Wikipedia states, Teresa Berganza, born on 16 March 1935, is a Spanish mezzo-soprano. So how many fans were surprised to hear the announcement of a gala last Friday in Madrid to honour her 80th birthday. At the gala's end, Berganza came on stage to make a well-articulated and passionate speech about art, teaching and Spanish music, and she also took a minute to explain the … [Read more...] about The mystery of Teresa Berganza’s true age
Mezzo-soprano
Cecilia Bartoli on discovering a new composer, vocal styles, and bella Italia
Cecilia Bartoli's new album will be on the shelves in a couple of weeks' time. If Mission is successful it should put early Baroque composer Agostino Steffani (1655-1728) back on the musical map. He largely fell off it because his 'day job' as a diplomat and priest made it necessary for him to write many of his works in secret or under another name. The Repubblica's Giuseppe … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli on discovering a new composer, vocal styles, and bella Italia
Vivica Genaux: a bit like dancing on pointe: bizarre and unnatural, but compelling when done well
Coloratura singing, as a wise observer remarked, is a bit like dancing on pointe: bizarre and unnatural, but powerfully compelling when done well. Vivica Genaux does it very well indeed. The American mezzo-soprano made an all-too-rare return to the Bay Area on Friday night, appearing in Herbst Theatre with Nicholas McGegan and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra with a … [Read more...] about Vivica Genaux: a bit like dancing on pointe: bizarre and unnatural, but compelling when done well
Daniela Barcellona sings Scarlatti
The beautiful and technically demanding arias by Scarlatti constitute, surprisingly, the first recital disc by Italian mezzo Daniela Barcellona. If the record companies don't offer you a contract when you're fresh out of college it seems you need to sit back and be patient. Her début at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, which launched her career, was back in 1999. Well … [Read more...] about Daniela Barcellona sings Scarlatti
Joyce DiDonato’s new CD “Diva, Divo” celebrates the vast and fabulous world of the mezzo-soprano
As the blurb succinctly puts it, "This new collection showcases DiDonato’s multi-faceted art – and the wealth of opportunities open to a mezzo-soprano – by presenting her as different characters, both male and female, from the same opera or from different musical treatments of the same story." Clever stuff," said Andy Gill for The Independent. Here's what DiDonato herself has … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato’s new CD “Diva, Divo” celebrates the vast and fabulous world of the mezzo-soprano
Cecilia Bartoli’s “Handel and his Rivals” at the Barbican
Like all great singers Cecilia Bartoli seems to be a singer some "get", but certainly not everybody. After last night's Handel concert in the Barbican two reviews are in; Ismene Brown for The Arts Desk "gets" her: Cecilia Bartoli invites you to her party, she stands on stage beaming and welcoming you as her guest, about to serve up a banquet of song. This is what last night’s … [Read more...] about Cecilia Bartoli’s “Handel and his Rivals” at the Barbican