Die Sterne des Himmels werden zur Erde fallen Die Sterne des Himmels werden zur Erde fallen

Chris’s Cache highlights the erstwhile Chicago Symphony Orchestra @ Carnegie series with not one but two starry operas conducted by Georg Solti: Salome with Birgit Nilsson and a performance of Moses und Aron

By April 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
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Diedero il canto agli astri, al ciel, che ne ridean più belli Diedero il canto agli astri, al ciel, che ne ridean più belli

Double diva day

By May 17, 2024 at 6:00 AM
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Come to the record store in old Peking Come to the record store in old Peking

In the lead up to LA Opera’s mounting of Turandot on May 18th (hooray!) I thought I’d touch on some of my favorite recordings and new re-masters I’ve discovered. I have them all.

By May 10, 2024 at 9:00 AM
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The art of the steel The art of the steel

This Sony Classical set of live performances covers a golden quarter century in the singing and staging of Wagner. Birgit Nilsson shared it with many other legends, and many of them appear on these discs.

By September 23, 2018 at 11:30 AM
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Fan mail to La Nilsson Fan mail to La Nilsson

On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of your birth, I am perplexed as to what to write about you that isn’t of the highest, most ecstatic praise and of deliriously effusive encomiums.

By May 24, 2018 at 1:00 PM
35 comments
“Something great in itself” “Something great in itself”

Now we have considered the three “winners” in the Tristan competition, let’s turn to the also-rans, or, to be more optimistic, the runners up.

By September 22, 2016 at 9:00 AM
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Not only with words, but with lively gestures Not only with words, but with lively gestures

“I will never sing the role again. It was frightful. We were a set of madwomen…There is nothing beyond Elektra. We have lived and reached the furthest boundaries in dramatic writing for the voice with Wagner. But Richard Strauss goes beyond him. His singing voices are lost. We have come to a full stop.” 

By April 12, 2016 at 9:00 AM
62 comments
Out of the past Out of the past

Myto’s transfer of Herbert von Karajan’s star-bedecked 1958 Die Walküre from La Scala gives collectors on a budget access to one of the legendary performances committed to tape.

By March 22, 2016 at 9:00 AM
13 comments
Heldenreizerin Heldenreizerin

In addition to the dates noted by WindyCityOperaman, today also also marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Birgit Nilsson.

By December 25, 2015 at 9:59 AM
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Ecco un artista! Ecco un artista!

Just discovered: a Swedish documentary about Birgit Nilsson.

By March 17, 2015 at 9:23 AM
9 comments
Horseplay Horseplay

Mike Richter‘s documentation of the 1962 Buenos Aires Ring continues with the second act of Die Walküre featuring Birgit Nilsson and Hans Hotter.

By March 20, 2014 at 6:53 AM
3 comments
Transfiguration

The best way to pay tribute to a legendary Wagner interpreter?  Why, to perform the “Liebestod” as beautifully as Nina Stemme did at the first Birgit Nilsson Prize Award Ceremony just last week. October 13, 2009 More details about The Birgit Nilsson Prize Award Ceremony 2009 are online.

By October 19, 2009 at 3:28 PM