parterre box

107 comments

• Jack says:

  I’m awaiting the identity of singer #6. Vocally she possesses the sexiest sound, and most alluring voice and style. Upon her identification, I’ll immediately rush out and buy her recording.
  Of course
  #1 is Horne,
  #2 is I don’t know. Even though I’ve heard La Graves in this role in the theater, I cannot say this is her.
  #3 Obratsova
  #4 Borodina
  #5 Is not Bumbry
  #6 Is “sublime”
  #7 Zajick
  #8 Is…don’t tell us! Yuck!

  Just curious, why, oh why!, did the last singer have to be tone death? The last line of this aria always makes me cringe, for few can sing it in tune, and #8 proves my point. Dreadful!

  on July 30, 2008 at 9:20 AM
• -Ed. says:

  I’m not sure the last line even belongs in this aria, isn’t it Samson’s line after he falls for the fish?

  on July 30, 2008 at 10:26 AM
• Sanford says:

  The line, in fact, is Samson’s. One of the clips I didn’t use included Samson’s part in the scene.

  on July 30, 2008 at 10:41 AM
• RudigerVT says:

  Yes. That’s Samson’s. And, FWIW, M. Horne famously takes it. The time I heard her do it in a recital, it was spot on.

  But I think it’s stupid. The whole POINT is that she’s lying back, taunting him with her seduction, and then HE ejaculates “I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

  She’s way too cool for that.
  LPR

  on July 30, 2008 at 11:51 AM
• Thackeray Gnomey says:

  Ruxton, why am I a naughty ol thing?

  on July 30, 2008 at 11:55 AM
• armerjacquino says:

  It’s just the concert version- like Turandot singing ‘gli enigmi sono tre’ three times.

  on July 30, 2008 at 12:05 PM
• Thackeray Gnomey says:

  I like the videos on YouTube where Grace gets ready to hit the (inauthentic) top note – is it a B flat? You can see her girding her vocal loins ahead of time, but she nails it, bless her. Beats wavin’ her arms about like a princess.

  on July 30, 2008 at 12:17 PM
• kashania says:

  brooklynpunk: I, too, remember that Met Centennial moment well. I also recall the woman sitting next to Stevens was mouthing the words along with Horne. It was very sweet.

  on July 30, 2008 at 12:36 PM
• Anna Chronism says:

  #5 is indeed Her Grace… a very young Bumbry, from the early DG recordings, in the 60′s.

  on July 30, 2008 at 3:29 PM
• ruxton says:

  Thackeray- thought your reference to Emma Kirkby was strategic?

  If Hughette Tourangeau is in the mix I’ll walk neikid to Bourke.

  I can’t wait to see the outcome of this quizz- my fiancee has done such an amazing job and has refused to spill the beans no matter how many times I sing Mon Coeur to him…

  on July 30, 2008 at 6:51 PM