Edita Gruberova - Casta Diva

[@irinavinnikova3200]

Fantastic Amazing Magic Edita Gruberova !!!!!!!!!!!! Her Norma - unforgettable!!! Bravissimo!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@natalydobra7036]

Musicalità fenomenale e padronanza di tutti i colori della voce divina... Divino Pianissimo...

[@ねえねえ-v5b]

I'll never forget her voice and performances.

[@mpuente2010]

I agree with you, I have heard so many interpretations of Casta Diva, and Gruberova hit every note with such clarity and perfection that is hard to find a match for her in the Opera scene.

[@TheLalangue]

Is this aria written for her voice? No. Is she the best Norma I've heard? No, I think Caballe in the Théâtre antique d'Orange was untouchable. But is Gruberova's version one of the most intimate, most meditative and deep? To me - totally! Is it done professionally, with full understanding of the drama and in good taste? Yes, yes, yes.

[@voicemad]

Edita gives her whole self to this aria, as she always has done. Her total control of technique is fabbergasting. She just spins out her beautiful voice effortlessly. Bravo, Edita !

[@cindiwaters4340]

I don't care about her facial expressions, I used to sing and wish my voice would sound like that at 70 or so. What a gift.

[@violinistx100]

I love it when a singer can put me in a hypnotic trance...

[@asdrubalepatroclo144]

Sempre negli anni una grande Lezione di canto.!! Bravissima!

[@operaforever13]

Fantastic soprano. In a league of her own

[@696969seb]

Just seen her in a full "Norma" in Budapest. Ab-so-lu-te-ly MEMORABLE! Dakujem Edita!

[@Svetlana_gusli]

She's wonderful!!!!! In my opinion, her voice is the best!!!! I like all of her arias!

[@miCeciliaBartoli]

Tout simplement sublime! MERCI Edita!

[@andreadiamantopoulos1298]

Yes, you're right. I'm addicted to her voice

[@ЛюдмилаМалюченко-ц9я]

Прекрасно, благодарю! 🙏♥️♥️♥️

[@raunch22]

She is as noble a coloratura as one could hope for. Thank you for this video of a true Diva.

[@alean9034]

Wow. No words >> It's just amazing , clearly you can listen to every note effortless and natural from the heart. Beautiful.

[@operafan0anegnd]

Edita is amazing. Love it.

[@Azzenstudent]

Her tone is warm, sensuous and supple. Her legato strains a bit here and there. Still, for someone over 60, this is simply amazing.

[@AliciaDupres]

No matter who sings this aria, I always find the name Callas in one or more of the comments posted and I am sure that each time when somebody sings from Norma, all of us think instantly on Callas. Her image appears for a second in the front of our eyes and her voice sounds for a second in our ears. And it will always be like that. Always and forever.

[@chaconazo7]

She did a fantastic job. Period. Considering all the details.

[@flyingstar4316]

Wunderschön!!!! Brava!!!!

[@gmmix]

Despite the carping from some on this page, I find her renditions unique and well worth hearing.

[@diewettertanne2906]

Eine gesegnete Stimme. DANKE !

[@bojan34]

I was there! It was amazing! She is a legend!

[@jeh500]

A very great artist indeed. Beautiful job.on a killer aria.

[@kristynahablova6125]

I love how she enjoys it! Very beautiful! :))

[@ramonmontedeoca2879]

Esta aria la compuso Bellini pensando en una soprano como María Callas. Solo la Sra Callas logra la perfección. La Sra Edita hace la suya agregando un sobreagudo sobre el final que no pega ni con rexina epoxi y no realiza un diminuendo magistral como lo logra la Sra Callas. A quien le guste esta versión que le siga gustando pero la Sra Calla fue y seguirá siendo la Norma PERFECTA E INMEJORABLE.

[@tomaszjasinski]

Gorgeous voice, ethereally, one of a kind - great!

[@Maarjaanaa]

beautifull, perfect, touching

[@petrhajek82]

I can´t breathe when listening to her!!!

[@leylabattistoni2924]

Grandissima Gruberova, dal vivo e' una delle poche che sa catturare la platea e con i suoi unici acuti potenti e pieni di armonici sa mandare in estasi tutti; unica grande Diva madame Gruby , in my next Concert in Berlin i will sing this aria too so happy ;))

[@vanzofaust]

Hi-I meant the (shorter) piece that follows the Casta Diva. I saw the broadcast and she did sing it. (I missed the first part of the concert though-and am very grateful to you for posting the Lucia aria.)

[@somemyrrh]

She actually sang this like she meant it and as though she really understood what she was singing. I say that's a dang good job. And she did it in G!

[@AGAPIMOU999]

Danke für das Einstellen der Arie! Ich sah gestern (17.1.2009) "Norma" in München von bestem Platz. Die Schönheit und Klarheit der Darbietung von Frau Gruberova war unglaublich und rührte mich zu Tränen. Da kann - leider - wie wir wissen die Aufzeichnung nur ein schwaches Abbild geben. Nochmals: herzlichen Dank!

