Hall of Fame
Tue, Jan 24 2012, 1:50AM
As a singer, I used my eight votes toward the singer list. I used four votes on mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato and four votes on soprano Anna Netrebko. Joyce DiDonato is an inspiration to young singers. She has a very active internet blog that answers questions which many artists struggle with ranging from topics including role preparation and a singer's philosophy: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheYankeediva She actually spends time on communicating with her fans on her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joyce-DiDonato/207466962440 Her website contains her blog that talks about her extraoridinary life in the arts and how its important to our society: http://www.joycedidonato.com/ She is the ultimate artist! She focused on establishing a vocal technique that would allow her to sing anything she wanted to express on stage. And it's evident that she has achieved it! ^_^ Anna Netrebko is the down to earth diva with charisma. She is a diva to die for! Many opera purists deny her the right to being the successor to Maria Callas, but I believe she brings something special to every piece she sings.
Tue, Jan 24 2012, 10:30PM
#2
RE: Hall of Fame
Though I cannot possibly share your enthusiasm and excitement for DiDonato (and Netrebko), I fully appreciate your dedication to your art of singing and admiration and appreciation for those who serve this passionate singing form, as good as it gets.
Personally, I admire the art of DiDonato, but she doesn't give me the thrills of the "old school" (the tenderness and finesse of a Berganza, the bold and immense prowess of a Horne, the depth of a Cossoto and so on). As for Netrebko, she is good, good enough to keep you...there, but she cannot reach either the passion of a Callas or the stupendous abilities of a Sutherland or of even the sheer beauty of the tone of a Te Kanawa or Caballe (la bella voce) or the nobility of a Freni.
Having said that, I have to state that I'm proud enough of their achievements in their respective fields.
Parla
Tue, Jan 24 2012, 11:25PM
#3
RE: Hall of Fame
That DiDonato is top notch in Handel she is. Thaart disc of hers with Ciofi is a regular delight. Like two little swallows they be tweeting away to each other. I likes that Sandriane Pau as well in her Handel disc with whatshername, Sara Mingardo. They be more like bluetets though. I dont think weve ever been so lucky as we are now for mozart and pre mozart singers, we don't have the quality in Wagnerian singers as we used to harve but most Wagner operas be performed without wagnerian singers originally, the school came later.
Wed, Jan 25 2012, 10:48AM
#4
RE: Hall of Fame
I would agree with you about DiDonato in almost every respect. I just wish the voice itself had a little more individuality. Very little of her wonderful stage manner and galvanising presence comes across in her recordings. My first experience of her was in the Aix Hercules, when it came to the Barbican, and she knocked my socks off. It was the total performance, singing and acting coming together to create a character so believable, that you forgot it was being created through what is after all an artificial medium. I bought the disc of Handel arias on the strength of this performance and found myself rather disappointed. Nothing wrong with her technique of course, but very little of her personality came across in the recording. I then went to the concert of the recording (if you like) at the Barbican, and was completely knocked out again. I am not sure why it is, but for some reason her undoubted stage personaliy doesn't seem to come across on disc, and for that reason, I'm not sure I could include her in a Gramophone Hall of Fame.
Love her or hate her, Callas was and is unique. She has no successor. Netrebko certainly isn't that, nor is it really fair to saddle her with such a comparison. That said, I have found very little to admire in any of the recordings and videos I have seen. She doesn't seem to me to be a particularly musical singer, and her coloratura is decidely sketchy. Mimi is about the only role I've heard her in that didn't overstrech her. Of course we all have our favourites, but, whereas I can appreciate the qualities of a singer like Sutherland, even though I don't particularly respond to them, I find it hard to put Netrebko in the same class. I don't like criticising people's heros or heroines as it often results in a slanging match, and we end up soundling like a lot of children point scoring in the playground, so please don't shoot me down in flames.
Thu, Jan 26 2012, 7:35PM
#5
RE: Hall of Fame
I say......ding dong. Two new laydeeez on the forum, how delightful. Oops I've become Terry Thomas.
Thu, Jan 26 2012, 7:46PM
#6
RE: Hall of Fame
I say......ding dong. Two new laydeeez on the forum, how delightful. Oops I've become Terry Thomas.
Ding dong? Terry-Thomas? Lesley Phillis, surely! You're an absolute shaaawer, Atonal.
Fri, Jan 27 2012, 1:35PM
#7
RE: Hall of Fame
I'm only 22 and I didn't grow up with the same generation of singers as you. So, I can't really compare Joyce DiDonato's work with previous artists. For me, JdD is the most intelligent mezzo of this generation and she is a great help for us, young singers, with her vlogs. I totally understand your point of view, I don't really know this "old school", maybe I should take a look (or an ear!).
