Imagine hearing notes like this in opera today. The audience would probably faint! One of the greatest of all opera singers and very witty and funny also!
@@cobaltcanarycherry Nilsson did not get along with famous conductor Herbert von Karajan. Once when rehearsing on stage at the Vienna Staatsoper, her string of pearls broke. While helping her retrieve them, Karajan asked, "Are these real pearls bought with your La Scala fees?" Nilsson replied, "No, these are fake pearls bought with your Vienna Staatsoper fees."
I envy all those who have the discovery of Birgit Nilsson in their futures. You are in for a life-changing experience. This cosmic voice is a gift from the universe. No singer is perfect, but this woman stands at the pinnacle in Valhalla.
what an absolutely wonderful reminder of the glorious Birgit Nilsson. I was so blessed and honoured to have directed her several times (always Elektra) and she was every time superlative. Never to be forgotten. One orchestral rehearsal at Covent Garden the Oreste had a bad cold and Maestro Solti wouldnt allow him on stage but made him sing in the orchestra pit. I had to stand in for him and when we got to the long "seliger" which she holds for many bars starting pianissimo and them growing into the final bars fortissimo, the sound was so extraordinary and ear piercing that I nearly fainted. She held me up and coming off the last note smiled at me and said "I am very loud arn't I dear John!!!!" Her wonderful sense of humour was ALWAYS lurking somewhere. One couldnt help but adore her.
This DVD is a loving celebration to one of the greatest voices and personalities in the opera world. She truly was in a league of her own. The Divine La Nilsson.
I watched this on one of the PBS plus channels and it was wonderful, a very loving and terrific tribute to the one and only Birgit Nilsson, covering her entire life & career, with rare footage of her rehearsing, vocalizing backstage in her dressing room, interviews, and so forth. Her personality is showcased - she was funny, witty, no nonsense, professional and she had guts! She was not afraid of even the most controlling of master conductors such as Karajan. And that voice there was nothing like it and there will never be a voice like that. She was an opera goddess from Valhalla! She is my favorite soprano of all time. Thank you to the producers of this documentary.
Nilsson was a real singer!!!! My father told me how fanatastic she was! The Problem nowadays is that there are many so called "professional singers" who cannot sing. Honestly being a primadonna means also to be proud, intelligent and to behave like that. I can count few singers like, Anna n., Aida G. And other bi**es who COME this far by either sleeping with men or paying them (billionaire as a father).
I just watched the full documentary on PBS, 1:24 minutes. I have to say I couldn't contain my tears to see how humble and simple this woman was with her college and people around. No a diva. A Great, Great artist who knew how develop her own talent to share it with us. Her public. I love you Birgit. Always in my heart. ♥️
Thank you to all of you for leaving your comments here and sharing your experiences! Unfortunately, we can’t hear Birgit Nilsson’s immense voice live anymore but we’re happy to hear and see all the amazing recordings in the documentary by Thomas Voigt and Wolfgang Wunderlich. Keep your passion and love for Birgit
TheBirgitNilssonPrize Yes! I have their docufilm on their father, the best tenor in (or out of) this world, Fritz Wunderlich. And have seen in 3 SAT their documentary on Lisa della Casa at every opportunity.
I remember well her last opera-performance in Frankfurt where she was singing the Elektra. Birgit Nilsson was in good voice, a great performance and her last on stage.
I was introduced to the phenomenon that was Birgit Nilsson by a friend at university in the early 70s. We were both on a voyage of discovery in classical music in general and opera in particular. The Decca Ring cycle was a special favourite, mainly because of Nilsson but for me also because of the VPO. I fell in love with the sound of the wienerhorns and years later played Horn as a semi-pro. In the late 70s my pal and I went to hear Birgit in Elektra at Covent Garden, conducted by Kleiber. This opera is not to my taste as I prefer music to a Hammer horror onstage. To this day, the only memory I have is of walking from the Tube station down Floral St and being able to hear our Birgit quite clearly warming up high overhead in her dressing room. No amount of street noise could mask THAT sound. Derek and I glanced at each other and grinning like Cheshire cats, made our way to the theatre entrance in Bow St. Afterward we waited outside the stage door as Derek wanted her autograph. When she emerged she was an absolute delight. Warm and friendly, chatting to friends and acquaintances about their families etc. A lovely, lovely person.
