I do not think that Olszewska was a contralto, much in the same way that I don't think that Marian Anderson was a contralto, although both of them are in...
Read MoreThis posting is of several works by Francis Poulenc, the French composer. The first is a famous poem by Louis Aragon. The poem is called "C" because every line of...
Read MoreGiovanni Martinelli, October 22, 1885 to February 2, 1969, for many years the Metropolitan Opera's leading dramatic tenor, and one of the last to carry on the tradition of Enrico...
Read MoreTittu Ruffo, born Ruffo Cariera Tatta, was one of the top baritones of the early twentieth century. He had a powerful, dark singing voice, yet his upper register had a...
Read MoreJohn McCormack was a very special singer. He himself admitted that he was no actor, and opera critics agreed with that self-appraisal. But his voice made up for perceived lack...
Read MoreWhen I was just out of graduate school, I used to spend hours listening to classical music with my friend Martin. Martin had a certain taste in everything, and he...
Read MoreI am only going to say a few things about this performance. It is the best Don Giovanni that I have ever heard. Furtwängler died 3 months after conducting it....
Read MoreCharles Panzéra was the leading baritone exponent of French song between the wars. French song in French is called mélodie. He had a lovely resonant voice. Unfortunately, this is hard...
Read MoreI am not done with Die Walkürie yet. I honestly believe, even given all my hesitation about Wagner, that the aria that Wotan sings in Act III is one of...
Read MoreOh, yes, I've done it. I have steered myself back to vocal music, but I got caught in Wagner. What I am going to post is a very famous recording...
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