Kirsten Flagstad - Fidelio - Abscheulicher - 1941

Kirsten Flagstad sings the role of Leonore in the aria "Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?" from Beethoven's opera Fidelio.
This is from a performance at the Metropolitan Opera, Bruno Walter conducting.

[@Tenortalker]

What can we say about the tenderness of Komm hoffnung or the heroic tone of Ich folge? God bless the great Kirsten Flagstad, may she rest in peace and may new generations of singers be encouraged to listen to her.

[@Johnny1206]

The best singer ever in one of her greatest and adored roles !

[@ElliePearl]

I just love Kirsten's voice.

[@Alexias6]

Bruno Walter didn't make his Met debut until February of 1941 - I suspect this is from the broadcast that season. She's in fabulous voice - given what later happened to her husband, this aria has always moved me as sung by Flagstad. Just listen to the way she approaches the top note on 'Farbenbogen'. Unbelievable, bel canto. Imagine what a Norma she would have sung!!

[@dorotheafayne]

Oh, how beautiful. Exquisite. Dorothea

[@AVikingdad]

I love her voice !

[@Zva26]

@Alexias6 Flagstad was offered Norma at the Met, studied it intensely, and wisely declined it. Great as her voice was, she had little affinity for bel canto or the Italian language. Norma requires a lot of stamina (which Flagstad HAD), but it also requires great flexibility and the ability to execute florid cadenzas (which Flagstad DIDN'T have!) The great lady knew where her strengths were and her great gifts have yet to be approached only by Birgit Nilsson. Those two RULED!!!!

[@NJMerlin]

Curious that she doesn’t take the final appoggiatura.

[@andigrim007]

B natural.

[@boothtarkington2681]

There are NO singers on the operatic stage today, indeed since Bing was at the Metropolitan, who could match Flagstad. Singing, since then, has become bellowing This posting should expose the decline of singing today.

[@Syslak94]

For all of you kirsten lovers, try to listen to Suicide silence - smoke, I can bet a houndred dollars that you will like it!

[@Chrysothemis]

MAN, that's a fast tempo. This is not really the kind of style where Kirsten really excels, but who can argue with that tone?

[@mmbmbmbmb]

Sorry to say ... Flagstad managed to take out Beethoven of Ludwig van Beethoven.

[@Zva26]

@Alexias6 Flagstad was offered Norma at the Met, studied it intensely, and wisely declined it. Great as her voice was, she had little affinity for bel canto or the Italian language. Norma requires a lot of stamina (which Flagstad HAD), but it also requires great flexibility and the ability to execute florid cadenzas (which Flagstad DIDN'T have!) The great lady knew where her strengths were and her great gifts have yet to be approached only by Birgit Nilsson. Those two RULED!!!!