Sein Weg
That most versatile of all golden-age divas, Lilli Lehmann, must be looking down from Paradise right now with a peculiarly puzzled expression on her face, for at last she has a rival.
Meet Ingrid Höfer, an artist with a “mission to sing.” Mme. Höfer’s discography reveals that her range runs the gamut from Traditional folk material through Bach oratorio, Romantic Lieder and even choral music from Wagnerian stage-consecrating-festival-drama.
Along the way, the protean Höfer instrument soars through material more tradionally associated with dramatic soprano, coloratura soprano, and contralto. Die Höfer even takes on the challenge of a form that the mighty Lilli dared not attempt, i.e., the Broadway show tune.
La Höfer points out on her website about these sound clips “Erwähnenswert wäre noch, dass Sie hier die dunkle (nicht tiefe) Vokalfärbung eines dramatischen Sopran und nicht eines lyrischen hören.” That is, “It should be noted that you are hearing the dark (not low) vocal timbre of a dramatic soprano, not a lyric.” So noted.
These clips are actually fascinating. I agree with those who have commented that this was potentially a significant voice. The first reaction is likely to be “I never knew Florence Foster Jenkins had a daughter.” The pitch is pretty decent and the Mozart shows off the voice without the strenuous vibrato that mars the Wagner, albeit at such a glacial tempo that the aria dies.
Clearly, she never caught the attention of a competent teacher. I’ve always suspected that the great Wagnerian tenor of our age is bagging groceries somewhere out in Caspar, Wyoming.
Yes, it is a shame that her voice hasn’t been properly trained. I am amazed that someone of only 36 has such a wobbly sound. As a couple of you said, she could have been really good, but it didn’t work out that way, perhaps due to faulty training or none at all. And, sorry to say, she’s not the only one like that out there! Sighing….
“I am amazed that someone of only 36 has such a wobbly sound.”
Never heard Callas at 33? Or Trebs at 35?
Errrr…..maybe we should all buy her CDs if she promises to never ever never ever ever ever never do it again? Tehnwe can get them off the ‘shelves’ as it were?
What a bloody horror of a moment. It pains me to say that, but only so much butchering can be tolerated.
And no, she didn’t hit the F, she transposed the darn thing down and sang an e-flat! Well, that changes the whole aria, and its feel, other than her ‘creative interpretation of doing it in ‘double’ time.
If ever there was a question of filth, that was one that is the epitome.
Now, as for wobbles? Well, smash enough forced air on a pair of vocal folds without focus and you’ll get a wobble right quick. God only knows what this woman’s voice really is, due to the distortion. At least Callas HAD a technique at some point. I doubt at her worst she ever sounded this bad. Trebs? Well, she has had half a technique, and had best find the other half…..
I personally am always on the lookout for voices in unknown locations, and I will even record them if I have my digital recorder. Its the size of a pack of gum, so you lose most of the overtones, but sometimes its sort of fun! I don;t mind posting links here if people are curious, but…
it won’t be filth like this, unless we need a good laugh. I leave that to the master of filth blogging, La Cieca.
I initially thought the same “it’s-sort-of-a-decent-voice-though
-poorly-trained”, but I’m not so sure–the recording sounds “enhanced” with fake ambient reverb. Let us also not forget that raw material alone does not always turn into “gold” even with decent training. Some folks just don’t have the talent, which I think may be the case here. A lot of elements go into making a successful music career–determination, temperament, raw talent, discipline, training, to name a few. if any of the elements are missing, success can be elusive. I think this may be the case here. Very interesting specimen, La Cieca.
There are further informations!
Take a look at:
http://forum.klassik.com/gforum.cgi?forum=28;guest=914334
Thema: Hörbeispiele, Verfasser: ChrisWunschPC
The 2nd posting!
> I am amazed that someone of only 36 has such a wobbly sound.
…wait a sec: is she *really* only 36??? Ach! :-/
I think Mr Hoefer, the husband, seems very honoured that dear La Cieca chose his wife as the subject of one of his posts. Unfortunately, I am afraid, Mr Hoefer’s English does not suffice to realize that in this forum his wife’s abilities are less than upheld.
I would not be surprised if Mrs Hoefer is passing on her knowledge and abilities to the younger generation in provincial Austria….ah well.
@ leonoralby
Thank´s for your explanation, but I know that there´s a lot of criticism on this page.
@ All
But there are still some questions!
On the one hand there are – let´s call it extraordinarily – examples on the other there are many people which are very impressed from the voice of my wife.
(http://forum.klassik.com/gforum.cgi?forum=28;guest=914334 — Thema: Hörbeispiele, Verfasser: ChrisWunschPC — The 2nd posting!)
I am sure, you are able to read german, so I don´t have to translate it.
So what´s the real voice of this person ?
Are the examples fakes, only bad recordings, true ?
Are you able, if you get an example, to reveal a technical changed recording from a famous opera star or will there be a lot of criticism too ?
Best regards,
Christian Hoefer
All I have to say is:
What the hell?!?!