To Opera lovers: Vote for your favourite soprano

[suzie]

I know this site might not have too many opera lovers but in case you have a little bit of interest in classical music and opera, you might find it fun to listen to the ’contestants’ and choose your favourite soprano.
I made it really easy for you by chosing the same aria (from Puccini and / or Verdi ) from each contestant, so that the performances are more comparable... (The sopranos in the competition were chosen on the following basis: most well-known singers and / or any relevance to Mika)

Here they are:

Maria Callas
New York-born Greek operatic soprano – probably the most famous soprano ever. Her versatile repertoire had Leonard Bernstein call her "The Bible of opera",
O mio babbino caro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqExm7YDlQA&feature=related
Sempre libera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GawIM9rbPYY

Montserrat Caballe
Spanish opera singer, also with a wide repertoire. She still performs sometimes and her daugher is a soprano, too.
O mio babbino caro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2OlNXFyOkQ&feature=related
Sempre libera (from 1:50): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTdRI9wYOx4

Joan Sutherland
Australian dramatic coloratura soprano – sorry no Queen of the Night link attached…She is over 80 now.
Sempre libera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZkDKAzNp34

Charlotte Church
Famous Welsh crossover singer who turned to pop music soon after her vocal talents were discovered.
O mio babbino caro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ6iEcXss2A

Angela Gheorghiu
Famous Romanian soprano, making her international debut in Covent Garden the same year as Mica did and even taking time to give advice to the boy.... :blush-anim-cl:
O mio babbino caro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzDjA8OULSc&feature=related
Sempre libera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9CzZjIK6iA

Ha-Young Lee
Young Korean soprano former member of a Young Arist Programme, working at the Royal Opera House in London. Now based in Hamburg but probably still having 'storng' supporters in the UK :naughty:
Sempre libera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4UKWx1j1Bk


(PS: if no reply on this thread , I think Rebeka and I should give up any further attempt on the opera topic on the MFC)

[mandilambi]

I voted for Montserrat. Not just for the obvious reasons, but more because she truly does have a beautiful voice.

[Barunka]

Couldn't decide between Montserrat, Charlotte (such a shame she doesn't sing anymore!!!) and Maria ..

[REBEKA]

Dear Suzie Erie! Thank you! I voted without any doubt for my beloved Maria Callas who wanted to be Callas but in the end was Maria.. :wub2:

Ha Young Lee is also great and she certainly has one storng supporter in the UK, certain Frotune Penniman :naughty:
In the video after she finished the singing she was astonished, maybe of herself, looks like she`s going to faint.

For whom did you/would you vote? May I guess? Was it Caballe?

I enclose one picture of Callas, it is an Apple ad, not sure if they are doing advertisment for her or she for them :naughty:

[esperia75]

Monserrat. I think she's a great, pure Soprano.

[*carrie*]

I voted for Charlotte. I don't really like her new pop stuff but I love her soprano music, especially her second cd. She has a beautiful voice. I've been a fan of hers since I was 10 or 11 and she was my favorite singer until about last year, I think. I have all of her cds. It makes me sad she doesn't sing like that anymore :(

[REBEKA]

Bump!
Happy birtday MFC!!

[elanorelle]

you are missing Renee Flemming!

[elanorelle]

I study Opera somewhat and work with an opera director and actually have some of the best sopranos in the world here :) you should come see one of the Victoria Productions some year! I vote for Monseratt! :)

the most beautiful voice I have ever heard is a girl called Alison Ward.
She is like Mika as a child except even more pure. She sings with me in various choirs. I don't perform in the Opera but I do in the Choral Society but I love Opera so much .........so much..........i will go on and on and on and on ...speaking of which there is a 8 hour Opera Marathon at the Movie theatre today! weee!

[elanorelle]

This is what people in Canada are doing this weekend! :)

http://www.cineplex.com/Events/MetOpera/cineplextheatres.aspx



or others on other various weekends!


http://www.pov.bc.ca/

I love Charlotte Church too!!!! But there are so many singers I know both internationally and locally , the talent astonishes me!!!!!!!!!

[suzie]

Hey you opera lovers!
Are you coming to London for the February concerts? I might be, so I searched what else is on that week, so that I don't waste my time and money in case Mika cancels again....

Anyway, I checked for Wednesday and Thursday because if I am going, I am going to the concert on Tuesday..
so.... on Wednesday 27th they have The Magic Flute in the Royal Opera House and the 28th will be the opening performance of Tosca in the Royal Albert Hall.

I am seriously considering going, so you might want to send me a PM in case you consider joining me...
I have also checked the prices for cheapest tickets: for the RAH the cheapest price is 21 GBP - funny, because they are usually 9GBP, so maybe you don't want to book in advance just turn up on the day...
and for the ROH it is only 7GBP- not sure what seats those are...

[Mary]

I voted for Maria Callas. She had a wonderful voice!
Bt if I could vote in two of them, my other choice would be Monserrat Caballé. :wink2:

I also like another soprano you didn't include in this poll: Cecilia Bartoli. She's great too! :wink2:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=J7P-INo21qU

[Sarah_loves_mika]

I don't really know opera music but i liked charlotte when she did the pop songs. They were cool. :mf_rosetinted:

[REBEKA]

I voted for Charlotte. I don't really like her new pop stuff but I love her soprano music, especially her second cd. She has a beautiful voice. I've been a fan of hers since I was 10 or 11 and she was my favorite singer until about last year, I think. I have all of her cds. It makes me sad she doesn't sing like that anymore :(

And who is your favourite singer now? :wink2:

[REBEKA]

I study Opera somewhat and work with an opera director and actually have some of the best sopranos in the world here :) you should come see one of the Victoria Productions some year! I vote for Monseratt! :)

the most beautiful voice I have ever heard is a girl called Alison Ward.
She is like Mika as a child except even more pure. She sings with me in various choirs. I don't perform in the Opera but I do in the Choral Society but I love Opera so much .........so much..........i will go on and on and on and on ...speaking of which there is a 8 hour Opera Marathon at the Movie theatre today! weee!

That`s great there are more fanatics like us on the MFC! That`s a pleasant surprise, right Suzie? I didn`t think this thread will catch up so well and with so much passion! Thanks El!

[Terou]

What about Cecilia Bartoli?:blink:

[TheBlackQueen]

What about Cecilia Bartoli?:blink:

Yes, what about her? She's one of the best! And Victoria de los Ángeles? She's my favourite of all times.

[MegPL]

and what about Malgorzata Walewska? she's mezzosopran but still! http://www.walewska.net/

[Louiza]

i've voted for Maria Callas

[*carrie*]

And who is your favourite singer now? :wink2:

Still Charlotte :naughty:

I just watched her singing The Prayer with Josh Groban on her show from earlier this year. She sounded so good..I just wish she would go back to singing like that.