She was 65 y.o. - having sung hundreds of Brunhildes, Isoldes, Elektras... - and she is still attacking high B natural with such ease and bell ring tone and quality of a 30 y.o. coloratura soprano!!! No one on earth could do that... Technically speaking it is an incredible, superhuman achievement!!!!!!!!
What a lovely hommage to La Nilsson you posted. I believe some of her strength came from her natural life as a country-side girl, going to be early and milking the tremendously peaceful, calm cows. Just as one hears that the best pilots come from the country-side too. It is good for the nerves' development and the body building good strength. A good house for a fine soul and spirit to dwell in.
you can actually find many clips of sopranos from early 20th century still singing in their 60s and making a good sound! it’s more common than you think. (still impressive though heheh)
I was there and time simply stopped. Only and one occasion to also see for the last time all the legendary luminaries, including magnificent Bampton, regal and unpleasant Milanov, humble and touching Roman, exquisite and elegant Sayao and radiant Stevens... RIP.
Wearing jewels to equal Elizabeth Taylor in an absolutely ravishing gown our 65 year old veteran of hundreds of Wagnerian roles sang staccati that would impress Tetrazinni like a coloratura half her age. It wasn't just the vocal artistry but the complete immersion into the youthful joy of the memories of the song. A supreme artist. We will never see another artist of her caliber. I would have loved to have seen the jewels she had if that were an auction for her foundation after her passing. She was a very avid collector and I am sure they were great investments over time.
I remember this acapella performance in the live broadcast to have been something truly special. But hearing it now for the first time in so many years I find that it reveals as much in its simplicity the magnificence of Nilsson the voice and the artist as do any of her great roles.
One of the great Wagnerians, Nilsson was once asked by a young soprano for some tips on singing Wagner. Nilsson, without a pause said, wear sensible shoes. You are going to be out there for a long time.
I remember when I was a kid and they had the Met Centennial on for TWO days (4 hours each) Birgit sang at almost the very end.....and they gave her this extra little piece after the Wagner Narrative and Curse. She did a great job....I remember being impressed that her High B's were that good as (to me at that time) I considered her to be QUITE old!
So very True. I sat through all of the celebration. Memory fades. I don't recall all of the performers now..Thankful for the internet to be able to re-live...and hear again. I Recall Anna Moffo and Robert Merrill's rendition of " Sweethearts" from "Maytime"...so simple but enjoyable.
If only the clip had continued you would really hear an entire auditorium sharing and expressing the same feeling of what can only be described as ecstasy.
I just came from listening to an old interview with and concerts by Paul Mac Cartney, who says he will be consídered among the top 20 in the world. I thought: he forgets all the fine opera singers, who are much greater than any pop artist. Doesn't compare as to what artistic height and skill it takes, and what amount and quality of nourishment for the soul it gives.He probably doesn't know opera and meant among pop artists. I felt a longing for real music and googled La Nilsson.
@@janhermansson3990 Men så lätt hänt! Egot är så klipskt och får oss att tro att det är ledaren den kunnige,fast det är , eller skall vara, tjänaren, den lydige, trogne hunden till jaget.
I'm a grown man of 35 years. I'm not a sentimental type. I hate tear jerkers. I've rolled my eyes at Titanic. I have even yawned at Whitney Houston. So why can't I stop crying right now?
This might be a long shot, but is there anyone out there who may know the composer of the song she sang? If it was sung by Christine Nilsson, its probably in public domain and available in the Petrucci Library.
Hahaha The same way they came to comment in one of my Birgit's video (in which they shared next day in their channel), probably they will notice this one too ;)
Fourteen years old I do believe I was A small girl, so cheerful and so happy No suitor called And no one was on my mind either (she skips the middle verse which is about turning seventeen) Well, now it's no longer like it was Sometime's I'm so sad, sometimes happy Sometimes I'm so white, sometimes red And I neither want to live nor die.
Celestine La Donna est Well Rather Uncomprehensible When I think of it BUT they like me I luve them Romeo et Juliet Maybe thias is why it ends in a whimper TS eliot Dr T Laureate
She was 65 y.o. - having sung hundreds of Brunhildes, Isoldes, Elektras... - and she is still attacking high B natural with such ease and bell ring tone and quality of a 30 y.o. coloratura soprano!!! No one on earth could do that... Technically speaking it is an incredible, superhuman achievement!!!!!!!!
