Signore, ascolta - Leona Mitchell (Liu, Turandot)

[@carlosdossantos917]

As if Puccini wrote this specifically for her only moments before... this is art. This is the definition of a Diva. This performance is not to be seen or heard but simply to be felt. And if you're human, you understand.

[@BahamaWynters]

I come back here often; just for this. Enjoy your wonderful words of excellence for her. Thank you.

[@dennisokeefe9255]

Brilliantly put.

[@anthonydixon4636]

Yes!

[@charlesdotson4766]

Leona Mitchell owns this aria! It's some of the most beautiful, heartfelt and enchanting singing I've ever heard!

[@romearomeo]

Magnifica! Meravigliosa! Fantastica! Una tra le migliori interpretazioni della Liu.

[@MS-do6dy]

Magnifica! La migliore interpretazione che io abbia ascoltato. Unica. Brava!

[@afternoon.46]

È vero è tra pochissime che interpreta il ruolo di Liu sofferente e si trova in una situazione difficilissima ma deve prendere la decisione solamente per un vero Amore sincero senza il quale non vale la pena di vivere

[@rcury25]

The best “Signore Ascolta” in opera history..Great voice, nuances, interpretation, sweetness.

[@SW-wf3gy]

Agree!

[@anthonydixon8602]

Textbook honestly!

[@anthonydixon8602]

Well my textbook lol

[@octopusmime]

Watch her fabulous short documentary & interview on the black music archive!!!! She is an amazing talent !!! 💕💕💕💕 kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6KUqoKilJWAbZo

[@이형석-u1o]

YES

[@anthonydixon8602]

I honestly don’t care to hear any other. I respect anyone but this is the one for me.

[@charlesdotson4766]

Yes, it is "THE" definitive version of this aria!

[@draganvidic2039]

Her mastery of dynamic changes here is superb and this role demands a great piano singing. She also sings with heart and lovely musicality. One of the best renditions ever of this aria!

[@daphneiris8016]

Dragan Vidic 👍👍agree

[@charlesdotson4766]

In my opinion, Leona Mitchell is THE best Liu I've heard on record or video. Her singing comes from another dimension that allows heavenly sounds to transmit to the earthly realm.

[@mubaraksenju7521]

​@@charlesdotson4766 what about Anna Moffo? She's my fav!!

[@charlesdotson4766]

@@mubaraksenju7521 Anna Moffo is definitely one of the greatest operatic sopranos of our time!! Her recordings of "Ach ich fuhls" from The Magic Flute, the Rachmanioff vocalise, Love is where you find it, just to name a few are phenomenally unmatched 😊👍🏽!

[@dianaventura7999]

The most heart breaking Liu Mitchell is the most convincing Liu for me. I know many of you will say Caballe(one of my favorite). But Mitchell sings with so much passion. And look at her gestures. I am already crying. I think I've watch this scene at least 100 times. I bought the whole opera video with Domingo and Marton and love it. The costumes and set is magnificent! Mitchell is also sublime in Liu's death scene! WAY underrated great gorgeous voice! To me, she is the complete Liu. Also Scotto.

[@TheAleph74]

You are comparing two different calibers of voices here. Mitchell’s version is very generic

[@mubaraksenju7521]

Anna Moffo is my fav liu

[@liedersanger1]

Leontyne Price.

[@whitneymorrison854]

One of the best things I've heard in any genre anywhere. Thank you, Leona Mitchell!

[@charlesdotson4766]

Yes, Leona Mitchell is one the great sopranos of her generation and beyond. However, she is sometimes overlooked in certain circles, but this video is just one example of her vocal and artistic greatness throughout her 18 Seasons at the Metropolitan Opera!

[@carlospolo1346]

Esta es la demostración más completa y maravillosa a lo que todos preguntamos, que significa la dulzura, la pasión, el amor, la razón del alma.... Puccini supo muy bien que está sería su última ópera y mostró lo que un grande hace .. encantarnos a todos y ser un gran ser humano.

