Rossini Perfect Singers Valentini Terrani Merrit

Lucia ... che palpito ... sei sempre nel mio cuore. Il ricordo di splendide recite vissute con Te, Alberto e tanti amici. Ma perchè ...
:-( Un amico torinese sempre immensamente innamorato della Tua arte e personalità. Vanni

dolce Lucia sei indimenticabile

You are being TOO kind. His voice was so ugly it was practically intolerable. He would show up for rehearsal without having bathed, and it was disgusting without belief (fat people with apron stomachs should bathe thrice daily).

Her Cenerentola is one of the best complete recordings I've ever heard. I adore her. Her complete Il Viaggio A Reims is wondeerful, too, although Gasdia is nearly inaudible, as it was recorded live, and she was appparently not near a mic.

I totally agree with you about Merrit! He is simply a great tenor, really "masculine and heroic" AND agile and melliflous, in one singer. Those critical of him are impossibly ungrateful wratches or failed tenors with no real career. I also can't stand people bitching about Araiza, for the same reasons. I thank god for Araiza and Merrit.

Unfortunately I have not lived in Italy for 8 years and I am a bit out of the "circle". Recently I have been impressed by DiDonato and Ganassi. Unfortunately Ganassi does not come across well in the recordings, but in a theatre her voice has the colours of a rainbow. Do you like Joyce?

No, as you know, "making it" in the industry is very difficult. I sang with Lucia at La Fenice in 1972 (L'Italiana in Algieri). Came back to the states and sang for SF Opera Chorus for 17 years and now am an attorney. But oh, the memories. I LOVE the mezzo coloratura repertoire, and to me, Bartoli is NOTHING compared to our magnificent Lucia. Her sound was so huge, and the coloratura so accurate. Who do you like now that I should listen to?

I wish I had been on that train ha ha! When I was in Padova I spoke to a few people who worked with Lucia, and they all told me what you have just said: a lively, charming and modest person. Are you still singing?

Oh my God, yes. I went to the L'Universita di Padova, auditioned for their "chorus," and they sent me to Iris Adami Corradetti in Venezia. The students included Katia Riciarelli, Lucia, and Antonello Garaventa. Do you know them? Lucia was the funiest person I have every know, always joking and yet so modest about her incredible talent. Coming home from a concert in Ravena, she sang Non Piu Mesta on the train. Everyone cheered!! And did she ever enjoy her Pastine!!

Was it in Padova? I come from Asolo, which is not far. She must have been fabulous. I saw her as Isabella in Marseille 1995: she WAS the perfect Italiana. It is a beautiful memory.

I studied voice with her in Italy in 1971 when she was just starting. I would play the accompaniment to the Cenerentola aria (finale) and we would see just how fast she could sing it. She put Bartoli to shame. And she had a FABULOUS sense of humor, just an amazing women. We have lost a treasure.

I have several recordings of her Cenerentola: she is fantastic indeed! I wish I had seen her Angelina live! Did you see her?

You should have heard her Cenerentola: absolutely the most incredible thing to imagine. As for Merritt, he is a hideous cow with a mediocre baritone with good falsetto.

Merrit has the most power voice tenor in rossini.

Valentini Terrani, Martine Dupuy, my favourite mezzos in this repertoire.

This is the way for singing Rossini!!! Valentini Terrani was one of the most wonderful rossinians singers of the XX century. Thanks a lot for this duo philopera!!!

I heard many people critizicing Merrit sound not beautifull, anyway singing rossini in this range killed many tenors, and he has to sing on chest and covered to protect the voice .
I like how he sound, is masculine and heroic aproach.

Oh Lord! She is fantastic!

I love Valentini, she is perfect here, but for me Merritt is a bit problematic. Yes, good coloratura, yes, power, but a beautiful tone, no. I prefer him in Bianca and Falliero with Horne, there he is unstoppable!!!