Word: gencer
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...Known as "La Diva Turca" throughout her more than 70 roles at Italy's La Scala opera house, Turkish soprano Leyla Gencer won a reputation for both her beautiful voice and her imperious personality. Critics were wowed by her inspired performances in everything from Madame Butterfly to Don Giovanni. Offstage, Gencer was unabashed about her domineering manner, explaining simply, "I say what I think...
...screen-like image they create and serve the purpose of the play beautifully. The lights, by Jonathan Hill are coordinated with the music and provide a visually appealing effect. The choreography, although a little repetitive, uses the stage space well when it includes some novel moves. Vocal director Menekse Gencer effectively combines the voices, but some disharmony does taint the overall outcome...
...sets for Seattle's Otello had somehow got onto the wrong ship from Italy, and were put in place only 30 minutes before curtain time. San Francisco Opera Soprano Regine Crespin was forced out of the first-night Gioconda with a throat infection, and Substitute Leyla Gencer (who in past Coast seasons has filled in for Callas and Tebaldi) had to learn one of opera's cruelest roles in less than two weeks...
Star of the Spoleto performance was brilliant Turkish Soprano Leyla Gencer, who in the role of Renata demonstrated one reason why Flaming Angel (now available in a Westminster recording) is so rarely produced: the heroine, onstage and singing almost constantly, is required to deliver some of her most memorable lines while crawling on the floor or hopping in hysterical convulsions. Said Director Frank Corsaro plaintively about the work: "I want to move it to New York, but nobody wants...
...tapped for the San Francisco engagement sound unheard, after Director Adler scheduled Francesca, then learned that his star soprano (Renata Tebaldi) would be unable to take the role after all. San Francisco listeners found the old (1914) opera dull and static in spite of its lush arias, but Soprano Gencer was something to hear. Her voice is big, warm and beautiful, and capable of surging emotional power. The U.S. will be hearing more...