[@pilarcarrasco1002]

Liu es la verdad de turandot. El amor puro e incondicional.

[@Dylonely_9274]

One of my favorite arias.

[@Luciarella]

One of the best Liu ever.

[@RossyT80]

Leona Mitchell: tecnica discreta,ma una delle voci più BELLE che abbia sentito! Ha dei colori e delle sfumature meravigliose! La invidio! Ed in "Tu che di gel sei cinta" è ancora più brava!

[@道-p2e]

She is Liu, grand most beautiful Liu. Bravo!!

[@andreanicolodecandia1201]

Timbro stupendo. Adoro poi la scelta del suo pianto singhiozzato sul finale, dolcissima!

[@fredojoaquim4764]

Lovely, powerful. Perfectly sung and performed by Ms. Leona Mitchell.

[@johnpiwarski7121]

Well said I totally agree a beautiful performance I don't need to see another as I've witnessed and heard the best.

[@zriter59escritor33]

She was such a fine artist. AND a beautiful woman.

[@SW-wf3gy]

My favorite interpretation of Signore ascolta of all time!!! Majestic! Perfection!

[@anthonydixon4636]

Brava!! It’s her voice and emotion on this aria for me! Probably always will be!

[@DLJ2890]

This is the most beautiful recording of this aria ever. And live and beautiful acting

[@predickament]

So wonderful! I forget what a beautiful voice she had!

[@vocalfan2008]

Wow- I find this incredibly beautiful vocally, but also sung with a very real need- a drama inside the gorgeous vocal line. Montserrat's is stunning- but this has all the drama needed for the role.

[@billcarr54]

Yes, she sings with incredibly genuine feeling, I agree. Just gorgeous.

[@nickwyatt3243]

It has immense strength, too.

[@predickament]

I named my cat Kiri - they both brought me love and joy!

[@straightupethics]

Stunning. Heartbreaking. Pure beauty.

[@danbarthy3819]

She' s Brilliant !!! Bravaaa !!! 🌹👏

[@isabellac4973]

the best liu,never ever

[@smurf902]

Isn't she incredibly touching? She and Florence Quivar & Arroyo, very underrated. Mitchell is my favorite of them though. What a musician!

[@nickbigd]

I was fortunate enough as a young man to see this production/cast. At the time I was obsessed with a Caballe recording of this aria and didn't appreciate this live performance as much as I do now. A bygone era.

[@lyndaolivianwabudike8356]

Absolutely beautiful ❤

[@danafripp4120]

Yes. Yes. Yes. Understood and delivered as only La Divina could.

[@ArthurDiggs-r8l]

Madame Mitchell was one of the Great voices of the 80's 90's ! She still is divinely gifted and singing beautifully today!Check out her Casta Diva recorded at age 50 gorgeous!

[@philsterthephilster]

Perfection..

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

Bellísima Aria, magistral interpretación de Leona Mitchel..!!!!

[@ravinecab]

Magnifique. La voix les nuances...

[@puccinifan84]

I love that voice

[@neiln4478]

Incredible, the best i've heard, along with Caballe,,,,

[@vettegaddia6234]

Neil N Better than Caballe if you talk about dynamics and emotions.

[@mubaraksenju7521]

Until you listen to Anna Moffo...

[@dawnadriennetaylor970]

Exquisite, superb and transporting to Coleridge's suspension of disbelief - only to be shattered by the ignorant applause so loathed by Callas and other fine actors who have to hold the character until the trained seals stop. Please allow people to remain absorbed and save the appreciation until the end.

[@dianaventura7999]

Gorgeous, amazing, heart-breaking performance. She upstaged Domingo and Marton imo.

[@SoLNaTaL555]

She absolutely did.

[@cdivo39]

That's how its done! Perfection!

[@astridhilting5315]

I know almost nothing of opera, but this song really goes straight to the heart. I have listened to several versions and this is the best I think

[@mubaraksenju7521]

Have a try on Anna Moffo's Liu..

