Oralia Dominguez as Amneris in the great Judgement Scene from the opera "Aida" Verdi. Roberto Silva is Ramfis. Conductor - Olivierro de Fabritiis. Mexico, 1951.
When I was a teenager in 1977, I had the incredible good fortune to see a matinee of Aida in Mexico City, with David Ramirez, Guillermina Higareda and ORALIA DOMINGUEZ. A full 26 years after the clip posted here, she delivered a performance that made the audience go absolutely crazy after this scene. It was like the roof was blown off the Palacio. Unfortunately, at 16 years old I was not really aware of who she was, but the Chilango crowd at the house sure knew. The love and admiration was unforgettable. And BTW Ramirez and Higareda were also fantastic!
Quite frankly I always feel generous when I complement others sharing studio or stage with Callas. This artist is simply and completely her own justification. She is never ever overshadowed even by Callas. An achievement in itself of legendary dimensions.
And to think of her singing this against the Aida of Maria Callas in Mexico in 1951!!!!! What a performance THAT must have been ------------ and with Mario del Monaco as Rhadames. Old timers in Mexico still talk about it.
Listen, Mister, I've got a lot on my plate right now to be afraid of, and just the idea of this gal going up against Miss Callas is much too scary for me. Now I'm going to have to look under my bed for boogeymen and then leave my bedroom light on all night. Thanks a lot, Mister, for teaching me some history. The idea of these two gals duking it out will disturb my sleep.
Many old friends of mine used to cry while remembering those performances. You could tell those singers could produce passion and fire in the audience! There is nothing like that anymore...
I believe you. I am sure that what you say is true, either in your case or someone else's. My late great- father-in-law heard Enrico Caruso sing at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. And I argued with him about it. Can you imagine? How dumb was I? It's hard to believe.
what a big, powerful voice!! such a impressive sound this woman has... a dark timbre and unabated impressive voice makes her a great Amneris ... grande e bravissima Oralia!!
Se me ha puesto la piel de gallina al escuchar esto, es magnifico! Cuando canta: "pieta, pieta"... estremece al publico que escuchamos atentos a estos gloriosos cantantes. Brava!
One of the really great mid 20th Century mezzos for Donizetti, Verdi, & Wagner. This excerpt seems to be from that 1951 AIDA with Callas from Mexico City. Dominguez was only in her mid 20’s here & perhaps is the best Amneris have yet to hear for a singer in this age group. I have this recording & although the sound quality compromises the artist’s performances somewhat, I have yet to hear a more exciting LIVE AIDA. Besides Dominguez there is also Callas’ splendidly indulgent moment at the end of the Triumphal scene as well as Del Monaco’s at the climax of Act 3. I remain a qualified admirer of the tenor’s work but here, in this moment, he surpasses all I have heard, even Corelli, in power & excitement & yes, in indulgence as well. There are moments in some operas where, I feel, this is justifiable if the singer has the goods to do it. A guilty pleasure. So be it.
Not forgetting Rossini, Saint-Saens, Bizet, Cilea and Monteverdi And I wouldn't simply say she's the best Amneris for her age group. This is the greatest Amneris on record.
Fabulous singing. So sad she did not have a better recording career as this great singers talent deserved to have been captured in more studio recordings, though her live recordings are undeniably exciting and appreciated.
Yeah, the only studio recording she's in that I'm aware of is Karajan's ring as Erda, of all things! There's a live Samson she did with Jon Vickers that's dynamite though
She also recorded La Cieca on Gardelli’s Gioconda with Tebaldi, Bergonzi, Merrill and a miscast Marilyn Horne, and for DG a recital album and an abridged recording of Carmen.
