VIrginia Zeani's dramatic Lucia "Regnava nel silenzio" live 1964

Virginia Zeani stunned London's opera goers when she triumphed as Lucia in 1957. The opera had not been heard in England since 1925 and was considered nothing more than a frivolous, out of date curiosity. Toti dal Monte had been the last to sing the role in which she reputedly "fluttered a fan".
In 1957 the opera was presented in Oscar Hammersteins's vast Stoll Theatre by an ad hoc Italian Touring company. with rudimentary staging and simple, painted scenery. Yet, despite the lack of a sophisticated production, Virginia Zeani's brilliantly sung, dramatic Lucia captivated the audiences and changed people's attitudes to the opera. It even convinced a sceptical Covent Garden management to go ahead with their own elaborate production two years later.
Virginia Zeani's Lucia is a real flesh and blood character. Singing with vibrant tone, she uses the music to convey the emotions of the deeply disturbed heroine and employs ornamentation for dramatic effect and never merely as empty display.
Zeani studied the role with the coloratura soprano Lydia Lipkowska, who taught her the traditional embellishments, handed down from Donizetti's early interpreters.
Lucia Asthon..................Virginia Zeani
Edgardo di Ravenswood......Alfredo Kraus
Enrico Ashton...............Aurelio Oppicelli
Raimondo Bidebent...Antonio Zerbini
Arturo Bucklaw............Rinaldo Pelizzoni
Direttore...........................Alberto Zedda
Orchestra e Coro del Teatro Municipale de Piacenza
Piacenza -- Teatro Municipale 12/29/1964
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NB The recordings of Mme Virginia Zeani are mostly from radio broadcasts or private or in-house tapes. They were saved by her fans and later, without her permission, sometimes transferred to CDs by companies who pay her no royalties. They are now posted on TH-cam so that new opera lovers can freely experience and enjoy her remarkable performances.

[@CurzonRoad]

Thanks again for this beautiful, convincing, powerful performance. The background information is also much appreciated! THANK YOU!

[@hodgrix]

It amazes me that Sutherland was considered a greater vocal sensation than Zeani. Zeani had all the coloratura but also all the good principals of the old school such as chest voice, clear vowels, and a genuine operatic dramatic flair. To me, Sutherland was always hooty and lacked a cultural sense for the authentic operatic style that Zeani had.

[@corellithebest]

Dear Yvonne, please, do you have more of Zeani's Lucia? I am dying to hear her Act I duet with Edgardo, Act II duet with Ashton, as well as the famous sextet.

[@quequitoAR]

Great version!! Not a surprise, coming from Zeani. Of course, a drammatic approach to the role. I wish I had seen her full performance on stage...

[@scottjohnson1162]

Excellent video. Thank you very much

[@eberlinpascal2837]

Extraordinaire ,la meilleure Lucia !!

[@CharlotteinWeimar]

@finners62 That is what Mme Zeani herself told me. The differences are more apparent in the Mad Scene where Sutherland sings decorations based on the traditional ones but with additions

[@opertutto]

A joy to hear this thrilling live Lucia excerpt with Zeani, Charlotte. And the photos are stunning. Many thanks, George

[@infrantasi]

It's Donizetti's masterwork!

[@romearomeo]

Divina

[@mihailaurentiudragalan546]

Marea noastra soprana cu voce cristalina ne-a parasit dar ne-a lasat in dar din rolurile magistrale interpretate pe marile scene ale lumii si nu vom uita niciodata !
Multumim din inima si din suflet pentru ce ne-a ladat sa se bucure si iubitorii de muzica de opera ce urmeaza dupa noi !❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉

[@Nemoeditrice]

La voce della Zeani è meravigliosa. Peccato per l'esecuzione approssimativa e certe agilità pasticciate. Sembra quasi che abbia studiato o provato poco quest'aria. Peccato davvero: con un po' di precisione in più ne sarebbe venuto fuori qualcosa di veramente magnifico!

[@radudanbaciu8198]

Pacat ca ,calitatea inregistrarii , face dificila audierea vocii de o inegalabila frumusete ,a Virginiei Zeani!!

[@sospello]

Beautiful--and always so difficult as an entrance aria for Lucia.

[@Tkimba2]

Purtroppo la canta come fosse Tosca

[@FloriaTosca8]

It's called "Old School". Sound with support, the work of the diaphragm, not the throat! Amazing. This is how opera should sound.

[@Tkimba2]

@@FloriaTosca8 no

[@Operacrazed]

Impressive singing but no way has the limpidity of Callas in her heyday. It's accurate and dramatic but lacks fusion and sounds rushed and pushed.