What a miraculous testament! Musically, there are imperfections, but the upper extension sounds natural, easy, and secure, with the high F sung both as a sustained note and briefly touched in staccato. That she is able to do this is impressive not only because she had been away from the stage for nearly two decades, but also because in 1979, she would have been around 49. I can think of another celebrated coloratura soprano who made a name for herself as the Queen of the Night, and whose upper extension was nowhere near as well preserved at 49.
She was a high note specialist -- there's a High B-flat in her Ernani recording (on YT). Be sure to check out her "Casta diva" as well - don't recall how high she goees, but the tsunami of ornaments she adds to the cabaletta are quite funny and downright tawdry!
@@songbirdwatcher I have those two on disc - she attempts an A flat above high C in the cabaletta after Casta diva. It's barely more than a squeak, with the B flat in the Ernani aria being more successful. I do realise that she was a high note specialist, and that her musicianship was perhaps not first rate, but I still maintain that having a secure high F at 49 is quite impressive.
Divine interpretation with beautiful and stratospheric notes. I loved it. Thanks for making me meet her.
This is amazing! 😊👍🎶
Thanks you for this! I haven't heard this one.
What a miraculous testament! Musically, there are imperfections, but the upper extension sounds natural, easy, and secure, with the high F sung both as a sustained note and briefly touched in staccato. That she is able to do this is impressive not only because she had been away from the stage for nearly two decades, but also because in 1979, she would have been around 49. I can think of another celebrated coloratura soprano who made a name for herself as the Queen of the Night, and whose upper extension was nowhere near as well preserved at 49.
Mina was a rare Coloratura acuto sfagato soprano. They sing WAY beyond high F....many an octave higher than the high F
She was a high note specialist -- there's a High B-flat in her Ernani recording (on YT). Be sure to check out her "Casta diva" as well - don't recall how high she goees, but the tsunami of ornaments she adds to the cabaletta are quite funny and downright tawdry!
@@songbirdwatcher I have those two on disc - she attempts an A flat above high C in the cabaletta after Casta diva. It's barely more than a squeak, with the B flat in the Ernani aria being more successful. I do realise that she was a high note specialist, and that her musicianship was perhaps not first rate, but I still maintain that having a secure high F at 49 is quite impressive.
@@kimdreyer4970 Erna Sack sang those super tones way into her 50s!
What I'm most impressed with is Mina's beautiful tone. Her voice was somewhat sizeable also.