Word: coloraturas
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...canto flourishes-fluid melodies, runs, cadenzas, arpeggios-and a soprano role that is one of the most difficult in all opera. "Semiramide," says La Scala's artistic director. "is Norma's grandmother." Much of the dramatic singing is in the most difficult vocal range, and the coloratura passages are burdened with drama. With the coloratura parts too dramatic and the dramatic parts too coloratura, it is simply too difficult; Paris saw it last in 1874, La Scala in 1881, New York...
Last week La Scala saw it again In the impossible title role was the only soprano now living who could hope to get away with it-Australian Coloratura Joan Sutherland. The purity of her voice, its limpid icy strength all along the scale, and its' perfect intonation, seemed just right for the role, even though Sutherland's history of solid. woodenness onstage suggested trouble with Semiramide's dark libretto (Semiramide falls in love with her Hametesque son before discovering his identity; the son kills her. mistaking her for an interloping lover). But Sutherland was unconcerned. Said...
...mood of the translation. Miss Smith's Rosalinda displays not only a fine sense of timing and a fine aristocratic sense of propriety and impropriety, but also the unusual type voice required. Rosalinda must have a dark and strong lower range, complemented by a brilliant top and a sure coloratura technique. Miss Smith displayed both, ending her Czardas with a brilliant high B. Mr. Crain has obviously had experience in his part--he uses his strong tenor voice to advantage in the ensembles, and his ebullient comedy leaves little to be desired...
Just a Hobby. Scherbaum sailed through the Brandenburg No. 2 last week as if it were as simple as Au Clair de la Lune. Nonchalantly placing his weight on one leg, the egg-shaped instrumentalist blew through the intricacies of the high coloratura with characteristic ease; he blasted a final, full-volume flourish that brought an audible gasp from the audience. Chances are that he could have gone through the whole piece with his eyes shut: he has recorded the concerto for 14 different labels, has become so thoroughly identified with it that in Western and Eastern Europe alike...
...clamorous dismay of a musical world that has hailed her as La Stupenda, Coloratura Joan Sutherland, 35, announced that she would have to suspend her operatic career for up to six months because of a two-year-old spinal disk ailment. Though she stoically plans to complete her current Covent Garden contract and the spring season at La Scala in a steel-ribbed corset, the strapping, handsome Australian will have to abandon a scheduled summer tour of her native land to undergo medical treatment in her Swiss villa. "Only when that is finished," said she, "can I make any decision...