It just doesn't get better than her Cleopatra. The high Baroque was an era for decorating and ornamenting as much as possible. If you had high notes, you added high notes; if you had fast notes, you added fast notes; basically if you had it, you flaunted it, and Sills certainly had it all then.
Boy, does this ever take me back, to my high school days in the early '70s! That's when I became an opera fan, and the 3 sopranos I listened to incessantly were Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, and Beverly Sills! The recordings of Sills that I would listen to over and over when I first became familiar and enamored with her were an album of Bellini and Donizetti arias, and the full recording of Giulio Cesare! I was enamored with the clarity of Sills tone, her silvery coloratura, and her dramatic expressiveness! And in particular, Da Tempeste was my favorite aria from Giulio Cesare! I would listen to it over and over! Thank you for posting this!!!!
I love Joan Sutherland’s rendition very much but Sills will always have my heart. Why …I actually saw her in this role at the City Opera when I was a teenager. It remains one of the best experiences of my life.
One of the most genuine opera singers of all time who can do imbelishments, coloratura, melismas and a PROPER TRILL, most of which cant do to save their life. She is perfect for Baroque roles!!!
The utter clarity and distinction between her vibrato and her trills is, to my ear's experience, unparalleled. Most sopranos I've worked with - it just sounds like their regular vibrato but more quietly. Sills makes it perfectly clear THIS IS A TRILL and this is not and HERE'S ANOTHER TRILL and here is not a trill. Each performance I've heard of hers is a masterclass in execution. I wish I had paid more attention to her in my undergrad work...ah well, at least we have recordings. (Thank you!)
Let’s face it, Beverly had THE BEST TRILLS IN THE BUSINESS, no one could even come close. Callas had the BEST dramatic interpretation, Sutherland had the best technique, but Sills had the Best coloratura. Just listen to her in Meyerbeer’s “Les Huguenots” no one can match her effortless speed and vocal dexterity
I’ll just add that I hated opera, although I come from a musical family, until college, when I saw Beverly Sills on the Johnny Carson Show. Early 1970s. I told my parents that I’d agree to go to a performance if Sills was in it. So my very first operas were the Three Donizetti Queens! Then I became a big opera aficionado!
In those days u switched TV on and you saw in a major popular american show Beverly Sills ? or Ella Fitzgerald with dame Joan Sutherland? Unbelievable... and today we see Buttholes with 40 Grammys :D
She’s extremely talented, no doubt… it’s just for me, at times, she sounds like the recording has been sped up..almost a little Snow White-ish. But like I said, there’s no denying her incredible gift, and the agility of her voice.
@@purtigodo Ooooh, she wrote in her memoirs that she hated those performances! She adored the Colon theater and the public, but loathed Karl Richter, the conductor. She said he sucked the lifeblood out of the opera and the artists.
It just doesn't get better than her Cleopatra. The high Baroque was an era for decorating and ornamenting as much as possible. If you had high notes, you added high notes; if you had fast notes, you added fast notes; basically if you had it, you flaunted it, and Sills certainly had it all then.
That's why I'm drawn to it the freedom and the technical richness.
@@luisnunes3863 She once said she only sang it in 1 perf. that was perfect....&, never again....I can't believe it.
@@frangoldstein7171that was not Cleopatra. It was Queen of the Night.
Boy, does this ever take me back, to my high school days in the early '70s! That's when I became an opera fan, and the 3 sopranos I listened to incessantly were Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, and Beverly Sills! The recordings of Sills that I would listen to over and over when I first became familiar and enamored with her were an album of Bellini and Donizetti arias, and the full recording of Giulio Cesare! I was enamored with the clarity of Sills tone, her silvery coloratura, and her dramatic expressiveness! And in particular, Da Tempeste was my favorite aria from Giulio Cesare! I would listen to it over and over! Thank you for posting this!!!!
