parterre box

39 comments

• Hugo Santos says:

  The one and only Magda Olivero. A true legend.

  on March 27, 2009 at 4:59 PM
• C. Studer says:

  I agree. Let’s have her waiting in the wings when Matilla sings Tosca next season. We can roll out Magda and have the first wheelchair Tosca!

  How would she do the jump at the end, though? Hmmmm….

  on March 27, 2009 at 5:11 PM
• Camille says:

  A great artist.
  A great inspiration.
  A great revelation.

  on March 27, 2009 at 5:11 PM
• Alto says:

  13: That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard about Texas.

  I honor them for it. (And, if they love Magda, they can wear whatever tacky kind of suits they desire.)

  on March 27, 2009 at 10:08 PM
• Alto says:

  “I am going to feel soooooo bad when this woman finally passes on!!!”

  Relax, CasualOpera Fan. You may go first.

  on March 27, 2009 at 10:11 PM
• arepo says:

  Blessed be thou o wonderful La Cieca for bringing this wonderful clip into my heart.
  Magda Olivero is a unique and very special lady who is still feisty, youthful, and delightful.
  She has added so much drama to the world of opera that we should all be eternally grateful.
  May she continue on so that we can enjoy her still a little bit longer.

  on March 27, 2009 at 11:18 PM
• harry says:

  Regina delle fate. Regarding Simionato I think you are right that she lasted nearly as long. I saw a delightful video some years ago taken at that famous Italian Verdi Retirement Home for old singers There she was, singing with other old professionals in concert. Her technique was all there, still intact! Villazon: ‘are you listening?’.

  The best thing he can do is not listen to some recommended whizz- bang hired coach. First go, visit some of these old greats still alive and let them tell him the hard truths of his voice……away in private. After all it was their voices and how they personally used it, that survived.

  Some times one comes across limited rare CDs floating around in record shop ‘bargain bins’ for $2. Things like Michelangeli the pianist in Italian studio made stereo recordings . I came across one of Raina Kavbaivanska, probably then about 70 in an operatic recital. She is also a Professor of Music in Siena. That recording alone: the quality of voice and maintained standards would put many of the current ‘stars’ to shame!

  on March 28, 2009 at 1:43 AM
• Zinka the Kunc says:

  How can I thank la Cieca for this, especially after my speaking to her this week….We are filled with emotion at the sight of this MIRACOLO. Here is the tribute I posted Wednesday on my podcast site:

  I just made my annual call to the miracle of the vocal art, the great Magda Olivero. She sounds bright and lucid and I reminded her that she speaks “verismo” Italian, which amused her. She is so appreciative of all the attention given to her by fans all over the world and sends personal greetings to all of you. Imagine that next year she will be “cent’anni,” an expression that always signifies good luck! I have added some information from Wikipedia for your further edifcation. Bless this great lady.

  Praise be to this lady..She will never be forgotten…ch

  on March 28, 2009 at 2:14 AM
• wenarto says:

  THANK YOU LA CIECA….MAGDA…O…MAGDA

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  on March 28, 2009 at 2:51 AM
• Will says:

  It’s great to see her so vigorous, articulate and so elegant at this age. I was talking with a former tech crew chief for Sarah Caldwell’s Opera Company of Boston yesterday afternoon, going through my archive of Sarah’s productions, and he stopped me at Olivero’s Tosca to say how amazing a performance she gave. This guy’s not an opera queen or even a particularly big opera fan, but he remembers her to this day as a phenomenal performer.

  on March 28, 2009 at 8:07 AM