”It was my very great fortune to sing with Virginia Zeani in my first performances outside Italy. The first was in December of 1961 in Belgrade, and it was my first 'La Traviata'. In January of 1963, I appeared with her in my first 'Lucia di Lammermoor', this being in Amsterdam. It was an extraordinary experience for me to sing these two operas with Virginia Zeani, as these were two of her famous roles; and as you may realize, I learned very much from her intensity and commitment to her art, as well as from her great musicality. I sang with Virginia with great pleasure after this, but to have sung these two works with her for the first time was of course an incredible experience for me. Virginia Zeani has always held the highest artistic and musical standards during her long and very distinguished career.” - Luciano Pavarotti (1992)
Did she sing this at the Stoll theatre in 1957? if so it was my first exposure to a live opera, I was not yet 10 and was asked to stop wriggling by the man behind us, it was wonderful!
+Stella Mason Great comment! Yes Mme Zeani did indeed sing Violetta in the Stoll Theatre in 1957 and also Lucia di Lammermoor in a highly acclaimed performance. You were very fortunate to hear her. The performance I attended was at the end of the season and unfortunately she had been replaced, but I heard her at Covent Garden in 1960 and 1962. Yes, she was marvellous. Happily she is still teaching from her home in Florida and is now 90 years old.
@CharlotteinWeimar thank you for all these amazing posts and for allowing me to experience the beautiful singing and artistry of this legendary artist
Violetta was not a savant ,she was a curtesane.Virginia Zeaniis not a copier of Callas,she is more human and empatic woman.She plays this role on 648 on the stage.
We talk about Virginia Zeani at past because she died at 20.03.2023 at 97 age.She was an idol for me and support in unhappy moments.Virginia Zeani,was most beautiful voice of xx century ; unfortunately she lives in same time with two divas more "vocals".She was a stunning soprano, mother, wife and a very beautiful women. RIP Virginia!
”It was my very great fortune to sing with Virginia Zeani in my first performances outside Italy. The first was in December of 1961 in Belgrade, and it was my first 'La Traviata'. In January of 1963, I appeared with her in my first 'Lucia di Lammermoor', this being in Amsterdam. It was an extraordinary experience for me to sing these two operas with Virginia Zeani, as these were two of her famous roles; and as you may realize, I learned very much from her intensity and commitment to her art, as well as from her great musicality.
I sang with Virginia with great pleasure after this, but to have sung these two works with her for the first time was of course an incredible experience for me. Virginia Zeani has always held the highest artistic and musical standards during her long and very distinguished career.” - Luciano Pavarotti (1992)
Virginia Zeani is one of the evergreats!
La Zeani è semplicemente Meravigliosa-Magnifica-Sublime!
il maestro d'orchestra aveva tanta fretta che il ristorante non chiudesse le porte...
il suo timbro vocale è assolutamente speciale . L'agilità e la sua buonissima pronunzia sono il suo punto forte. è una grandissima artista.
iubesc această voce!
Zeani is incredible. I have been enjoying opera for many many years and never had the joy of hearing her. What a treat!!!!
Thank you for this wonderful experience!
Best ever
Violetta magnifica
Insuperabile la disperata Violetta offertaci dall'Assoluta Virginia Zeani!
😢rest in peace 🙏 😢
The nerves on stage match the frenetic setting, too!!
Did she sing this at the Stoll theatre in 1957? if so it was my first exposure to a live opera, I was not yet 10 and was asked to stop wriggling by the man behind us, it was wonderful!
+Stella Mason Great comment! Yes Mme Zeani did indeed sing Violetta in the Stoll Theatre in 1957 and also Lucia di Lammermoor in a highly acclaimed performance. You were very fortunate to hear her. The performance I attended was at the end of the season and unfortunately she had been replaced, but I heard her at Covent Garden in 1960 and 1962. Yes, she was marvellous. Happily she is still teaching from her home in Florida and is now 90 years old.
@CharlotteinWeimar thank you for all these amazing posts and for allowing me to experience the beautiful singing and artistry of this legendary artist
🤩❤💫SUBLIME!
Why the Royal Opera did not extend further invitations to her beats me… their loss!
They did...
@@iestynovich they didn’t. She only sang one performance of La Traviata, replacing Sutherland or Scotto… which is such a pity!
She had it. L'accento.
Dans la lignée de Callas ! Magnifique contre mi bémol ,peut un peu moins précise sur les staccatti .
The best Violetta ever?
None better!
I think so.
Yes,the best Violetta ever.
Sublime, oui si l'on veut, mais un brin vulgaire bien qu'elle s'ingénie à copier Callas...
Hardly vulgar
Well if one reads Verdi's letters... Violetta was not exactly a nun.
Violetta was not a savant ,she was a curtesane.Virginia Zeaniis not a copier of Callas,she is more human and empatic woman.She plays this role on 648 on the stage.
Zeani did not copy anyone
We talk about Virginia Zeani at past because she died at 20.03.2023 at 97 age.She was an idol for me and support in unhappy moments.Virginia Zeani,was most beautiful voice of xx century ; unfortunately she lives in same time with two divas more "vocals".She was a stunning soprano, mother, wife and a very beautiful women. RIP Virginia!
Fantastica Zeani!