I went to Indiana University for 6 weeks in the summer of 1986 to study with Zeani's husband, Nicola Rossi Lemeni. He was a great guy - warm, funny. When I sang a song in Russian for him (he had Russian heritage) he gave me a big hug :) My one regret was that I didn't get to meet Zeani. When I arrived in Bloomington I called to let him know I'd arrived. Virginia answered and I politely 'transferred' me to her husband, saying, "Nicola!" I only learned more about her singing and career much later, and glad I did!
I was very sorry to learn of Ms. Zeani's passing; as an accompanist for some of her students at Indiana University, I remember her instructing them in diaphragmatic breath support, the foundation of her singing. What a treasure to hear her in Vissa d'arte!" Thank you, Ms. Zeani, for giving so much to your students at Indiana.
Feeling proud of such a voice. She is Romanian and we hadn't too many opportunities to listen to her in the past. But today we can better juge her.For us she is one of the best of all the times. Wishing her lot of health and "Happy birthday !"
Incredible and beautiful performance! This is opera at its best, in my opinion - no ego or histrionics, just wonderful vocal integrity and the love of her art shining through. Effortless and flawless - thank you!
Ho avuto il piacere di ascoltarla proprio in Tosca con Aldo Protti Scarpia. Virginia Zeani era grandissima acuti splendidi temperamento unico secondo atto da antologia, alla pari con le Grandi dell'epoca...Rossi Lemeni ebbe grande intuito a sposarla...
Che splendore di voce e di interpretazione. La sua dizione è perfetta: ogni parola è comprensibile; che pronuncia! .Nessuna smorfia, né forzatura, né boccuccia a trombetta... Ecco il Belcanto.
How right you are! Yet of the singers you mention Zeani is the only one overlooked time and again by the record companies. Thanks to TH-cam and many live, off air recordings she is restored to her rightful position with the very greatest 20th century singers.
It seems like she wasn't overlooked. She was offered a generous contract by Decca but turned it down because they said they had too many basses so couldn't take on her husband (Nicola Rossi-Lemeni) as well.
Thank you for this post. I did this Aria in a Master Class for her, it is wonderful that I am able to hear this recording of her. She was so encouraging and gracious with Me. What a beautiful woman with georgous voice!
The "PERFECTA" TOSCA. Beautiful voice, great! ...Excellent!!! Expectacular.. A very special coloratura soprano with a delightful voice.What spectacular top notes she produced. Splendide,absolutely amazing, magnifique interprepation of Puccini`s Tosca...Vissi d´arte. Ms. Zeani always original and unique. Breathtaking......Thank U so much for sharing the beautiful video clip. We need more people and channels like yours.
She really had it all. Voce, control, pathos and incredibly beautiful. Her transition at 2:45 should be played again and again at all schools for sopranos. Like Tebaldi, she went right to the top and stayed there. Even callas envied her and why not.
Her voice is in the high notes as bright as the sun, and in de lower noter darker as a black diamond. One should shut the eyes and only listen...... Hans NL
Just Awesome...I cant choose a favorite...they are all beyond words...Callas,Tebaldi,Sutherland and Zeani...there are no more sopranos of this calibre around...
Comments previously posted: basenjidiva [2] * * * * * And the acting...convincing, expressive, devastating! Zeani's vocal timbre is out of this world...dark as night, & smooth as satin. Not only does the character live for art & love, Zeani IS art & love!!! Brava, cara Diva!!!
What a sublime interpretation! This woman is GORGEOUS! She could be compared only to Callas's Tosca! And there are not many sopranos, to say the very least, who could be compared to Callas! And Callas and Zeani are two rare jewels in this role!
I think Callas has to be re-assessed,i listen to her now and i think that her voice may have excellent for a while then it weakened ,she sounded terrible(maybe her private life became more important than practice).I think that this soprano,Zeani is far superior in technique and her voice ,just like the lady herself ,is beautiful.It's a tragedy that she is virtually unknown to many people today.
@@amybaker4654 What sense does it make to speak of Callas in decline ? It is clear that with the repertoire she had, and always giving her unstoppable maximum in every single performance, she would have ruined her voice relatively quickly. Relatively because she sang heavy parts from a very young age and of her first years, from 1948, there are very few and poor quality recordings left. However, although I am one of her admirers, I think that if Zeani had been more skilled in promoting herself, perhaps we would speak of her as an alternative Prima Donna to La Scala and in the world. The Divina, however, remains so because no one has ever sung such a vast repertoire and I really believe that no other ever will.
'Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore.' (english: 'I lived for art, I lived for love,/I never harmed a living soul!') She really lived for Art, there's no doubt! At the end of the artistic moment (song/ performance), her attitude/gesture makes a very good impression,(due to her impressive look and) because of the light sparkling in her eyes, eyes that seem to have (almost) burst into tears.
