La Traviata Virginia Zeani - Violetta Supreme "Ah, fors' e lui"

Virginia Zeani as Violetta, filmed for a RAI television broadcast in her greatest role, which she sang, and lived, an estimated 648 times.
This is mimed, unfortunately not to a freshly recorded track but to a recording made some time before. In the interim her voice and interpretation had developed, which made instinctive synchronisation difficult. I know from having seen her in the opera house that it gives but a shadow of the vivid and stunning impression she made in live performance. Even so it is nevertheless impressive and genuinely moving..
Two complete live audio performances are avaiiable on this Channel. One is from an outdoor performance in Napoli and the other is of Zeani's extraordinary unrehearsed Covent Garden Debut, with many photographs and drawings.
For a long time the only truly live opera movie videos were from amateur recordings of "L'altra notte" and "Ritorna Vincitor" and a fragment of Aida plus the RAI Poulenc excerpt from "La Voix Humaine". A private movie of a concert performance in New York where she sang with piano Manon Lescaut's "Sola, perduta abbandonata" then surfaced and more recently some excerpts from La traviata and Tosca have appeared from Romanian television.
The traviata can be found on this channel where there is also a delightful movie of excerpts from "The Merry Widow" filmed live by RAI in 1963. This gives the best, genuine impression of Zeani's enchanting stage presence, and the VIlja aria hints at the intensity and poise she brought to Violetta's great aria "Ah, fors' e lui".

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

Luciano Pavarotti wrote: ”It was my very great fortune to sing with Virginia Zeani in my first performances outside Italy. The first was in December of 1961 in Belgrade, and it was my first 'La Traviata'. In January of 1963, I appeared with her in my first 'Lucia di Lammermoor', this being in Amsterdam. It was an extraordinary experience for me to sing these two operas with Virginia Zeani, as these were two of her famous roles; and as you may realize, I learned very much from her intensity and commitment to her art, as well as from her great musicality. I sang with Virginia with great pleasure after this, but to have sung these two works with her for the first time was of course an incredible experience for me. Virginia Zeani has always held the highest artistic and musical standards during her long and very distinguished career.” - Luciano Pavarotti (1992)

[@hildegerdhaugen7864]

+CharlotteinWeimar Was she nice?

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

to Hildegerd Haugen. Virginia Zeani, happily still with us and now aged 90, is one of the most well loved singers in the operatic profession, much appreciated for her kindness and generosity. Since retiring she has become an outstandingly fine teacher. She is rigorous in aiming for the highest standard possible from each of her pupils, but is always constructive and kindly and never humiliates her students (as some famous singers like to do). She has been my good friend for many decades.

[@hildegerdhaugen7864]

CharlotteinWeimar Cool!!

[@adrianavasiliev8781]

@@CharlotteinWeimar ❤

[@helenamiller3952]

The beauty in her voice and drama in her interpretation is absolutely unmatched, not to mention her technical mastery.

[@stelianplesoiu6156]

Virginia Zeani left this incertain world. HER VOICE NEVER.

[@pablocarrascosamiguel7680]

Alfredo Kraus siempre la contó entre las mejores traviatas, porque lo tenía todo: voz, belleza, capacidad teatral, técnica...

[@vioricabalteanu8564]

La meravigliosa cantante romena Virginia Zeani rimane - tramite le registrazioni - una favolosa Violetta Valery!

[@andrewschreiber112]

Absolute perfection. The richness, warmth, and beauty of her voice, the bright edge to it, and the flawless technique and musicality place her in the highest echelons of legendary sopranos. RIP

[@peterburian5746]

From the Romanian ‚Traviatas‘ ( georghiu , the ‚breathy‘ cotrobas) she is by far the best!

[@corellithebest]

I know Gheorghiu admires Zeani greatly, as her unique role model, and I can perfectly understand why. Both Romanian divas are known as outstanding, exceptional Violettas! And Toscas as well!