I love Joan Sutherland’s rendition very much but Sills will always have my heart. Why …I actually saw her in this role at the City Opera when I was a teenager. It remains one of the best experiences of my life.
I have heard a few recordings of her live performances of this aria. This is probably the best. She sings this with such ease and unrushed clarity.
the artist at her Ultimate Peak
She really made this role hers. Brava!!
One of the most genuine opera singers of all time who can do imbelishments, coloratura, melismas and a PROPER TRILL, most of which cant do to save their life. She is perfect for Baroque roles!!!
Cleopatra for me is her best role (of course along with Pamira from L'assedio)
Pamira for me is her masterpiece
She's my favorite Cleopatra. Brava❤
RAVISHING ASSOLUTA SINGING. THE BEVERLY WAY.
Every inch a Queen 👸
The utter clarity and distinction between her vibrato and her trills is, to my ear's experience, unparalleled. Most sopranos I've worked with - it just sounds like their regular vibrato but more quietly. Sills makes it perfectly clear THIS IS A TRILL and this is not and HERE'S ANOTHER TRILL and here is not a trill. Each performance I've heard of hers is a masterclass in execution. I wish I had paid more attention to her in my undergrad work...ah well, at least we have recordings. (Thank you!)
Let’s face it, Beverly had THE BEST TRILLS IN THE BUSINESS, no one could even come close. Callas had the BEST dramatic interpretation, Sutherland had the best technique, but Sills had the Best coloratura. Just listen to her in Meyerbeer’s “Les Huguenots” no one can match her effortless speed and vocal dexterity
omg, all I have to say is I was listening with my jaw UNDERGROUND the whole time
@@ChuckMusicDinoLovertrully great singers always shine more live...
So Wonderful! Thank you!
Only a self created queen would object! 🤪🤪🤪
Thanks for this one. Subscribed! 🤘
Grazie Theo ❤La Sills non aveva certo difficoltà nei trilli
Conosco poco questa cantante, ma trovo che qui aveva una coloratura fantastica, una voce chiara ed agile, ricca di trilli.😍🌺🌺🌺
A very happy Cleopatra
In a nutshell. Brilliant!
The. TRILLLLLLLLLLLLS
I’ll just add that I hated opera, although I come from a musical family, until college, when I saw Beverly Sills on the Johnny Carson Show. Early 1970s. I told my parents that I’d agree to go to a performance if Sills was in it. So my very first operas were the Three Donizetti Queens! Then I became a big opera aficionado!
In those days u switched TV on and you saw in a major popular american show Beverly Sills ? or Ella Fitzgerald with dame Joan Sutherland? Unbelievable... and today we see Buttholes with 40 Grammys :D
A gal has to get up pretty early in the morning to compete with that trill. Fantastic performance.
Mi sembra più espressiva della Sutherland e direi che alla fine incanta di più
She’s extremely talented, no doubt… it’s just for me, at times, she sounds like the recording has been sped up..almost a little Snow White-ish. But like I said, there’s no denying her incredible gift, and the agility of her voice.
the vulnerability, fragility and melancholy of her interpretations....
Many have commented that her voice was rounder and fuller live in the house. She could be heard in the top back of the house no problem.
Se non sei brava non canti cosi´, Beverly un vero talento
Ultra Talent
@@LohengrinO
I fully agree. Thank you for the post.
@@aetion Grazie a voi
Her Da Tempeste has been a huge favorite of mine for two decades. I am quite obsessed with it and gladly overlook her goat vibrato.
From what opera please?
Giulio Cesare, by Haendel.
@@fan2jnrc Thanks you so very much.
And she is in the role of Cleopatra.
Giulio Cesare, Haendel. I saw her 21/9/68 Teatro Colon.
@@purtigodo Ooooh, she wrote in her memoirs that she hated those performances! She adored the Colon theater and the public, but loathed Karl Richter, the conductor. She said he sucked the lifeblood out of the opera and the artists.
♥️