Marisa Galvany - Verdi: LA TRAVIATA, Sempre libera, New York 1974, High E-flat

THE SONGBIRD: Born Myra Beth Genis in New Jersey in 1936, Marisa Galvany made her professional operatic debut at the Seattle Opera in 1968 as Tosca. The following year, she portrayed the title role in Mayr's "Medea in Corinto" in New York City, which was recorded for Vanguard. She joined the roster of the New York City Opera in 1972 and sang there through 1983, mostly in dramatic and florid roles: Abigaille, Gilda, Violetta, Odabella, Anna Bolena, Elisabetta in "Maria Stuarda," Lady MacBeth, and Cherubini's Médée. In 1979 she made her debut at The Met as Norma, as the cover for an indisposed Shirley Verrett. Other roles included Aida and Amneris, Massenet's and Strauss's Salome, Rachel, Ortrud, Carmen, and Turandot. Internationally she sang in Mexico City, Frankfurt, Warsaw, Prague, Belgrade, Brazil, and Venezuela.
THE MUSIC: Verdi's "La traviata" is the most popular opera in the world. According to Operabase statistics (www.operabase...., since 1996 it's had 3,805 productions, more than any other opera. It was not a success at its premiere in Venice in 1853, due to the audience reactions to the singers, however productions in the following few years began to take hold (Madrid, Vienna, London, New York, and in a French translation in Paris) and this masterpiece been a part of the core repertoire ever since. Violetta, the principal soprano role and title character is a long, very challenging and rewarding role with consistently brilliant music and a compelling story arc. Her multipart aria at the end of Act One begins with an introspective recitative that segues into an intimate and probing aria "Ah fors'e lui" where she ponders her burgeoning attraction to Alfredo and what their life together might be like. She stops herself cold when she realizes such a domestic life would be against her nature, and her fate, and in the highly florid cabaletta "Sempre libera" vows to continue living in the carefree lifestyle of a courtesan.

[@georgemeiser3231]

No one brings more excitement to Opera than Galvany. She is my number one favorite.

[@davidhansel4198]

Marisa Galvany was (like Gencer, Stapp, and Soviero among others) the quintessential pirate queen: an exciting, risk-taking singer who never had much of a commercial recording career (if any) and whose live recordings are treasured by their fans. Galvany's many interpolated high notes are always thrilling. Opera Depot has quite a few of her recordings, including the Traviata from which this performance was taken.

[@artdanks4846]

BRAVA, LA GALVANY!! First time I ever heard her was live, back in the 70's (I think it was 1974), as Tosca, with the San Diego Opera. She was awesome!! Such an underrated singer and artist! To me, she was almost a natural successor of La Callas, as a rare Soprano Assoluta!!

[@hermajesty52]

Discovered this exciting artist many years ago via Charlie Handelman of Opera Fanatic!!!

[@mesamies123]

Excellent! ❤

[@harpguy18]

She is such an underrated singer!

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

A real Falcon!