ask and you shall receive 🗿in due time. Sincerely Arnold Bourbon Amaral 🌍🌏🌎
This is the best Callas, when she was fresh, young and fat. This role is written for such a voice, and she does it in the best possible way that we know on record. None can come close, except for Ghena Dimitrova who has done a very good job in this role, but still not as good as Callas. I wish we could hear Giuseppina Strepponi, Verdi's wife, who spoiled her voice twice by performing this role.
No one seems to know what voice type she actually is🤣 her voice is that amazing! Some say coloratura or assoulta, sum say spinto or dramatic..and mezzo
Lohengrin, you bring great performances. Can I ask that you provide more information, such as year, place, etc.? I confess that sometimes I don't know what aria or opera it is... Thank you!!
Avihu Boneh research my friend research.Lohengrin is gracious/generous enough my friend to find the 💎 It's up to us to find the answers to our questions. Sincerely Arnold Bourbon Amaral1820 ADIO 🌍🌏🌎🎶🎵🎼📖
La Divina! Che un rozzo individuo la ridusse a dire al grande Di Stefano:"Pippo per fortuna ogni giorno un giorno in meno..." Timur della Turandot direbbe: "delitto orrendo!"
And what has that to do with her voice, especially in this aria? Boris Christov certainly was not the politest man in the world, but he undoubtedly was one of the greatest basses of the 20th cntury. So? PS: Apologies if I have misunderstood your comment.
Aetion actually he wrote, how divine she was, and yet 25 years later an awful man (Onassis probably) led her to say to Di Stefano “dear Pippo, luckily, every day is one day less” . The character of Timur of Turandot would have said of this : horrendous crime!
you know what Jon Vickers had done when someone was coughing like crazy in his Tristan death scene? he resurrected from dead and said: SHUT UP WITH YOUR DAMN COUGHY! :D
The cabaletta is a killer indeed my friends. Unfortunately the conductor the volume was way too loud even for Maria Callas. The beginning was a tour de force indeed. But her voice was overshadowed by the orchestra at the end. Does anyone feel the same way? Do I need hearing aids. I think not! Lohengrin O what do you think? After all it was 1948 correct? Your input is highly valued as you well know my friend please advise. Sincerely Arnold Bourbon Amaral P.S. at the end the audience response WAS NOT WORTHY OF SUCH GREATNESS.WHAT do they want Jesus to come down and sing for them. With all due RESPECT to the son of God INDEED. But please this is the greatest VOICE OF THE 20TH CENTURY LA DIVINA OUR MAYA. 👴🌏🌎🌍🌿🌿💙🙏 📖💎💎💎🌹🌹🌹
Probably recorded from the pit. the orchestra seems to drown out the others, too. Also, we dont know the staging. I read somewhere that by the time she sings the cabaletta, she is at the top of the stairs having perched on a throne, hence, she's farther away from the recording device than her colleagues, too. Still, she overpowers all others in the end with her high C.