Comments previously posted: maldoror26 (1 day ago) Thanks basenjidiva [1] * * * * * Now...THAT'S a Tosca!!! How gorgeous can she be; the green of the gown accenting the bewitchingly green eyes!!! Let her voice envelope...engulf your senses. Flawless vocal production, elegant presentation, seamless legato, fully supported, with breath control beyond belief!
She is definitely one constantly overlooked singer of her time... Maybe it had to do with the fact at that time that when she started, Callas & Dame Sutherland were popular already & considered as rivals to each other... Miss Zeany ended up the 3rd wheel & the younger pretty diva... But hearing her voice, she's definitely in the same league as those two, no doubt! :-)
asianfil She was not younger. All 3 were peers in age. Callas was born in 23, Zeani in 25 and Sutherland in 26. Also, Callas and Sutherland were not already famous when Zeani started. Actually, Zeani started professionally singing in 48, whereas Callas didn't get her break till 49. But most definitely you are right about the most important thing. Zeani is very definitely in the same league with Callas and Sutherland.
And another truly great and competent Tosca (both singing and acting) is her fellow-Romanian, the diva Angela Gheorghiu, who, after all, immensely admires Zeani and is inspired by her.
Dear Yvonne, I completely agree with you. So for example, although Corelli remains my favorite tenor, I hold Prevedi in special esteem, because he was so unjustly neglected by recording companies and undervalued by critics, and he was a sublime artist and a wonderful person!
Great interpretation! very beautiful and refined staging and furniture;and very rich and elegantly dressed with radiant jewels our beautiful Soprano. Super Operatic Aria Video!!! Congratulations.
I don't think so, only it was another age, without the today star system. Virginia Zeani was the Prima Donna at the Opera of Rome for many years and not several singers can say this.
I think the movie must have been made in the early 1970s but she is miming to the sound track from an earlier recording. It is one of a series of excerpts recorded for RAI. The only live, spontaneous item is from Poulenc's one woman opera La Voix Humaine where she sings, wearing a modern dress, to a piano accompaniment
You are right, Zeani was indeed in the same topmost level as Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Victoria, De los Angeles and Regine Crespin,. all of whom thrilled me with their performances at Covent Garden between 1957 and 1965. Alas I never heard Tebaldi as apart from her early appearances as Desdemona she never again sang there. Zeani was on the brink of major stardom, with a Decca contract as well as interest from DG when she met, fell in love and married `Nicola Rossi Lemeni. In simple terms, thinking, perhaps mistakenly, that she could put off making recordings for the time being, she resigned her contract and opted to put married life and the security of Italian citizenship ahead of the pursuit of world wide fame.
@@CharlotteinWeimar Ah, well that explains it! Self-marketing skills are sadly just as important as talent if one wants to make it "big." Maybe she preferred not to be as famous as she could've been. Anyway, thanks for the response!
I went to Indiana University for 6 weeks in the summer of 1986 to study with Zeani's husband, Nicola Rossi Lemeni. He was a great guy - warm, funny. When I sang a song in Russian for him (he had Russian heritage) he gave me a big hug :) My one regret was that I didn't get to meet Zeani. When I arrived in Bloomington I called to let him know I'd arrived. Virginia answered and I politely 'transferred' me to her husband, saying, "Nicola!" I only learned more about her singing and career much later, and glad I did!
Suntem foarte mândri de extraordinara artistă din ROMÂNIA. Toată aprecierea și RESPECTUL nostru pentru o MARE CARIERĂ.
Voce, interprete e donna meravigliosa, unica, grazie per la tua amicizia; riposa in pace
💚 Marvelous Floria Tosca.💙 Bon jour de Portugal.🌻🌞
una maestra, anello tra gli anni 30 e gli anni 50, un tesoro inestimabile,. Sublime è poco per questa diva!!
I was very sorry to learn of Ms. Zeani's passing; as an accompanist for some of her students at Indiana University, I remember her instructing them in diaphragmatic breath support, the foundation of her singing. What a treasure to hear her in Vissa d'arte!" Thank you, Ms. Zeani, for giving so much to your students at Indiana.
Toate sunt perfecte. Muzica, interpretarea, solista, imaginea, decorurile.
One of the most beautiful, clever and versatile soprani in the world! Love her!
Feeling proud of such a voice. She is Romanian and we hadn't too many opportunities to listen to her in the past. But today we can better juge her.For us she is one of the best of all the times. Wishing her lot of health and "Happy birthday !"
she is the finest, extremely under appreciated,
She is an absolutely wonderful singer and she's still with us!
Incredible and beautiful performance! This is opera at its best, in my opinion - no ego or histrionics, just wonderful vocal integrity and the love of her art shining through. Effortless and flawless - thank you!
