Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century
by Donald Sturrock
List Price:
Our Price: $19.95
You Save: $10.03 (33%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $19.92 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Enrico Caruso, Feodor Chaliapin Sr., Franco Corelli, Jussi Björling, Maria CallasDirector: Donald Sturrock
Editor: Steve Eveleigh
Producer: Marcus Klorman
Producer: Mark Pickering
Producer: Pierre-Olivier Bardet
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); German (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Italian (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Black & White, Classical, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
DVD Release Date: 2002-09-03
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Nvc Arts
DVD Reviews of Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century
DVD Review: Some stunningly good, some not.
Summary: 4 Stars
I have been following this DVD for over two years - not trusting the single "rave" review (or the two 1 line reviews) to give an accurate representation of an item which has varied from $50 to $150 in asking price, and hoping that someone would eventually offer it at a reasonable price. Finally, I started looking at other sources; not much luck - until I found an old Laserdisc version offered for $5 just where you would expect. Since I still had my old Laserdisc player, and since the video was not going to be anything approaching HD, I went ahead and placed the only bid.
The disc has a large number of small snippets, and several more extended bands, of very fine singers of the past. There is a minimal narration by someone named Penny Gore, and numerous commentaries (of variable usefulness) by Magda Olivero, Nicola Rescigno, Thomas Hampson, Jon Vickers, Risë Stevens and Schuyler Chapin.
For the most part, these selections should be considered as supplementary material - giving an interesting visual representation of the great singers and their performance practices of the past 100 years - rather than as exciting performances, which you would watch frequently for their entertainment value. Needless to say, the quality of the audio and video varies widely from the crude early selections, through the fuzzy cinemas of the 1930's to the relatively acceptable quality of the later singers in the 1960's.
While there are several singers who are also very capable actors presented here, most artists are concentrating on their singing. One also needs to consider that not only is it difficult to accompany what are essentially sung monologs with meaningful gestures, these performers normally performed on stage in large concert halls; thus their gestures and acting styles may seem exaggerated in the close-up medium of the camera.
Side 1:
Band 1: Enrico Caruso (2:38) - a number of very short silent movie and newsreel segments, shown over a background of a 1907 recording of "Vesti la giubba".
Band 2: Enrico Caruso (1:36) - a silent movie segment from 1911, showing six very static (yet mannered) actors miming to a 1908 recording of the sextet from Lucia with Sembrich, Scotti & Journet.
Band 3: Giovanni Martinelli - 1930 (1:48) - a short segment from one of the early "talkie" movies, showing the 45 year old Martinelli (in costume) singing the opening of "Celeste Aida". Commentary by a much older Martinelli - probably shot around 1960.
Band 4: Giovanni Martinelli - 1931 (1:54) - a short segment from another of the early "talkie" movies, showing Martinelli (in a Gondolier costume) singing an energetic and vigorous "Torna a Sorriento".
Band 5: Beniamino Gigli - 1933 (2:21) - The 43 year old Gigli, accompanied by an organ, dressed in the vest and trousers of a three piece suit, in front of a radio microphone, with rows of middle-aged men (also in business suits) sitting behind him, singing "Ombra mai fu". While the setting is bizarre, the singing is glorious - no gulps, no sobs. Reminiscences by Magda Olivero.
Band 6: Tito Schipa - 1929 (3:18) - A studio film of the 41 year old Schipa singing (in rustic costume) "Martha, m'appari". A beautiful performance, which gains nothing from the rather distracting set, costume and acting. Reminiscences by Magda Olivero.
Band 7: Giuseppe de Luca - 1927 (3:03) - a segment from one of the early "talkie" movies, showing the 51 year old de Luca (in costume) singing "Largo al factotum". Very well sung, minimal acting. Commentary (mostly vacuous) by Thomas Hampson.
Band 8: Luisa Tetrazzini - 1932 (1:16) - an absolutely ghastly segment, showing a very rotund, 61 year old Tetrazzini, croaking along to a recording of Caruso singing "Martha, m'appari", while wearing one of the ugliest hats ever devised by man, and letting loose a fearsome cackle when a toady bystander kisses her hand and tells her how wonderful she sounded.
Band 9: Conchita Supervia - 1934 (2:52) - A segment from the movie "Evensong", where the 39 year old Supervia does a nice job with "Quando me'n vo" from Bohème.
Band 10: Rosa Ponselle - 1936 (6:02) - A very memorable segment from some MGM screen tests, where the 39 year old Ponselle does an outstanding job with the "Chanson Bohème" and the "Habañera" from Carmen. Extraordinarily vivacious and charismatic; a real charmer! A very short interview (two questions) with Ponselle.