[@flicfan416]

This an example of how truly difficult it is to be a perfect Violetta. About every soprano on the face of this earth has tried it in some way or another, and Zeani is the only one, out of thousands, who delivers everything Verdi wrote, how he wrote

[@predickament]

Such a magnificent singer! I saw Sills and Fleming as Violetta, she’s certainly up there with them! Thank you for sharing!

[@raoufzdn]

I had the great good fortune to hear this great singer in La traviata and Aida at the Cairo Opera House in 1971. These were the last opera performances in our doomed opera house which was destroyed by fire shortly after, and where Aida had its premiere 100 years before . I remember well the magnificent performances of Virginia Zeani , she was superb in both roles .

[@terrycloth6380]

Now THIS is singing. Just Listen to the voice and the emotional expression.

[@AlexPiticar]

O voce superba! Sa ne traiasca multi ani!

[@claudiagiugni]

Completely unbelievable! Virginia Zeani is and forever shall continue to be a true inspiration to not only the community of opera but to the world. She truly is a legendary soprano!

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

Virginia Zeani and Renata Tebaldi are both wonderful singers, with different and very individual qualities. Is there anybody these days even remotely in the same league?

[@artdanks]

Most definitely not. Sadly, young singers are no longer trained in the way of healthy singing as they once were. Hopefully, some of Zeani's students may eventually change this trend though.

[@jhernandez16]

I prefer Tebaldi's clarity. However, Zeani is a great singer.

[@BrightSeraphim777]

She is a Jewel. It is like that Aria was written for her. I have never listend to anyone sing it as flawless. Bravo!!

[@Tenorbravo]

It is one of the best Violettas, I have ever heard!!!Gorgeous voice . Her voice is to die for!!! Awesome performance. It is sad....... perfection like this is very difficult to find these days. A force of nature! Magnificent! ORIGINAL AND UNIQUE. Thank for posting this BEAUTIFUL performance of "Ah, fors' e lui" La Traviata by Verdi. Ms. Zeani " nació para cantar" La Traviata.

[@fuletiopia]

perfect technique, vibrant and charismatic voice, effective and full of personality characterization!!!

[@ionbacanu1053]

Beautiful MUZICĂ CLASICĂ și IMAGINE SCENICĂ...! A fost una dintre cele mai FRUMOASE FEMEI, ÎN PERIOADA SA! Cu o VOCE "SUPER MEN".

[@romearomeo]

Eccezionale! Senza dubbio una delle più grandi Violette, voce e interpretazione fantastica!

[@raecatterall2171]

Romea Romeo z%

[@numetutelare]

In Traviata Virginia é un'assoluta fuoriclasse !!

[@nadideelmas6652]

She is so amazing 😃👏👏♥️

[@ionbacanu1053]

... O voce "SUPER FULL". Thenk You.

[@jkircher314]

Zeani is my favorite Violetta! Thank you for posting this rare footage.

[@ftelftel2999]

She is the greatest! Love her!😍😍😍😍

[@luckymortal]

Simply amazing.

[@vale86301]

Bellissima ,intensa,strepitosa Violetta !!! In pochissime riescono a sostenere le acrobazie vocali di questo ruolo !!

[@johnboeren2083]

Thanks for this document. Una voce meravigliosa. Brava!!!

[@amantedellopera1681]

Her duet from traviata with herlea is the best ive ever heard

[@mbooth2719]

What a wonderful performance. She sings with such feeling.

[@brunoantony3218]

It’s lipsync.

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

Virginia Zeani's studio recordings have just been released in a 9 CD set "The Artistry of Virginia Zeani" from Musique Aria, including a complete La traviata from RAI available from www.norpete.com/v2313.html.

[@DanielaShiga]

Virginia Zeani is my most favorite opera singer, she will always be! Out of pride of also being from her country. I would like to pay my homage to her in this way. Of course, I love almost equally Angela Gheorghiu, but there is a special place in my heart for Maria Cecilia Bartoli and Sumi Jo, just to name a few of the singers that are absolutely incredible.

