ADELINA PATTI and LUISA TETRAZZINI ( La Sonnambula ) Aria and Cabaletta.

Here Patti sings the aria ( Ah Non Credea Mirarti ) in which she transfixes us with her incomparable phrasing , diction , timbre and beautiful ornamentation ( ending trill ) I believe this rendition of the aria is the best human ears will ever hear and ever heard. Tetrazzini sings us the cabaletta ( Ah Non Giunge ) she uses her wonderful personality and incredible mastery of every singing function to deliver a cabaletta like no other has been sung before or since - she makes her voice seem as if it were going to burst through the grooves and out of the screen with her bird-like coloratura.

[@bluebird5361]

It seems so miraculous to me to be listening to Adelina Patti singing so beautifully seeing I am 77, born in 1942, 99 years after she was born. Now Tetrazzini is singing magnificently as well. Thank you so much.

[@kurtgarmaker3719]

I totally agree !

[@diddleysquat4543]

I listen to all the Golden Age singers but I always come back to Patti.

[@pointofnoreturn3103]

Wow! Genius to put them side by side. In truth, I hear a similar warmth down where mixed voice meets chest voice. A similar balance between fundamental and squillo. I adore Patti's trill! And, up on top, Tetrazzini doesn't spread the vowel to raise her soft palate. I can see where I need to practice with a hand mirror, yet! And, Tetrazzini's staccato? Miraculous! ...Thanks so much for posting this!

[@hartmutlorentzen9659]

Vielen Dank für die Präsentation unvergänglicher Stimmen.

[@robertevans8010]

Patti at her home in Craig y Nos Cwmtawe ( Swansea Valley ) Cymru ( Wales ) visited the place many many times and it still feels she is there!

[@道-p2e]

Wow, stunning, still the finest!!! love both, Bravo,

[@DominicR-y5d]

Imagine Tetrazinni appearing at the Met today---Sold out first day!

[@artdanks]

Interesting how although Tetrazzini was definitely a "bird like coloratura", she still sings with great substance.

[@angelabender8132]

A natural way of singing almost without effort Like speaking not shouting Fascinating

[@_nora]

Heart-achingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Incredible what the human voice is capable of sounding like and of expressing.

[@HomoMathematicus.]

Очень жаль, что можно поставить только один лайк. Как бы хотелось услышать их вживую. Sheer perfection.

[@diddleysquat4543]

Fabulous; thank you. Madame Patti; perfection.

[@numetutelare]

La Patti fu una dei più grandi soprano del XIX secolo, all'epoca dell'incisione aveva superato i 60 anni ed aveva cantato da quando ne aveva 15... quindi é comprensibile l'usura vocale oltre alla precarietà dei mezzi di incisione , ma il timbro nel registro centrale é ancora magnifico ed il trillo é di altissima scuola perfettamente a mezza voce... La Tetrazzini é la regina dello staccato e la sua voce é di una qualità sublime; fu maestra della Pagliughi, altro astro della lirica della prima metà del secolo scorso

[@mariarosaesergiomarycib2492]

numetutelare sono state loro ,le artefici del bel canto!!!!loro sono i pilastri , dell'opera!!!!!!! Mitiche tutte !!!!….P.S. Grazie per le sue spiegazioni che io apprezzo molto!!!!!! Mari

[@racingrubberbiker]

Nobody has mentioned that Patti was well past her prime when her few recordings were made at the start of the 20th century. What must she have been like in the 1870's ?????

[@bluebird5361]

Glorious! Wish we could hear her then.

[@wq6737]

>Tetrainni, Kein Lob kann ausdrücken wie überirdisch schön ihre Stimme war. Vollkommenheit in allem.

[@frankmarter6845]

Madame Tetrazzini was a wonderful natural singer who embued her work with life and great artistry. Madame Patti was a legend in her own time who continued to sing and record beyond her prime. She was the voice against all others was compared. If only we could have heard her in the 1870’s and 1880’s.

