The Nation's favourite aria?
Thu, May 13 2010, 4:20PM
BBC Radio 3 has launched a search for the nation's favourite aria, a challenge hosted by Rob Cowan and Sara Mohr-Pietsch on the "Breakfast" programme (7-10am). We invite our forum members to pit their knowledge and discernment against Radio 3's listeners. Simply nominate your favourite aria and the opera from which it comes - and as an appropriate Gramophone dimension, your favourite recording of it too.
Mon, May 17 2010, 8:53AM
#2
RE: Home
Martin,
I should imagine that the nation's favourite aria would be 'Nessun Dorma' from Puccini's Turandot, sung by Pavarotti on several occasions, but the 'Three Tenors' or World Cup format would be the one familiar to most listeners.
My preference is for 'Der Holle Rache', from The Magic Flute, and I have a long list of candidates - but for technical brilliance and sheer power I would go for Diana Damrau's version (Covent Garden, 2003) with Sir Colin Davis.
"Ebben? Ne andrò lontana" from La Wally by Alfredo Catalani.
But only really because of its use in the film Diva (Jean-Jacques Beineix, 1981), when it was sung by Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez (you'll have to ignore the fact that the music isn't synced to the video).
Maria Callas isn't bad at all, but sounds a bit lifeless compared to Wiggins Fernandez.
Netrebko is very good indeed, but I don't think Gheorghiu is right for it.
Montserrat Caballe is terrifically expressive - loads of dynamics - if a bit too 'formal' for my tastes.
But I'll always be biased towards Wiggins Fernandez's performance in Diva, simply because of the association with the film.
"Louder! Louder! I can still hear the singers!"
- Richard Strauss to the orchestra, at a rehearsal.