[@CalificadorCultural]

Maravilloso!!!! Hermoso!!!!!

[@melehi]

Hails from my state of Oklahoma. One of the greats.

[@danafripp4120]

You couldn't ask for a greater Liù than Leona Mitchell. She stole the entire evening away.

[@shodanart]

A lovely Liú, tender pianissimos restrained perfectly from her spinto lyrical voice shows the restraint of heartfelt poignancy! ❤💔

[@lwhitman57]

I'm embarrassed . . . I am an opera fan, but I definitely don't have a deep knowledge of it. I had heard the name Leona Mitchell but was not familiar with her work. That is, I wasn't until I saw her perform right here in Tulsa, OK just last week! She's even an Oklahoma native! How could I have not known of her?! Her performance last week was stunning, and I am a solid fan now!

[@detectivefiction3701]

There's another DVD performance of hers I highly recommend: Verdi's ERNANI from 1983 at the Met; she starred with Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, and Ruggero Raimondi.

[@fredojoaquim4764]

Emotional aria, full of sentiments and nostalgic of memories.

[@wm.traynor1143]

Very pleased to have found this aria again😊and from the former Bernado Kim, I suspect. Thank you very much for providing this service👏👏👏

[@임준규-y4o]

Liu, the best action and voice. I love it

[@dennisokeefe9255]

So beautiful and moving.

[@matzek.9119]

Unbelievable Voice! I like this staging!

[@mikaylasager7217]

Wow. Unbelievably perfect.

[@rma8983]

wonderful! sublime.

[@azaefatal949]

The voice makes me happy now 👏

[@MrMadscotsman]

Gorgeous.

[@BahamaWynters]

This 2:55 version is sadly lacking the bravado and kudos she received after. The audience was screaming, there were cheers of "Bravo" that rang out more than once and since it was early in the opera, the response was absolutely magnificent. It went on for quite awhile.. Honestly, worth the DVD price--$10.

[@janetjacksontylerlummer6828]

Ransom , check out her story on BLACK OPERA she tells it all. She is my favorite singer in the world to perform Liu. Just outstanding.

[@vegtamvanderveg]

I never heard anything so beautiful

[@charlesbrown1934]

Simply superb.

[@detectivefiction3701]

I have GOT to get this DVD, if only for Leona Mitchell's performance.

[@siyabonga1000]

Superb!

[@ippolitos22]

this is so beautiful

[@Sir.Larselot]

It's simply wonderful. Warm, with lots of soul, very fine dynamics. I have to notice that Barbara Frittoli was also a remarkable Liu, but Mrs. Mitchell is maybe the ideal in this role.

[@mubaraksenju7521]

Barbara Frittoli was my fav, but then I heard Anna Moffo, and I fell in love with her. She's the best Liu imho. Dont get me wrong. All of the Lius, caballe, mitchell, etc are genius and what they all produce is just pure art that touches soul. Just Anna Moffo's liu is on another level!

[@Sir.Larselot]

@@mubaraksenju7521 , thanks for your opinion. It's a question of personal taste of course. I don't get very warm with the voice of Anna Moffo, just for the fast vibrato. That doesn't change anything on the fact, that she was a great soprano. But i totally agree with your first words- Barbara Frittoli is my personal favorite in this role 😊

[@ahkedra]

Meraviglioso! We are truly blessed to be able to listen to such inspired performances.

[@SteveL2012]

Absolutely stunning.

[@Comunidadviolinistas]

Gracias!

[@matildabawden1]

Magnificent!

[@LCM717]

Incredible❤❤❤

[@iandoro8512]

sublime

[@AnthonyBanksCountertenor]

Just so good 😍

[@amesavis]

you would think she would have a booming moose voice but no, fantastic intonation, a surprising crystalline piano and sung with such soul to bring a cynic to tears

[@lineka1]

why would you think this?

[@mantova390]

Nessuno commenta la trama d'un 'opera immortale ......