[@elvinabauman1237]

An amazing soprano and a great Violetta! 🤩🤩🤩

[@armandonazarenocerutti9860]

Conmocionado por tal excelente versión del "Ah, fors'e lui - Sempre libera" Virgiinia Zeani maravillosa. Armando Cerutti - barítono

[@gjxo]

Always a lovely gracious soul... and still is!

[@ininacsot]

superbe,merci Madame.

[@nelilinca1527]

Voce, grație, sublim. .

[@corellithebest]

Thank you very, very much for posting this magnificent video. Zeani is thrilling, amazing, as always.

[@melodylane1753]

Non ci sono parole! meravigliosa, wonderful!

[@sevenoctave88]

Extraordinary! Gorgeous voice!!

[@biancahotca3244]

She had a crystalline voice. Ma bucur de talentele care vin din țara noastră. Another Romanian singer of opera was Elena Cernei.

[@NatiDeNut]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ALEXISVASSILIEV]

Bravissima Divina! Merci per sempre . A suivre!

[@salvatorelotta5130]

Che splendore, talento immenso, meravigliosa.

[@carriexodp]

Gave me chills all the way through!

[@elinat2414]

The amazing thing, is that she was taught by a renowed Russian opera singer and this lineage of teachers goes back to great opera singers of the 19th Century.

[@Coletta100]

The greatest lyrical artist of the XXth century.

[@ClearLight369]

A superb performance. Her voice is liquid light.

[@mateibuliga907]

magnifigue!

[@ViolettaNarbona]

Ador vocea ei. Bravo!

[@brostenirom]

SUPERBA VOCE!! DIN PACATE STIU FOARTE PUTINE DESPRE ACEASTA RAMANCA PLECATA DE FOARTE MULT TIMP DIN TARA.PROMIT CA AM S-O ASCULT MAI DES.

[@OperaLoverL]

amazing voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brava!!!!!

[@Jame243]

Very refined voice! Natural! I like the Baroque surroundings.Opera is a visual Art also!

[@brunoantony3218]

More suitable for Rosina than Violetta.

[@familypondman]

Never heard such a dark beautiful voice as Violetta! Brava!It's a pitty she did not sung the high note at the end, because she can!

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

She sang the added top E flat in earlier performances and recordings but after moving to heavier spinto roles such as Aida, she gave it up.

[@familypondman]

@@CharlotteinWeimar I know now, I have heard, I am sure she could do it still!

[@iestynovich]

Magical. Thank you.

[@nathaliekurreembukus8974]

fantastic virginia

[@roximol9829]

The best Traviata

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

At long, long last a major article will be published in OPERA magazine in November 2009 entitled THE LEGENDARY VIRGINIA ZEANI.

[@violetaverdi276]

Bravissima !Bravissima ! Bravissima !!!! La scuola rumena di CANTO !!!!!! Complimenti !!!!!

[@corellithebest]

I agree totally with you, Basenjidiva. I ADORE her!

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

Magnifica Aria

[@carmencornelianastase1240]

Rest In Peace !

[@giancarlopiligp]

The true Violetta.

[@lenkasim1]

Bellissima voce 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

[@leonoradelagardie]

Stunning!

[@MicahandModesta]

She's brilliant! But also who is that tenor with the ENORMOUS voice?

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

IMPRESIONANTE RECODAR SU VOZ

[@mariancostin]

Excelenta voce!

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

NB June 2011 A short excerpt from a live film of La Traviata from Romania has just appeared and is now posted on my channel. As there are excerpts from Act 1 and Act 3 there must be more . .

[@kareninaanna662]

Comment commenter la perfection ?..MERCI.

[@adriturner483]

Complimenti Dragà Doamnà si multà sànàtate và doresc astàzi 21 Octombrie 2013 và urez si La multi ani pentru ziua dumneavoastrà de nastere...Romania se poate làuda cu dumneavoastrà si cu a voastrà adoptivà Angela Gheorghiu.Felicitàrile mele transmise din Auckland New Zealand!

