Giulietta Simionato 1910-2010

[whipped guy]

While the name Giulietta Simionato might not be a household name to most… she was one of the preeminent operatic mezzo-sopranos from the decade of the 1950s and as such was involved in not only many recordings from that era, but also took part in many famous productions as well. While she was noted mostly as a Verdi mezzo, she also excelled in the operas of Bellini and Donizetti as evidenced by her partnerships with Callas at La Scala in Norma and Anna Bolena. Also, while not as adept in the more florid music of Rossini, she nonetheless was in the forefront of the Rossini revival during that era as well.

 

There was always something about her performances that showed a total involvement and a certain power that involved a coloration of the words that helped spearhead the drama. Ironically she was diminutive in stature and usually performed on stage wearing lifts attached to her shoes to increase her height. That fact and the fact that she could pack quite a vocal punch made her achievements seem all the more remarkable.

 

She just passed on at the ripe old age of 99… actually just days away from what would have been her 100th birthday on May 12. Thanks to her many recordings, both in the studio and live she will always be with us.

[+ Charlie]

She retired surprisingly young, just as I was starting to go to live opera, so I only know her from recordings, but some of them are really thrilling.

[Guest greatness]

Rip

 

She'll be missed

[dapurplebear]

she did some wonderful things -- I have a few recordings and Lili Chookasian spoke highly of her -- god bless -- and it is nice to remember a mezzo !!!!

[+ Italiano]

Here she is in a very touching clip.

 

During a rehearsal of Cavalleria Rusticana at La Scala in 1963 we can see her interacting with another gone sacred monster, Franco Corelli (bizarre that there is a COLT porn actor with the same name!...).

Her final desperate cry and curse give me chills every time I watch!

 

And then we see her 40 years later, moved by the scene that she just saw, commenting and remembering over that specific role of Santuzza.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJEOtLpevs0&feature=related