Today's bel canto offerings have been my lifeline to a place of peace, calm and beauty. Listening to "Casta Diva" as sung by those three divine goddesses - Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland and Renée Fleming - was like having three precious jewels in hand. Each interpretation had its own unique beauty and cachet. "Mira, O Norma" with Sutherland and Marilyn Horne was so enchanting. I'm tempted, but I won't yet call it my favorite duet ever - especially with so many great operas yet to be discovered. One sign of my favor, however, is that I wandered off in search of other performances and discovered this one by Shirley Verrett and Grace Bumbry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0BTSvZuj0Y). This link became the perfect virtual gift for one of my longtime friends, who celebrated her birthday today. Today's daily was so rich in music, terminology and interviews that I will be spending some time with it until the next treat arrives on Wednesday. You are drawing us all in deeper. Could a trip to La Scala be in the works someday after the pandemic ends, or am I just dreaming!?! :-) Thank you, Michele.
Oh wow, wonderful find - thank you!! And the thought of Italy in the future sound perfect and necessary to get us through this period! I am with you on this duet truly spectacular. Like mind-blowing imo. I wasn’t going to add the duet to the post (I thought it should get its own post) but it was impossible to share Norma without mentioning this duet. I am glad you are enjoying (and indulging me) in the “multiple singers sing the same piece” approach I am often taking 🤣 I’ve learned so much as I write this newsletter but the most notable learning is that often each singer brings something different to a piece that might complete change the experience one has. Also, studio recordings versus live recordings bring their own unique gifts. I often try to find pieces/versions that are found on multiple music services (yt, Amazon, Spotify, Apple) so members can choose their preferred service, but I may bend the rules coming soon so that I can share more of those gems that might only be found in one place (probably YT given everyone can access). Thank you again for your inspiring comments and the music you are bringing to me. I am going to try to figure out how to filter all of these wonderful recommendations back into the posts. And if you have requests on how I might make what I share with this community more valuable, I am all ears at all times! Michele@youroperadaily.com
They were NORMA on many profound levels like Fire and Ice as singers both.
Mutually exclusive but also brilliant still a generation later. Bravi Maria, Joan with Marilyn.
👍🏼
Grazie Lei,
Today's bel canto offerings have been my lifeline to a place of peace, calm and beauty. Listening to "Casta Diva" as sung by those three divine goddesses - Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland and Renée Fleming - was like having three precious jewels in hand. Each interpretation had its own unique beauty and cachet. "Mira, O Norma" with Sutherland and Marilyn Horne was so enchanting. I'm tempted, but I won't yet call it my favorite duet ever - especially with so many great operas yet to be discovered. One sign of my favor, however, is that I wandered off in search of other performances and discovered this one by Shirley Verrett and Grace Bumbry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0BTSvZuj0Y). This link became the perfect virtual gift for one of my longtime friends, who celebrated her birthday today. Today's daily was so rich in music, terminology and interviews that I will be spending some time with it until the next treat arrives on Wednesday. You are drawing us all in deeper. Could a trip to La Scala be in the works someday after the pandemic ends, or am I just dreaming!?! :-) Thank you, Michele.
Oh wow, wonderful find - thank you!! And the thought of Italy in the future sound perfect and necessary to get us through this period! I am with you on this duet truly spectacular. Like mind-blowing imo. I wasn’t going to add the duet to the post (I thought it should get its own post) but it was impossible to share Norma without mentioning this duet. I am glad you are enjoying (and indulging me) in the “multiple singers sing the same piece” approach I am often taking 🤣 I’ve learned so much as I write this newsletter but the most notable learning is that often each singer brings something different to a piece that might complete change the experience one has. Also, studio recordings versus live recordings bring their own unique gifts. I often try to find pieces/versions that are found on multiple music services (yt, Amazon, Spotify, Apple) so members can choose their preferred service, but I may bend the rules coming soon so that I can share more of those gems that might only be found in one place (probably YT given everyone can access). Thank you again for your inspiring comments and the music you are bringing to me. I am going to try to figure out how to filter all of these wonderful recommendations back into the posts. And if you have requests on how I might make what I share with this community more valuable, I am all ears at all times! Michele@youroperadaily.com
Beautiful - so uplifting
🙏🏼🥂