Legendary "O don fatale"(Don Carlo) in 1986 Salzburger Osterfestspiele, Agnes Baltsa

Verdi: Don Carlos
Eboli's aria "O don fatale.."
Salzburger Ostfestspiele in 1986
Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
Eboli: Agnes Baltsa

[@ssjj6070]

Anybody having a great time with Agnes in 2024?

[@saleenapiano]

son io! agnes e il mio mezzosoprano preferito!

[@corneliuswhite5139]

She's a Beast in this role! OMG!!!! she gives me everything I need. Oh, to find this type of performance today!

[@cadecannon159]

She is a beast in all of her roles. When I watch her, I’m always like DAYUM! But it’s uncouth to shout that in an opera house 😑

[@tyjude7594]

i dont mean to be off topic but does any of you know a way to log back into an instagram account? I was dumb forgot the account password. I would love any assistance you can offer me.

[@cadecannon159]

@@tyjude7594 it should have an option for “Forgot password” if you put in the wrong one. In that case, it would send a link to the e-mail you used when you created your account, and you can create a new one.

[@zanderalijah615]

@Ty Jude Instablaster ;)

[@creutzfeldtjakob7]

You can only find them now in youtube lol... obtrastsova callas and the likes lol

[@donfatale]

Agnes Baltsa has cost me a fortune in the last 30 years. I've travelled the world hoping to hear a version of O Don Fatale as good as hers.

[@ohmy5650]

First time I heard this was on my first Don Carlo recording with Karajan, Freni & Baltsa. Will never forget how impressed I was with Agnes Baltsa then. And this live performance is way more exciting still! Thank you & all having to do with, Baltsa first 💝.

[@aetion]

What a voice, what an artistry and temperament! Thank you.

[@hervev.1841]

Incroyable ! Monstrueuse! Magnifique ! Voilà comment l'opéra doit être chanté. Si on veut que le public revienne, que l'opéra redevienne un art populaire alors il faut une grande révolution dans l'art du chant, dans l'enseignement. Qu'on arrête de tout intellectualiser : il faut faire de l'opéra avec ses tripes! Ça suffit les petits chanteurs qui prennent soin de leur instrument comme une chose fragile! Si vous avez une solide technique alors vous pouvez envoyer du bois! Où sont passés les Corelli, Tebaldi, Baltsa, Cerquetti?

[@DiomedesDioscuro]

Bravo ! Les chanteurs d'aujourd'hui ne sont pas seulement très mauvais lorsqu'ils chantent, mais aussi insupportables quand ils parlent. Notamment les français, hélas !

[@pureffm]

Obratsova, Cossotto, Milnes, Bastianini

[@user-of7ft8pz6g]

VOUS AVEZ RAISON

[@albertmontanez1426]

This is raw and perfect out of technical imperfections... but who cares !!!! She is Eboli. She has always something to say ... what a great artist she was and always will be. Brava Baltsa .... my idol.

[@ahogbin2644]

Superb!!! Karajan's conducting willful though. She was stunning in this role at Covent Garden in the later 1980s and brought the house down at this point. If only we had singers like this today!

[@Tsaraslondon]

I heard her sing this at Covent Garden too. Absolutely thrilling. I wish there was someone as exciting around now.

[@simonchausse11]

This is a fantastic all out O Don fatale with a singer I’ve loved forever. I can just imagine if she had shared the stage with another great Greek singer: Callas! Can you imagine Aïda’s or Norma’s with both of them.

[@dantewalston2755]

That would've been a performance for the books, to great Greek singers, with fires in their throat.

[@davidwelch8288]

I never thought of that! You are so right! They would have torn up the stage! Singers like them totally feed off of each other and bring out the best in each other.

[@Jorge-yy3dd]

Simionato? please go listen.

[@sweetvlc]

Unique!!!!!! ❤

[@chipbarfield62]

This is old school perfection 💓🔥🙌👏

[@Tenortalker]

Eboli is such a difficult role. Truly between the soprano and mezzo soprano - a falcon. Those who have top notes often struggle with the lower , legato middle section. Baltsa is an incredible artist on stage. She was always totally invested in what she sang . Occasionally as here she would seem to take her voice to breaking point with the drama , but then she would still be able to come back in the next phrase with a flowing , legato line. She has been a unique artiste and we are lucky to have seen and heard her. Bumbry , Verrett and Stignani also sang great Ebolis. I was very impressed with Giovanna Casolla in the role in the late 1990s early 2000s.

