I saw her as Leonora in the Met’s dreadful production (1987-88) with Pavarotti and Verrett. They were all still in great form! Sutherland was 60+, and yet her tone and agility remained legendary.
Were it not for some hooty and somewhat dry notes in her lower-middle register that here and there kind of mar the magic, this would've been a nearly flawless performance. Her higher middle register and of course her high register sound very thick, brilliant and lush, still with a very beautiful and fresh tone, and her musicality is superb.
I especially love the expansive phrasing - all of it floating on a seemingly inexhaustible cushion of air.
And think that initially this was one of Joan's problems or fears... maintaining legato in the long Bellinian and Donnizettian lines
Her high notes and thrills unmatched!
I saw her as Leonora in the Met’s dreadful production (1987-88) with Pavarotti and Verrett. They were all still in great form! Sutherland was 60+, and yet her tone and agility remained legendary.
Stupenda
Bravíssimo, great Dane Joan Sutherland...what a voice...
Were it not for some hooty and somewhat dry notes in her lower-middle register that here and there kind of mar the magic, this would've been a nearly flawless performance. Her higher middle register and of course her high register sound very thick, brilliant and lush, still with a very beautiful and fresh tone, and her musicality is superb.
05:43 Sounds like Bonynge's doing. Did he think he could improve Verdi's work? Tasteless crap.
I think he made that dress, too, 😂, green being his favorite color.
I think the ornaments she interpolated are from the French version. There is a recording from 1912 which can be heard on RUclips. Le Trouvere.
Bonynge knew what he was doing