[@hostlangr]

In der "Vor-Mikrofon-Ära" sind *Höhen* und *Tiefen* besonders problematisch wiederzugeben Wie die Restauration immer besser wurde, ist auch *ihre* Wiedergabe zu pflegen: Die Übertragungs-Kette ist so stark wie das schwächste Glied! EQUALIZER Variante 'Caruso EQ Referenz' (update Einstellung!) *©2025* HL, Germany. +1,4 dB (60Hz) -12,9 dB (230Hz) -15,0 dB (910Hz) -15,0 dB (4kHz) +15,0 dB (14kHz) Die kleine Mühe der EQ- Einstellung lohnt sich.... Eine "EMPFEHLUNG" hört den Unterschied ( yt ITbNY1PV_yg ) Probieren Sie bitte mit Handy- Steuerung die o a. EQ-Angabe Es *ergibt einen besseren Ton.* Sprung fast "Mono zu Stereo"!

[@hostlangr]

Bitte vergleichen ab 0:01 oder 3:19 bzw 4:34 mit/ohne EQ ... ein etwas getrübtes 'Portrait' wird bemerkenswert klar. Auch an 'Surrogatparametern' (Instrumente oder *Text)* ist der realistischere Klang erkennbar. Warum, kann man am Graph der Funktion, die aus der *genauen* Regler-Position (kein preset; manuell *präzise* einrichten!) resultiert und eine Crescendo-Verstärkung der hohen Frequenzanteile zeigt, diskutieren: Er erscheint im Display. Wiesehr hochwertige Lautsprecher klangverbessernd wirken, ist geläufig. Dass schon ein EQ das Ergebnis günstig beeinflussen kann, ist weniger bekannt.

[@hostlangr]

Der Eintrag wird ergänzt, weil's viele unterschiedliche EQ gibt. Er bezieht sich hier auf eine *'Bass Booster App' (apk) - ohne* Zuschalten des BASS BOOST. Die meisten bedienenan ihrem Gerät/Handy ja Bluetooth richtig: Bitte Audio-Output Stereo, 'Advanced settings' überprüfen, *'Compatibility* Mode' der App 🎧 und evtl 'Sound Field FLAT' Ihrer Anlage (den BBoost nicht - oder vorsichtig verwenden). Auf *Artikulation* bzw Instrumente achten, dann wird der Effekt deutlich: einige denken, das sei weniger wichtig; - es *ist* wichtig! "Ohr des Dionysios" - nur Aufnahmehorn, ohne Mikro. Ziemlich beeindruckend. Modulation mit 'Bass Booster App': Der Klangcharakter der Stimmen wird dadurch nicht geändert. Weil jedoch die mMn. *kaum hörbaren* Obertonanteile >>2kHz crescendo-verstärkt werden, gewinnt die neue Wiedergabe relevant Brillanz (selbst die Akustik wirkt echt) und *Text* ist gut *verständlich.* Eine 'Zeitreise..'

[@ShadowMaster]

Patti in her early sixties ❤

[@thomasrexdale3706]

its likje being in vocal heaven and to know that she sang for Abraham Lincoln and is singing for me today'

[@21chesterarthur]

And later for President Arthur in the White House, too

[@SrCosquillas]

I have just discovered Adelina Patti from this channel and I think is the best operatic voice I have ever heard. To my ears, the voices of the best opera singers of the first half of the century are so incomparably better than the best singers of the second half (I don’t even mention the present) it seems another art altogether. In general, what strikes me the most are the unforcefulness, the many colors of the voices and the incredible control the singers have on them. They simply could do things I’ve hadn’t heard in any singer after the sixties, with very few exceptions. I can’t imagine how they could sound live. Has the old way of singing dissapeared? I know you can’t learn to sing from a book, but after years of study with a dedicated teacher. Did all the (mostly italian) opera singers who taught those voices died without passing on their knowledge of this bel canto technique?

[@3047L-f6m]

well said!

[@theosah2428]

SrCosquillas :(

[@kabirdas2786]

Dear God, so true! My thoughts exactly.

[@seaquest8]

The answers to this question is laid out extensively in the two volume series, “We Sang Better” - Uses hundreds of first hand quotes from the old singers to illustrate why singing has so sadly evaporated.

[@willferra322]

Effortless sublime singing.Such magnificent instruments unavailable from long ago and especially nowadays.Amazing to hear two of the most gorgeous voices ever recorded.Thank you!

[@wq6737]

Die beiden größten Sängerinen aller Zeiten. Dazu gesellen sich natürlich auch Toti Dal Monte. Man kann diese Stimmen qualitativ nicht bewerten, weil jede davon vollkommen ist.