[@CarlosHernandez-vv6bx]

Cossotto was a wonderful Eboli too

[@monetto100]

Quelle interprétation ! J'avais vu l'opéra en entier à la tv, j'avais été époustouflée par son Eboli !

[@mikaelb7735]

So many Eboli´s ...... but i always come back to Baltsas´s. This is the ultimate one. Nr 1, SUPERB!

[@philipc67]

Yes, but you need to go back to school and learn how to place an apostrophe. The plural is Ebolis: No apostrophe for the plural form. And it's spelled Baltsa's for the possessive.

[@mikaelb7735]

@@philipc67 Thank you for that info! Sad to hear you have a badly injured toe (toes?).

[@ernestlow8444]

She stole the show when she sang this in Covent Garden in the legendary Visconti production with Ricciarelli, Ramey and Quilico. Carreras was supposed to sing Don Carlo but he was being treated for lymphoma and Dennis O Niell took over. Unfortunately in the preparations for one of the performances, a stage hand Mr Greg Bellamy perished due to a piece of falling scenery. The performance was cancelled and the company replaced it with Verdi's Requiem with Ricciarelli, O'Niell, Baltsa and Ramey in his memory. May his family always be blessed.

[@JosephDoody1]

Thanks for sharing that story. Very moving.

[@Tsaraslondon]

I saw this as well and Baltsa did indeed steal the show as Eboli. I also went to the Verdi Requiem, but I believe the tenor on that occasion was Arthur Davies as O'Neil was not available. It didn't replace the cancelled show but was hastily put together and performed on a Sunday. I believe it was Ricciarelli and Baltsa who suggested it. Everyone gave their services free and the proceeds were donated to Greg Bellamy's widow. It was a very moving performance.

[@ernestlow8444]

@@Tsaraslondon thanks, mea culpa! After an interval of more than 32 years since those heady student days in London, my memory has become a little foggy. Yes, you are right - Davies from the Coli was the tenor and the performance was on a Sunday night when the House was available. The performance was very moving and I remembered the singers and the audience left quietly at the end without applause in view of the occasion. Mr Bellamy left behind his widow and young children and I hope they are all doing well now.

[@karldelavigne8134]

I also went to this production. I was sitting in the very last row of the amphitheatre and Baltsa's performance was so powerful it shook the roof off. It remains one of the highlights of many years of opera-going.

[@ernestlow8444]

@@karldelavigne8134 Baltsa was one of the most exciting singers in Covent Garden and although slim of physique, her voice was powerful, rich and spine tingling. I have so many vivid memories of her in the 80s - Romeo, Dalila, Carmen, Octavian, Italiana, Cenerentola, Rosina - I wish the performances have been taped and will be released by Covent Garden.

[@MonsieurLu77]

Breathtaking! Thanks for posting.

[@raynardi7243]

Cerca di sopperire con la recitazione la voce piccola e chiara per questo ruolo. Comunque grande artista. È la dimostrazione che con una buona tecnica e un ottimo gesto artistico una voce può fare tutti i ruoli come diceva la Callas. Bravissima!

[@massimopasticci1761]

io la trovo sopra le righe.. ..peccato perché la voce e' enorme

[@massimopasticci1761]

nn dimentichiamoci che sotto ce' Karajan

[@victorcorona8640]

Una vera artista, la prima parte possiede un anima che non posso descrivere

[@christianzotter4224]

The GREATEST Eboli so far! Thank You, Agnes!

[@Altonahh10]

This is what good opera singing used to be. And who cares one or two false notes when a singer has Baltsa´s technical abilities and dedication to a role?

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

Could *Not* agree more!!! 😎😎😎

[@peterming]

Altonahh10 too bad there isn’t any video recording of her Amneris in Karajan’s Salzburg production of Aida in the 70s. Her recording with maestro Karajan, Freni, Carreras is for me the best Aida recording of all time.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

@@peterming Sorry the Erede recording is the best Aida of all time. Freni, Carreras are no match for Tebaldi and Del Monaco. Carreras, especially is sorely overparted.

[@scataplaft]

Lololol

[@davidwelch8288]

Totally agree!!! 💖

[@dantewalston2755]

One of the greatest interpretations of Eboli!! Brava La Baltsa!!!

[@samueljaramillo4221]

Verrett and Troyanos both own this role.

[@petrosbalaskas4753]

Agnes is so wonderful here!!!