I had the great good fortune to meet her at the signing of her picture autobiography. She was so happy it was my birthday, she signed it with a big flourish that I cherish always. I saw her onstage in Elektra and Frau ohne Schatten. And in her big Met Comeback! A true legend.
The last images on the Liebestod are to die for. And I was fortunate enough to be in the audience at the Met in 1983 when she sang Isolde's curse to an extatic audience. And the presence of all those Golden Age glories assembled on stage made the event even more fantastic. Never to be repeated. Now, we have to be content with robot-like singers (with a few exceptions though). RIP.
Now a days, if there is a star with any talent, they run them like race horses, working them to the death of their careers, often in less than ten years. While talented new singers languish in the shadows and, not getting any support, take other paths. So sad for us, and them. This was, indeed, the Golden Age of Opera stars, which, in my opinion, we will never see again.
@@terrietackett8964 There are exceptions who have the discipline to control their career in service of their voices and the music. They are rare, but Fleming and Bartoli are current examples.
if one is not already moved by this video, the last shot of her, turning in her bow at the Metropolitan and returning to her homeland in the fading shot, ought to take care of that. a very beautiful tribute.
I just noticed that tears were streaming down my face. I can't explain exactly why but I have been rendered utterly helpless...I am new to Opera, I know nothing, but I am profoundly moved. I haven't the training to sing opera, but on some days I think I am a singer of some kind. But not today.
Wonderful video! Thank you! I had the privilege of attending many of her "live" performances at the old and new Met. Some of the most memorable moments in my life!
Thank you for this detailed feedback to our video! We're so happy to hear that you like Birgit Nilsson and the video showing her that much. We share your feelings!
I had been listening for a few days to Price - a first and a legend. I hadn't listened to Nilsson in a long time and this showed up on my iTunes home page. Another unexplainable sound. Kaufman describes her best.
I have not been moved by Nilsson once in anything she sang. An amazingly massive voice and amazing technique, but nothing to say. She was to Wagner singing what Sutherland was to Bel Canto. Give me Martha Modl, Callas, Ludwig etc etc. any day.
Great human beings are made, not born. You can see in that final bow how Opera made of her a Great Lady. I saw one other the like at the end of her career--Schwarzkopf. Sharing the love and gratitude with each person in the audience--with just a simple gesture. Wow.
I was lucky enough to see her Isolde twice and a glorious concert in LA. Records, alas do not do her justice; live was a revelation and in truth it is the only way to make a reasoned judgement of any singer.
A quote from Birgit Nilsson: Isolde made me famous. Turandot made me rich. Her debut ( as Isolde) at The Metropolitan Opera made the front page of New York newspapers.
Fabulosa otra persona que nunca conocí por qué yo era una niña pero la he conocido ahora y me alegro mucho que bosque voz ni callas ni nada ella y Victoria de los Ángeles las mejores
This video is delightful! I think one can get an impression of the size of her voice at 4:28. Of course it’s only an impression but to me it seems massive!
@@Operafreak9 Thanks for the verification. Also, your comment caused an alert that made me listen again. You can just "feel" the heft and stunning clarity!
My compliments f t video Birgit and I never met inMET But we met in V Karup Skåne Just sad I was 2 young to ask her t On the other hand she was already married 1980 Sad she didnt get any kids She so dearly longed Mon homage
Oh come on... She's not a force of nature. Nilsson worked her ass to become what she's known today. She studied and worked with a good teacher and had a bright mind to absorb the words, ideas that it gave her.
Obviously she worked hard, but it is simultaneously true that she was a force of nature. Just the whole package of supreme vocal talent with the work ethic and intelligence to harness all of those gifts and grace us with some incredible performances
Kirsten Flagstad has the same or even more volume and above all a golden tone, Nilsson not. But the last twenty years there is nothing to compare with such voices like Frida Leider, Kirsten Flagstad and Nilsson or singer with a intensity like Martha Mödl or Inge Borkh (best Elektra).
Every voice is constructed differently. She learned the fundamentals from a local choir director. But the advanced/sophisticated instructions she received at the music academy did not work for her. She had to discover techniques that suited her voice.
