Not the most difficult. The opening scena in Norma that includes the "Casta Diva" with two different recitatives and an incredibly difficult cabaletta is almost as long and much more difficult for several reasons. First, it is at the very beginning of a very long role but demands absolutely perfect singing of both recitatives and the two part aria. Second, it demands a voice the size of Brunnhilde with the capacity to sing Bellini's incredibly demanding long lines as well as properly interpret the very important recitatives that set the scene for the entire opera. Three, the vocal writing demands a Wagnerian size voice providing the most delicate of legato singing, the strongest of recitatives, and the coloratura technique of a great Italian soprano. At least one early 20th Century soprano [I cant remember who] said she would rather sing all three Brunnhilde's in an evening than one Norma. Even Nilsson, when asked why she had not attempted Norma, said that having the Casta Diva scene at the beginning would have meant she would have had to warm up her voice for three or four hours.
I am very sad that there is no full video/audio recording of the Ring in Paris available. I would very much like to hear Maestro Jordan's vision on such work and the Opéra de Paris is a guarantee of quality.
I usually find Stemme to be a mediocre interpreter who ;pushes her voice unnecessarliy. However, this is quite wonderful perhaps due to her comfort with the conductor who gives her great support at the key moments.
Nina Stemme is the Brunnehilde of the 21 century. Thank you, Maestra!
At least finally a singer with a real voice !! Great Brünnhilde! She is the only reason I hope that Gergiev will ever complete his Ring !
Gorgeous performance by Nina Stemme and awesome conducting by Philippe Jordan. Paris opera orchestra at his best.
Ughhhh! That whole passage in minute 13:54 gives me goose bumps everytime!! So beautiful!
Thank you. Nina Stemme is awesome.
SUPERBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MERCI!
This is the longest and most difficult of all operatic arias.
Not the most difficult. The opening scena in Norma that includes the "Casta Diva" with two different recitatives and an incredibly difficult cabaletta is almost as long and much more difficult for several reasons. First, it is at the very beginning of a very long role but demands absolutely perfect singing of both recitatives and the two part aria. Second, it demands a voice the size of Brunnhilde with the capacity to sing Bellini's incredibly demanding long lines as well as properly interpret the very important recitatives that set the scene for the entire opera. Three, the vocal writing demands a Wagnerian size voice providing the most delicate of legato singing, the strongest of recitatives, and the coloratura technique of a great Italian soprano. At least one early 20th Century soprano [I cant remember who] said she would rather sing all three Brunnhilde's in an evening than one Norma. Even Nilsson, when asked why she had not attempted Norma, said that having the Casta Diva scene at the beginning would have meant she would have had to warm up her voice for three or four hours.
Orgy of leitmotivs... I don't know, but this might be my new favorite recording.
Thanks for such a crisp upload!
I am very sad that there is no full video/audio recording of the Ring in Paris available. I would very much like to hear Maestro Jordan's vision on such work and the Opéra de Paris is a guarantee of quality.
17:47-19:10 The Last Judgement and final triumph over Satan
18:23
Die Wobble-Königin.
Stemme ist großartig. Konkurrenzlos als Brünnhilde. In our times!
Good, but she does not have the emphatic, dramatic heroism of Rita Hunter on the Goodall recording.
I usually find Stemme to be a mediocre interpreter who ;pushes her voice unnecessarliy. However, this is quite wonderful perhaps due to her comfort with the conductor who gives her great support at the key moments.
Wagner is God.
A superficially sensitive interpreter but not really involved. Much of the singing is ugly and none of it is beautiful.