[@boricuamuzik]

Looking forward to her recital next week!!!!

[@puccini4530]

Perfect, just perfect.

[@luisnorbertogomez7058]

Maravillosa

[@foropera]

One of the greats. I saw her marvellous Liù in Paris facing Caballé. Then in Mimi in Bohème, a bit less striking. And in Mefistofele with Ramey. There her voice could fill the hall completely and with such a sumptuous tone.

[@DLJ2890]

STUNNING!

[@yaaharriott]

Beautiful!

[@tanguemaxime4706]

Mon préféré du Turandot.

[@pierrebarisain-monrose5231]

Splendide

[@divox9pqr]

Not dry eye in this house after such beautiful sounds and characterization.

[@unotenore]

Lovely!

[@chuck4fve]

First class.

[@silvanagraziani7671]

Commovente

[@alwaysnew189]

perfection

[@vettegaddia6234]

+SexyGaxy BEYOND PERFECTION. IT RIPS MY HEART OUT!

[@gerriedeharder9409]

Beautiful!!!!!

[@tamaratamaral2552]

maravillosa Turandot

[@Rodrigodbf]

The best Liù... EVER...

[@lindam.lasley5049]

I also inside you enjoyed the aria , Dr. Tapanes thank you.

[@jeremyraglin8170]

Beautiful ❤️❤️

[@margueritelouiset2645]

Wow !

[@romalisan1]

Amazing. Great goddesses as she is, Callas or Caballé should not be compared but worshipped.

[@isaballaserrano4991]

Maravilhosa 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@metallicbond6325]

普契尼《杜蘭朵公主》 抒情女高音 Liu (柳兒) ： ”Signore, ascolta!” (主人請聽我說)

[@giorgioduse7203]

BRAVISSIMA

[@GIAMI180]

❤❤❤❤❤❤ wonderful

[@ransomcoates546]

What’s her story? Every time I hear her I wonder why she didn’t have a bigger career.

[@alleviation91]

She shot her voice up in the 90s singing endless Aidas, Leonoras (Forza, I don't know if she sang Trovatore), and even the occasional Turandot (yes, I know). Beautiful voice, big voice, but not quite a dramatic voice.

[@charlesdotson4766]

Leona did NOT "Shot" her voice up in the 90s. There are many recordings right here on KZbin of her singing as recent as last year. She still sings beautifully at 72. Please watch Black Opera channel with Kenneth Overton, and listen to the interview he did with her back in February of this year. There are also many recital and concert recordings of her on You Tube from the last 10 years that are fantastic including her magnificent rendition of Marietta's Lied and Salce salce Ave Maria from Otello.

[@ransomcoates546]

@@charlesdotson4766 I just saw that interview and remained somewhat puzzled at what she thought about her career never reaching the heights. I don’t think she was trying to make it into a race question - she even said she was tired of being taken for Kathleen Battle. No love lost for Aprile Millo, for sure, but she could hardly claim that Price’s successor had to be Black. She seemed to believe in a ‘deep state’ conspiracy against her in the profession, but on what grounds was never made clear. (And is it legal to fire someone because a sibling has become notorious?) I wish she had just come out and said what she meant.

[@cammeron16]

@@ransomcoates546 I believe she was quite clear that speaking up/out about the lack of progress for Black Male Opera singers led to her being blacklisted in the industry (mainly United States). Seems like a string of unfortunate events then followed thus, allowing for legitimate seeming excuses. I hope that clarifies.

[@ransomcoates546]

@@cammeron16 It’s true, isn’t it. In her day there were several A-A divas, but then George Shirley and not much more.

[@MercedesTAMARALEMPICKA1234]

e encanta

[@lindam.lasley5049]

I am still inside of you as I always will, I love you so.

[@jarrodleeopera]

Omg!!! :) yeeees!!

[@chengjingwang]

🎉🎉🎉

[@Telfia]

This is the song that Freddie Mercury was listening in the movie while calling Mary on phone.