Imagine hearing notes like this in opera today. The audience would probably faint! One of the greatest of all opera singers and very witty and funny also!
Some of the powerful people in this video would not hire someone that sounded like Birgit Nilsson. They go for quiet, musical, soft singing today.
They asked her if Joan Sutherland's blonde bouffant was a wig, once. She said "I haven't pulled it yet." 🤣
A humorous and splendidly talented woman.
@@cobaltcanarycherry Nilsson did not get along with famous conductor Herbert von Karajan. Once when rehearsing on stage at the Vienna Staatsoper, her string of pearls broke. While helping her retrieve them, Karajan asked, "Are these real pearls bought with your La Scala fees?" Nilsson replied, "No, these are fake pearls bought with your Vienna Staatsoper fees."
Nobody sings like this today. Not even close
Why is that then?
@@NJE100 ua-cam.com/channels/ZmPxGnYwbE-mrhuI0UivHQ.html
watch their videos
@@NJE100 not proper training
She and Corelli, what a pairing of power!!!!
I envy all those who have the discovery of Birgit Nilsson in their futures. You are in for a life-changing experience. This cosmic voice is a gift from the universe. No singer is perfect, but this woman stands at the pinnacle in Valhalla.
what an absolutely wonderful reminder of the glorious Birgit Nilsson. I was so blessed and honoured to have directed her several times (always Elektra) and she was every time superlative. Never to be forgotten. One orchestral rehearsal at Covent Garden the Oreste had a bad cold and Maestro Solti wouldnt allow him on stage but made him sing in the orchestra pit. I had to stand in for him and when we got to the long "seliger" which she holds for many bars starting pianissimo and them growing into the final bars fortissimo, the sound was so extraordinary and ear piercing that I nearly fainted. She held me up and coming off the last note smiled at me and said "I am very loud arn't I dear John!!!!" Her wonderful sense of humour was ALWAYS lurking somewhere. One couldnt help but adore her.
I´m responding to a person that have directed Birgit Nilsson. Already that I consider an honour!
Never to be forgotten, one in her own league.
This DVD is a loving celebration to one of the greatest voices and personalities in the opera world. She truly was in a league of her own. The Divine La Nilsson.
Ho avuto la fortuna di sentirla nel teatro antico di Orange nel sud della Francia...cantava nella Walchiria...ne sono molto felice...
I watched this on one of the PBS plus channels and it was wonderful, a very loving and terrific tribute to the one and only Birgit Nilsson, covering her entire life & career, with rare footage of her rehearsing, vocalizing backstage in her dressing room, interviews, and so forth. Her personality is showcased - she was funny, witty, no nonsense, professional and she had guts! She was not afraid of even the most controlling of master conductors such as Karajan. And that voice there was nothing like it and there will never be a voice like that. She was an opera goddess from Valhalla! She is my favorite soprano of all time. Thank you to the producers of this documentary.
Nilsson was a real singer!!!! My father told me how fanatastic she was!
The Problem nowadays is that there are many so called "professional singers" who cannot sing. Honestly being a primadonna means also to be proud, intelligent and to behave like that. I can count few singers like, Anna n., Aida G. And other bi**es who COME this far by either sleeping with men or paying them (billionaire as a father).
I absolutely adore Birgit’s voice and her technique. ♥️
Heard her in concert. Her voice traveled very quickly through space. Thrilling!
Supreme Queen of dramatic sopranos. Hail forever!
If all she had was that technique, I’d be on my knees. But her talent doesn’t stop there! Brava, Birgit!! Loved meeting you. R.I.P. 🌹🙏🏼❤️
I just watched the full documentary on PBS, 1:24 minutes.
I have to say I couldn't contain my tears to see how humble and simple this woman was with her college and people around. No a diva. A Great, Great artist who knew how develop her own talent to share it with us. Her public.
I love you Birgit. Always in my heart. ♥️
Birgit - the voice of the ages. Whenever I hear her voice, I know what perfection means.
They talk about the Swedish musical wonder, ABBA, Roxette and others.
But this is it!
My fellow swede, La Nilsson. Wow.
Birgit Nilsson was the definition of opera.
In an interview with the NY Times she showed how funny she could be, saying: "The "Isolde" made me famous, but the "Turandot" made me rich."
