Remembering Beverly Sills with my favorite recording (today) of the soprano
Beverly Sills would have -- should have -- turned 81 today, May 25. She died, much too soon, three years ago.
For me, the distinctive, silvery sound of Sills exerts an immediate pull, just as the earthier tone of Callas does. And when Sills is at her interpretive best, I find myself totally won over.
Some days, if asked to choose my favorite performance by the singer, I'd immediately say Marietta's Lied from "Die tote stadt." But today, I'd have to pick "Im chambre separee" from the 1898 operetta "Der Opernball" by Heuberger --a love song about leaving the bright night life behind to share a cozy corner where secrets of love can be whispered.
During a phone interview with the soprano not long before she died, I mentioned my fondness for her interpretation of this aria and she sounded genuinely pleased, saying that it was one of her favorites as well. She talked about how she and conductor Julius Rudel had decided at the recording session that they wanted to really take their time with the music -- and, boy, do they ever! I just don't think this gentle aria could be more beautifully and beguilingly sung. It's a recording that sums up the magic of Beverly Sills perfectly.
Comments
I assume that the selections you mention are from her 1971 "Welcome to Vienna" LP (later issued on CD)? My recollection is that they are lovely.
However, you mention Callas and I think Sills shared a very important quality with Sills - they were both "stage creatures" and with a few exceptions (such as Callas' 1st Tosca w. De Sabata or Sills' Manon or Puritani), the recording studio didn't really capture them at their very best. Those who can put up with less than perfect sound should hear her Philadelphia Puritani with the young Pavarotti, or her Buenos Aires Cleopatra with Treigle (excerpts were commercially released, although the complete performance exists) to fully appreciate how exciting she could be. Of course, the videos that have been preserved also show Sills in live performance. A unique talent who, sadly, took years off her vocal longevity with some tremendously exciting, but vocally ill-advised roles (i.e. Elizabeth in Roberto Devereux and Norma).
Posted by: Mike | May 25, 2010 12:26 PM
"Beverly Sills would have -- should have -- turned 81 today, May 25. She died, much too soon, three years ago."
Think so? I don't. She lived a rich, full life. Her family had a chance to say goodbye and relive memories. The cancer which was reportedly the cause of her death could have lingered for years and years — I know; that's what happened by my grandmother. She nursed a husband until he died of Alzheimer's.
My guess is she didn't feel she died too soon.
Posted by: Bob Thomas | May 25, 2010 5:32 PM
And I am sure you must have seen this little gem of Beverly Sills at 8! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAz2HgSZaDs
It's her (much later!) recording of La Traviata that totally won my then 7-year old daughter (now 9) over to wanting to become an opera singer. She still does.
Thanks for reminding me of that adorble clip of Bubbles. TIM
Posted by: Linda Gunter | May 26, 2010 10:25 AM