Early Astrid Varnay's Glorius Sustained C6 as AIDA

[@jmiller05]

How she manages to observe all of Verdi's dynamics and markings with such a colossal voice. Gorgeous 'dolce' High C and breathtaking pianissimo to finish. This woman was one of the great vocal artists of all time!

[@LohengrinO]

...and great vocal acting... all that pain

[@rafaeldornelles2403]

Indeed, one of the great vocal artists of all time, and also one of my favorite opera singers. What I find so curious about Varnay's instrument is that she managed her gigantic voice so well. Her sense of lyricism and interpretation were outstanding. Her voice was a thing to be treasured and studied; her lows were to die for, but, as she ascended, she always found a way to make the sound steelier without ever losing the "ping". It's hard to manage both extremes so well. I mean, there were cavernous voices like Regine Crespin who had an amazing voice and just as much authenticity, but unfortunately had a problematic top. Anyway, this high C and the note before it sounded flat to me. Sorry! 😕

[@rafaeldornelles2403]

@@alexanderzaphir721 Sorry, I don't understand French. 😅

[@rafaeldornelles2403]

@@alexanderzaphir721 Right! Hahahaha Yeah, I have a French name, but, unfortunately, I don't know how how to speak the language. I want to learn, though.

[@johnloveridge5682]

As a young opera lover many years ago I was told that there were no great Wagner sopranos other than Flagstad and Nilsson......and then I discovered Varnay and I was hooked ever after. The greatest Wagnerian soprano of them all! And what about her Elektra as wel!!

[@LohengrinO]

...and Moedl!!! who in an interview with Nilsson and Varnay that exists on the net she literally says: ... and although I am a mezzo I sang EVERY C6 Wagner had written in the soprano roles I sang (a comment I personally consider directed towards the endless C6-ommits of Kirsten Flagstad even in her early years)... and after Moedl says that her C6 didnt compare to Nilsson's, Nilsson instantly says: But it was Martha Moedl's C6 and that was enough!!

[@LohengrinO]

www.oocities.org/vienna/strasse/7321/mnvdisc.html

[@LohengrinO]

...MM- That's why Wagner was so good for you. You had the high and the low notes, almost like a mezzo. Both of you. You both had the right vocal range, not that you just got the high notes out somehow, you really got them, some people get them, but it isn't the real thing. The same thing with lows notes. Both of you, unique in my experience had the high and the low register. That is right for Wagner. BN- A lot of Bruennhildes come from the mezzo Fach. MM- Yes, of course. And they manage it. Look at me. I started as a mezzo. In my good period I sang every high C that was written, but it wasn't a high C like yours. BN- It was a high C from Martha Moedl, and that was quite enough!...

[@Mawrdew]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more heartfelt performance of this aria. One can feel the pain whenever she says “mai piu.” Just beautiful.

[@ESilva-gw9ig]

One of the greatest singers ever. The way she delievers this most beautiful aria is just stunning. Very few sopranos can sing it so perfectly. This is opera as it should be sung. Bravissima.

[@fclpjg]

I am just amazed at the Singers of yesteryears. Such accomplished Singers in both Wagnerian and Verdian roles... once again my guide and sage in vocal matters, a big thank you....

[@fernandorivas7419]

Very gorgeous and dramatic interpretation. Great and beatiful color voice. Perfec diction. Thanks a lot for uploading this historic peac of art. Best wishes dear virtual friend Lohengrin O. Warm greetings from Santiago,Chile Ut Benedicat tibi Dominun. Dr. Fernando Rivas-Burattini.

[@XxQueenChristinaxX]

I love Wagnerian Sopranos. Most power and elegance in their voices.

[@0reason2exist]

What a mature voice out of EARLY Astrid.

[@beachfanatic2010]

Beautiful soprano!

[@vima8680]

There are so many beautiful voices and interpretations of this aria. Naturally we all have our favorites. This was a beautiful interpretation

[@aetion]

I think there is nothing to add to jmiller05's comment. Simple and complete as it should be. An outstanding voice to be never forgotten. Thank you, dear friend.

