Her career famously lasted from 1932 until the early 1980s (!). Also famously, she retired in 1941 when she married, but was coaxed out of retirement a decade later by Francesco Cilea to perform the title role in his great opera Adriana Lecouvreur--performances which, if memory serves me, he did not live to see (Cilea died in 1950). Her career on the great Italian and other stages flourished afterward, concluding, at age 71 with performances of Francis Poulenc's bravura one-woman showcase, La voix humaine.
She had an unconventional voice, but it was among the greatest examples of expressive Italian singing, and she was magical in the great Italian verismo roles of Puccini, Mascagni, Giordano, Cilea and Zandonai. Her Minnie in Puccini's La Fanciulla del West and her Tosca were among the greatest I ever heard on recordings. She performed the latter role in her Metropolitan Opera debut at the age of 65 (in 1975) to sold out houses--the late MET General Manager, Schuyler Chapin, was completely awed by her.
What is most remarkable about the woman is her continued vitality. She is ageless, having performed and recorded music in a limited manner in the years subsequent to her retirement, including a recording of full scenes from Adriana in the 1990s. But it did not stop there! She has been heard and seen actively participating in the music world, with lectures, television appearances, and even occasional moments of singing into her late 90s.
Cent'anni Magda. You are the TRUE definition of a "diva" in the very best sense.
Listen to Magda Olivero in a brilliant excerpt from Tosca--the final scene of Act II. (From YouTube):
And some remarkable appearances--Magda at age 99 (!) discussing -- and SINGING MUSIC FROM!!! -- Zandonai's Francesca da Rimini (From YouTube):
1 comment:
I am grateful to you for this beautiful tribute to a very grand lady.
My gracious thanks.
Idia Legray
Post a Comment