@@xxsaruman82xx87 Looked it up, and you are correct. Thanks for the clarification! All the better since we don't have to deal with a coughing audience. I'd also add that I've since come across a filmed performance of Dominguez as Preziosilla in Forza del Destino (full performance with Tebaldi and Corelli). Admittedly not one of my favorite operas, but it's a fun cameo and a chance to actually see her in action. I believe it's available on RUclips
Okay, Miss Dominguez, you win. You are the best Amneris ever. And I've heard one or two. Look, I am tired and I am sore, and I need to go to sleep. Please, Dear, don't keep singing that stuff. It will disturb my sleep. And I do, just by the way, enjoy how you can hit the high notes when you want to. Let's just leave it alone, okay? You are the best.
@ronald c That's what great technique does for you! But I think this performance is unequalled even by her. Callas and Dominguez brought out the fire in each other like no one else, before or since.
When I was a teenager in 1977, I had the incredible good fortune to see a matinee of Aida in Mexico City, with David Ramirez, Guillermina Higareda and ORALIA DOMINGUEZ. A full 26 years after the clip posted here, she delivered a performance that made the audience go absolutely crazy after this scene. It was like the roof was blown off the Palacio. Unfortunately, at 16 years old I was not really aware of who she was, but the Chilango crowd at the house sure knew. The love and admiration was unforgettable. And BTW Ramirez and Higareda were also fantastic!
she is the definitive Amneris.
the beginning of this scene had me absolutely floored when I first heard it years ago...it still gets me every time.
Quite frankly I always feel generous when I complement others sharing studio or stage with Callas. This artist is simply and completely her own justification. She is never ever overshadowed even by Callas. An achievement in itself of legendary dimensions.
And to think of her singing this against the Aida of Maria Callas in Mexico in 1951!!!!! What a performance THAT must have been ------------ and with Mario del Monaco as Rhadames. Old timers in Mexico still talk about it.
Larry Mitchell INDEED my friend. AYE Dios mio Arnold Bourbon Amaral
Larry Mitchell I have the c.d.!!wonderful!!!!!!!
Listen, Mister, I've got a lot on my plate right now to be afraid of, and just the idea of this gal going up against Miss Callas is much too scary for me.
Now I'm going to have to look under my bed for boogeymen and then leave my bedroom light on all night.
Thanks a lot, Mister, for teaching me some history. The idea of these two gals duking it out will disturb my sleep.
A "latecomer" to this magnificent singer's works......she is the finest Amneris I think I've ever heard......what a stupendous voice!
Oh and btw this was her role debut.
The greatest Judgement Scene ever recorded.
Many old friends of mine used to cry while remembering those performances. You could tell those singers could produce passion and fire in the audience! There is nothing like that anymore...
I believe you. I am sure that what you say is true, either in your case or someone else's. My late great- father-in-law heard Enrico Caruso sing at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. And I argued with him about it.
Can you imagine? How dumb was I? It's hard to believe.
what a big, powerful voice!! such a impressive sound this woman has... a dark timbre and unabated impressive voice makes her a great Amneris ...
grande e bravissima Oralia!!
This gave me chills the first time I heard it. Oralia Dominguez has a rock-solid, dramatic voice.
But she also sounds young - she sounds like the fierce young woman that Amneris is.
Qué buena era Domínguez. Qué jodidamente buena. La mejor.
The best Aida ever. And that's that.
Easily the most dramatic Amneris we're likely ever to hear!
Fabulous mezzo! Excellent vocally speaking for this role!
Please get over yourself , she is magnifique, wrong words and all
I know she is great, I think she sang the wrong words due to excitement for the role. Bravissima.
chosentenore She is the real thing. What else can you say, ☝🌏🌎🌍 Arnold Bourbon Amaral
Lino Anzoletti OH HUSH ☝!!
@@marie-clairegiraud3001 Not to mention this was her first time singing the role on stage.
Exciting but never vulgar, unlike some other mezzos
Se me ha puesto la piel de gallina al escuchar esto, es magnifico!
Cuando canta: "pieta, pieta"... estremece al publico que escuchamos atentos a estos gloriosos cantantes. Brava!