Thank you to all of you for leaving your comments here and sharing your experiences! Unfortunately, we can’t hear Birgit Nilsson’s immense voice live anymore but we’re happy to hear and see all the amazing recordings in the documentary by Thomas Voigt and Wolfgang Wunderlich. Keep your passion and love for Birgit
Where did you get her live footage of Elektra? 3:21
The complete live Elektra (MET, 1980) is on sale as DVD at “Deutsche Grammophon”.
TheBirgitNilssonPrize Yes! I have their docufilm on their father, the best tenor in (or out of) this world, Fritz Wunderlich. And have seen in 3 SAT their documentary on Lisa della Casa at every opportunity.
I remember well her last opera-performance in Frankfurt where she was singing the Elektra. Birgit Nilsson was in good voice, a great performance and her last on stage.
Wonderful artist! I can even cry listen to her singing Wagner which is not my loved composer!
There will NEVER be another one like her!
I was introduced to the phenomenon that was Birgit Nilsson by a friend at university in the early 70s. We were both on a voyage of discovery in classical music in general and opera in particular. The Decca Ring cycle was a special favourite, mainly because of Nilsson but for me also because of the VPO. I fell in love with the sound of the wienerhorns and years later played Horn as a semi-pro. In the late 70s my pal and I went to hear Birgit in Elektra at Covent Garden, conducted by Kleiber. This opera is not to my taste as I prefer music to a Hammer horror onstage. To this day, the only memory I have is of walking from the Tube station down Floral St and being able to hear our Birgit quite clearly warming up high overhead in her dressing room. No amount of street noise could mask THAT sound. Derek and I glanced at each other and grinning like Cheshire cats, made our way to the theatre entrance in Bow St. Afterward we waited outside the stage door as Derek wanted her autograph. When she emerged she was an absolute delight. Warm and friendly, chatting to friends and acquaintances about their families etc. A lovely, lovely person.
What a lovely story. Thank you!
I had the great good fortune to meet her at the signing of her picture autobiography. She was so happy it was my birthday, she signed it with a big flourish that I cherish always. I saw her onstage in Elektra and Frau ohne Schatten. And in her big Met Comeback! A true legend.
The last images on the Liebestod are to die for. And I was fortunate enough to be in the audience at the Met in 1983 when she sang Isolde's curse to an extatic audience. And the presence of all those Golden Age glories assembled on stage made the event even more fantastic. Never to be repeated. Now, we have to be content with robot-like singers (with a few exceptions though). RIP.
Now a days, if there is a star with any talent, they run them like race horses, working them to the death of their careers, often in less than ten years. While talented new singers languish in the shadows and, not getting any support, take other paths. So sad for us, and them. This was, indeed, the Golden Age of Opera stars, which, in my opinion, we will never see again.
@@terrietackett8964 There are exceptions who have the discipline to control their career in service of their voices and the music. They are rare, but Fleming and Bartoli are current examples.
I think we all would have wept when Nilsson retired if we had known how long it would be before we would have an adequate replacement. Still waiting.
What a wonderful woman and singer.
Sublime and beautiful.
Saw/heard her many times at the MET, so blessed.
The Voice of an angel!
Hers is a voice that would be one of the FIRST on my list to go back and hear if I only had a time machine!
Her, Caruso, Melchior, Flagstad, and the whole set of the golden age singers.
if one is not already moved by this video,
the last shot of her, turning in her bow at the Metropolitan and returning to her homeland in the fading shot,
ought to take care of that.
a very beautiful tribute.
An incredibly beautiful ending of a wonderful video.
Totally agree. How beautiful is that? It captures her eternal being, at one with the elements.
I just noticed that tears were streaming down my face. I can't explain exactly why but I have been rendered utterly helpless...I am new to Opera, I know nothing, but I am profoundly moved.
I haven't the training to sing opera, but on some days I think I am a singer of some kind.
But not today.
Wonderful. Inexplicable tears, yes. Many operas can do that. Birgit and Wagner, now that is a religious experience. You ARE a singer, I am sure.
Wonderful video! Thank you! I had the privilege of attending many of her "live" performances at the old and new Met. Some of the most memorable moments in my life!
God bless you, Fru Nilsson, wherever you are!