An amazing singer....
Rest in peace🙏
Ho avuto il piacere di ascoltarla proprio in Tosca con Aldo Protti Scarpia. Virginia Zeani era grandissima acuti splendidi temperamento unico secondo atto da antologia, alla pari con le Grandi dell'epoca...Rossi Lemeni ebbe grande intuito a sposarla...
Un'interpretazione favolosa! In questo pezzo Virginia Zeani è Tosca.
Che splendore di voce e di interpretazione. La sua dizione è perfetta: ogni parola è comprensibile; che pronuncia! .Nessuna smorfia, né forzatura, né boccuccia a trombetta...
Ecco il Belcanto.
Questo è un playback comunque.
Non si può valutare la posizione della bocca, ecc qua
Che brava, trasmette emozione e che interpretazione, una fuoriclasse
Exquisite. Her heart and soul is poured into this intimate and powerful rendition. This is loaded with feeling, experience and love.
Davvvero ASSOLUTA la splendisdissima Zeani! Artista assoluta, Romena assoluta.
How right you are! Yet of the singers you mention Zeani is the only one overlooked time and again by the record companies. Thanks to TH-cam and many live, off air recordings she is restored to her rightful position with the very greatest 20th century singers.
It seems like she wasn't overlooked. She was offered a generous contract by Decca but turned it down because they said they had too many basses so couldn't take on her husband (Nicola Rossi-Lemeni) as well.
O interpretare excepţională, o artistă desăvârşită!
Splendido soprano!!!
I heard her many times at IU master classes. She was a real diva in every best sense of the word, and often very funny.
Precious black pearls, overflowing, God, this is so beautiful...
Black pearls?
@@cb2526 the rare find and the most precious pearls...
Amazing voice, beauty, what gifted person
RIP VIRGINIA
Virginia Zeani , una gran Diva, maravillosa interpretación musical y dramáticamente. Armando Cerutti - barítono
Thank you for this post. I did this Aria in a Master Class for her, it is wonderful that I am able to hear this recording of her. She was so encouraging and gracious with Me. What a beautiful woman with georgous voice!
The "PERFECTA" TOSCA.
Beautiful voice, great! ...Excellent!!! Expectacular..
A very special coloratura soprano with a delightful voice.What
spectacular top notes she produced. Splendide,absolutely amazing, magnifique interprepation of Puccini`s Tosca...Vissi d´arte.
Ms. Zeani always original and unique. Breathtaking......Thank U so much for sharing the beautiful video clip. We need more people and channels like yours.
Dumnezeu s-o ierte! Rest in Peace, your soul will be with us until the end!
Thank you! Never enough Zeani!
Brilliant as always!
Rest in peace!
She really had it all. Voce, control, pathos and incredibly beautiful. Her transition at 2:45 should be played again and again at all schools for sopranos. Like Tebaldi, she went right to the top and stayed there. Even callas envied her and why not.
Her voice is in the high notes as bright as the sun, and in de lower noter darker as a black diamond. One should shut the eyes and only listen......
Hans NL
Breathtakingly beautiful. Two Thumbs Up!
Incredibilă!!!Divină!
Just Awesome...I cant choose a favorite...they are all beyond words...Callas,Tebaldi,Sutherland and Zeani...there are no more sopranos of this calibre around...
Maria Slatinaru
Comments previously posted:
basenjidiva [2] * * * * *
And the acting...convincing, expressive, devastating! Zeani's vocal timbre is out of this world...dark as night, & smooth as satin. Not only does the character live for art & love, Zeani IS art & love!!! Brava, cara Diva!!!
What a sublime interpretation! This woman is GORGEOUS! She could be compared only to Callas's Tosca! And there are not many sopranos, to say the very least, who could be compared to Callas! And Callas and Zeani are two rare jewels in this role!
I think Callas has to be re-assessed,i listen to her now and i think that her voice may have excellent for a while then it weakened ,she sounded terrible(maybe her private life became more important than practice).I think that this soprano,Zeani is far superior in technique and her voice ,just like the lady herself ,is beautiful.It's a tragedy that she is virtually unknown to many people today.
@@amybaker4654 What sense does it make to speak of Callas in decline ? It is clear that with the repertoire she had, and always giving her unstoppable maximum in every single performance, she would have ruined her voice relatively quickly. Relatively because she sang heavy parts from a very young age and of her first years, from 1948, there are very few and poor quality recordings left. However, although I am one of her admirers, I think that if Zeani had been more skilled in promoting herself, perhaps we would speak of her as an alternative Prima Donna to La Scala and in the world.
The Divina, however, remains so because no one has ever sung such a vast repertoire and I really believe that no other ever will.
The best Toska!
Una voce indimenticabile.
MAJESTIC !
Artista somma. R. I. P.
Beautiful singing ....
'Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore.' (english: 'I lived for art, I lived for love,/I never harmed a living soul!')
She really lived for Art, there's no doubt! At the end of the artistic moment (song/ performance), her attitude/gesture makes a very good impression,(due to her impressive look and) because of the light sparkling in her eyes, eyes that seem to have (almost) burst into tears.
Just beautiful and heartfelt, I truly loved it! Thank you for posting this, William
Fabulous, she owns this aria.
Super
zeani is te moust gorgeous pera singer and am so proud that she is from the same country as me and same town bless her
Tanti auguri, Virginia!! ❤🥳😻❣❣❣
R.I.P.
Bella e brava.
o voce frumoasa si al o varsta inaintata,bravo,minunat!
Nel ruolo di Violetta è tra le più grandi interpreti d'ogni tempo.
Vocea ei minunata e insotita de multa duiosie si caldura si mai ales umanitate.Nu mai vorbim despre frumusetea ei uluitoare!
Comments previously posted:
maldoror26 (1 day ago) Thanks
basenjidiva [1] * * * * *
Now...THAT'S a Tosca!!! How gorgeous can she be; the green of the gown accenting the bewitchingly green eyes!!! Let her voice envelope...engulf your senses. Flawless vocal production, elegant presentation, seamless legato, fully supported, with breath control beyond belief!
She is definitely one constantly overlooked singer of her time... Maybe it had to do with the fact at that time that when she started, Callas & Dame Sutherland were popular already & considered as rivals to each other... Miss Zeany ended up the 3rd wheel & the younger pretty diva... But hearing her voice, she's definitely in the same league as those two, no doubt! :-)
asianfil She was not younger. All 3 were peers in age. Callas was born in 23, Zeani in 25 and Sutherland in 26. Also, Callas and Sutherland were not already famous when Zeani started. Actually, Zeani started professionally singing in 48, whereas Callas didn't get her break till 49. But most definitely you are right about the most important thing. Zeani is very definitely in the same league with Callas and Sutherland.
Meravigliosa
And another truly great and competent Tosca (both singing and acting) is her fellow-Romanian, the diva Angela Gheorghiu, who, after all, immensely admires Zeani and is inspired by her.
Che gioielli leggeri, giusto un cenno di parure
I'm envious.
Dear Yvonne, I completely agree with you. So for example, although Corelli remains my favorite tenor, I hold Prevedi in special esteem, because he was so unjustly neglected by recording companies and undervalued by critics, and he was a sublime artist and a wonderful person!
Great interpretation! very beautiful and refined staging and furniture;and very rich and elegantly dressed with radiant jewels our beautiful Soprano.
Super Operatic Aria Video!!!
Congratulations.
Brava zeani
The Goddess dazzles me eveytime.
I don't think so, only it was another age, without the today star system. Virginia Zeani was the Prima Donna at the Opera of Rome for many years and not several singers can say this.
Bravissima oltre che bella
So many similaritites in the timbre and colour between her and Angela Gheorghiu ;)
Her and how???? 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 Ouh, not at all!!!!!
Brava
This Tosca is for sure not poor!
Wow, I see where Angela Gheorghiu gets it from now. I hear it.
EXQUISITA
@robwnc64 Hello i am in love with opera because every time i hear these singers sing it touches my heart but how do u know what they are talking about
Leggi il libretto !
Che begli occhi
Slava?
Puro talento rumeno.
latina dalla Romania
what year is this?
I think the movie must have been made in the early 1970s but she is miming to the sound track from an earlier recording. It is one of a series of excerpts recorded for RAI. The only live, spontaneous item is from Poulenc's one woman opera La Voix Humaine where she sings, wearing a modern dress, to a piano accompaniment
Beautifully sung - but good for Ms Zeani that she did not have to make a living out of lipsynching... (c;
I wonder why Zeani never became as famous/regarded as Callas, Tebaldi, or Sutherland. Her singing ability was no doubt in the same league as them.
You are right, Zeani was indeed in the same topmost level as Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Victoria, De los Angeles and Regine Crespin,. all of whom thrilled me with their performances at Covent Garden between 1957 and 1965. Alas I never heard Tebaldi as apart from her early appearances as Desdemona she never again sang there. Zeani was on the brink of major stardom, with a Decca contract as well as interest from DG when she met, fell in love and married `Nicola Rossi Lemeni. In simple terms, thinking, perhaps mistakenly, that she could put off making recordings for the time being, she resigned her contract and opted to put married life and the security of Italian citizenship ahead of the pursuit of world wide fame.
@@CharlotteinWeimar Ah, well that explains it! Self-marketing skills are sadly just as important as talent if one wants to make it "big." Maybe she preferred not to be as famous as she could've been. Anyway, thanks for the response!
kiri te kanawa
??? 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
Brava