Beverly Sills (May 25, 1929 -- July 2,
2007) was an
American operatic soprano whose peak career was between the
1950s and
1970s. In her prime she was the only real rival to
Joan Sutherland as the leading bel canto stylist. Although she sang a repertoire from
Handel and
Mozart to
Puccini,
Massenet and
Verdi, she was known for her performances in coloratura soprano roles in live opera and recordings. Sills was largely associated with the operas of
Donizetti, of which she performed and recorded many roles. Her signature roles include the title role in Donizetti's
Lucia di Lammermoor, the title role in Massenet's
Manon,
Marie in Donizetti's
La fille du régiment, the three heroines in
Offenbach's
Les contes d'Hoffmann,
Rosina in
Rossini's
The Barber of Seville, Violetta in
Verdi's La traviata, and most notably
Elisabetta in
Roberto Devereux. Sills's voice has been described at the same time "rich, supple", "silvery", "precise, a little light", "multicolored", "robust and enveloping", with "a cutting edge that can slice through the largest orchestra and chorus," soaring easily above high C. Her technique and musicianship are very praised.
Conductor Thomas Schippers said in a
1971 interview with
Time that she had "the fastest voice alive."
The New York Times writes that "she could dispatch coloratura roulades and embellishments, capped with radiant high D's and E-flats, with seemingly effortless agility. She sang with scrupulous musicianship, rhythmic incisiveness and a vivid sense of text."
Soprano Leontyne Price was "flabbergasted at how many millions of things she can do with a written scale." Her vocal range, in performance, extended from F3 to F6, and she said she could sometimes hit a G6 in warm up
... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Sills
Lyrics &
English Translation
His dear voice now is sounding ...
Those loved tones fill my heart with rapture!
Oh,
Edgar, I am restored to thee,
And all thy enemies have vanished!
Through my bosom icy chills now do creep!
Each fibre trembles... my footsteps falter!
Near to the fountain, oh, let us rest together!
Alas, I What horrid phantom arises!
Quickly from here, dear
Edgar,
We'll fly to the altar!
Roses bestrew it...
Harmony celestial greets us!
Dost thou not hear it?
Ah, it is to consecrate our marriage!
Oh, hasten to seek the altar!
Ah, what felicity!
The joy that now inspires me, no lips can utter!
The censer's lighted,
Brightly, too, burn the tapers,
And, robed in splendour,
The priest is waiting.
Give to me thy right hand...
Oh, happy day!
Till death shall part us thy bride am I, love!
This blissful moment repays for all my suffring.
Now, in sweet calm united.
All, all that I hoped for is mine for ever.
Oh, heavenly
Father, to thee my thanks now render,
For love restored to me.
Oh, shed one tear of pity.
When in the grave I'm lying!
Though I may be in heaven.
Yet still
I'll pray for thee.
Till thou hast joined me there,
..
Heaven hath no joy for me!
Oh, shed one tear, etc
A link to this wonderful artists personal Website: http://www.beverlysillsonline.com/
Please Enjoy!
I send my kind and warm regards,
- published: 03 Nov 2012
- views: 2906