The confidence of Ewa Podles when walking onto the stage is mesmerizing! She walked onto the stage as if she owned it (and for these 13 minutes, she did!).
Well, whatever she did in that performance worked for her and for the performance as a whole. I'm not a singing expert, but I do fluently speak a few languages, and I can only imagine how hard it can be for non-native singers to sing in a language that is not their own. From my own linguistic experience, speaking (let alone singing) in another language that has differing dictions and cadences than my own, is difficult. As a result, I'm not a critic when it comes to singing in a language (unless I completely do not understand what is being sung - I mean, put forth some effort); when I listen to people sing, I listen for as long as my ears can deal with it. There are some opera singers (and singers in general) I just will not listen to because they hurt my ears. Ewa and Patricia do not fall into that camp.
smmurden Of course you are entitled to like whatever you want. Ewa Podles is a fantastic performer and vocalist. Personally, as I am a singing expert I expect from an internationally famous singer nowadays not to do very basic diction mistakes when singing in another language. I know it's hard, nevertheless it's a singer's duty. Of course you cannot expect perfection from a non native singers singing in another languages, but some mistakes are too evident for a singer of her caliber, especially in a realistic opera by Puccini like this, where words are so intrinsic part of the music and action. And she is so effective both vocally and as an interpreter/actress as the Aunt, that it's for me a pity that she overlooked the important aspect of diction.
Misses Racette and Podles brought power and passion to their vocal and dramatic characterizations of Sister Angelica and the Princess. Ms. Podles's performance of the Princess's aria brought her some richly-deserved applause.
Когда только начала смотреть, не понравилось - темп слишком медленный, контральто слишком заглубленное, сопрано визгливое... Но прослушав минут пять, обнаружила, что оторваться не могу. Потрясающая актерская игра! И внезапно слишком глубокое звучание контральто и визгливое сопрано перестали раздражать. Закончила вообще в слезах.
The set and scenery are also excellent and thoughtfully chosen: the clean, sterile and cold steel, the fluorescent lights cutting through the cold darkness, the cool blue and silver colours, the emptiness -- there is no warmth here at all. It is a place of stillness and coldness, and indeed one of penitence.
Perfect casting. Eva Podles is formidable and imposing both physically and vocally and the perfect foil for the imposed piety and humilty of Angelica. The tragedy here is palpable.
There could hardly have been better vocal and interpretive fits for these two roles (Angelica and Zia Principessa) than Racette and Podles respectively. They are both amazing in this performance.
Too bad there's always someone coughing during the silent parts. But I saw this on PBS and may I say it was the most moving performance of this opera I have seen.
What a horrible aunty still makes her sign the form after she just witnessed her neice break down over the loss of her son. But yes wonderful performance this is why I love opera it brings out different emotions and makes you think about the story and feel intensely what the characters feel.
Per la Zia Principessa è assolutamente indispensabile il Contralto, del resto prescritto da Puccini. Questa scena è completamente falsificata se eseguita da un Mezzosoprano. Ewa Podles è perfetta, per voce, psicologia, e scenicamente.
Ewa Podles's voice is clearly unique and although I am fascinated by it, it perplexes me at the same time. I hear a voice which manufactures each note separately instead of a homogeneous legato. Hence, her uniqueness is also odd and contrary to traditional concepts of beautiful singing. Nevertheless, she is a champion of Rossini's music with her wide vocal range and precise coloratura.
Podles is fantastic! But after all these years couldn't someone tech her once for all when to roll an "R" and when to flip it?? Come on, this is Italian opera!!
Ha ha! I sympathize. Some of it must sound dreadful to you. But don't you feel like you're pissing in the wind a bit, given this problemk opera wide. I mean Joan Sutherland's Australian-Italian was painful even to my ear and Beverley Sill's Traviata in Brooklyn-Italian break me up everyu time. But then you should hear the converse: Italians singing Benjamin Britten. .....
Hay que oir a Kirsten Thorborg en Erda para saber cómo suena una verdadera contralto,natural,no forzada,sin horribles golpes de glotis y sin esa voz cavernosa que haría odiar la ópera a quien escuchara por primera vez.
