Descripción: This new upload may seem a bit out of place next to my belcanto-orientated recent postings, but the piece in question is just too delightful to pass. Most of the description is taken from "allmusic.com", while my commentaries will be mostly my personal impressions of the variations. "At the end of an overlong day laden with teaching and other duties, Edward Elgar lit a cigar, sat at his piano a...

Descripción: Anna Russell did many wonderful parodies, but her best one was surely the thorough synopsis of Wagner's Ring Cycle. Presented here is the first part of this parody, "Das Rheingold".

Descripción: Joan Sutherland's "the Art of the Primadonna" is certainly well known to opera lovers. Sutherland was always a most wonderful singer, but this was one of her best (if not THE best) recordings. Presented here, is the aria of Queen Semiramide from Rossini's "Semiramide". There are numerous versions of this aria, but, for me this will always be the best.

Descripción: This is my second upload. Of course, every opera lover knows Linda's joyful "O luce di quest'anima" from Donizetti's "Linda di Chamounix", and it seems sopranos adore it too: though the opera is rarely perforemed and there are only two recordings of this score, there are numerous versions of this aria. I heard many versions, but for me, Joan Sutherland's version is one of the best. Not only does t...

Descripción: My response to a new video from loganfacincy26. "Attila" is certainly a well-known Verdi opera (although maybe not one of his masterpieces, like "Rigoletto"). This music clip, featuring the wonderful Joan Sutherland in her prime (1963), shows us how one of "Attila"'s arias, "Santo di patria", can become a real showpiece in the right hands. Hope you enjoy!

Descripción: This is my second download of Anna Russell being... Anna Russell. This time we go, as indicated by the great lady herself, into simpler repetoire, which proves to be even funnier than the coloratura air: presented here are a "gentle" pastorale and a "very Russian" folk song. Hope you enjoy (comments are required :-) )!

Descripción: This music clip is my answer to loganfacincy26's excellent post of Sutherland singing "Tornami a vagheggiar". This is a very early clip: about 1960. What is also interesting, is the fact that Sutherland seems to be singing the aria as Morgana, rather than Alcina! Hope you enjoy!

Descripción: If I had to choose my favorite piece of music for the human voice, it would undoubtebly be Solveig's Song from Grieg's "Peer Gynt". It's in the deceptive simplicity of the piece where lies the beauty. But, strangely enough, of all the versions available there is not one which seems to be the ultimate version. Even Lucia Popp's version, good as it is, is lacking something. The present recording doe...

Descripción: It was weeks since I uploaded a new video, so here I present you with three :-). The first one is relatively obscure: Joan Sutherland's version of the coloratura showpiece from "Guilio Cesare". Hope you enjoy!

Descripción: This is my first upload, so I hope everyone will like it. This is one my favorite Sutherland recordings: 1) because this was made a year or two before her 1959 Lucia, so the voice is even fresher and more gentle here; 2) I love Donizetti, and this aria, though conventional and even a bit Rossinian, is still delightful. Hope you like this recording (comments required)!

Descripción: Just listen, it's pure gold :-)!

Descripción: I can't say that I'm crazy about Strauss or his creation, but I am fascinated by Anna Moffo :-)! Enjoy :-)!

Descripción: I consider Vivica Genaux one of the best modern singers: she is always in character, the voice is easily recognizeable, the coloratura leaves the listener stunned, plus she is very beautiful in person ( :-) ). Her "Arias for Farinelli" CD is very well known, but Genaux is best known as a bel canto specialist. In this small video she sings Isabella's opening aria from "Italiana in Algeri". Hope you...

Descripción: A couple of months back I posted Edita Gruberova's rendition of Amalia's second act aria from Verdi's early opera "I Masnadieri". One of the viewers spoke very highly of Joan Sutherland's rendition of the same aria, and I've looked for it for quite some time. I'm happy to say that the search is over. I've been enjoying Dame Joan Sutherland singing this aria for two days now. Now it is time for eve...

Descripción: Anna Russell is one of the best comedians by my standarts: her opera and orchestral music parodies are some of the funniest material I have ever heard. Her first album "Anna Russell Sings" is a jewel for any classical music lover. Presented here is one of the "arias" (being sarcastical :-) ) from this wonderful CD: this is a mock coloratura aria with subtle references to many famous opera arias. T...

Descripción: A brilliant aria from a rather obscure English opera, "The soldier tir'd" was recorded only by a handfull of artists, including the dazzling Beverly Sills and the adorable Beverly Hoch. This recording, made before the fabled "Art of the Primadonna", finds Joan Sutherland in fresh voice (and in better diction :-) ). Enjoy!

Descripción: This is a "sequel" to my latest Vivica Genaux video download. The opera is the same, Rossini's "Italiana in Algeri", but this time Vivica sings the powerful Rondo, "Amici, in ogni evento". Enjoy (comment are still required :-) )!

Descripción: Auber's Fra Diavolo is a wonderfully funny and gentle opera. Presented here is one of the arias of the opera's heroine, Zerline. The place: Sydney; the singer: Joan Sutherland; the time: I would estimate that this recording was made at about 1980 or a bit later. Hope you enjoy (comments are required!!!).

Descripción: After reading comments from some of the Youtubers who have viewed my recent double download of Donizetti's "Perche non ho" from the rarely heard Rosmonda, I decided to put up another version of this aria: this time by the famous Renee Fleming. Hope you enjoy! Your comments are most welcome!

Descripción: Just a small taste of what this great singer is capable of :-)! Hope you enjoy.