Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Maria Callas Sings Voi Lo Sapete w/Piano

By the 1970's Maria Callas had retired from the opera stage but still performed a fair number of recital engagements. Here she is singing "Voi lo sapete" from Massenet's Cavelleria Rusticana in a 1974 Japanese recital, which, according to the performance listings in Divina, took place either in Hiroshima, Sapporo, or Osaka. According to the same listings, her pianist is either I. Newton or R. Sutherland. Hive Call: is anyone able to ascertain the identity of the pianist in this clip? Please leave a comment if you know.

3 comments:

  1. Full-stick or no stick - this a questioned asked frequently that i have yet to get a satisfactory answer. Callas' voice certainly could have sustained over a full stick so why a closed piano? Your thoughts?

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  2. Closing the lid really limits the color, though I have yet to play for a singer with a full lid.

    According to this document (http://www.frankhamilton.org/mc/c5.pdf) the pianist is Mr. Sutherland...

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  3. Thanks for the confirmation, Ben. Elizabeth, your questions on the subject of closed/half/full stick will be addressed in a separate post in the next few days.

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