I was in London when these performances took place. Unfortunately I was only 5 and knew nothing about opera - we were there visiting my grandparents in Coronation summer.
@vergoti20 I think she sang Aida till 1955. She didn't sing the part only one time, but I guess about 20-25 times in London and, as far as I remember, in other city (or cities) of UK in tour performances. I read in an article about her early career she received excellent reviews for her interpretation of the role.
@vergoti20 A recording of any of those early Aidas would be a very valuable collectors' item indeed. The same of her early run of Otello. There's the "Mia madre aveva una povera ancella" from The Art of the Prima Donna and the love duet with Pavarotti (quite) a few years later, but wouldn't you just love to hear the young Sutherland sing the Ave Maria, or "Gia nella notte densa"? :)
@Lohengrin She definitely *could* have. But why would Covent Garden employ a relative unknown as Adalgisa for the Royal Opera debut of Callas' Norma, when Ebe Stignani was, evidently, available? Also, think what Mme. Callas may have had to say on the appointment ;) Agreed, this is luxury casting for the sacerdotessa, for which I am very thankful. The same again for her Opera Australia Elettra :)
the thought of she and maria in the same performance. damn that was one lucky audience. go joan! and rest in peace with maria love.
What a rare treat this is! @Lohengrin put it best: a scandalous luxury to hear Joan Sutherland in this role!
Even in her early days she had that immense power. Richard truly did unleash it
I was in London when these performances took place. Unfortunately I was only 5 and knew nothing about opera - we were there visiting my grandparents in Coronation summer.
@vergoti20 I think she sang Aida till 1955. She didn't sing the part only one time, but I guess about 20-25 times in London and, as far as I remember, in other city (or cities) of UK in tour performances. I read in an article about her early career she received excellent reviews for her interpretation of the role.
La sacerdotisa más célebre.
@vergoti20 A recording of any of those early Aidas would be a very valuable collectors' item indeed. The same of her early run of Otello. There's the "Mia madre aveva una povera ancella" from The Art of the Prima Donna and the love duet with Pavarotti (quite) a few years later, but wouldn't you just love to hear the young Sutherland sing the Ave Maria, or "Gia nella notte densa"? :)
The only part that sounds egyptian in the whole opera.
I can’t be the only one who thinks this aria served as the inspiration for Blanche Dourga in Leo Delibes’ Lakme.
@Lohengrin She definitely *could* have. But why would Covent Garden employ a relative unknown as Adalgisa for the Royal Opera debut of Callas' Norma, when Ebe Stignani was, evidently, available? Also, think what Mme. Callas may have had to say on the appointment ;) Agreed, this is luxury casting for the sacerdotessa, for which I am very thankful. The same again for her Opera Australia Elettra :)
@Lohengrin This years she also sung Brangane in Tristan und Isolde...so she could have sung Adalgisa.