Kathleen Battle - Rossini: Una voce poco fa

Kathleen Battle - Rossini: Una voce poco fa
From the opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioacchino Rossini
Recorded in Antwerpen December 1984
From the TV show:
Rene Kollo - Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein.

[@paulanewberry7833]

Kathleen has a God given vocal gift! She sounds just like an angel from heaven!! Absolutely beautiful!!!

[@MacKenziePoet]

We will never forget her, ever... Kathleen Battle was never vulgar. Hers was always the school of perfect good taste.

[@paulaeperoutka]

She's still alive and singing 🫣

[@eugenedowns2563]

After the Met fired her in 1994, she disappeared from the opera stage and has mostly performed in recitals and recording studios.

[@colsomemiah6095]

Water crystal clarity...perfect diction...breath control...Stellar performance of this favorite

[@amesavis]

so well said

[@alangriffiths3360]

A beautiful woman with a beautiful voice.

[@tomblack6972]

Crystal is the perfect word.

[@hakenammarmaulanaviiif096]

Check out Luciana serra's performance i think it's better

[@milobradley2179]

you probably dont give a damn but does anyone know of a method to log back into an instagram account? I was stupid forgot the login password. I would love any help you can offer me

The voice of an angel, the percision of a surgeon, and devastatingly beautiful.

[@lass-inangeles7564]

My dear man, you need some precision. PRECISION, not PERCISION.

[@eroupopper]

She just sound so pure!!

[@lass-inangeles7564]

PRECISION. Don't become a surgeon.

[@thelittlehondathatcould9105]

I wasnt impressed

[@baharalimohammadi6579]

@@thelittlehondathatcould9105 like you can do better?

[@tjazzy97]

As a vocal student I have never understood people's issue with hearing the breathing. It would be one thing if the breaths were shallow, but hers are deep, controlled and purposeful. It's no different than when wind or brass instrumentalists breathe. Let her do what she needs to do in order to produce her sound. Her breathing didn't stop her from getting contracts.

[@drmarcootavio-medicodermat501]

Wise

[@keeengkoy9588]

And I think when she's actually performing in actual opera house you can't even hear the breaths you obviously cqn hear the breathing in this performance because she's singing with a mic but with no mic I think you can't even her breaths

[@Paul-rf8xs]

The issue is that a hater is going to hate someone that is better than they are and in this case I would guess it would take 3 life times to be as good as MS. Battle. I'm a trumpet player that is no where near as good as Wynton Marsallis or anyone in between really. But My teacher told me one thing that matters is the sound. He told me once that even if I was literally using my ear to play it did not matter as long the sound was as beautiful as it was.

[@rebekahsegun8319]

The only reason you can hear her breathing here is because she's using a mic. In an opera house you wouldn't hear it since opera singers don't use mics.

[@modeorculture6748]

She is my favorite because her tone is so pretty.

[@bogofusion]

One of the greatest singers of our era. Master musicianship as well as perfectly tuned instrument. Genius. Pure genius.

[@timdivine]

That amazing silvery crystal clear shimmering tone is a gift from heaven.

[@joyseth7430]

I'm glad you used the word..silvery. From the moment I first heard her voice in the 90s, its pure silver tones made her outstanding.

[@Ravenelvenlady]

Discovered her in the 1980s, and her singing got me through college. Outstanding, heavenly sound and delightful singing. I am glad I got to see her live at the Met opposite Pavarotti in L'Elisir D'amore.

[@jorydillard3766]

She should have been ovationed for this magnificent work

[@maudale]

I know, the crows seems quite tepid, some arent even applauding :(

[@sandragordon4230]

Contemplating whst they could have done with theirs, but didn't.

[@jeffreydavis717]

She sound like a beautiful canary. Control and secure in those head notes. Poise and eleganance. I saw her years ago doing a solo performance at Cerritos center for the performing arts. And i was so enthralled.❤

[@jamesdownham5035]

A symbol of monumental virtuosity . Kathleen never warbles out of tune . Every note spot on ! What a treat .

