Word: aria
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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Most of the selections have been chosen so that they do not duplicate commercial recordings. The bass aria, "O ruddier than the cherry," is an exception. Obviously it has been included for the very good reason that Paul Tibbetts is singing it, but it is one of the dullest pieces the Handel ever wrote. Marguerite Willauer has much better material for her fine soprano voice in "As when the dove laments her love" and "Heart, the seat of soft delight...
...stage with true aestheticism. Walls' face was a delight to behold as it changed to meet the mood. But credit for the best single performance from a list of many excellent ones must go to Elizabeth Spencer, who was suitably padded with pillows to play Lady Jane. Her aria in the beginning of the second act-done with a bass fiddle-brought down the house...
...singers are different today, although since his retirement from the Met in 1939 he has tried to teach newcomers the old ways. "Nowadays," says he, "there are very few great voices because everybody is in such a hurry to become a star. They win a contest by singing one aria - and they are stars before they are ready...
...most memorable moment was one that few listeners were aware of. In the last act, with Mimi a-dying, Segurola (known mainly to a later generation as Deanna Durbin's teacher) suddenly turned to Caruso and whispered hoarsely that he could not manage his final aria, the "Coat Song." Grated the basso: "I've lost my voice...
...usual, Pasternak begins with a pretty soprano (Kathryn Grayson) warbling an aria. An itinerant celebrity (Jose Iturbi) is beating the fake rosebushes for young opera stars. Tunneling into this setup is a manly young truck driver (Mario Lanza) who has just the bouncing good looks and tenor voice to team up with the soprano...