As a kid of eighteen I was very privileged to be a student auxiliary usher for two years, (1949,1950,) at the San Francisco Opera House. I don't remember which of the two years it was, but Toscannini and the NBC symphony came to SF for a concert. We were used to the very good SF symphony, (outstanding when playing French music,) and our beloved Maestro, Papa Pierre Monteux. I was totally unprepared for Toscanini and the NBC, (at that time arguably the world's greatest orchestra.) They were over 100, dressed in black tuxedos with military precision. When the maestro raised his hands, the effect was electric, the audience spellbound. The performance consisted of Death & Transfiguration, La Mer, and Beethoven's 3rd (Eroica) ALL IN ONE NIGHT! I can still hear both the music and the cheers..(Tne great pity is that while Toscannini and the NBC recorded some works in the new riaa high fidelity, very few are recorded in stereo.)
Here are two divas recalling their impressions of and work with Toscanini, the one tied mostly to personal anecdotes, the other soaring into high flights of lyricism. - John Austin, Australia
The recordings do not lie. There was nevertheless a lot of idolizing built up around Auturo Toscanini. The style was different, but today, we call it hype. It was a more innocent time. Nevertheless, they took it more seriously back then, than opera singers do today.
actually...she was from WV...she sounds like any number of aunts and mothers etc around the area lol I don't hear what you mean by a "continental" accent. On the word "about" and when she says "and" those are affected to be sure I just dont know what you mean by continental?
@@dennisdeemii She sound very middle American to me. Compare her to Milton Cross, who retained that mid-Atlantic accent so popular in the 20s and 30s with people dealing with "high" culture and the theater.
As a kid of eighteen I was very privileged to be a student auxiliary usher for two years, (1949,1950,) at the San Francisco Opera House. I don't remember which of the two years it was, but Toscannini and the NBC symphony came to SF for a concert. We were used to the very good SF symphony, (outstanding when playing French music,) and our beloved Maestro, Papa Pierre Monteux. I was totally unprepared for Toscanini and the NBC, (at that time arguably the world's greatest orchestra.) They were over 100, dressed in black tuxedos with military precision. When the maestro raised his hands, the effect was electric, the audience spellbound. The performance consisted of Death & Transfiguration, La Mer, and Beethoven's 3rd (Eroica) ALL IN ONE NIGHT! I can still hear both the music and the cheers..(Tne great pity is that while Toscannini and the NBC recorded some works in the new riaa high fidelity, very few are recorded in stereo.)
Young singers, listen and learn from these two artists who transcended all of the present day performers
The Lehmann interview is remarkable on several levels.
Here are two divas recalling their impressions of and work with Toscanini, the one tied mostly to personal anecdotes, the other soaring into high flights of lyricism. - John Austin, Australia
Wonderful ! Thank you so much !
Génial
The recordings do not lie. There was nevertheless a lot of idolizing built up around Auturo Toscanini. The style was different, but today, we call it hype. It was a more innocent time. Nevertheless, they took it more seriously back then, than opera singers do today.
Who took it more seriously? Are you an opera singer or know them?!
Eleanor is working that continental accent...
actually...she was from WV...she sounds like any number of aunts and mothers etc around the area lol I don't hear what you mean by a "continental" accent. On the word "about" and when she says "and" those are affected to be sure I just dont know what you mean by continental?
@@dennisdeemii She sound very middle American to me. Compare her to Milton Cross, who retained that mid-Atlantic accent so popular in the 20s and 30s with people dealing with "high" culture and the theater.
@@beachfanatic2010 Not Lehmann. We’re talking about Steber, who was from West Virginia.
She has a ways to go