[@greatmomentsofopera7170]

So interesting to hear her so early - beautiful control. Amazing stuff! Quite the best I’ve ever heard her sing in fact.

[@LohengrinO]

and all that vocal acting... alla Callas

[@paragod333]

@@LohengrinO Alla VARNAY

[@manolis.799]

Unprecedented but invaluable all the same... what a marvelous recording by the great Astrid

[@elsaasta5164]

.... Caro Lohengrin0..., come si fa a dire questa mi piace l' altra un po' meno.. Il fatto è che sono tutti artisti e sono quasi tutti, come dice Tosca sono nell' "alte sfere" e quindi è un po' impensabile, per chi non è nel campo né conosce la musica né la tecnica... trarre un giudizio equo ed essere giusti e pensare bene quello che si scrive!! Io trovo tutti artisticamente perfetti e di grande talento!! Io poi personalmente ho solo due immensi Amori, il mio Franco Corelli e Maria Callas e con loro non mi importa di essere giusta... li amo senza remore, né se.. né ma, li metto nell'olimpo degli Dei e quando ne ho voglia li disturbo a mio piacere e li faccio scendere in terra!! Thank you dear Lohengrin0 e buon pomeriggio 🌹👋🌹👋🌹 Elsa.

[@lamiremilamila]

This is magnificence. Thank you😍

[@francesco-9579]

Great acting and Italian pronunciation

[@victorberistain9536]

“Aïda” en México con Kurt Baum, magnífica... ❤️

[@natanaelgorrin9473]

Hermosa voz, interpretación sumamente interesante. Realmente la mejor voz Wagneriana y no se le ha reconocido en todo su merecer a esta insigne soprano.

[@brunegilda2453]

Cierto, y es inexplicable, las compañías discográficas la ignoraron, rara vez se la menciona... La voz, antes de su deterioro, era impresionante, parecía una campana de bronce; y su temperamento era volcánico ( a su lado, Nilsson era un témpano de hielo ), componiendo una Brünnhilde redonda en todas sus facetas ( nadie ha planeado sobre las notas bajas en su súplica a Wotan, nadie ha entonado con esa intensidad así el "Ihm innig vertraut" con la nota larga ( larguísima si dirigía Knappertschbusch ) opcional, nadie se ha estremecido así ante Siegfried, nadie ha escupido su desprecio a Gunther "Tief wohl sank das teure Geschlecht" de tal forma. Con Windgassen formó una pareja deslumbrante. Ninguna Senta se ha conmovido con el holandés hasta alzanzar la transfiguración fuera de esta tierra como hizo Varnay. No existe Ortrud que provoque tanto espanto como cuando Varnay profiere: "Gott??!" dejando oír un eco tenebroso y espeluznante. Ah, y NADIE ha expresado como ella, en la Tercera Norna, el HORROR puro: "Es riß!!!"

[@jordipanadesribera6890]

Thanks for posting.

[@hildegerdhaugen7864]

amazing

[@operavocalsvideos9545]

4:14

[@jordipanadesribera6890]

❤

[@theoperatripleaxel5417]

There you can hear a true pianissimo guys (Even in not so high dinamics)... I kinda like miss Zinka Milanov's pianíssime in the high C moment and in "Enzo Adorato", but thats it! When it comes to the entire aria and full roles i don't like it to much... Those pianissime of Caballet, Sutherland and Milanov are like fireworks, not like those in these recording... Miss Varnay is in another level.

[@Empoweredwoman1234]

This is lovely, but I prefer Nissan and Callas in this role.

[@brianshoman1723]

Nissan?

[@Empoweredwoman1234]

Sorry perhaps I spelt her name wrong. It's Brigit Nissen I think.

[@LohengrinO]

@@RicharddtheStar Nissan Cherry :p

[@LohengrinO]

@Charlie Charlie u spell them wrong, it is Anna Natrabka and Daana Damraa

[@jefolson6989]

Tepid audience response! Wtf?