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Which professional contralto would you consider to be the best you have ever heard?

39K views 50 replies 28 participants last post by  Serge 
#1 ·
While contraltos are rare, which do you consider to be the best singer in the theater? I am curious which one you think sounds the best and even the most interesting in their vocal technique.
 
#35 ·
I am a big fan of deep voices; I much prefer contraltos and basses to sopranos and tenors! Eugenia Mantelli, Jeanne Gerville-Réache, Louise Homer, Louise Kirkby Lunn, Clara Butt and Sigrid Onegin are all delightful in a variety of ways. Mantelli's Rossinian style is perfect. Homer's control is astounding. And it's the sheer power of Butt's instrument that amazes.

I'm exceedingly flattered when compared to Kathleen Ferrier, although I know it's because her teacher also taught my teacher, so some similarity is passed on. There's something so touching in her voice.

But the one I turn to again and again is Eula Beal. I wish I had a record of hers!

 
#37 · (Edited)
I'm not sure if we are talking about modern contraltos or past ones or both, but one of my favorites of all time is Jean Madeira. Other greats of the past are Kathleen Ferrier, Marian Anderson, and Ernestine Schumann-Heink. A more recent contralto that I like is Ewa Podleś. I like the video of her that SixFootScowl and BaritoneAssoluto posted.

Here is a recording of Jean Madeira:



I've seen her referred to both as a mezzo-soprano and a contralto, but to me she was definitely more of a contralto. Even in her recording of Carmen she sounds very much like a contralto. You also might want to look up some recordings of her singing Klytämnestra as well. She sounded spectacular in that role.
 
#48 · (Edited)
Diana Ankudinova could be the one for the ages with her dramatic contralto and unique timbre. But she doesn't want to be an opera or a classical singer. Here's her, aged 14, performing a Russian folk song. She turns 18 on May 31.

Диана Анкудинова - Реченька / Diana Ankudinova - Rechenka



Please note that this video is proprietary and must be watched on YouTube.
 
#50 ·
Diana Ankudinova could be the one for the ages with her dramatic contralto and unique timbre. But she doesn't want to be an opera or a classical singer.
A different take on the song:

A capella style - Rechenka - Diana Ankudinova. HD isolation. / Диана Анкудинова - Реченька. А капелла.

 
#49 ·
Best contralto

Regrettably, having been born too late to have heard this great lady live, I have only recordings to site as reason for my admiration. That lady being Kathleen Ferrier. I have a few friends who are vocally trained and ridiculously knowledgeable re all aspects of singing…to my bemusement, none of them share my love of this great lady. They say her singing style is "so old school". For me, she's an angel. The tone, diction, roundness of the vowels. There's such a generosity and warmth to her sound. Maybe it's because she's a Lancashire lass like me (well, lad), that I feel such a deep connection to her. Though I'm not entirely alone in my admiration. Bruno Walter said that the greatest joys of his life were to have known KF and Mahler…in that order! Elizabeth Swarzkopf too, (not known for her compliments to other singers), revered her artistry…. as a postscript, I would also offer for consideration Aafye Heynis. She is, for me, a close second.
 
#51 ·
The dude in awe there is opera singer Yusif Yevazov, husband of Anna Netrebko.

Диана Анкудинова / Diana Ankudinova - Can't help falling in love (Stereo) @ Showmaskgoon, 1 ep. Subtitles.



A capella style - Diana Ankudinova - Can`t help falling in love. HD isolation.

 
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