[@josephcold]

@MisterSoprano Its the quality of the tone, the singing (technique) is superb. Very few have this kind of production, ESPECIALLY nowadays.

[@Musikcamp]

breathtaking pianissimi!!!!!!

[@301250]

A supreme artiste with a superb technique and voice. Her 'Queen of the Night' (Die Zauberflote) recording with maestro Harnoncourt blew me apart. sd goh (malaysia)

[@adeeo]

There is no one in the business yet singing this good at the age of 61 - IN THE ORIGINAL KEY!

[@iosonodede]

love it

[@zofiaczerczynska7935]

Edita Gruberova unearthly singer. R.I.P.

[@lesco]

the best diva

[@silviopascucci550]

Voce ancora splendida

[@eugeniogentili1048]

Fa pena.

[@flyingstar4316]

немецкая точность, чистота Ordnung, в пении. мне очень понравилось, ритмично

[@Hupjeflupje]

It was recorded from (Dutch)TV. As far as I know it's not commercially available.

[@kmimie]

Among the critics : her voice is very healthy, and it is such an exploit for her age. We hear trebles only a child could make that way

[@PADARM]

Perfect!!!

[@elisabetta611]

Bellini composed Norma for Giuditta Pasta who sang it in the F key. Read Stendhal's description of her voice. Then you'll realise how miscast Gruberova is.

[@aNdReW16944ever]

vicinissima alla perfezione!!!!

[@Rosa-sy4nx]

Hermosa versión

[@vanzofaust]

Genau. Ich habe es auch live ertragen. Eine Norma war sie, ist sie und wird sie niemals.

[@Alexchajjka]

Bravo

[@elisabetta611]

Callas NEVER "rewrote" a role's score to suit her voice, she was famous for being a stickler to what the composer wanted and to adhering to the ancient Bel Canto traditions going back to Pasta and Malibran. She sang Norma the way Bellini wrote it for his muse Giuditta Pasta. And she never forgot words in the libretto. Not a good technician? Her Armida defies that statement. She sang Brünnhilde and Elvira (Puritani) in the same week. She was a brilliant technician. Read what Legge said about her

[@elisabetta611]

Oh PLEASE! It's always nice to be enamoured with a diva but what you're doing is fantaticism.

[@Hupjeflupje]

the aria was originally written in G. Bellini had to rewrite it for Giuditta Pasta since she was unable to sing it in the original key!

[@vanzofaust]

Thanks for posting this-would be great if you post the cavatina too. It's unbelievable-she still sings Zerbinetta as well!!

[@mjb14722]

Lovely!

[@ChrisPaulPf]

At least Mrs Gruberova made laugh doddsalfa, laughing is also an emotion. Allways different see and hear live or on youtube. Even easier to lough than to do simply better and seriously. (And for a long time too)

[@Merlin1940]

Thx russell88888 for your sensible and informative comment ("a role she waited her whole life... She sings the original key... [which] was too difficult vocally for most of the sopranos. Maybe Gruberova's voice was what Bellini had in mind, not the really rich, heavy, dramatic, Norma we used to hear") Mon 8 Oct 2007 13:53 GMT

[@ЛюбовьКириллова-ъ8я]

Прекрасная Норма.Браво !!!

[@mjb14722]

What wonderful piano singing!

[@Marinausbcn]

Por el amor de Dios, Gruberova es una delicia! hay que admirarla por toda su gran carrera, y por su lealtad y honestidad al belcanto!!!

[@lorenzohuamanchay7390]

Hermosa expresión.

[@veragiulia8141]

Grande Gruberova!!!!

[@Hupjeflupje]

You've probably never heared her live. Please try (she sings Norma in Munich regularly and concertantes in Vienna) and you'll revise your opinion!!

[@russell88888]

Gruberova is fantastic as Norman, a role she waited her whole life to sing which she said in an interview. She sings the original key, which Bellini wrote originally. It was transposed down half step because the original key was too difficult vocally for most of the sopranos. Maybe Gruberova's voice was what Bellini had in mind, not the really rich, heavy, dramatic, Norma we used to hear.

[@Hupjeflupje]

You're wright: this is the original key. Nowadays however not often used but Gruberova does.

[@georgerannie]

Edita sings this very well--I don't care how old she is.

[@Ortrudase]

No drama ; no casta diva.. only nice singing ; nice voice but it's not touching... she's a brilliant Amina, Norina but not a Norma!

[@Will84ABA]

very good

[@edengirl17]

That's a very old post, meanwhile I have educated my ear:) Edita is a great artist. And I now prefer Callas and Caballe:) But still as I said, Gruberova is a huge artist. You know what they say De gustibus

[@BEVER29]

C'est de l'ordre du miracle! Dans la voix; la lumière du satellite invoqué.

[@ScottHornLexington]

It's funny. In her older age those runs, while generally lovely, have a little less sparkle, her top is perhaps a little rougher. But the drama and stage presence is there more than ever. I love the rawness of her tone on the high sections, and that with the orchestra make this a pretty damned exciting recording.

