Microgroovy
That utterly addictive web presence Vinyl Divas has just updated their fascinating, wide-ranging collection of operatic LP covers with high-quality scans of albums featuring every opera lady you’ve ever heard of (and more than a few you haven’t.)
The latest set runs the gamut from Alla Ablaberdyeva (performing Bach, Purcell and Handel with the assistance of the intensely bearded Alexander Fiseisky and his massive organ) to Virginia Zeani (rocking a hot-pink cocktail dress and Jackie Kennedy flip for a Verdi/Puccini recital.)
UPDATE: Although the Vinyl Divas site does not include any sound clips to complement the dizzying collection of album covers, La Cieca thought you might enjoy a sampling of late ’60s crossover at its best. Ferocious Felicia Weathers is heard in a psychedelic single:
Does anyone know of a blog, say, where you can download some of those LPs?
Someone here once kindly shared an Yma Sumac rarity with us Parterreans. I for one would definitely welcome – and thank in advance for – anyone’s generosity in making some of their LPs available too.
(il_guarany – I cannot even post under my soubriquet as “Other”)
I do not know either why I cannot post as myself (yniold).
But I have some of the old Balkan LPs as they were so cheap in those days. Whatever the system the Sate did support the Arts and you really have not lived if you have not heard the star ensemble of Cluj-Napoca.
The best ones are the featured Balkanton Tomova Sintow and Dimitrova, and my favourite the Jugoton Lilijana Molnar Talajic (who sang at La Scala and LOC) and who was a memorable Amelia with Gedda in Un Ballo at the ROH. Gedda imported his historically correct Stockholm Opera characterisation of Gustavus prancing around the stage in powdered peruque, lorgnettes to hand, and in high heels in Tecco il Sto while poor Lilijana stood stock still stage centre totally non-plussed.. The LP cover is a fabulous painted portrait looking for all the world like Leontyne Price.
I’m a techo phobe but there are file share sites. I find burning a copy to cd easier.
Oh my, Molnar-Talajic. Now that’s a name I haven’t thought of in decades. She was my first live Aida, at SFO back in 1969, so I still remember. I was only 18 and totally in love with the Tebaldi/Bergonzi recording at the time, and I remember thinking that Molnar-Talajic was in the same league. Gorgeous pianissimos and she rode over all in the Triumphal Scene. Never heard her again, so those are the fond memories I’ve retained.
There is a terrible crying need for us to get to hear Zinka sing Ukrainian songs in the company of the great baritone Myron Sands(listed on the album cover). And in the January 07 group of covers is the only album recorded by Margaret Truman. Could we please hear her/
Oh dear. For those who were wondering about dear Dragana, here she is:
http://www.pgp-rts.co.yu/katalog/izdanja/430701.html
(il_guarany)
Why have you cut off the Weathers selection before her offstage cries of “Sie schlagen mich!” ??
I love the chandelier that Birgit Nilsson wears as Turandot. Her Salome is wonderful, too, looking not a whit like a 16-year old virgin; too bad they replaced that with the Moreau painting on the first CD issue.
La Cieca, you’re right, that site is addictive.
Opera Chanteuse at 4:26 pm is absolutely correct, so many of the covers today are so stiff and formal, it’s like all the art directors are straight or something.
I think I deleted this by mistake, so…
For the Weathers fans, here are links to her Strauss Songs and her Introduction to German Lieder; IIRC, the covers of one or both are on Vinyl Divas:
http://rapidshare.com/files/51963318/WEATHERS_STRAUSS.zip
http://rapidshare.com/files/52184543/Weathers_Lieder.zip
Also, thanks to the person who mentioned my posting from some time back of Yma Sumac’s Miracles. The link for that has been changed to:
http://rapidshare.com/files/37285573/YmaSumacMiracles.zip
THIS SITE IS A GEM! It’s a shame most of these cuts aren’t available on CD (with the original cover art, natch).
… Or is it?
Hate to trash Weathers’ vocal talents, but the Bayreuth in Frisco Up..and Away did not get me mellow yellow or in the sky with diamonds. She was getting really close to Mrs. Miller.