Kathleen Battle, from the legendary Carnegie Hall concert performance in 1985: Here is the url for the NY Times review of the oratorio: www.nytimes.com...
One of the best performances of any live concertized oratorio. Hands down. Every single run is precise and has musicality. She was an excellent musician. Expression beyond belief as well.
I attended the 1985 Carnegie Hall concert. The highlight for me was when she sang "Swing low, Sweet Chariot." She pulled a vocal trick on the last note that made the audience scream. And then wild applause. Marian Anderson was there that night and was saluted from the stage by Miss Battle. The Diva waved off the accompanist a few times when she hadn't settled herself. She reached an early peak with "Ombra Mai Fu." I would love to live that night again.
THANK YOU BOSTON POPS CUSTOMER SERVICE DOR HELPING ME LOCATE THIS SINGER AND THIS EXACT PIECE AFTER AT LEAST 25 YEARS...(And, during this piece, she had held a mirror as she sung it... it was just such an amazingly wonderful performance)!!! IT WAS THE PIECE THAT TURNED MY DAUGHTER INTO AN OPERA LOVER AND HELPED SWAY HER TO BECOMING A CONCERT BASSOONIST!!! OH, HOW I HAD LOOKED... OH,.....ALL OF THE EMAILS, AND NOW, FINALLY,... ....THE SEARCHING IS FINALLY OVER... HALLELUJAH!!!
Just wow. Can you imagine being there and not really knowing who she was in 1985? Like Being at Sutherland's first Lucia in 1961. Lucky people who were at this performance. Thankfully, I heard Battle in Giulio Cesare in 1988. It was one of the greatest performances I've ever heard at the Met, if not THE greatest.
The reviewer may not have known much about her but, she had been singing opera professionally for 10 years in 1985 and was 37 years old, she certainly wasn't unknown though it does seem to be around the time when she was becoming very well known. I'd never compare her to Sutherland who's tone I've never cared for.
Thomas Martin Sutherland had also been around for about ten years in 1961. My point was the effect of this performance on her career, not the relative similarities in the voices. Battle was responsible for some of the greatest performances I've ever heard but if you're being objective, she comes nowhere to the towering achievements of Sutherland. Whether you like her tone or not, she is widely considered either the greatest soprano of the 20th century or one of the top 3 (for those who ridiculously include Ponselle, a voice none of them has ever heard live). Battle had a remarkably beautiful voice, but at times it was to tiny as to be inaudible (for those of use who heard, or didn't hear as it were, her Zerbinetta at the Met.
Jonathan Wallach Sutherland could do some amazing things for sure but, if I can't stand to listen to her then I can't really personally call her great. Just like I wouldn't call a pianist great simply for hitting all the right notes.
Listen to her performance of Santo di Patria. It is probably the greatest recording by a soprano in history. Nobody else could sing it like that before or since. Massive, monstrous, ringing sound, light and agile at the same time. It's unique in opera history.
Funny, and no disrespect meant, but this sound is defined as silvery, as is early Sutherland. To me, it's all gold, warmth and beauty. I never get the silver metaphor when describing the best singing the world has ever heard.
One of the best performances of any live concertized oratorio. Hands down. Every single run is precise and has musicality. She was an excellent musician. Expression beyond belief as well.
I attended the 1985 Carnegie Hall concert. The highlight for me was when she sang "Swing low, Sweet Chariot." She pulled a vocal trick on the last note that made the audience scream. And then wild applause. Marian Anderson was there that night and was saluted from the stage by Miss Battle. The Diva waved off the accompanist a few times when she hadn't settled herself. She reached an early peak with "Ombra Mai Fu." I would love to live that night again.
The Non-pareille! What a stunning performance. I can listen to this again and again and never tire of it.
The best of all time! Our Kathy❤️❤️❤️
Words fail me. Wonderful, sprightly, joyful music performed by an inspired singer of sparkling talent. Pure pleasure.
THANK YOU BOSTON POPS CUSTOMER SERVICE DOR HELPING ME LOCATE THIS SINGER AND THIS EXACT PIECE AFTER AT LEAST 25 YEARS...(And, during this piece, she had held a mirror as she sung it... it was just such an amazingly wonderful performance)!!!
IT WAS THE PIECE THAT TURNED MY DAUGHTER INTO AN OPERA LOVER AND HELPED SWAY HER TO BECOMING A CONCERT BASSOONIST!!!
OH, HOW I HAD LOOKED... OH,.....ALL OF THE EMAILS,
AND NOW, FINALLY,...
....THE SEARCHING IS FINALLY OVER... HALLELUJAH!!!
Just wow. Can you imagine being there and not really knowing who she was in 1985? Like Being at Sutherland's first Lucia in 1961. Lucky people who were at this performance. Thankfully, I heard Battle in Giulio Cesare in 1988. It was one of the greatest performances I've ever heard at the Met, if not THE greatest.
The reviewer may not have known much about her but, she had been singing opera professionally for 10 years in 1985 and was 37 years old, she certainly wasn't unknown though it does seem to be around the time when she was becoming very well known. I'd never compare her to Sutherland who's tone I've never cared for.
Thomas Martin Sutherland had also been around for about ten years in 1961. My point was the effect of this performance on her career, not the relative similarities in the voices. Battle was responsible for some of the greatest performances I've ever heard but if you're being objective, she comes nowhere to the towering achievements of Sutherland. Whether you like her tone or not, she is widely considered either the greatest soprano of the 20th century or one of the top 3 (for those who ridiculously include Ponselle, a voice none of them has ever heard live). Battle had a remarkably beautiful voice, but at times it was to tiny as to be inaudible (for those of use who heard, or didn't hear as it were, her Zerbinetta at the Met.
Jonathan Wallach Sutherland could do some amazing things for sure but, if I can't stand to listen to her then I can't really personally call her great. Just like I wouldn't call a pianist great simply for hitting all the right notes.
Listen to her performance of Santo di Patria. It is probably the greatest recording by a soprano in history. Nobody else could sing it like that before or since. Massive, monstrous, ringing sound, light and agile at the same time. It's unique in opera history.
I was there and everyone knew who she was. Marlyn Horne was in the performance as well. An evening I will never forget.
Oh ecstasy of happyness indeed!
Happy 73rd Anniversary Of Life
Thursday, August 13, 2021
Our Dearest & Most Precious Kathleen Battle
You Are A Special Gift To Us All!
Simply the Best...!!!
H
I'm a neophyte as an opera aficionado; this is a good place to start. thanks!
Good luck with the Opera journey, whether you do it or just audience, it's endless!!!
Silvery tone, effortless coloratura, unwavering breath support. This aria has been spoilt for me.
Funny, and no disrespect meant, but this sound is defined as silvery, as is early Sutherland. To me, it's all gold, warmth and beauty. I never get the silver metaphor when describing the best singing the world has ever heard.
Simply Peerless.
@JeanHeliosOfficial - You're welcome. I should be able to get a few more videos up from the same performance fairly soon.
Now go and look up Beverly Sills "Myself I shall adore" although tonally I prefer the studio recording that Ms. Battles recorded.
And the crowd goes wild!!!
A song about an extremely vain woman, sung by another extremely vain woman...
But she sings like an angel
Shut up!