[@vinemp]

CLEEEEEEEAAAAAAANNNN performances----EVERY. ONE.

[@glibbergloop]

She is very good! But even she can have a slight out of tune moment. (ex: 4:57 the staccati... ever so slightly)

[@karllieck9064]

You're right. Now, Callas was an out of tune warbler. Dreadful singer. Battle's voice was always beautiful.

[@Soulsurvivor4165]

I've always loved her diction. So clear.

[@ang7751]

Joshua Waddy Exactly

[@themainman2796]

Luis Liborio i

[@TheMelopeus]

+Joshua Waddy Yes! And she sounds so open. I love it when they don't sound blocked.

[@heidigoldsmith9440]

yes! my thoughts exactly

[@josevaladez]

Miss Battle is wonderful. Her voice is beautiful.

[@justiniantbh]

Her voice AND her face are so beautiful! Every expression she makes fits so perfectly. Her voice AND her skin are shining! What a performance!

[@sandragordon4230]

I have listened to this piece done by various singers, but none can match kathleen. The clarity, the naturalness, it's just beautifull from start to finish. Perfection.

[@mikebarnard7957]

Magnificent. Ingeborg Hallstein, Anna Moffo and Sumi Jo 's performances of this beautiful piece are also excellent IMHO

[@Neidhard-von-Blaufels]

Than you should listen to Maria Callas and her version of this song.

[@davidjay47]

Beverly Sills

[@martinremychukwu2746]

exactly! Her rendition is the best so far.

[@allen7995]

@@mikebarnard7957Ingeborg‘s Una is amazing

[@MaiSheikDive]

This woman has the most enchanting voice in her genre!

[@janetjacksontylerlummer6828]

Her diction is perfect in any language. I saw her sing a lieder abend in Munich many years ago and I was sitting next to a german woman and she looked at me and said this is the best german lieder abend I have ever heard. She said Her german is perfect. !!!!! That is huge to hear from a native German and she was right !!!!!!!!!!! it was a glorious evening I will always remember, and I got to go back stage to meet her, because I had a friend that new her.

[@vernugt]

Brings back so many memories- she made me love opera as a teen- her voice was so full of different colors, she was so magical. I wanted to be her so badly. I think she was the greatest soprano ever as far as vocal beauty and musicianship- her performances were literally flawless, voice angelic, one of a kind.

[@sosexymagazinerobinwatkins8467]

Well put! Kathleen battles voice does have varying colors. I couldn't help to sit here and smile watching her do this!

[@DianaMoon11428]

" I think she was the greatest soprano ever as far as vocal beauty and musicianship- her performances were literally flawless, voice angelic, one of a kind." Did you ever actually see her sing? How many other sopranos are you familiar with?

[@vernugt]

@@DianaMoon11428 no not yet. I mean not in person. Only on TV. I also listened to Elly Ameling a lot as a teen. Also Julianne Baird and Cecilia Bartoli. And later in life Gundula Janowicz. I am familiar with most of the greats.

[@veronicaalleyne]

she is a coloratura soprano, which literally means colors so you are exactly right about the color thing, did you study voice? if so, I did too & that's the only reason why I know

[@vernugt]

@@veronicaalleyne yes i did amateurly

[@trevordaniels5024]

I have heard Ms. Battle live and have met her on several occasions. If you think her recordings are amazing, you should hear her live. I've heard many great singers, but never have I heard anyone whose voice sounds like the clearest bell you could imagine ringing in an echo chamber. The resonance and sound of her voice bouncing off of every surface in the concert hall (while staying perfectly in tune) is truly electrifying!

[@mikebarnard7957]

How wonderful to have met her and listen to that fabulous voice live.

