Likes: 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.
Which professional contralto would you consider to be the best you have ever heard?
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.
I have something of a soft spot for English contraltos. Kathleen Ferrier's voice makes me weak at the kneesHelen Watts is another of my favourite contraltos; she had such a powerful and expressive instrument, and she is the contralto I would most like to have heard live. Sigrid Onegin is my other favourite contralto of yesteryear.
"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." Friedrich Nietzsche
A few modern contraltos stand out to me as being particularly good. I like Ewa Podleś, but her voice doesn't really speak to me. Sonia Prina, on the other hand... just WOW! Not a fan of her coloratura technique though, I have to say. Nathalie Stutzmann is one of the most musically intelligent singers of today, whilst Marie-Nicole Lemieux's voice is just so 'bold' and truthful - so human! Sara Mingardo's pretty good too.
"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." Friedrich Nietzsche
Jessye Norman hands down.
I had previously said Jessye Norman, but I meant Marian Anderson, who had a great influence on Jessye Norman.
Ferrier , one of the few true contraltos
I also love contraltos (used to be one) Sara Mingardo has a true, dark tone. . To me, each has something special & personal. . .
Last edited by kirolak; May-09-2017 at 11:49.
Why did you stopped?Originally Posted by kirolak
I also love contraltos (used to be one
My nerves were too bad, I even came out in hives around the throat. . .& would weep pathetically in the Kindertotenlieder. . .just not a vocal Performer. I would get ill with Angst & let myself & others down. I could hardly listen to music for several years after stopping, it hurt too badly.
Last edited by kirolak; May-10-2017 at 17:44.
jenspen liked this post
Sorry to hear, but indeed singers must have nerves of steel.My nerves were too bad, I even came out in hives around the throat. . .& would weep pathetically in the Kindertotenlieder. . .just not a vocal Performer. I would get ill with Angst & let myself & others down. I could hardly listen to music for several years after stopping, it hurt too badly.
kirolak liked this post
Mingardo was the best I heard live.I also love contraltos (used to be one
I've always loved the beautiful contralto voice of Aafje Heynis.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12
adriesba liked this post
Limited singing programme though.
She made recordings of a.o. folk songs, carols, Bach, Händel, Vivaldi, Gluck, Haydn, Dvořák, Franck, Brahms, Schubert, R. Strauss, Wolf, Mahler and Caplet. That's not too bad. She didn't do opera though. You can't have it all.
From the documentary's I've seen she's not the really operas singer type by nature.
Beautiful voice though.
Marc liked this post
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote