Change my mind about Anna Moffo

The musical virtues of Anna Moffo have heretofore eluded me.

The clip I share here is the one several people have sent me in an attempt to persuade me otherwise — I think she sounds like a theremin wrapped in shearling. The overly syrupy tone combined with such mannered, blowsy singing… I’ve never understood the appeal, and that’s to say nothing of the numerous “Moffo sounds like pure sex!” comments I’ve read, which, like, gross.

Beyond the obvious factors that contributed to Moffo’s stardom, I defer to others to point me towards something genuinely unique and artistically insightful from this singer.

Comments

Sign up for Parterre’s free newsletter.

Exclusive opera reviews, commentary, and top reads
delivered to your email weekly…ish.