[@baritoneblazzin1965]

So does she have a resonant sound as lush? A lot have said that her sound was rather smallish

[@13blackcatzzz]

I attended a recital she gave on May 31, 1989 in Vienna. My friends and I were so excited when we learned you could meet her after, we went to line up after her first encore. We were first in line as she ended up doing like 5 or 6 encore pieces. She would exit the stage after each one right in front of us. Before one of the last ones, as she was walking on stage, she paused, looked right at me, and flashed a huge smile. I DIED! When we finally met her, she was so sweet and was super excited when she learned we were Americans. She was so chatty with us, her handlers had to pull us away so the next people could get their turn. I got two autographs. No matter what kind of diva she was, she was incredibly kind and gracious to us. One of the biggest highlights of my life!

[@jorydillard3766]

I am very jealous! You heard her live and met her? Wow!

[@1010divajap]

Incomparable. The agility, the tone, the softness. Supremely gifted with this combination. That precision while maintaining the softness. Unreal.

[@Winysamuel]

A tour de force performance…stipends…Miss Battle. I’m going to watch it again. Breathing done properly adds character to an already stellar singing…

[@carlmcclain6934]

My God!!! This must be what Heaven sounds like! My eyes are watering just listening to this performance. It’s just almost too beautiful for my mortal ears.

[@kenhowes9951]

breathtaking! This is the kind of performance that in the old days had people throwing bouquets of roses up onto the stage. Wow.

[@AlphonsodeBarbo]

So many experts! ...but I thought it was like a voice from Heaven! OMG! That was gorgeous!

[@richmerne3593]

Among the very best, vocalisation, breath, and coloratura non-pareil, - what presentation!

[@GreenWeaselTea]

The way she sings this opera makes it sound like it was written for her voice. She makes it seem effortless -- amazing

[@ifluvinguiswrong]

I have heard this sung by many others, except for Maria Callas. Kathleen's is by far the best I've heard. Not only is her singing sublime but she adds a vivacity to the aria unlike no other.

[@jasonxsmall7029]

Every single note is perfect and she is the most beautiful singer ever. I could listen the whole day to this ❤❤❤

[@eroupopper]

Look like a fairytale Princess, but sound like a goddess!!! Just pure Perfection!!!

[@you2candoit]

Wow! She hit that high E flat with precision!

[@spartonboat1]

In my view, in her peak of beauty, she was one of the most beautiful women in the world, let alone in operatic circles!

[@veraevans6387]

Probably one of the best versions of this ever performed. That orchestra is not playing games and neither is she.

[@edoirehebert3034]

I agree but look at Roberta Peters' performance !

[@danmartin8959]

Certain of Joyce DiDonato's various Met recordings DO arguably surpass this but Kathleen is outstanding here

[@AnthonyBanksCountertenor]

Dan Martin no they don’t

[@luigimanzoni2705]

@@danmartin8959 No, sorry. Not even close.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Dan Martin Joyce is very mediocre my friend SORRY. Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@veronicaalleyne]

my lord, what an instrument! the power, the range, had I not heard her with my own ears I wouldn't believe it

[@MissLionRose]

The beauty of her skill had me in tears. I'm just standing clapping in front of my computer with the biggest smile on my face! So so good!! :)

[@MrOu83]

Lion Rose Music - Bless your heart.

[@willthebest1]

😂😊👏

[@valeriaguida5709]

😄

[@Ravenelvenlady]

Wonderful reaction. Imagine spending years enjoying her singing since the early 1980s and hearing her live with Pavarotti. I am blessed to have done this. It's good to see more discovering and appreciating her talent.

[@sosexymagazinerobinwatkins8467]

Great Comment. Me too!

[@xtineonutube]

I die. She is like liquid silver and warm kittens. In fact, she is not human. She is a cat. A gorgeous, beautiful, amazing, singing cat.

[@55barber]

I remember hearing her sing many years ago. Her voice is like an angel from above.

[@luigimanzoni2705]

I come back to listen to this performance practically daily. She produces the most beautiful sound I have ever heard and her unbelievable voice is complimented perfectly by the orchestra. The music just flows out of her effortlessly. Heaven.

[@charlesdotson4766]

Extraordinary execution of this aria by the one and only Miss Kathleen Battle!

[@davidlucey543]

It's hard to believe any voice can have such range flexibility and precision. To any instrumentists who say any fool can sing, I say listen to Ms. Battle!

