imo, there is barely a listenable version of Esclarmonde. The title role is basically "so we want you to sing this soprano role with the tessitura of Gilda....now sing it like it's Brunhilde". To this day, only Joan Sutherland has managed to remotely do it justice.
Is there a watchable version of Esclarmonde ?
or should I just give up and listen to the audio with Sutherland ?
I prefer watching the complete operas with subtitles for the first contact. But yesterday, even my second attempt failed, I just decided I'd rather sleep.
I am OK buying a DVD with any recommended performance, if you tell me, the visual side is well done.
I prefer watching the complete operas with subtitles for the first contact. But yesterday, even my second attempt failed, I just decided I'd rather sleep.
I am OK buying a DVD with any recommended performance, if you tell me, the visual side is well done.
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When I watch, I do not perceive the nuances of singing so strongly. I'll be fine with something that is not completely static.imo, there is barely a listenable version of Esclarmonde. The title role is basically "so we want you to sing this soprano role with the tessitura of Gilda....now sing it like it's Brunhilde". To this day, only Joan Sutherland has managed to remotely do it justice.
The ONLY other version of anything from it I've heard was Angela Meade singing the Spirits of the Air aria on Youtube for the Tucker Gala. By the final of the three D6s she finally got it right. Callas would have been great in the role when she was fat, but it was unknown then. You need a coloratura who can be heard over a Wagnerian-sized orchestra- Sutherland.
Depends on your tolerance for blotchy, low res humanoid figures. There's the 1992 Torino production:
. But not sure if it's "watchable".
That's the one I tried before. Maybe I'll try again, with some coffee...Depends on your tolerance for blotchy, low res humanoid figures. There's the 1992 Torino production:. But not sure if it's "watchable".
Going from watchable to listenable, apart from Sutherland's tour de force, and if you prefer a more idiomatic approach, I would listen to the existent fragments by Jacqueline Brumaire.
So is Sutherland non idiomatic ? I got the impression she owns the role, based on what people are saying and writing.Going from watchable to listenable, apart from Sutherland's tour de force, and if you prefer a more idiomatic approach, I would listen to the existent fragments by Jacqueline Brumaire.
Plus, Aragall has never been better. Sutherland has lived in French Switzerland for most of her adult life so French is her best language.She was also mature so she had the extra boost from the bigger voice she developed by middle age. What is missing is the gorgeous oriental set that was beyond fabulous along with the costumes. I am so jealous of Mas for having seen it live and he's not the Sutherland devotee I am, though he enjoyed it. My friend who gave me all the lps saw it in Vancouver. So jealous!!!So is Sutherland non idiomatic ? I got the impression she owns the role, based on what people are saying and writing.
Sibyl Sanderson, creator of the role of Esclarmonde, could reach a high G.Depends on your tolerance for blotchy, low res humanoid figures. There's the 1992 Torino production:. But not sure if it's "watchable".
Massenet included the note, as optional, in the score, and it was during those 1992 performances in Turin the only time such a feat has been recorded. But it wasn't Alexandrina Pendachanska, the soprano you can see in this complete video, but Dominique Gless:
I'm not sure about Callas, even pre-diet, this role lays far too high, and it is not a sfogato part.The ONLY other version of anything from it I've heard was Angela Meade singing the Spirits of the Air aria on Youtube for the Tucker Gala. By the final of the three D6s she finally got it right. Callas would have been great in the role when she was fat, but it was unknown then. You need a coloratura who can be heard over a Wagnerian-sized orchestra- Sutherland.
Deutekom would have been terrific in this.
And brandy. Pendatchanska is akways exciting.That's the one I tried before. Maybe I'll try again, with some coffee...
Not the way Jacqueline Brumaire is. Let's say "less idiomatic", rather than "non idiomatic".So is Sutherland non idiomatic ? I got the impression she owns the role, based on what people are saying and writing.
We would need, in my view, more performances of this particular opera to claim anyone 'owns' anything.
Take for instance Joan Sutherland singing L'Oracolo.
Is she 'owning' the role?. No, too few other performances available, even for such a small role.
However, is she 'owning' Beatrice, for instance?
I would say yes, because it's not only a wonderful performance, but we have also a reasonable number of other singers to compare in the role.
Of course, Joan Sutherland is 'owning' quite a few other roles, but just wanted to underline my point of view with not hugely popular roles.
When I listen to Beatrice di Tenda, I try to choose darker voice than Sutherland, to counterbalance how high the role of Beatrice is set. When I tried Sutherland, I feared it will get me to ultrasound. But maybe I'll check again, to see if my taste hasn't changed after a longer break.Not the way Jacqueline Brumaire is. Let's say "less idiomatic", rather than "non idiomatic".
We would need, in my view, more performances of this particular opera to claim anyone 'owns' anything.
Take for instance Joan Sutherland singing L'Oracolo.
Is she 'owning' the role?. No, too few other performances available, even for such a small role.
However, is she 'owning' Beatrice, for instance?
I would say yes, because it's not only a wonderful performance, but we have also a reasonable number of other singers to compare in the role.
Of course, Joan Sutherland is 'owning' quite a few other roles, but just wanted to underline my point of view with not hugely popular roles.
Take into account that the role of Beatrice was premiered by Giuditta Pasta, and was written by Bellini with her in mind...
But let's not move away from Esclarmonde, we don't want to hijack the discussion.
But let's not move away from Esclarmonde, we don't want to hijack the discussion.
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