*The last scene is so touching and her smile in **3:18**
Thank you for this detailed feedback to our video! We're so happy to hear that you like Birgit Nilsson and the video showing her that much. We share your feelings!
Magnificent singing.
She is the one and only😍😍😍
Diva Nilsson, I worship you, my mighty Queen......
I had been listening for a few days to Price - a first and a legend. I hadn't listened to Nilsson in a long time and this showed up on my iTunes home page. Another unexplainable sound. Kaufman describes her best.
Karl O I like your taste. I presume it was Leontyne, not Margaret...
Wunderbar
I have not been moved by Nilsson once in anything she sang. An amazingly massive voice and amazing technique, but nothing to say. She was to Wagner singing what Sutherland was to Bel Canto. Give me Martha Modl, Callas, Ludwig etc etc. any day.
Great human beings are made, not born. You can see in that final bow how Opera made of her a Great Lady. I saw one other the like at the end of her career--Schwarzkopf. Sharing the love and gratitude with each person in the audience--with just a simple gesture. Wow.
I was lucky enough to see her Isolde twice and a glorious concert in LA. Records, alas do not do her justice; live was a revelation and in truth it is the only way to make a reasoned judgement of any singer.
To quote Lohengrin- a 'mythic voice'.
Die Beste Sängerin BRAVA!!!!
God I traveled for 9 minutes in another world thank you
Thank you for this! Just ordered the DVD.
It's unbelievable thrills to tears with wonderful strength
A quote from Birgit Nilsson: Isolde made me famous. Turandot made me rich. Her debut ( as Isolde) at The Metropolitan Opera made the front page of New York newspapers.
Que linda persona!💝
Fabulosa otra persona que nunca conocí por qué yo era una niña pero la he conocido ahora y me alegro mucho que bosque voz ni callas ni nada ella y Victoria de los Ángeles las mejores
YES,YES,YES. I agree totally. Nilsson and de los Angeles divide the universe between them. No room for any others.
This video is delightful! I think one can get an impression of the size of her voice at 4:28. Of course it’s only an impression but to me it seems massive!
Yes it filled the house while piercing right through you. I felt my feet vibrating. Her Tosca thrilled throughout the opera to her dramatic leap.
@@Operafreak9 Thanks for the verification. Also, your comment caused an alert that made me listen again. You can just "feel" the heft and stunning clarity!
she's incredible. love her
Grandiosa cantante!💝
Muito obrigado por compartilhar.
She came from the fertile,,rich Earth of Scania, South Sweden.A farmers daughter with a Will of iron
the one and only!!!!!!!!
BEAUTIFUL
She played the diva role inSweden all right!
but always with humor!
They are right. The was no one like her. Never will be again.
The greatest!❤️
Gottes Segen
Who is the woman at 1:01? and has anyone found the original video for that particular clip?
Sie hat die Form sehr schmal geführt, aber konnte die Öffnung in der Länge optimal einstellen. Deshalb die Schärfe im Ton.
🌷
One Medien Wunderlich DVD I ain’t got. ☹️
My compliments f t video Birgit and I never met inMET But we met in V Karup Skåne Just sad I was 2 young to ask her t On the other hand she was already married 1980 Sad she didnt get any kids She so dearly longed Mon homage
never come again.
5:53
Oh come on... She's not a force of nature. Nilsson worked her ass to become what she's known today. She studied and worked with a good teacher and had a bright mind to absorb the words, ideas that it gave her.
She might be gifter but it only gives little advantage. You have to work hard, especially working hard with a right teacher.
Obviously she worked hard, but it is simultaneously true that she was a force of nature. Just the whole package of supreme vocal talent with the work ethic and intelligence to harness all of those gifts and grace us with some incredible performances
Kirsten Flagstad has the same or even more volume and above all a golden tone, Nilsson not. But the last twenty years there is nothing to compare with such voices like Frida Leider, Kirsten Flagstad and Nilsson or singer with a intensity like Martha Mödl or Inge Borkh (best Elektra).
If you admire her so much why the hell don’t you adopt her technique then, she has more chest than you do 😂
Every voice is constructed differently. She learned the fundamentals from a local choir director. But the advanced/sophisticated instructions she received at the music academy did not work for her. She had to discover techniques that suited her voice.