[@MaestroWenarto]

INTENSE PERFORMANCE

[@Federico444444]

Omg what vulnerability and sensitivity she had. If only singer could feel the music, instead of this conceptual singing method acting nonsense most singer do today. This is TRUE presence.

[@richardfallon5507]

this performance ,in my opinion, has never been equaled.

[@ransomcoates546]

You never heard Cossotto then.

[@davidwelch8288]

@@ransomcoates546 I've heard Cossotto... Many times. I think this performance is the best.

[@belcantopera4562]

November 19th is her birthday! Happy birthday!

[@impresariopazzo]

Baltsa's performance is miraculous (brava!) but the tempo is too slow.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

Young Baltsa was a superb Eboli.

[@bluemoire6318]

I always disliked the way Karajan stretched the music. It was not always fitting when it came to conducting opera and it was often difficult for singers to sing in his tempo. Sometimes it would hurt the music too. Baltsa had tremendous energy on stage but even for her this was obviously difficult. Nevertheless, this is still an amazing performance!!!

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

Brava Diva!!!!!

[@mladen.mntenkahlina2943]

In Festspiele she was wanderfull and she still is! Commplimenti!

[@antonioramires9559]

Tatiana Troyanos é mágica nesse papel!

[@samueljaramillo4221]

Troyanos was the best

[@victoriagrapsidou3474]

Another Greek Goddess La Troyanos!!

[@brookeggleston9314]

Agreed!

[@Yves_Ka]

So often forgotten in this role and she really was superb. And the voice quality.......... absolute dream!

[@user-en2fx3vl6h]

Unmatchable.

[@emanuelecicchino7256]

Bravissima.🥰😍😍😍😍🤩😘☺💚🤍❤👍🎼🎵🎶

[@wildsuncat]

Dirigenten können Sängern das Leben auch echt schwer machen... Die Arme

[@Aurora-cg8pi]

My absolute favorite Operasinger😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@ransomcoates546]

Karajan is killing Baltsa here the way he did Tebaldi in the ‘Aida’ recording.

[@panoschytiris]

Indeed…the tempo is too slow

[@lukacs37]

Magnificent!

[@16toulousse]

The best.

[@eduardocarrico6030]

Spectacular interpretazione di Agnes Baltsa nel Eboli del D. Carlo.Oggi dove sono interpretei e canto come questo? Grazie.

[@matiasmari1106]

1986 , josep carreras - fiamma izzo -agnes balsta

[@Shahrdad]

A great version, at points a bit too melodramatic, but still great. I can't help feeling the role is a bit too big for her voice. I always feel like the introduction should be faster than what we usually hear.

[@TheBaroness]

The Out-Of-This-World Intergalactic Spellbinding Spectacular Spine-Chilling Voice of Agnes Baltsa singing O Don Fatale...even better than Callas!

[@davidwelch8288]

Perfect description! I totally agree! 💖

[@jotge.3444]

Beste Aufnahme...

[@vivianbelissima]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@marydom4804]

BRAVISIMA

[@cdivo39]

I prefer Verrett who gave the same intensity but acted and sang the part better. I was watching this thinking get up off your knees at the start of the aria! It's all wrong. Pick the letter up toward the end and acknowledge that you have one more day to save your love. Baltsa forgot various stage cues this character should be doing. This is also the fault of the director. The actions while singing are JUST as important as the singing itself. Watch Callas's videos to see what I'm saying. Being intense is fine but dont let it get in the way of a full characterization.

[@thomasdahlen8533]

Dont forget Cossotto , Verrett , Elena Nicolai , Obratzova.Great voice and drama.Baltsa is good but a bit to small för Eboli.

[@OperaMyWorld]

Hhahahahaha!! She was the Greatest! And for sure not Small! I heard her live!!!

[@gabrieleruffini4884]

Baltsa is a good singer indeed but not my favourite one . For example I found the young Fiorenza Cossotto on another level for vocal power and compliance to verdian style. Of course this is just my opinion.

[@user-hf8wh9br5e]

와우

[@nikiseminara4345]

Intergalattica mostruosa maestosa che altro dire!!! ( le perdoniamo anche il ti malledico😅)

[@Olgaalwina]

Sie war ein Unikat, !!!!!!

[@SilfredoSerrano]

Electrifying, but I just cannot stand how she loses the high Cb and comes off it. It sounds like her cords are being split

[@Jean-LucBories]

Don Carlo Verret

[@dubrosali3324]

[@mladen.mntenkahlina2943]

No coments!

