MAGDA OLIVERO at 81 - Concerto Rosetum 1991

This concert, given in the church of the Rosetum Cultural Center in Milano on November 5, 1991, marks the last public recital given by the now legendary Magda Olivero, she was 81 years old. I was fortunate enough to have been present for that extraordinary evening, a stunning "tour de force" from an artist whose career lasted close to 60 years. At the end of the concert, Renata Tebaldi said with great humility: "This is an important lesson in singing"
The present video contains all the arias sung that evening. It is part of "The Magda Olivero Archives", a channel on KZbin dedicated to help opera lovers discover this unique artist, able to bring forth music, feelings and emotions. As recipient of all of Magda Olivero's audio archives, I will do my best to promote their diffusions with all the respect I have for the true artist she was.
Denis Robert
0:00 - Introduction
0:32 - Largo, G.F. Händel
4:45 - Pietà Signore, A. Stradella
11:38 - Ave Verum, W.A. Mozart
15:16 - Panis Angelicus, C. Franck
20:44 - Salve, Regina, G.S. Mercadante
25:32 - Ave Maria, C.C. Saint-Saëns
32:45 - Ave Maria, C. Gounod
37:12 - Ave Maria, R. Leoncavallo
Questo concerto, tenuto nella chiesa del Centro Culturale Rosetum di Milano il 5 novembre 1991, segna l'ultimo recital pubblico tenuto dall'ormai leggendaria Magda Olivero, che aveva 81 anni. Ho avuto la fortuna di essere stata presente per quella straordinaria serata, uno splendido "tour de force" di un'artista la cui carriera è durata quasi 60 anni. Alla fine del concerto, Renata Tebaldi ha detto con grande umiltà: "Questa è un'importante lezione di canto".
Il presente video contiene tutte le arie cantate quella sera. Fa parte di "The Magda Olivero Archives", un canale su KZbin dedicato ad aiutare gli amanti dell'opera a scoprire questo artista unico nel suo genere, capace di produrre musica, sentimenti ed emozioni. Come destinatario di tutti gli archivi audio di Magda Olivero, farò del mio meglio per promuovere le loro diffusioni con tutto il rispetto che ho per la vera artista che era.
Denis Robert

[@judyjones2475]

Very great lady , just amazing 👏 🤩 🙌 👌 😍 😀

[@jeffreymiller4814]

What a wonderful recital! Thanks for posting. Of course it was her last public recital, but not her last public appearance. Indeed she sang the Leoncavallo Ave Maria in 2006 at age 96 and a snippet of Paolo, datemi pace at 99. Both are on KZbin. I saw her 1975 Met Tosca but equally impressive was her performance the following year as Margherita in Mefistofele in Newark. L’altra notte was sensational beyond words. Name one soprano at age 66 who could sing a thunderous, steady, beautiful high B, then soften it to pianissimo without so much as a single flutter in the vibrancy. It too is on KZbin. Dank sei dir, Herr!

[@denisrobert36]

The two last arias in the 1976 Mefistofele exist in video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoimpqihdp2Ke8k

[@bauchmann9971]

Absoluter wahnsinn!!! Wie kann man mit 81 noch solche Töne haben!!!

[@romearomeo]

Adoro la sublime Magda Olivero! La mia cantante preferita! Una tecnica vocale sorprendente e una musicalità che viene dal profondo del cuore e dell'anima. Questo concerto è un'unica vera e sincera preghiera.

[@hervecarbuccia9929]

Chanter ainsi à 81 ans...c'est déjà miraculeux en soi! Quelle belle personne cette immense cantatrice.

[@romearomeo]

Splendida! I giovani cantanti dovrebbero seguire questo esempio di tecnica vocale e musicalità.

[@lucianacolapietro9665]

Una meravigliosa, Fedora, una stupenda Francesca da Rimini, ottima interpretazione di Adriana lecouvreur. Musicista eccellente. C'è ne avessimo ancora un "pezzettino"...

[@lucianacolapietro9665]

Grazie

[@robertjamesseeley2449]

I first encountered La Prima Donna with Dallas Civic Opera in Medea (1967). I was a mesmorized member of the chorus. I watched her, spellbound, from the wings when the chorus was offstage. In rehearsal, Her filaments of pianissimo were ethereal as she marked her rehearsal and embedded the role into her impeccable technique. She proved to be a model of modesty outside performance as well. She is celebrated in "La Scala West: first 20 years of the Dallas Civic Opera." On opening night, maestra Olivero unleashed the character of Medea as a lioness bemoaning her fate. Privilege to discover this performance. Grazia a lei.

[@denisrobert36]

Thanks for your comment. There are more great performances from The Magda Olivero Archives. Check: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn2UZoZ6gblsr8U

[@bauchmann9971]

In a concert she sang more piani than forte. They are incredible, and I think this also conserved her voice besides this amazing technique

[@baritonebynight]

I first heard of Olivero from reading Jerome Hines' book Great Singers on Great Singing and found Olivero's interview the most informative of any of them. She stated that she didn't have natural technique and had to work like a dog to get it. I can't help but wonder if that is one reason why she was able to produce beautiful tones well into her 90s when most other sopranos bow out thirty years before because she had to obtain what other's had naturally by hard work and determination. This is amazing singing for any age! What a compliment from the great Tebaldi....although at the same time she had bowed in her early 50s while Olivero's last recorded performance was at age 99.

[@elenapestereva900]

Какое служение искусству!! Браво!!!

[@user-pi6fe4gi4t]

Bravo!!!

[@shenr2549]

33:00 Ave Maria making me cry. What a beautiful interpretation!!!

[@themagdaoliveroarchives9199]

Listen to the rehearsal of the Ave Maria from that same concert, it's incredibly moving, as it becomes a deeply felt prayer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJWbk6F6ar6tmsU

[@shenr2549]

@@themagdaoliveroarchives9199 I agree! This is by far the best version of this Ave Maria. Thanks for posting. Exquisite singing

[@antoniogiusti9939]

IL SOMMO POETA AVREBBE DETTO : " TRASUMANAR PER VERBA NON SI PORIA!!!!! "

[@themagdaoliveroarchives9199]

Nemmeno la poesia di Dante ?

[@antoniogiusti9939]

@@themagdaoliveroarchives9199 non ho capito bene il Significato della vostra risposta.....nemmeno la poesia di Dante? Che vuol dire scusate!!!!

[@themagdaoliveroarchives9199]

​@@antoniogiusti9939 Ho capito che: "Trasumanar significar per verba non si poria" Esso reca una citazione da Paradiso di Dante. Elevarsi oltre i limiti della natura umana per attingere la natura divina (Non è cioè un fatto che si possa spiegare con parole.) A quell'idea applicata a Magda Olivero risposi: "Nemmeno la poesia di Dante ?" Non c'è niente di più di questo.