She certainly is a superhuman soprano!
ONLY FACTS!!!!
Birgit Nilsson, THE ONE AND ONLY!!
What a lovely hommage to La Nilsson you posted. I believe some of her strength came from her natural life as a country-side girl, going to be early and milking the tremendously peaceful, calm cows. Just as one hears that the best pilots come from the country-side too. It is good for the nerves' development and the body building good strength. A good house for a fine soul and spirit to dwell in.
you can actually find many clips of sopranos from early 20th century still singing in their 60s and making a good sound! it’s more common than you think. (still impressive though heheh)
Birgit Nilsson had 1000% charm!
I love this song!
Do you hear how she fills the house? This is truly a special gift for us to hear her voice a cappella. She was sixty-five.
Oh that was beautiful!!
I was there and time simply stopped. Only and one occasion to also see for the last time all the legendary luminaries, including magnificent Bampton, regal and unpleasant Milanov, humble and touching Roman, exquisite and elegant Sayao and radiant Stevens... RIP.
Wearing jewels to equal Elizabeth Taylor in an absolutely ravishing gown our 65 year old veteran of hundreds of Wagnerian roles sang staccati that would impress Tetrazinni like a coloratura half her age. It wasn't just the vocal artistry but the complete immersion into the youthful joy of the memories of the song. A supreme artist. We will never see another artist of her caliber. I would have loved to have seen the jewels she had if that were an auction for her foundation after her passing. She was a very avid collector and I am sure they were great investments over time.
For those who were not around at the time, it is impossible to convey just how entirely beloved a singer and public figure was Birgit Nilsson.
I saw her in house, she was magnificent!
How can you not love Birgit?
One of the many magnificent performances I was privileged to attend. She was and is, one of a kind!
Birgit Nilsson is one of my few favorite sopranos. she's so damn perfect. Her voice and technique is a benchmark for singers.
Yes, they are.
Such a huge voice. Even her speaking voice is immensely resonant.
That is not a mysterie! She is a country girl from a time when telephones were scarce in the countryside.
@@thomasborgsmidt9801 yea...well....there have been many country girls in the past and present and none of them had this voice
@@Tkimba2 The point being that her soul and talent got a good strong house to live and work through.
Terrific artist a major voice without any hesitation
I remember this acapella performance in the live broadcast to have been something truly special. But hearing it now for the first time in so many years I find that it reveals as much in its simplicity the magnificence of Nilsson the voice and the artist as do any of her great roles.
One of the great Wagnerians, Nilsson was once asked by a young soprano for some tips on singing Wagner. Nilsson, without a pause said, wear sensible shoes. You are going to be out there for a long time.
As Nilsson walked off the stage, Eleanor Steber just shook her head in disbelief.
I wonder why
@@crazyorganist1609 Because she achieved the impossible.
Who knows what Steber was thinking
@@ajeansmith5478 I doubt if it was anything negative! Not after that jewel of an encore
Beautiful. I love Eleanor Steber's smile.
She sang like no one had before or since she was always almost super human while being so down to earth!
Wow!!! What a distinct voice!!!! Lovely!!!!!!
The lovely and down to the earth Ms Nilsson.
I was there. Quite something.
I remember when I was a kid and they had the Met Centennial on for TWO days (4 hours each)
Birgit sang at almost the very end.....and they gave her this extra little piece after the Wagner Narrative and Curse.
She did a great job....I remember being impressed that her High B's were that good as (to me at that time) I considered her to be QUITE old!
So very
True. I sat through all of the celebration. Memory fades. I don't recall all of the performers now..Thankful for the internet to be able to re-live...and hear again. I Recall Anna Moffo and Robert Merrill's rendition of "
Sweethearts" from "Maytime"...so simple but enjoyable.
historic reference voice. I like the audience. they are so excited...
If only the clip had continued you would really hear an entire auditorium sharing and expressing the same feeling of what can only be described as ecstasy.
On my very short list of the greatest singers of recorded operatic history. And apparently an even greater human being.
