Ageless
A glimpse of beloved soprano Gabriella Benackova in an unusual role: Emilia Marty in Vec Makropulos. Tete-de-peau tenor Roman Sadnik is Gregor.
Cher Public
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Along with La Gruberova, Benackova is one of the greatest sopranos to come out of the Czech Republic.
“Ageless” indeed: this excerpt is not dated but it’s hard to believe she’s 60-ish, and sounds glorious I must add. She’s been my gold standard as Rusalka for 30 years and remains a favorite. She sounds beautiful and fresh as ever in this clip. Thanks, La Cieca!
Gruberova is not czech, is she? i thought she might be slovak. she did come out of czechoslovakia, but the country has since split.
what the heck is tete-de-peau? what’s “head of skin” mean???? some of us are not cultch’rd, you know…
Todd: i.e., “skinhead.” Shaved dome.
She still sounds solid and secure, just delightful. Of course, that’s the reward for a life of good singing with a solid technique.
That hunky, sexy tenor doesn’t sound to tacky either!
Todd: Gruberova is Slovak, as is Benackova. And Popp, my fave.
I was just listening to Popp’s recording of Orff’s Die Kluge today. My god, that woman was such an artist.
Benackova is Slovak….not Czech…..although singers of her generation in pre-split Czechoslovakia went to Prague to “make their career”. On Memorial Day weekend, I heard her sing a spectacular concert in Prague celebrating her 60th birthday (with Eva Urbanova as her equally spectacular co-star). She was, as always, in glorious voice. The first half was the Czech stuff (Rusalka, Jenufa, and Bartered Bride). The second half was excerpts from Boheme, Adriana Lecouvreur, Gioconda, and a gorgeous Otello “Salce” and “Ave Maria”. (It was with the Czech Radio-Symphony….so I would hope there is a broadcast of it somewhere.) Sadly, according to the recent OPERA NEWS article, she has had a bit of family illness that has caused her to cut back on her engagements and she was recently widowed. The article spoke of future performances of Marty. I can only hope so! She still looks and sounds wonderful.