Absolutely visceral.
The best Amneris ever.
One of the really great mid 20th Century mezzos for Donizetti, Verdi, & Wagner. This excerpt seems to be from that 1951 AIDA with Callas from Mexico City. Dominguez was only in her mid 20’s here & perhaps is the best Amneris have yet to hear for a singer in this age group.
I have this recording & although the sound quality compromises the artist’s performances somewhat, I have yet to hear a more exciting LIVE AIDA.
Besides Dominguez there is also Callas’ splendidly indulgent moment at the end of the Triumphal scene as well as Del Monaco’s at the climax of Act 3. I remain a qualified admirer of the tenor’s work but here, in this moment, he surpasses all I have heard, even Corelli, in power & excitement & yes, in indulgence as well. There are moments in some operas where, I feel, this is justifiable if the singer has the goods to do it. A guilty pleasure. So be it.
Not forgetting Rossini, Saint-Saens, Bizet, Cilea and Monteverdi
And I wouldn't simply say she's the best Amneris for her age group. This is the greatest Amneris on record.
What a splendid Mezzo, superior to all those on the operatic stage now.
And then.
Searing, powerful, stupendous singing. Oh to have been there!
Bravissima! Davvero!!! 🤩❤👏
Stupenda!!!!!!!!!!!!
Que bueno que, por este medio, conozcamos parte de nuestra historia. Felicidades. Muy buena mezzosoprano.
Leoba Romero. Oralia!!la Mexicana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fabulous singing. So sad she did not have a better recording career as this great singers talent deserved to have been captured in more studio recordings, though her live recordings are undeniably exciting and appreciated.
Yeah, the only studio recording she's in that I'm aware of is Karajan's ring as Erda, of all things! There's a live Samson she did with Jon Vickers that's dynamite though
She also recorded La Cieca on Gardelli’s Gioconda with Tebaldi, Bergonzi, Merrill and a miscast Marilyn Horne, and for DG a recital album and an abridged recording of Carmen.
@@rossmerchant8435 That Samson is fabulous, but I believe it was a radio broadcast of a live concert performance. That's why the sound is so great.
@@xxsaruman82xx87 Looked it up, and you are correct. Thanks for the clarification! All the better since we don't have to deal with a coughing audience.
I'd also add that I've since come across a filmed performance of Dominguez as Preziosilla in Forza del Destino (full performance with Tebaldi and Corelli). Admittedly not one of my favorite operas, but it's a fun cameo and a chance to actually see her in action. I believe it's available on RUclips
@@rossmerchant8435 Yes. I love that performance of Forza!
Agreed. The definitive Amneris!
Okay, Miss Dominguez, you win.
You are the best Amneris ever.
And I've heard one or two.
Look, I am tired and I am sore, and I need to go to sleep.
Please, Dear, don't keep singing that stuff. It will disturb my sleep.
And I do, just by the way, enjoy how you can hit the high notes when you want to.
Let's just leave it alone, okay? You are the best.
STUPENDA..... ! Merci
OMG...
GREAT POST MY FRIEND. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SINCERELY ARNOLD BOURBON AMARAL
Grande cantora!
I am inloved in this voice and musicality! The orchestra should learn from her!
PapagenoHannover All wanna be mezzo soprano,s my friend. Arnold Bourbon Amaral 💥😱👴
Well, De Fabritiis is also a great conductor.
It's almost the fact that mezzo-soprano is the most beautiful human voice type.
She was 26 here. Think on that...
@ronald c That's what great technique does for you! But I think this performance is unequalled even by her. Callas and Dominguez brought out the fire in each other like no one else, before or since.
I dream of an all-Mexican Gilda Cruz-Romo - Oralia Dominguez Aida...
Oralia strepitosa, il coro da vomitare!
Che sciocchezze dici? Questo a causa della cattiva registrazione del tempo
a pity she screams at the end of the last note