[@MrGer2295]

Wonderful singing ! Thank you for posting !

[@cliffgaither]

*_She may have been past her prime, but Few, Few singers today can trill as Patti did here --_* *_" past her prime ! "_* *_Everything they said about her, including herself, must have been true._*

[@mezzosoprano4778]

Simply beautiful !

[@nathandavis3002]

the two work beautifully together! I would even venture to say the two halves go together to create a perfect whole.

[@Orfeus80]

both phenomenal. Interesting how singing changed in a few decades. I think the last exponent of this tradition was Lina Pagliughi. One wonders if Tetrazzini in her prime was so spectacular, how the young Patti must have sounded. She was after all, the finest singer according to Verdi.

[@juliannewman2ndchannelmusi475]

Pagliughi's own rendition: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3a2n6GMg9Omj5o (an uninterrupted flow of continuous perfection, and containing some of the most beautiful sounds - as well as the most emotive vocal gestures - that a human is permitted of God to hear this side of Heaven). I think there's a lot that most of the world of vocal classical music today could learn from these gifted singers of the past.

[@crobulari2328]

All brilliant!!. thank you ladies. Lovely. Mike.

[@wq6737]

I mean, this both are the best Primadonnas we cane hear. The strict high tones of Tetrazzini are the highes perfection of a female voice. Very sad that we cant hear the Voice of Malebran, she must be also a "wondervoice"-Primadonna.

[@Mohamedmifxal]

Oh my! how adorable was she 😍

[@nigelperry8863]

I was just reading up about Adelina Patti. Amazingly, she was only 16 when she appeared in her first operatic role in 1859. She sang at the White House for Abraham Lincoln!! I would like to know the date of this recording.

[@21chesterarthur]

And later in the White House again, for President Arthur!

[@tenortonyvillecco2404]

INCREDIBLE TRILL

[@wq6737]

Diese herrlichen Stimmen waren bedingt durch das klassisch - kulturelle Umfeld der Vorkriegszeit und hatte noch seine Nachwirkung bis zum Wkr.2. Heute dominiert oberflächliche Unterhaltungsmusik, und verdrängt sogar den "Schlager" der Zwischenkriegszeit. Die Melodig wird zusehends durch den "BEAT" ersetzt, und was früher die "Massen" begeisterte, ist heute nur mehr Wenigen genehm.

[@Cat-nz9jv]

This was an ingenious idea to place Tetrazzini's cabaletta next to Patti's cavatina, because one can actually hear certain similarities between their voices, and understand why Patti loved Tetrazzini and said she was her 'successor' (even though Patti sang with far more regality than Tetrazzini of course). But when you say no one has sung a cabaletta like Tetrazzini "before or since", you do realize you're actually placing her above your own idol Patti right? LOL I myself think Callas' renditions of "Ah non giunge" are the most vibrant and impressive in terms of her coloratura and ornamentation (far more incredible than Tetrazzini's ornamentation here). Tetrazzini's cadenza at the end may be special, but it completely destroys the flow of the piece that was just heard.

[@CurzonRoad]

Well done... thank you, Zack!

[@Milo30066]

Thanks for putting this up. Wow their voices are work of art!!! I think she is better than Callas!

[@kurtgarmaker3719]

Come on now.. callas hater !

[@vautour23]

Pour arriver à un tel résultat, il faut du temps. Prendre le temps. Or, l'opéra aujourd'hui ne fait plus de place au temps. Dommage!

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

For me, Adelina Patti is the better of the two, but Luisa IS good - she does better with the more buoyant numbers.

[@judygarland7186]

why is patti better? tetrazzini was magnificent even in much bigger roles like leonora from la forza del destino and she is amazing in all these recordings

[@beverlyl.crawford3305]

Love it will listin more now my aunty was baby tetrAzzini bev

[@mka7741]

Brawississimo ! Goldene Dammen !

[@francescaemc2]

grazie

[@amparoospina562]

❤

[@thomasrexdale3706]

iiizack I agree with you completely

[@Firebrand55]

In WW1, Tetrazinni came to England and sang to women munition workers....does anyone know more information than this?

[@laurentdumontel5680]

LE CHANT !

[@MrSkylark1]

Then LOST ART of SINGING

[@thomasborgsmidt9801]

What amazes me in this recording of Luisa is the charm and the sharp hits in the jumps. There is a 100 years of difference in recording technique and fashion - but to me Tetrazzini still comes through - Patti is not convincing me. But then I might be partial.