Band 11: Richard Tauber - 1933 (3:26) - A segment from the movie "Lilac Time", where the 42 year old Tauber drowns Schubert's "Ständchen" in great dripping gobs of schmalz. There is so much portamento and rubato that I seriously recommend taking Dramamine before viewing.
Band 12: Fyodor Chaliapin - 1933 (2:41) - A short, acted segment from the silent movie "The Maid of Pskov" (1917), followed by the 60 year old Chaliapin singing the "Chanson du duc" from Ibert's "Don Quichotte". The presence and acting are very fine. The voice is accurate, penetrating, thin and hard. The music is incredibly boring.
Band 13: Kirsten Flagstad - 1938 (3:15) - A segment from the movie "The Big Broadcast". Introduced by Bob Hope. Another glorious vocal performance in a bizarre setting. The setting appears to be a cocktail lounge or club; an audience (obvious Hollywood extras) is seated at tables in white dinner jackets and evening gowns. There is a smallish (for Wagner) orchestra sawing away. The curtain opens on the very round, 43 year old Flagstad, in full valkyrie regalia, standing on a paper-maché rock, waving a short spear around while trying not to fall off the rock. But, you are not likely to ever hear "Hojotoho" sung better - or by a richer, more beautiful voice.
Band 14: Lawrence Tibbett - 1935 (2:05) A segment from the movie "Metropolitan". The 39 year old Tibbett shows off his fine figure and voice in a very mannered and choreographed performance of the "Chanson du Toreador" from Carmen. The only problem, other than a lack of nuance in his singing, is that sleazy little mustache, which denotes different qualities to different observers - but none of them are admirable.
Band 15: Risë Stevens - 1941 (2:51) - Yet another glorious vocal performance in a bizarre setting. A segment from the movie "The Chocolate Soldier". The singer is standing in front of a piano in what appears to be a cocktail lounge or club; an audience similar to the above. In a short interview the singer discusses the problems of looking attractive for the camera while filming an aria. She does a nice job of singing "Mon coeur s'ouvre" from Samson and Dalila; but exhibits no emotion whatever - whether by the instructions of the director or personal preference is unknown. However, the aria doesn't work when sung without passion, especially in a club in front of a piano. DOA.
Band 16: Lauritz Melchior - 1948 (1:28) - Yet another passionless performance in a bizarre setting. A segment from the movie "Luxury Liner". This time the singer is seated at a piano in what appears to be dinner jacket without lapels; the audience appears to be a maid, seated in an armchair, and two young starlets standing next to each other and exchanging what are meant to be meaningful looks. The 58 year old Melchior croons away at "Winterstürme" in what is meant to be a charming manner. At the end, the maid opines "Wonderful! Just wonderful!"
Band 17: Ezio Pinza - 1953 (3:16) - A segment from the movie "Tonight We Sing". A well sung and acted scene from Boris Godunov by the charismatic 61 year old singer/actor. It's a movie, but it's well done.
Band 18: Jussi Björling and Renata Tebaldi - 1956 (14:08) - This one band by itself almost makes the disc worth the exorbitant prices being asked. A segment of a TV production call "Producer's Showcase", the scene is self-consciously introduced by the great actor Charles Laughton, who seems to be embarrassed by the execrably written introduction he has to read. The scene picks up the first act of La Bohème at "Che gelida manina" and runs to the end of the act. The singers are rotund, the acting is not quite High School level, but the singing is unforgettable! Both singers are in excellent voice; both voices are beautifully plangent and absolutely perfect for Puccini, the conductor is the excellent Max Rudolf. I could go on, but you get the idea.
Side 2:
Band 1: Victoria de los Angeles - 1962 (2:06) - If you are a fan of de los Angeles, and you find "La Vida Breve" interesting or attractive, you will enjoy this performance. I am not, do not, and did not.
Band 2: Joan Sutherland - 1963 (2:29) - "O beau pays" from Les Huguenots by Meyerbeer. Beautiful singing wasted on boring music.
Band 3: Leontyne Price - 1962 (5:43) - "O patria mia". Prime Price. Beautiful, penetrating, rich voice with outstanding lower range, slightly marred by too wide a vibrato...very nice in softer sections...minimal acting, minimal set.
Band 4: Boris Christoff - 1956 (14:28) - "Death of Boris". Outstanding presence and singing...not likely to be bettered any time soon. Nicola Moscona as Pimen, conducted by Alfred Wallenstein.
Band 5: Magda Olivero - 1960 (4:53) - A well sung and acted "Vissi d'arte" by the 48 year old Olivero, followed by the Act III duet from Tosca with tenor Alvinio Misciano.
Band 6: Fritz Wunderlich - 1961 (4:28) - Wunderlich's typical peerless performance of "Dies Bildnis" - unenhanced by silly costume, bouffant hair above a receding hairline, and stiff, unimaginative acting. Just close your eyes and it will be "bezaubernd schön".