[@evelyneranharter5625]

It's beautiful - Cecilia Bartoli is better!

[@AAwildeone]

Nope I think Ms Battle carries notes much better over Bartoli...in other words, when another phrase begins there is still a slight background echo of Kathleen Battle, her notes simply carry, an indescribable affect that I don't think is possessed by Bartoli

[@vinlpaul3]

Yeah, it's called being mic'd!

[@AlphonsodeBarbo]

Lol, that was mean!

[@AlphonsodeBarbo]

vinlpaul3

[@isaguanaa]

Es posiblemente la mejor interpretación de Una Voce Poco Fa que he visto. Su tecnica, su voz, su interpretación, absolutamente todo es perfecto 🤍

[@SuperLmer]

DAAAMMMMNN!!!!!!!! Is there any other colortura soprano that can do this in this day of age!!! Goodness Lord!!

[@kathyhinkley4716]

My favorite version. Clear and bright and pure!

[@sandragordon4230]

Like crystal , sweet, angelic unmatched. I do have a beautiful voice, but just wished hers was like it.

[@MrBluedanube]

She is just unbelievable, even now at 68 her voice has just as much vigor and tenacity.

[@davidmackie8552]

Wonderful . . .genius !

[@TheMightySandow]

@Írien Lindallë now, yes. This video is from 1984!

[@silverkitty2503]

she never ruined her voice by taking roles to heavy for her. She never tried to be anyone but herself ....a lot of sopranos with a light voice like this would ruin it trying to be dramatics she was wise.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Jacques Wieciech She is a lovely generous lady. After her concert she signed autographs & took photos etc. Shame on you for your infantile behavior. Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@stephenonomo4416]

Amazing coloratura singer with a heavenly voice. Her diction is awesome. Awesome orchestral and conductor 🖤🌹

[@ChagoWilson]

Happy 70th Anniversary of Life August, 13, 2018 Soprano, Kathleen Battle One of the most beautiful voices and human beings to every sing!!!

[@brandonburrell8517]

I love your love for Kathleen Battle. I love her too.

[@eroupopper]

Sound like a goddess that came from a star!!

[@barryedmunds3557]

EXQUISITE!!!!! I do not usually like a soprano voice in this role as it it was written for a mezzo voice. However Ms. Battle performs this aria brilliantly! BRAVA! BRAVA! BRAVA!!!!

[@aiyanawilliams6995]

Look up Anna Moffo doing it-it's my favorite rendition! Although, I am a soprano, so maybe I'm biased.

[@MiguelArcangel-zi7xd]

Lamentablemente las grabaciones en la época de Anna Moffo eran muy pobres, No dudo que la Moffo aparte de ser bellísima, tenia unos sobre agudos impresionantes. Finaliza con un fa o sol sobre agudo. Era una gran soprano. Yo me inclino por el timbre de la Battle.

[@TĜOM2.0SANA]

It was written for contraltos with coloratura singing but since the role was high

[@SR-jx8yu]

I have always loved her beautiful light lyrical voice ... Always sounds soooo young! Her voice is the very definition of ""sweet""... BRAVA!

[@ifluvinguiswrong]

@S R you keep calling her a lyrical soprano when she is in fact one of the greatest coloratura sopranos that ever lived.

[@agostinialfredo6998]

Canta un italiano perfetto....bravissima ciao dall'Italia

[@keiwon.x.lambert]

I used to not care for Kathleen Battle like that. But now that I’m more mature and have deeper appreciations for classical music, I have to admit.. she sang down the house! It was perfection.

[@vinemp]

Her musicianship was ALWAYS clean!!! The only thang THE BATTLE suffered behind was the COST of hytfokes' perverse fervor to tolerate and lift up ONLY one us as "The Black _____" they could introduce to all they frens & family. That cost is always our sanity: (1) Her pitch STAY too accurate for her to have been unable to discern that her voice was too small to be legitimately called "operatic". (2) She knew she was walkin a tightrope woven by Whiteness alone. (3) The roles THEY pushed her into didn't belong to her voice. (4) Somewhere along the way, she started to believe them, and, infamously, she learned the error of such inevitably misplaced faith... Sustainable range and tessitura be damned, though, KB's valid AND reliable musical skill AND the BEAUTY of her form and voice deserved every penny their vanity was willing to pay her. PERIODT.

[@keiwon.x.lambert]

@@vinemp BEAUTIFULLY said!! Mama is still owed her flowers, regardless of anything else.

[@francisheperi4180]

She was ok

[@MrInterestingthings]

No matter how many singers you hear in this :none has the timbre of Battle's trained voice and few have this perfect technique !

[@tomsaltsman]

On top of an impossibly beautiful bell canto voice placement, Ms. Battle is superb when she sings both gently and powerfully. Loved it!

[@mariposamarshall9773]

Beautiful singing from a beautiful lady- every note is perfect!

[@mildadreyer]

The best articulation ever

[@richardjehl1455]

Female singing as I love it ! Never overworked, absolutely wonderful.

[@TheAmcconnell]

Kathleen is amazing!!!!

[@pelvalasana6556]

Una insuperable Rossina !!

[@MiguelArcangel-zi7xd]

BRAVA !!! BRAVA!!! BRAVA!! PERFECCIÓN!!!!

[@inavogel626]

Wonderful wonderful!! While doing all the extremely difficult arpeggios, scales, jumps, trills and concentrating on diction and interpretation, she always keeps the form of the music in the back of her mind. She understands the structure of the music and how to execute it. I also appreciate her rhythmical preciseness. Thank you for that Ms Battle!

[@PCplays99]

Ms. Battle is still one of the most profoundly talented sopranos in, well, in the world. Diva is an understatement though.

[@daniellewyckoff7482]

A remarkable voice.

[@NenaMataHari]

She's my favorite opera singer.

[@born09061957]

What a lovely rendition. I really enjoy her embellishments on the melody. Ms. Battle's upper register has no equal.

[@Slutuppnu]

Right? She takes those high notes like nothing, like it's not even an effort. And she does it with full power and control and girly charm.

[@Speleobuff]

My sentiments precisely.

[@246zxc12]

not today. she is wonderful, but lily pons?

[@flaze3]

sentirla cantare è un piacere ineguagliabile! Una voce semplicemente STRAORDINARIA!

[@scottjohnson9873]

A beautiful Rosina. She is a perfectionist singing music, which when sung beatifully, as Battle does, brightens the sensitive listener's spirits. S;he adds the trills and interpolated runs to perfection. I don't quibble with this, since she has a lyric voice. When sung in the original key written for mezzo voice by Rossini I don't mind fewer trills and ornamentations. " Una voce poco fa" is still a beautiful soprano aria loved my most audiences who hear it in the opera , on the concert stage or on recordings.

[@amapparatistkwabena]

Dear God, this woman... Was speechless when introduced to her incomparable voice back in elementary school...almost 30 years later, I'm still speechless. Beautiful!

[@turbosport]

Anthony Stewart still my number 1 fave...

[@amapparatistkwabena]

@@turbosport One of a only handful of singers whose albums I can listen to at any time, during any season and more than once at a time. ;)

[@WorldvsTruth]

God-given talent bearing much fruit. Beautiful.

[@Sharon732]

Amazing!!!! Incredible clarity and ease in the high notes. She hovers and ascends effortlessly. Beautiful!!!

[@philippecharpentier64]

All of you critics, though the minority of all the viewers by a long shot, thank god, should keep in mind that " La critique est facile mais l'art est difficile". This is a splendid performance that bring tears to the eyes.

[@joshuabrazile]

This is singing. This is music!

[@alicjaalvena1120]

i love the intensity in the ending. just epic.

[@floreaamzar3750]

Superbă voce, superbă interpretare. O voce catifelată, cristalină, plină de rafinament. O voce de înger. Ascultand-o simți ca plutești catre cerul senin si albastru .