[@3047L-f6m]

Tetrazzini is considerably younger than Patti in these recordings, so it's unfair to compare them in terms of hitting the notes. I personally believe Patti's incredible personality and expressive qualities are still unmatched.

[@michaelfrohlichstein6290]

My ears cannot hear greatness through primitive recording technology. My brain doesn't want to add acoustic information missing from these artifacts.

[@wq6737]

Die geradelinige, sichere Stimmführung der Patti ist unnachahmlich.

[@bluebird5361]

I read Patti got $5000 in gold per performance. Can anyone verify this?

[@zahraizhere4677]

BLUE BIRD yes

[@ronnieince4568]

Blue Bird -yes and when a journalist in the USA complained she earned more than the USPresident her reply was "let him sing "!!!

[@larryvictor6765]

Not only did she demand the gold, but she would not go on stage until it was put in her hand!

[@frankmarter6845]

Yes she did. She made around a half million a year in the 1870’s and 1880’s. No singer has ever been so fortunate before or since. She was paid in advance for performances. Not afterwards.

[@Juliet0307]

On ne sait vraiment plus chanter aujourd’hui. Quel malheur...

[@alfredobravo5743]

Después de la Patti,la Callas,Uvo un antes y un después,la Patti ,y luego la Callas

[@BellaFirenze]

Hubo.

[@jondavwal13]

The greatness of Tetrazzini and Galli-Curci managed to make its way through the primitive recording technology (as well as their flaws). Patti and Melba were considered possibly the greatest of their day but, except for Patti's personality and obvious musicality, one cannot honestly say that they are great singers from the recordings. I feel the same way about Ponselle, who sounds unsupported and who appears to have a voice that just stops dead on a B or Bb. I don't buy that she was the greatest singer, despite Callas's opinion. I also believe that, while these singers were all legendary, the two greatest sopranos were and remain Callas and Sutherland, for different reasons obviously. Sutherland's voice was more even throughout and bigger than Tetrazzini's. Callas was Callas. The only one of the golden age singers who I believe might have been the greatest is Kirsten Flagstad, who I think has a slight edge over Nilsson, based on the the sheer beauty and opulence of her sound. I think the true golden age was the 1950s and 1960s

[@jondavwal13]

David Perkins exactly. So I pretty much disagree with everything you said about Sutherland. Moreover, if you read about Ponselle, she herself expressed panic over high Cs from a very young age. Moreover she was a vaudeville singer with very little operatic training. She sounds like Horne. And everybody who heard both live said as much. Still don’t think she was as good as Callas or Sutherland. She certainly wasn’t the most technically perfect singer. That’s just nonsense.

[@liedersanger1]

@@jondavwal13 I've read reams about Ponselle. Yes, she was nervous about her high notes, but she had them--that was my point. (YOU said something about not having much above a B or B-flat.) It wasn't just Callas who thought she was the best. Pavarotti and Caballe also said so. (Others probably thought so but didn't say!) The fact that she didn't have much operatic training only makes her story the more amazing--it doesn't say anything about the quality of her voice or her singing.

[@jondavwal13]

David Perkins Pavarotti said Sutherland was the voice of the century. I don’t particularly like her singing. Plus I find the recordings lacking in quality. You can create how great you want her to be but the recordings don’t provide proof of anything. Her high notes sound like unsupported squeals.

[@liedersanger1]

@@jondavwal13 Oh please. Why do you, and others, have to go to an extreme to make a point? Even those who don't think Rosa was the voice of the century--and they must be very few--wouldn't talk about her high notes that way. As I say, everyone to his own taste...but it is always wise to take account of the opinions of those who really know, other great singers. (And I should add conductors. Bernstein also thought she was the greatest.) Anyway, there is no greatest. We're talking about a handful--or maybe two handsful at most-- of the 20th century greats. There is no objective way to measure such unique talents at that level.

[@jimbuxton2187]

@@liedersanger1 ...seraphin said there were two great singers. Caruso and Ponselle. Other than those two, there have been some other really nice voices. (I wonder why he didn't mention Flagstad? Maybe Wagner singers were in another realm. )

[@michaelfrohlichstein6290]

I think the first recording sounds awful. Is this a joke?