Fri, Jan 27 2012, 6:24PM
#8
RE: Hall of Fame
Some years ago I remember talking to a young singer who was studying at Guildhall. He tended to have a poor view of singers of a previous generation, without really having listened to any of them. I invited him over for an evening of listening. Having only ever heard a bit of late Callas, he had decided that she was rubbish. I played him her 1949 recording of the Mad Scene from "I Puritani" and he sat open mouthed in admiration. "Oh my God!" he said. "I didn't know anyone could sing like that."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzzIskhjpuk
It might be a good place to start.
Fri, Jan 27 2012, 11:30PM
#9
RE: Hall of Fame
Thanks a lot for your response, ladroldedame. May I ask you which is your specialization as a Mezzo voice, so that I may suggest some appropriate singers of the past to explore.
Callas is always a must for haute education, possibly, at a later stage, when you feel you may have accomplished your studies and potential targets.
Parla
Sat, Jan 28 2012, 12:26AM
#10
RE: Hall of Fame
I'm only 22 and I didn't grow up with the same generation of singers as you. So, I can't really compare Joyce DiDonato's work with previous artists. For me, JdD is the most intelligent mezzo of this generation and she is a great help for us, young singers, with her vlogs. I totally understand your point of view, I don't really know this "old school", maybe I should take a look (or an ear!).
Ladroldedame, I'm sure that Joyce Di Donato would echo what every singer and singing teacher I've ever known would say - listen to as many singers of the past, both recent and distant, as you can. The great and the not so great, the famous and the not so famous - every one of them will have something to teach you, even if at times it's how not to do things, whatever your particular fach might eventually be.
The very best of luck, both in your career and your listening.
Sat, Jan 28 2012, 10:12AM
#11
RE: Hall of Fame
What sound advice, JKH. I remember an interview in which Callas, an unhappy child remember, said she used to spend all day at the Conservatoire, not just studying with De Hidalgo, but listening to all the other students, the talented and the not so talented, learning as much as she could from both. Though, oddly enough, she too didn't have much time for some of the singers of her previous generation, except Ponselle of course, whom she revered like no other. Indeed when Callas was going through a bad patch and Walter Legge suggested she seek the advice of Ponselle, she flatly refused, saying, revealingly, "She started out with better material than me." That may have been true, but I doubt Ponselle quite brought to Norma what Callas did.
Legge stated that Callas had a superhuman inferiority complex, which may have been behind both her drive when young and her nerves later in her career.
On the subject of Norma, I recall reading an interview with Caballe, who stated she had a tough time at first. Caballe absolutely adored Callas, and thought she could never follow in Callas's footsteps. But she eventually realised that she had to create her own Norma, and put aside all ideas of performing it like Callas. In fact Callas gave Caballe a set of jewellery she used to wear in the role, telling her that she would be a great Norma. This gave her the confidence to carry on and indeed she did become a great Norma, as witness that wonderful live performance from Orange, quite different from Callas in the role, but equally valid.
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 12:58PM
#12
RE: Hall of Fame
Parla, I've not a specialization as a Mezzo voice, I just like those which have high register, quite like a soprano. I like brilliant mezzo voices!
(sorry for my english, I'm french...)
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 1:07PM
#13
RE: Hall of Fame
JKH, thanks for your response. I'm trying to listen to many different voices and style of music as I can. I know it's important to be curious in every kind of art, to be curious in life! I don't know where my voice and my passion will send me but it's very kind of you to wish me the best.
(I'm French, my english isn't very good but I try to improve it!)
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 2:28PM
#14
RE: Hall of Fame
JKH, thanks for your response. I'm trying to listen to many different voices and style of music as I can. I know it's important to be curious in every kind of art, to be curious in life! I don't know where my voice and my passion will send me but it's very kind of you to wish me the best.
(I'm French, my english isn't very good but I try to improve it!)
It's my pleasure. And I wish my French were as excellent as your English obviously is!
Sun, Jan 29 2012, 5:39PM
#15
RE: Hall of Fame
Ah! Vous etes Francaise, Ladroldedame! Je suis francophone aussi, mais pas Francais du tout.
However, since this is an aglophone internet forum, I have to continue in english. Since you like the high voice Mezzos, try Marilyn Horne's extensive discography. She is a very "heavy" voice with an extraordinary range from alto to almost soprano. From the more modern ones, have you tried Garanca or Bartoli (she is so "light", but a voix avec une agilite formidable).
Finally, I always love the purity, nobility and beauty of the tone of Teresa Berganza. Depending on the roles you may have to deal with, there are plenty of others I would suggest. So, maybe you may inform me (us), which roles you would love to sing, one day.
Nos Meilleurs voeux vous accompagnent.
Parla
As a young student/singer, I gave my 8 votes to only one singer : Joyce DiDonato. She is an incredible artist and human being. She spends a lot of time with us, young musicians, by giving precious advice, sharing her experiences, and her secrets on this difficult but passionate world of art. She is very close to her public and always searches for truth in what she does and believes. Her voice is a treasure, full of brilliant colours and emotions. She is a real diva of humility and joy!