[@scottjohnson9873]

Radiant, Charming, precise with a naturally beautiful voice could result in nothing but a spetacular rendition of this Rossini aria. Brava! Brava!

[@bigmoneyc9395]

This is perfection!

[@marcopisan3437]

Che voce!!E che italiano perfetto e meraviglioso!!0.0!!

[@anonymusum]

That TV appearance was the first time I listened to her and she blew me away.

[@leoniemikele6]

Blew me away, too. Unbelievable!

[@fourstrings48]

Meraviglioso! Una dizione chiarissima, una voce bellissima, un virtuosismo eccezionale, una malizia deliziosa.... Chapeau!

[@pnewman7279]

The clarity is uncanny !!

[@WDJeff]

Oh my goodness! I had forgotten how glorious her voice was back then. Listening to this video gave me goosebumps.

[@hectorcasajemas1885]

Jeffrey Williams

[@modeorculture6748]

I love Opera never attended an opera but I am going to the opera. I have to see this amazing beautiful angelic vocal ability live. And the orchestra plays so wonderfully just such a pretty sound together with her singing. I would be on cloud 9 at an opera.

[@keithbrooks0223]

She is so beautiful and that voice God what a woman

[@enterprisevi4440]

ITS SO GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@flemmingdalsgaard4979]

I thinks she is wonderful. For ears and eyes.

[@syedhassan3263]

The best. What a voice. What a talent.

[@vandaantone5375]

Diamond vocal and sweet to the point. I love you. You are beautiful.

[@orion8835]

Glorious. And very spot on . This harp like sound in this role is very effective.

[@slowyne1on1]

I didn’t know someone could sing so Beautiful 😍 This woman is amazing 😉 and Beautiful

[@fridawallin97]

I really love her voice and articulation. Priceless!

[@user-mx6si1yo4x]

Ｗhat a beautiful voice! She sings to the sky as a bird. Nice Rossini. Her performance makes me happy.Brava!

[@bertrandcamus3666]

Une voix exceptionnelle, une clarté, une virtuosité dans le coloratura, une diction dans toutes les tessiture d'une précision incroyables !!! 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@henrytudor8537]

this is spectacular. at every level

[@ChagoWilson]

HAPPY LIFE ANNIVERSARY - 8/13/16 - Very Dearest Ms. Battle Thank You for bestowing upon the world one of the greatest voices EVER !!!

[@aandretrain5089]

Ms. Battle's vocal performance is superb! She has supreme vocal control in the his vocal musical range.

[@kirstensison3999]

Unreal! I never knew someone can produce such a great sound; this makes me fall in love to opera arias!

[@you2candoit]

Simply ethereal and beautiful! Ms. Battle sings easily with so much control, spirit, and grace! Boy, she hit that high C, D and E flat with precision!

[@cece_xoxo7153]

I'm literally having goosebumps Her facial expression is everything 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@KenWAnderson]

Super Kathleen. Always the perfectionist. Beautifully lyrical.

[@francoisbessing]

Simply sublime - every note so carefully placed and tethered...oh my goodness...yeah I need to keep going.

[@alguso1]

I've always loved to hear miss Battle; a very good singer. Thanks for posting this one. A very beautiful voice.

[@serious7179]

like hearing the angels sing...such a beautiful woman and voice

[@crankbv1]

It isn't often that I'm lost for words. But having heard this words just fail me. What an incredible performance that was.

[@eatallnowsavenone4later342]

Such a beautiful voice!!! Her facial expressions are priceless!!

[@victorjones408]

This is a brilliantly marvelous display of vocal artistry. A resounding bravo!!!

[@user-ldzaa]

Брависсимо ,супер .Великолепное исполнение,какой бархат и в то же время хрусталь в голосе

[@dominiih6110]

I've been here before, but bcz of the beauty of this music/performance..i still come back once in while👌

[@novelliification]

Impressionante essa Kathleen Battle, um soprano ligeiro de técnica invejável.

[@SaltyAntelope63]

She has always been my favorite Rosina. I love her clear, sweet voice. It's just wonderful.