[@meto2854]

The is one of THE WORSt conductings of Don Fatale I have ever heard, which is absolutely surprising given the fact it is Karajan. The tempi are ridiculously slow and the ending note is drawn out to a cheap bravado effect. Having said that, Baltsa is on fire here!

[@Altonahh10]

Karajan became more boring is his latter years. It´s terribly boring, I agree

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

*you* may be bored by it, it is Not boring!

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

....perhaps one of you two can post a recording of you conducting it for us to use as comparison?

[@DiomedesDioscuro]

@@rugby8-Philadelphia Shut up! One has to be a conductor to have an opinion, you silly man?

[@rugby8-Philadelphia]

@@DiomedesDioscuro #1 - having an opinion does not Make it correct #2 - You have a tremendous command of the subtleties and nuance of the English language 😎😎😎

[@antben8992]

Interessante ma, a mio avviso, un poco sopra le righe. Certo, vederla in teatro , forse, poteva convincere! Non so !

[@babbonatale9362]

Ah (strozzato)... Ti maLLedico o mia beltà

[@operalovers]

Nah, the Best Eboli ever Is Oralia Domínguez!!!

[@MarioHernandez-qr4vx]

ELENA NICOLAI! ELENA NICOLAI!

[@antwerpsmerle1404]

Baltsa was a wonderful and exciting singer, but I have to agree with others who have a problem with Karajan’s conducting. He de-energises the music and prevents the singer from phrasing naturally. Compare Bruna Baglioni in the same aria (also on KZbin) conducted by Haitink at Covent Garden. A much under-rated Verdi conductor, imho. I was there, and she too brought the house down in this wonderful aria! By the way, I’m NOT a Karajan basher. I know of no greater recording of ANY Verdi opera than his Falstaff (although Abbado’s Boccanegra with Cappuccilli comes close...).

[@babbonatale9362]

Che in suo furor... mi feCCe 😅

[@222mozart]

the second Maria Callas

[@Jorge-yy3dd]

better to listen to than to watch.

[@ginofamussi]

She's very intense and powerful, beautiful voice.... but she has a little problems with some italian words. For example she sings "Ti MALLEDICO" instead of "Ti maledico" and that's a bit uncomfortable to hear. Made no mistakes, I think she's a great singer.

[@henrifrombarcelona]

Cenerentola playing in Escorial

[@user-hv6qs7om4e]

А Образцова лучше!

[@lestermatos2989]

She is too much… to exaggerated

[@massimociprigno3015]

Una delle più brutte esecuzioni della Eboli..La Baltsa completamente fuori ...ha rischiato di rompere la voce e non continuare la recita...davvero scandalosa. Karajan ha commesso con questa edizione un altro passo falso...INASCOLTABILE

[@TheFrankozzi]

Bravissima ..Gigantic voice but here overperforming..Eboli needs an exorcist.

[@eduardocarrico6030]

E poi la produzindo? Oggi solo cativo gusto e mediocrita’

[@DiomedesDioscuro]

I don't like it.

[@peterschwarzenbacher6904]

kann mit Tatiana Troyanos nicht mithalten

[@Yves_Ka]

Troyanos was my best

[@cguzmmang]

Es una cantante maravillosa, sin embargo, nunca tuvo una voz verdiana.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Not her best, honestly.

[@veikkohiiri1093]

Very good singing. Bad orchestra, because of bad conducting

[@samueljaramillo4221]

Can we say a bit of over acting and singing. Not very attractive. She looks crazed.

[@scataplaft]

That wasn't so "legendary" tbh . Lol. I mean... so many technical issues. Very distracting. Tati Troyanos had technical issues too (even Obraztsova) but they're minor and at least she's delivers so much intensity that we simply forget/forgive them. Here, she seems to emphasize them. It's quite bad... 🤔

[@gabrioxxx]

Baltsa a good actress but her many voices and screams at the top along with fake chest low notes makes her an odd Eboli.

[@philipc67]

Terrific. Technically perfect? No. There are a couple of strained high notes here and there, harsh intakes of breath. Passionate and spine-tingling? Hell yes. Worthy of Bumbry, Troyanos and Verrett? Yes Sir!

[@asterflamm]

..... purtroppo quando esapera il temperamento la voce si sgrana e si rompe. Molto meglio nel canto più mite e misurato dove la voce risponde ed è meglio governata. Questa è una brutta interpretazione.