Band 7: Jon Vickers - 1974 (5:19) - The century's premier Florestan singing a very fine "In des Lebens". One could find the acting a bit over the top, if one wanted to criticize something, but I don't. Another band that almost makes the price worth it.
Band 8: Franco Corelli -1963 (2:53) - "Non piangere Liu". I have never heard Corelli sing better than this performance. Beautiful voice, fine presence, good acting. Plus it's nice to see an opera singer who doesn't look like an over-stuffed easy chair.
Band 9: Giuseppe di Stefano -1958 (3:40) - "Vesti la giubba". This performance is a real surprise. One expects beautiful singing from di Stefano, but here he instilled the old war horse with a great deal of feeling. To quote Aldous Huxley (speaking of a different tenor): "[This is] a piece, which at ordinary times, I would go out of my way to avoid hearing...[but here] Leoncavallo's throaty vulgarity seemed not only refined and sincere, but even beautiful, positively noble." Di Stefano "nailed it."
Band 10: Maria Callas - 1958 (4:18) - Very dark, murky video, shot from some distance away, of the Lisbon "Traviata" with Alfredo Kraus. Listen to the C/D, nothing to see here.
Band 11: Maria Callas & Tito Gobbi -1964 (4:45) - Duet and "Vissi d'arte". Callas and Gobbi are inimitable. Stunningly intense performance, with her usual problems in upper range. One hears such singing, and what can one say but "Callas"?
More Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century reviews:
1
1
Classical Music CDs
Bestsellers in Classical Music CDs
Winterscapesby London Philharmonic
Prophetic Voice; Published: 2000-07; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $2.74
Price in other shops:
The Queen, the Bear, and the Bumblebeeby Dini Petty
Childrens Group; Published: 2001-03; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $13.40
Price in other shops:
Classical Kids - Beethoven Lives Upstairs CdrRelease date: 2000-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $25.98
Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
![Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] Image](/images/Jose-Carreras-Jubileum-Concert-VHS-1584481471-X.jpg){kind=small}
Jose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.87
Price in other shops:
![Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] Image](/images/Tchaikovsky-The-Nutcracker-Nureyev-Park-Royal-Ballet-VHS-156127092X-X.jpg){kind=small}
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.94
Price in other shops:
![Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] Image](/images/Lonely-Town-Lonley-Street-Sergeant-Early-Dream-VHS-1561270857-X.jpg){kind=small}
Rambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $24.99
Price in other shops:
Winter Music: Composing the Northby John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $23.62
Price in other shops:
![Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Puccini-La-Fanciulla-del-West-Santi-Domingo-Neblett-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720382-X.jpg){kind=small}
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] Image](/images/Verdi-Falstaff-Giulini-Bruson-Ricciarelli-Nucci-Royal-Opera-Covent-Garden-VHS-0769720358-X.jpg){kind=small}
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Ponselle, Vol. 2Release date: 1995-04-16; Music CD
Best price: $6.76
Price in other shops:
![Art of Piano - Great Pianists of the 20th Century [VHS] Image](/images/Art-of-Piano-Great-Pianists-of-the-20th-Century-VHS-B00003J9UI-X.jpg){kind=small}
Art of Piano - Great Pianists of the 20th Century [VHS]Elektra / Wea; Release date: 2000-06-06; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.95
Price in other shops:
Jussi Bjorling - The Very Best of Jussi BjörlingRelease date: 2003-04-22; Music CD
Best price: $9.58
Price in other shops:
Great Stars of Opera, Vol. 2 - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1967Release date: 2003-04-22; DVD
Best price: $23.30
Price in other shops:
The Art of ViolinKultur; Release date: 2010-06-29; DVD
Best price: $17.18
Price in other shops:
Three Legendary Tenors (Caruso, Gigli, Bjorling)Kultur; Release date: 2003-04-15; DVD
Best price: $11.03
Price in other shops:
Voices of Firestone: The Great Sopranos / Steber, Price, Tebaldi, Sayao, Nilsson, Moffo, Albanese, Peters, Munsel, Traubel, SutherlandKultur; Release date: 2004-11-16; DVD
Best price: $11.66
Price in other shops:
Voices of Firestone: The Great Tenors / Bjorling, Corelli, Tagliavini, Tucker, Peerce, Gedda, McCracken, ThomasKultur; Release date: 2004-11-16; DVD
Best price: $11.26
Price in other shops:
Voices of Firestone: Jussi BjorlingKultur; Release date: 2004-11-16; DVD
Best price: $11.88
Price in other shops:
Great Stars of Opera - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1966Release date: 2000-11-28; DVD
Best price: $23.28
Price in other shops: