American Soprano Geraldine Farrar: Midnight Bells ~ Im chambre séparée (1927)
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- American soprano Geraldine Farrar (1882-1967) / Midnight Bells (Im chambre séparée) / The Opera Ball (Der Opernball) / Heuberger; Kreisler) / Recorded: January 13, 1927 / (one of Farrar's unpublished electricals)
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This delight - so wonderfully recorded - brings us face to face with one of the great operatic stars of the early 20th century. As followers of this and similar RUclips channels know, Geraldine Farrar made many recordings by the acoustic process. Along with the majority of sopranos of that period who also did so, her voice was not at all well captured by that recording process. The acoustic process recordings give us a clear idea of how these renowned artists SANG, but in many cases, we are given only a glimpse of the quality of their VOICES. To me, this precious electrical recording of Farrar sounds little or nothing like her many acoustic recordings, which obviously do not do her glorious voice justice. Instead to me this precious recording demonstrates clearly why she was so great an operatic star. Thank you Doug!
Not unlike a lifting of the veil. Thank YOU, Michael!
Recording techniques significantly improved during the 1920s. This was recorded in 1927 so really showed off the full splendour of her voice as compared to her pre WW1 recordings.
These are absolutely wonderful. That Bb near the end is clear as a bell, and powerful! If we could imagine Caruso having lived to an age sufficient to do somethihng like this, , he and Farrar could show us--always allowing for age and a relatively healthy voice, of course--pretty much what the golden age audiences heard when they went to the Met. What a time machine that would be!
WOW!!!! The voice is so light yet so substantial. Classic tune too.
What a pure natural beautiful voice with warmth and passion
A record of great charm and "presence." By this time, Farrar had pretty much retired from public performance and was giving only sporadic concerts, but there was a great deal of voice left. I don't think she ever passed any of her electrical recordings for publication which was a great shame. Thanks so much for making this available!
Farrar was so beautiful and musical! Thanks for posting!
Absolutely charming.
Very nice Doug!
Marston has released all of her electric discs from original test pressings. Only 5 of her electrics were released on IRCC as pressings from the original masters. The other IRCC discs, including Midnight Bells, were all re-recorded from her own copies of Victor test pressings. Ward Marston was able to get almost ALL of her own test pressings to use for transfer to his CD, which also includes her Bell Lab tests from 1932. I agree with everyone who thinks Midnight Bells is her best electric. She remains the prima donna assoluta of the Met, having sung more lead roles than any other soprano. Close behind is Lucrezia Bori.
Agreed; and a mind at work... A clever and beautiful woman
Thanks for posting this!
It is indeed great, wonderful to have these Farrar electricals, which again went unpublished until IRCC. Regarding Caruso, about all we can do is wonder... and sigh!
Many thanks... All Best!
Morning Ginny!
Thank you.... very, very much!
Doug --
PS: How's the snow your way? We're buried!
Deliciosa, sublime, que pureza de tono, y daba las notas altas sin esforzarse. lástima que la descubrí un poco tarde ! Y además que bella mujer !
She was so great. This is balanced registration. Listen to how much darker (in the right way) she sings the top notes. Chiaroscuro.
Though pretty she was.... thanks!
What a lovely and warm voice! and she looks like a doll!
Video is really nicely made, too.
Thank you Daug for another wonderful post
Best regards
Satoko
A wonderful disc. You can actually hear the bloom and vibrancy of a great soprano voice - just as you can by listening to Melba’s few electrics, recorded in 1926. Shows what is missing in the acoustics! It’s interesting, too, to compare acoustic and electrical recordings of this artists like Ponselle, Galli-Curci and Muzio - all of whom made plenty of both
a nice choice of aria :3
Very odd, that these electrical recordings of such a popular artist as Ms Farrar have remained unpublished for so many years.
The concurrent popularity of Fritz Kreisler and his music also might have promoted good sales of this record at least, and it was still a few years before the Great Depression in effect brought down the fire curtain on record sales. Perhaps the artisty herself would not authorise release of her electrical recordings.
how charming.
WOW, Geraldine Farrar, Wonderful voice and beautiful pictures, thank you so much for fantastic performance!!!
HAUNTINGLY beautiful song and singer. A perfect combination. This offering has been added to my list of favorites. Sincere thanks for this treasure.
DOUG ~
As always, an exquisite video in every detail ~ visually & vocally!
~ ANDY
Simply marvelous!
Such beauty and talent. Miss Farrar was one fabulous woman! Thank you!
AWESOME! Thanks for sharing this one Doug!
In "The Parade's Gone By", a fine book on Silent Film by author Kevin Brownlow, he writes while interviewing Farrar that she was very helpful, friendly, down to Earth, without the auteur of a great diva.
Hi Dito:
Thank YOU... most welcome!
And thanks once again for the Vano Saradjishvilii!
Doug --
MANY thanks for this posting. I never knew this recording existed. What a treat to get to hear it! Thanks again!
Doug your transfer of this is just perfect! Thanks!
Thank YOU, Jeffrey! (done years ago... from the IRCC rr)
Such a heavenly beautiful voice and a Goddess-like beautiful lady. Much respect to you Madame Geraldine :)
Aside from the IRCC, was this also on EJS?
Thanks!
Doug --
Wow!
Thank YOU, Lloyd!
Cheers, etc.
Doug --
Most welcome!
Not (just) a pretty face
Delicious. She was only in her mid forties. Absolute security on top...no jockeying for position. Lili Lehman did a good job.
Farrar must have been a joy in the theater.