She was such a great artist! In so many roles, mezzo soprano and soprano ones, she impressed me deeply not only with her beautiful voice, impeccable techniques, formidable musicality, but also with the last ounce of magic difficult to describe that she gave to her interpretations.
A dedicated artist however I mostly enjoyed her non-operatic singing. Her Italian in Tosca was so distorted. Also I'm not so impressed the documentary puts down the other singers in order to show she's something special. There were plenty of other dedicated singers before, during and after her time.
In this film I love her speeches, and what we learn of her. And this fantastic capacity of expression of her face. Not so charmed by her way- at that particular time- of singing the Blues or spirituals or Hammerstein. It's a pity that they filmed this production of Carmen instead of the one of Macbeth in Paris. It was only a month and a half earlier, and the producer was the supreme Antoine Vitez. A much more interesting work of rehearsals to film... Carmen was too late and too low for Verrett's voice at that time. They should have filmed more of Iphigénie too...
I don't think it was too low for her per se, but that she had worked SO MUCH on polishing the higher parts of her voice, that the lower became like a chasm when asked to do lower roles. Happens a lot with swischenfach singers. U sacrifice the low for the high if you do too many soprano roles..
Such a gorgeous voice, used so intelligently, and Verrette also has an amazing presence onstage and off! I’m someone who finds zero beauty in Maria Callas’ voice, but nobody can deny that she was a force! As for “Carmen,” it’s my least favorite opera and I have _never_ been able to abide Placido Domingo’s voice, his arrogance, or the strong hint of a predator, an ugliness in his nature which spoke strongly to me in his interviews. How wonderful that his true nature is finally known, but at the expense of how many women he came in contact with?? Scum!! Bravo Varrette!! I feel she was talking about him in her comments about un professionalism and demanding that the spotlight be on him and not her in “Carmen.”
You are so right about Shirley Verrett . One of the greatest singers. Now on Domingo you hit nail on the head on that arrogance. And this is not an assumption. After a year long investigation,his victims were proven right. And I’m happy the opera company managers in America saw thru him and canceled all his contracts.
She was such a great artist! In so many roles, mezzo soprano and soprano ones, she impressed me deeply not only with her beautiful voice, impeccable techniques, formidable musicality, but also with the last ounce of magic difficult to describe that she gave to her interpretations.
Exquisite. A treasurable document.
She was brilliant. There is a presence in that voice rarely heard today. It is a vitality that's beyond musicality. Very communicative.
One of the great singers of our time.👏👏
superba! Una delle artisti più carismatiche di sempre! Donna bellissima, timbro suadente, grande intelligenza. Adoro!
She is so elegant, gentle, and kind.
Happy Birthday and RIP Shirley Verrett 🌺🌺🌺
I saw this Diva with John Vickers in Samson and D. A night I will never forget.
Where was it?
Grazie! Che meraviglia!
Great doc. Her voice was so dynamic.
Loved her words about producers - so true! A truly great artist.
My favorite vid of the amazing Verrett. The Witness and Hes Goin Away...magic
Very interesting and moving...great artist, great woman...thank you.
I don't know how they didn't mentioned "macbeth"
Btw this was a beautiful film and hour invested...
BELLISSIMA !!!
A dedicated artist however I mostly enjoyed her non-operatic singing. Her Italian in Tosca was so distorted. Also I'm not so impressed the documentary puts down the other singers in order to show she's something special. There were plenty of other dedicated singers before, during and after her time.
In this film I love her speeches, and what we learn of her. And this fantastic capacity of expression of her face.
Not so charmed by her way- at that particular time- of singing the Blues or spirituals or Hammerstein.
It's a pity that they filmed this production of Carmen instead of the one of Macbeth in Paris. It was only a month and a half earlier, and the producer was the supreme Antoine Vitez. A much more interesting work of rehearsals to film... Carmen was too late and too low for Verrett's voice at that time. They should have filmed more of Iphigénie too...
I don't think it was too low for her per se, but that she had worked SO MUCH on polishing the higher parts of her voice, that the lower became like a chasm when asked to do lower roles. Happens a lot with swischenfach singers. U sacrifice the low for the high if you do too many soprano roles..
MAGNIFICA
Thank You! ❤
Such a gorgeous voice, used so intelligently, and Verrette also has an amazing presence onstage and off! I’m someone who finds zero beauty in Maria Callas’ voice, but nobody can deny that she was a force! As for “Carmen,” it’s my least favorite opera and I have _never_ been able to abide Placido Domingo’s voice, his arrogance, or the strong hint of a predator, an ugliness in his nature which spoke strongly to me in his interviews. How wonderful that his true nature is finally known, but at the expense of how many women he came in contact with?? Scum!! Bravo Varrette!! I feel she was talking about him in her comments about un professionalism and demanding that the spotlight be on him and not her in “Carmen.”
You are so right about Shirley Verrett . One of the greatest singers. Now on Domingo you hit nail on the head on that arrogance. And this is not an assumption. After a year long investigation,his victims were proven right. And I’m happy the opera company managers in America saw thru him and canceled all his contracts.
Who’s the pianist?
Chris Walker
The Pianist is absolutely awesome!