[@elisabetta611]

Agreed, DrGarri. She was a SUPERB Zerbinetta for example. And when I want to hear a brilliant version in G, I'll listen to young Joan Sutherland.

[@MisterSoprano]

Well, she was 61 on this tape, she 63 now. Tell me how much sopranos can sing at that age, and sing so well? :)

[@ЛюдмилаСевастополь-ы4у]

Никто так не пел... Никаких скидок на возраст, феноменальное пение...

[@dirkworld]

really strong. But this is ms, cabballe's triumph and only hers. others may be unique and wonderful, but montserrat was divine.

[@СеклитаЛимариха]

Люблю Едіточку! Неперевершена Джільда.., але тут мені Монсерат..!

[@055746]

Ona je jedinecna!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ЛюдмилаСевастополь-ы4у]

Это точно... Гениальная

[@Homoclassicus]

Her facial expressions are quite strange, sort of self-indulgent, but if she needs to do them to maintain such a healthy and beautiful sound, then we can overlook them. This is a beautiful interpretation, though she has some trouble with the melismas. What is most sucessful in this performance is the steady, youthful and surprisingly clear timbre she still has. That's indeed a great rarity.

[@Hupjeflupje]

I've posted all pieces sung on this concert...

[@pepevaladez8096]

Hello ! To you all that criticiize her. Do you sing ? Are you able to sing this aria better than Edita ? If so, my respects. If not, shut up and keep practicing. Mrs. Gruberova was, is and always be an opera superstar. It is very easy to write and offend when you are not an artist and do not know anything about art. Mrs. Gruberova is a great artist.

[@s99jonte]

Considering she is 61 at the time.... I think its a great achievement, lovely piani...

[@optimal798]

@MisterSoprano Cannot agree with you more. Many criticise her, dislike her, but I don't see any soprano in the so called "new generation" that can sing better than she does. I appreciate Dessay and other coloratura as well, just not sure if they can achieve what Gruberova did when they are at the same age.

[@АндрейИванов-ъ1з6ш]

Шикарный голос, великолепное исполнение, в моем сознании она в числе наилучших исполнителей этой арии. Мое впечатление смазывается только в одном месте, когда подбираясь к самому верху и там на верху, она несколько раз берет дыхание. Я не профессионал и не имею право судить. Мне просто интересно узнать.

[@gabrieleschulze7627]

She is over 60 in this performance and a female voice goes down in register with age. I lost about 2 notes at the top in the last 10 years.

[@ЛюдмилаСевастополь-ы4у]

Она почему -то решила так акцентировать,, ля".В театре это звучало красиво. Пела она тогда вместе с Гаранчей.Волшебное пение... . ❤

[@emililosier]

i believe this is the original key... i cant be too sure though cuz i dont have absolute pitch and i am nowhere near a piano or tuning fork... but it sounds higher than other versions here on youtube.

[@55patri]

Muy bien

[@orion8835]

This is Victorian style Norma. Sung by a non Italian in the Jenny Lind coloratura floating mode. This is not the the Norma of the 1920’s onwards. Gruberova did many Bellini roles using her Vienna technique to reshape much of the Bellinian line into something often more Germanic. In her younger years and especially when in Italy she could sing Bellini live with the centered gusto and clear sentiments they require. A magical opera artist that will long be remembered. R. I . P.

[@LaKritika]

there is "age" in her voice that can be felt by listening only. but the phrasing is beautiful, I think.

[@johannnestroy5989]

for you. for me it´s best casta diva i`ve ever heard, better than callas &co,... the voice performance is magical and pure, i coud listen to it all the time. so you see, my dear, it´s the matter of subjective perception...

[@Pathetikos]

Looking forward to her "Norma" in Duisburg in february. I'm rather sceptic about her interpretation of Norma, but...

[@monelleny]

Listen to Anita Cerquetti.

[@KissaMyEyes]

Yes indeed!! Not sure what's happening here, she usually has no reason to worry about pitch.

[@Gav640]

I think Edita is amazing, but i'm not sure if she'd be my first choice for Norma. She's still terrific in other roles.

[@doddsalfa]

Listen to the slide from tone to tone,its like jojo,don't you hear:)

[@СеклитаЛимариха]

Эдиточку люблю больше всех в Джильде, там навсегда девочке 15 лет. А Норма... Норма - Чечилия Бартоли, потом - Каллас, Монтсеррат, Сазерленд ...

[@firsova999]

No , the original key is As- dur

[@josephcold]

This is fantastic singing. It is the kind of technique and voice that is only justified by an unmiced hall performance.

[@luismontecinos9916]

by far better than Bartoli

[@DrGarri]

this gives a new dimension to the word "scooping". It's a great pity she decided to tackle this dramatic rep when she has been superb in her real fach.

[@MisterSoprano]

Indeed, she can. I agree. But she's 61 ;)