Wonderful memories of Birgit too!
Fjorton år tror jag visst att jag var. Brava!
Wonderful, Birgit Nilsson was outstanding
La Divina ❤
From a special world of great singing.
Unica e inrrepetible
Beautiful
There is Zinka Milanov clapping to Birgit Nilsson on left at 03:43!
Great really amazing , and behind I could see some jealous faces
3:14 Mrs Steber❤❤❤
One of the greats
So naturally talented
How many times did that big voice thrill me on Texaco radio broadcasts Saturdays?
I just came from listening to an old interview with and concerts by Paul Mac Cartney, who says he will be consídered among the top 20 in the world. I thought: he forgets all the fine opera singers, who are much greater than any pop artist. Doesn't compare as to what artistic height and skill it takes, and what amount and quality of nourishment for the soul it gives.He probably doesn't know opera and meant among pop artists.
I felt a longing for real music and googled La Nilsson.
McCartney is a pompous ass, but you are so right.
Swedish is a beautiful language.
God, I wish I could have heard live! P
I've been looking for this, thanks for posting.
Lovely!!!
Our beloved Birgit Nilsson sang "I remember I was fourteen years old" not 17. One of Kristina Nilssons songs at concerts.
@Margareta Holmgren Jag lär mig att inte lägga ord i andras mun... Tack Margareta. Du har naturligtvis rätt.
@@janhermansson3990 Men så lätt hänt! Egot är så klipskt och får oss att tro att det är ledaren den kunnige,fast det är , eller skall vara, tjänaren, den lydige, trogne hunden till jaget.
Why is no one talking about those stacatti? 1:51 😳😳
She was
Great !!!!!!
Esta canción fue en honor a su compatriota Christina Nilsson (qué inauguró el Metropolitan con Fausto)
Bravissima...
ニルソンは、この時後ろに座っててもおかしくない年なのに、イゾルデの呪いという重い曲を唄い、その後に１人だけアンコールでこの曲‼️
I'm a grown man of 35 years. I'm not a sentimental type. I hate tear jerkers. I've rolled my eyes at Titanic. I have even yawned at Whitney Houston. So why can't I stop crying right now?
Because Birgit does that to you. What a gift of God.
Because she gave you a gift from her soul with purity and sweetness .
B i r g i t.....❤❤❤❤❤ forget all these bird-cage tralallllllaa sopranos today ....here is the sound
Thanks Birgit !
This might be a long shot, but is there anyone out there who may know the composer of the song she sang? If it was sung by Christine Nilsson, its probably in public domain and available in the Petrucci Library.
In a book from 1908 it says "folk melody from Elsass-Lothringen"
Beautifui!!!!!!!!!
Fine Music, Aloha from Hawaii
:) Greetings from Brazil.
We share a love for the two greatest, Nilsson and Leander,both from Sweden.
Old Swedish folk song
META HUMAN
Can you please tell me, who are all the people behind her?
They are retired and former stars of the Met. I can see Rose Bampton, Rise Stevens, Zinka Minalov, Erna Berger, Bidu Sayao
Milanov doesn't clap for Nilsson just like she didn't clap for Horne the same evening. Someone needs to show this to This Is Opera!
Hahaha The same way they came to comment in one of my Birgit's video (in which they shared next day in their channel), probably they will notice this one too ;)
Still doesn't make Horne a good singer.
Take a better look at 03:43
Can someone translate the song?
I want to know what it says
Fourteen years old I do believe I was
A small girl, so cheerful and so happy
No suitor called
And no one was on my mind either
(she skips the middle verse which is about turning seventeen)
Well, now it's no longer like it was
Sometime's I'm so sad, sometimes happy
Sometimes I'm so white, sometimes red
And I neither want to live nor die.
The original "when I was 7 years old."
Celestine La Donna est Well Rather Uncomprehensible When I think of it BUT they like me I luve them Romeo et Juliet Maybe thias is why it ends in a whimper TS eliot Dr T Laureate
Красава.
Wonderful memories of Birgit too!
Wonderful memories of Birgit too!
Wonderful memories of Birgit too!
Wonderful memories of Birgit too!
Wonderful memories of Birgit too!
Wonderful memories of Birgit too!