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

@Ilesereine The sound is from the complete Romanian recording:Virginia Zeani, Neculce-Cartis, Elena Simionescu, Ion Buzea, Nicolae Herlea,Vasile Moldoveanu Romanian Opera Bucharest. Jean Bobescu. Electrecord, 1968, After 20 years singing the role she no longer takes the optional high E flat! It sounds far better on the KZbin posting from ariadna2006. I think the dubbed film was made during the 1970s when she was in her late forties Sadly there is no live movie of her as Violetta. UPDATE A black and white movie from Romania of ectended scenes from La Traivata has emerged and I have posted some of it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4TEo5JsgKmmgq8

[@ionbacanu1053]

... Remember, o coloratura, superba a VOCI...

[@LesleyLesPaul]

...i adore her ! LES

[@milumoi]

great!

[@corellithebest]

@Aetion If it is from her Romanian 1968 studio recording (by Electrarecord I think), then the cast is entirely Romanian: the tenor Ion Buzea and the baritone Nicolae Herlea.

[@inabambina1338]

Bel canto.

[@corellithebest]

Dear Yvonne, is this perhaps mimed to her only studio recording of Traviata, with Romanian cast: Buzea, Herlea (I think) in Bucharest (1968)?

[@melekgulpnar1399]

Gheorgiu's voice resemble so much Zeani's voice.

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

There is a similar Romanian timbre and Zeani is undoubtedly the model for Gheorgiu's phrasing. But Zeani's voice was big as well as beautiful and she sang many Aidas and even Wagner's Senta and Elsa.

[@herrbrucvald6376]

I think her voice is more beautiful than Tebald's, sorry Renata fans.....

[@ininacsot]

ce n'est pas très gentil pour Renata Tebaldi qui avait une voix superbe et qui chantait sérieusement,écoutez plutôt les voix d'aujourd'hui,hein!!!!exemple Orange 2016.

[@artdanks]

I 100% agree with you! Now that I have finally become familiar with this great singer, I see that Tebaldi really truly was NOT a true rival for Callas. The only really true rival Callas ever could have had would have been Zeani! Too bad that because of so many factors unrelated to artistry, Zeani wasn't more well known! She really would have given Callas a run for her money! Tebaldi never did at all.

[@Tkimba2]

I don't know if it's more beautiful but she certainly had a better technique

[@davidvscalvim2836]

@@artdanks Tebaldi didn't need to "give anybody a run for their money". She was ver busy spreading her art around the world. Because this is what opera means, isn't it? A noble art, not some dumb rivalry.

[@artdanks]

@@davidvscalvim2836 Very good point and I agree with you completely. And actually the so called "rivalry" between Tebaldi and Callas was all basically just created by the media, and not the 2 ladies themselves. In fact, they both agreed that all the stories about their rivalry actually benefitted them both! Free publicity!

[@ClearLight369]

As long as we're talking about Romanian sopranos, what about Marculescu?

[@dramaturge231]

Who’s the Alfredo?

[@RagnerRannat]

wow... this is even better than callas

[@frankmontalbano3278]

I hate comparisons of great singers ! Its shows you are at the level of a baseball game! Just enjoy the individual beauty and uniqueness of each artist!

[@josephcold]

Lol such great singing! then you hear the tenor, with such a throaty sound. its a disturbing juxtaposition.

[@giovic9802]

3:00 - 3:45

[@SiEtIn1]

@Agwii que impertinente tu comentario

[@brunoantony3218]

Ugh lipsync.

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

Unfortunately this was mimed to a recording she had made many years before and she was not singing to a recording freshly made for the filming. There is a black and white video from Romania which is genuinely live and therefor more exciting. But nevertheless this version is still beautiful and wipes the floor with everyone elxe..

[@BrightSeraphim777]

She is a Jewel. It is like that Aria was written for her. I have never listend to anyone sing it as flawless. Bravo!!