Hello to our 845 new subscribers that joined in August! 🎉 Grateful to have you here. If you think others would enjoy this post, we’d love for you to invite them to Opera Daily! Today we’re listening to… “Bel raggio lusingier,” a soprano aria from Act I of the Italian opera
Absolutely lovely. I tend to agree with the comments on Callas and Sutherland. Callas whilst technically perfect lost (imho) that emotion that Sutherland portrays
It's times like this I regret my father passed just as the internet was coming in. He adored opera so much, and would have loved not only the chance to easily hear the great performances, but to discuss them with other fans.
Listening to Joan Sutherland sing "Bel raggio lusingier" was to my unaccustomed ears what watching a Simone Biles gold medal routine was to my eyes not long ago. Each woman performs with such beauty, technical skill and bravado that it's impossible not to be captivated by every note, or every move. Despite being related to opera-loving women, there came a point when rising ticket prices put the magic of live performances just out of my reach. So I am happy to have become an Opera Daily novitiate. I checked out the Maria Callas and Cecilia Bartoli interpretations, but found myself more intrigued by the fan fights than by the music. All honor to Gioachino Rossini, though, for composing such a challenging aria for a soprano. To an aspiring diva, mastering “Bel raggio lusingier” must have been like conquering Mount Everest - a difficult climb up, but exhilarating at the pinnacle. Well, let me come back down to earth. There's so much more to explore and I am grateful that you accommodate veterans and developing aficionados with grace.
I'm new to Opera and is my first time listening to this area. Great performances by Sutherland and Callas, and agree with the majority that Sutherland brings more passion and power.
Again, thanks for sharing this piece and your comments. Have a great weekend
Here is a fun Master Class from the Carnegie Series given by the great Joyce Di Donato with a young singer singing "Bel raggio". Joyce has had great success singing the role of Semiramide herself and gives wonderful advice to this young singer. She works on what we singers who sing bel canto are always working on....the ever important trill! Enjoy!
SEMIRAMIDE was a slog at The Met. The revival was better on PBS but still long even with better singers. The Joffrey Ballet danced this Overture as CONFETTI a delightful ballet in the 1970's.
Enjoyed listening to this - beautiful
Absolutely lovely. I tend to agree with the comments on Callas and Sutherland. Callas whilst technically perfect lost (imho) that emotion that Sutherland portrays
Oh my goodness what a breathtaking and exhilarating piece. And you were spot on with that note that Ms Sutherland hit with such ease and beauty.
It's times like this I regret my father passed just as the internet was coming in. He adored opera so much, and would have loved not only the chance to easily hear the great performances, but to discuss them with other fans.
Here's to you, Dad.
Listening to Joan Sutherland sing "Bel raggio lusingier" was to my unaccustomed ears what watching a Simone Biles gold medal routine was to my eyes not long ago. Each woman performs with such beauty, technical skill and bravado that it's impossible not to be captivated by every note, or every move. Despite being related to opera-loving women, there came a point when rising ticket prices put the magic of live performances just out of my reach. So I am happy to have become an Opera Daily novitiate. I checked out the Maria Callas and Cecilia Bartoli interpretations, but found myself more intrigued by the fan fights than by the music. All honor to Gioachino Rossini, though, for composing such a challenging aria for a soprano. To an aspiring diva, mastering “Bel raggio lusingier” must have been like conquering Mount Everest - a difficult climb up, but exhilarating at the pinnacle. Well, let me come back down to earth. There's so much more to explore and I am grateful that you accommodate veterans and developing aficionados with grace.
I'm new to Opera and is my first time listening to this area. Great performances by Sutherland and Callas, and agree with the majority that Sutherland brings more passion and power.
Again, thanks for sharing this piece and your comments. Have a great weekend
Here is a fun Master Class from the Carnegie Series given by the great Joyce Di Donato with a young singer singing "Bel raggio". Joyce has had great success singing the role of Semiramide herself and gives wonderful advice to this young singer. She works on what we singers who sing bel canto are always working on....the ever important trill! Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ldx8Dcv1Vg
SEMIRAMIDE was a slog at The Met. The revival was better on PBS but still long even with better singers. The Joffrey Ballet danced this Overture as CONFETTI a delightful ballet in the 1970's.