Kirsten Flagstad (soprano) - Ombra mai fu ('Serse' - Handel) (1948)

Kirsten Flagstad sings 'Ombra mai fu,' with the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Warwick Braithwaite, recorded on 3 July 1948.
From Wikipedia: Kirsten Malfrid Flagstad (12 July 1895 - 7 December 1962) was a Norwegian opera singer and a highly regarded Wagnerian soprano. She ranks among the greatest singers of the 20th century, and many opera critics called hers 'the voice of the century.' Desmond Shawe-Taylor wrote of her in the New Grove Dictionary of Opera: 'No one within living memory surpassed her in sheer beauty and consistency of line and tone.'
I transferred this side from an English pressing of HMV DB 6791. There is some wear on the disc, but it is the only copy of this recording that I have ever found.

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

The great Flagstad... in fact my favourite dramatic soprano... When she started her career her voice was kind of smallish, but with determination and diligence she developed it into the gorgeous instrument we all know: expansive, luscious, resonant, but also supple, smooth and capable of both beauty and expression... Instead of just filling a shadowy grove, she probably could have filled a whole forest with her masterful voice and singing... ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you for sharing this wonderful post! 🙏🍀

[@vintagesounds3878]

I'm sure that more Flagstad is needed here - as well as more of many other artists!

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

@@vintagesounds3878 You have a point here! Or actually: two... 😉

[@vintagesounds3878]

@@hrbooksmusic7878 I know! And there's still only one of me, and I have so many other commitments at the moment!!

[@hrbooksmusic7878]

@@vintagesounds3878 You could use a clone... Maybe there‘s some genius scientist around the corner who would be able to provide one...? 🤔

[@vintagesounds3878]

@@hrbooksmusic7878 But where do I find the time to visit the scientist?

[@georgejohnson1498]

I am so pleased that you have uploaded this. One of my all time favourite recordings of a piece of music I simply adore. I remember suggesting to my Norwegian Aunt [born 1944] that she gives this a try! Obviously Flagstad was a controversial figure for many Norwegians of my Aunt's generation [and older] as she was married to a pro-Nazi Norwegian ... That is entirely unfair. She married the man long before the Nazi occupation of Norway. If she had been a prophet she might have vision to know the future, but she could hardly be blamed for what would transpire. My Aunt's response ran something along the lines of of horrible warbling Nazi ... Hard to share a conversation about great artistry [and actual personal risk taking and integrity of a great and sincere Norwegian] when my Aunt had swallowed whole the treatment of Flagstad by Norway in the immediate post War period. I sometimes think that her post-War recordings show a depth of emotional communication that it is reasonable to think came as a result of her own country's treatment of her after Norway was able to recover from occupation. This is one of those recordings, and so are the Greig songs she also recorded in 1948. Thank you for this. Best wishes from George

[@vintagesounds3878]

Thanks George. I knew you'd enjoy this. And I have yet another version of this on the way!

[@The-Organised-Pianist]

Thank you for sharing this interesting & poignant information, George. I think it's a very beautiful recording.

[@denispowell7134]

Much to love about this recording but, sadly, no Trill.

[@vintagesounds3878]

The one I am currently working on (contralto: not Dame Clara, but no other hints) has a trill!