Rewatching my Così, it strikes me that Fiordiligi gets some rather tough arias (great big intervals). Which singers do you think sing this part particularly well? DVD preferred but CD would work.
As I was looking around this forum, I came across this thread which had no responses in nine years! So, I thought I'd revive it and see where it goes.
My first Fiordiligi on records was Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in the Böhm recording on EMI. Later on I got the Lombard recording with Kiri Te Kanawa. My first live performance was graced by Pilar Lorengar, and later Alexandra Deshorties whom I loved in the role.
This is my favorite excerpt, with Margaret Price. This is the scene and aria. The aria proper starts at about 2:44
Schwarzkopf gets my vote. The Bohm EMI recording is so close to perfect that I almost don't need another one. The Jacobs is the other main set that I own. Schwarzkopf certainly sings the part well (although I can imagine that other sopranos may sing the coloratura better due to having more supple voices). However, what sets Schwarzkopf apart is her characterization. She is the sister who crumbles last and no other singer quite manages to convey the icy haughtiness as appropriately.
It's certainly One of those classic Walter Legge productions. It's perfectly cast and wonderfully recorded, so much so that wonder why it hasn't received the Warner Deluxe treatment.
Lisa della Casa owns the role chez moi. No one sings it so naturally and unaffected. Impeccable diction and good acting even in a studio setting such as the classic Böhm/Decca recording.
And yes, I am biased. I can't deny it. I'm so in love with her :angel:
She was beautiful as well. When I heard her recordings, though, I found that her voice didn't record as well as the reviews promised. Maybe it's my ears, but I found her voice (in Vier letzte lieder) somewhat sharp, not as creamy. Perhaps it was the recording, or remastering. I liked her better in Arabella and excerpts from Der Rosenkavalier with Anneliese Rothenberger.
Carol Vaness in the 1980's and 1990's. It was the right singer are the right time. Unfortunately, the Met 1996 telecast is only available as a subscription to the Met. The Haitink recording on EMI is OOP.
Some very good performers have already been mentioned here. In this role I like Pilar Lorengar (Solti), Margaret Price (Klemperer), Kiri Te Kanawa (Lombard & Levine) and Miah Persson (Fischer, Glyndebourne DVD) a lot.
And it's a pity that, as far as I know, Lucia Popp never did an entire studio recording as Fiordiligi. During her career, she developed herself from a coloraturo soprano to a lyric soprano to a more dramatic soprano, so this part might have suited her very well.
Oops, can I add Montserrat Caballé, too?
Totally forgot to mention her... maybe some people would say she's too much of a Prima Donna for this role, but she sings beautifully, and with both spirit and serenity.
(In the recording with Colin Davis, mid-1970s iirc.)
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