I met James McCracken personally backstage after his concert appearance in S.F He signed his book " A star in the family. McCracken in my opinion had the biggest deepest Tenor voice I've ever heard , it was Huge. The Samson and Delilah duet he did with his wife Sandra Warfield was Spectacular.
What a delight to hear these 2 greats talking so intimately-both are so genuine, so human, and full of such good cheer. All of this aside from their towering artistry.
also, she was great in Maria Stuarda and Roberto Devereux. I understand why she did the 3 roles, she was very intelligent and she knew that she was very good in them, and THANK GOD she recorded in studio the 3 operas. I specially love those 3 titles , as almost everything my beloved Donizetti, so as you can imagine, I've at home and listened dozens of recording live and studio by all kind of singers, some good, some very good. Sills is divine specially in Stuarda, AS the recording was with the BEST Elizabeth I that is in disc , Eileen Farrell. So if you have the best Maria Stuarda ( Sills) and the best Elizabeth I ( Farell) and a great conductor, then, the magic is done. the best moment is of course, the duo between the two Queens. actually, Sills is the only one that makes fabulously the fliglia impura di Bolena, really unique in the history of disc. She was Stuarda. as she was Bolena . What a great great artist, not just a good opera Singer, also a unique artist, really unique. we're fortunate that there are so wonderful and unique recordings recorded at her best time, and in studio¡¡¡ with great sound and Sills singing at her best. I wish I could have known her in person, but I was not even born.well, I have her recordings and her unique singing ¡¡¡ :-)
James McCra ken was a sweetheart, funny and interested in people especially young singers.
I met James McCracken personally backstage after his concert appearance in S.F He signed his book " A star in the family. McCracken in my opinion had the biggest deepest Tenor voice I've ever heard , it was Huge. The Samson and Delilah duet he did with his wife Sandra Warfield was Spectacular.
What a delight to hear these 2 greats talking so intimately-both are so genuine, so human, and full of such good cheer. All of this aside from their towering artistry.
Thanks so much, Pete, for this interview and the companion duet.
Always a pleasure Kestal!
Love these two
thank you for this interview. she was great in everything, but I specially think she is the best Anna Bolena
I agree wholeheartedly with you! :)
also, she was great in Maria Stuarda and Roberto Devereux. I understand why she did the 3 roles, she was very intelligent and she knew that she was very good in them, and THANK GOD she recorded in studio the 3 operas. I specially love those 3 titles , as almost everything my beloved Donizetti, so as you can imagine, I've at home and listened dozens of recording live and studio by all kind of singers, some good, some very good. Sills is divine specially in Stuarda, AS the recording was with the BEST Elizabeth I that is in disc , Eileen Farrell. So if you have the best Maria Stuarda ( Sills) and the best Elizabeth I ( Farell) and a great conductor, then, the magic is done. the best moment is of course, the duo between the two Queens. actually, Sills is the only one that makes fabulously the fliglia impura di Bolena, really unique in the history of disc. She was Stuarda. as she was Bolena . What a great great artist, not just a good opera Singer, also a unique artist, really unique. we're fortunate that there are so wonderful and unique recordings recorded at her best time, and in studio¡¡¡ with great sound and Sills singing at her best. I wish I could have known her in person, but I was not even born.well, I have her recordings and her unique singing ¡¡¡ :-)
Of COURSE I agree, too 😍
Loved this!
I always tell my young students to listen to her speaking voice! It's low and natural! Even the highest soprani have to have a low pronunciation!
Just for the record, the actual date of the concert was Jan. 22, 1972 - perhaps the radio broadcast was either delayed or rebroadcast on the 26th.
Thank you our treasured GURU of all things Beverly Sills! I should have consulted your fantastic site beverlysillsonline.com! Mea Culpa!
LORNA!!! Big hugs and lovely to hear from you!!! xoxoxoxox
Does anyone know where to find more audio of McCracken interviews?
McCrackens book (star in the family) is a very honest and revealing account of his early career.