First, there is no need to insult me. Second, I know better than you for obvious reasons, and the fact that she is a seasoned singer doesn't make her immune to mistakes. She is fantastic, but she makes basic diction mistakes. Third, the fact that the "R" is the same in Polish and in Italian doesn't mean that you can flip it or roll it as you want. There are diction rules which she doesn't respect, and exactly for being a VERY seasoned singer this is a bigger mistake.
Now THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is straight-up 'voce di petto'. Awesome!!!
Wielka Polska śpiewaczka. Браво Эва!)
Un vero contralto una rarità e quanto è brava!
So sad 😢 that Ewa is no longer with us. Such a powerful performer. Patricia Racette is wonderful as well 😊
I was at this. This is the fantastic triple triumph of Patricia Racette in il Trittico. Podles is a force of nature.
Великолепная Эва, какая игра и вокал 💐💐💐💐💕❤️
I attended this production at the SF Opera. It was amazing. Ewy Podles voice was overwhelming. So rich - like dark chocolate cake!!
this is simply stunning....this voice is one of a million.....
And her absolute brilliance as an actress.
The confidence of Ewa Podles when walking onto the stage is mesmerizing! She walked onto the stage as if she owned it (and for these 13 minutes, she did!).
+smmurden I wish someone would have coached her Italian....
+stefanodepeppo I'm not a native speaker of Italian, but I understand her just fine (I speak Spanish and French).
smmurden I am sure you can understand her. That doesn't take away the fact she has a bad Italian diction
Well, whatever she did in that performance worked for her and for the performance as a whole. I'm not a singing expert, but I do fluently speak a few languages, and I can only imagine how hard it can be for non-native singers to sing in a language that is not their own. From my own linguistic experience, speaking (let alone singing) in another language that has differing dictions and cadences than my own, is difficult. As a result, I'm not a critic when it comes to singing in a language (unless I completely do not understand what is being sung - I mean, put forth some effort); when I listen to people sing, I listen for as long as my ears can deal with it. There are some opera singers (and singers in general) I just will not listen to because they hurt my ears. Ewa and Patricia do not fall into that camp.
smmurden Of course you are entitled to like whatever you want. Ewa Podles is a fantastic performer and vocalist. Personally, as I am a singing expert I expect from an internationally famous singer nowadays not to do very basic diction mistakes when singing in another language. I know it's hard, nevertheless it's a singer's duty. Of course you cannot expect perfection from a non native singers singing in another languages, but some mistakes are too evident for a singer of her caliber, especially in a realistic opera by Puccini like this, where words are so intrinsic part of the music and action. And she is so effective both vocally and as an interpreter/actress as the Aunt, that it's for me a pity that she overlooked the important aspect of diction.
There is no voice on earth that is more beautiful than this!
What INCREDIBLE performances! They are absolutely living, breathing, embodying those characters. And the singing!!!
They are amazing! I am just 23 years old and discovering it!
I have seen this seen many many times--but never like this. Absolutely breathtaking in every way.
Misses Racette and Podles brought power and passion to their vocal and dramatic characterizations of Sister Angelica and the Princess. Ms. Podles's performance of the Princess's aria brought her some richly-deserved applause.
Superlativa,grandissima la Zia Principessa della Podles: timbro di autentico contralto e fraseggio di mirabile intensità espressiva.
Extraordinary Ewa Podles!
sono un ignorante, ma questa messa in scena mi ha emozionato
As monstrous aunties go this one earns a medal....................Ewa is glorious in the role
Когда только начала смотреть, не понравилось - темп слишком медленный, контральто слишком заглубленное, сопрано визгливое... Но прослушав минут пять, обнаружила, что оторваться не могу. Потрясающая актерская игра! И внезапно слишком глубокое звучание контральто и визгливое сопрано перестали раздражать. Закончила вообще в слезах.
The set and scenery are also excellent and thoughtfully chosen: the clean, sterile and cold steel, the fluorescent lights cutting through the cold darkness, the cool blue and silver colours, the emptiness -- there is no warmth here at all. It is a place of stillness and coldness, and indeed one of penitence.
Perfect casting. Eva Podles is formidable and imposing both physically and vocally and the perfect foil for the imposed piety and humilty of Angelica. The tragedy here is palpable.
una contralto impresionante
A power voice of Mrs. Podles ❤👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Ewa Podles, Bella y poderosa voz, pero por sobre todo una gran artista y una gran interpretación
Glorious singer. Brava!!!!!!
There could hardly have been better vocal and interpretive fits for these two roles (Angelica and Zia Principessa) than Racette and Podles respectively. They are both amazing in this performance.
Homoclassicus There was. Renata Scotto as Angélica
It's a wonder Angelica's veil wasn't blown clear off her head with a powerhouse like Ewa's singing at point-blank range. What a voice!
Great Powdles !!!❤
The truest legend - contralto assoluto !!!
Сопрано много, а такой контральто - один в мире, браво Польша, браво Подлещ!
Outstanding!
We love you Ewa!
Stuning!
Che contralto !!!
C'è qualcuna come lei ? Oggi ?
E l'interpretazione è favolosa
Too bad there's always someone coughing during the silent parts. But I saw this on PBS and may I say it was the most moving performance of this opera I have seen.
che voce!!
i “FILI” il patrimonio di “FAMILIA” 😅😅😅😅 a parte gli scherzi, la sua voce è una vera rarità.
I am crying...
Podles superb. Racette scream :(
What a horrible aunty still makes her sign the form after she just witnessed her neice break down over the loss of her son.
But yes wonderful performance this is why I love opera it brings out different emotions and makes you think about the story and feel intensely what the characters feel.
Can you do a video on Blithely Oratino the drag king tenor??? I saw him as Don Jose in Chicago a few years ago and I was floored.
Rest in peace, Ms. Podles.
Can I watch the whole performance somewhere? Does anyone have any link?
Ewa podles... la amo
Per la Zia Principessa è assolutamente indispensabile il Contralto, del resto prescritto da Puccini. Questa scena è completamente falsificata se eseguita da un Mezzosoprano. Ewa Podles è perfetta, per voce, psicologia, e scenicamente.
Wow!
3:29, Vostra sorella
5:26, nel silenzio
Ewa Podles's voice is clearly unique and although I am fascinated by it, it perplexes me at the same time. I hear a voice which manufactures each note separately instead of a homogeneous legato. Hence, her uniqueness is also odd and contrary to traditional concepts of beautiful singing. Nevertheless, she is a champion of Rossini's music with her wide vocal range and precise coloratura.
Gola pura
I wish I could, she would be excellent in Italian :)
Mah,... Di Podles non si capisce una mazza, per fortuna ci sono i sottotitoli.
Podles is fantastic! But after all these years couldn't someone tech her once for all when to roll an "R" and when to flip it?? Come on, this is Italian opera!!
Ha ha! I sympathize. Some of it must sound dreadful to you. But don't you feel like you're pissing in the wind a bit, given this problemk opera wide. I mean Joan Sutherland's Australian-Italian was painful even to my ear and Beverley Sill's Traviata in Brooklyn-Italian break me up everyu time. But then you should hear the converse: Italians singing Benjamin Britten. .....
Hay que oir a Kirsten Thorborg en Erda para saber cómo suena una verdadera contralto,natural,no forzada,sin horribles golpes de glotis y sin esa voz cavernosa que haría odiar la ópera a quien escuchara por primera vez.
First, there is no need to insult me. Second, I know better than you for obvious reasons, and the fact that she is a seasoned singer doesn't make her immune to mistakes. She is fantastic, but she makes basic diction mistakes. Third, the fact that the "R" is the same in Polish and in Italian doesn't mean that you can flip it or roll it as you want. There are diction rules which she doesn't respect, and exactly for being a VERY seasoned singer this is a bigger mistake.
Can you tell us where exactly are those mistakes? Thanks.
E un orrore.
Troppo adagio… opera complicata…
Unfortunately her (Podles) Italian is too poor to sing Puccini. No Italian will never tell ESPI A RRE.
Puccini needs a far better pronunciation and smoother singing than this. Here Podles goes for the caricature of Baba Yaga instead.
I find Poole’s voice downright bizarre. Don’t like it at all and her attempt at acting is ridiculous. Racette is perfection.