Maria Callas was a human songbird. Listening to her voice gives me goosebumps and made me fall in love with opera. I’ll never forget that scene in Pretty Woman, when Edward Lewis says “people's reaction to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic. They either love it or hate it. If they love it, they will always love it. If they don't, they may learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul.” Opera is part of my soul now, and that’s largely thanks to the stupendous Miss Callas ❤ Read on to see some of my favorites of her work...
One of the perks of studying Italian in university is I got to go to the opera for FREE multiple times! I feel blessed that I got to see all of the following arias, although not performed by Maria Callas, live at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in LA and the Caracalla Theatre in Rome, Italy. They took my breath away at the time and still do. It just so happens that all of my favorite arias from these operas I got to see (including Lucia di Lammermoor, Madama Butterfly, the Barber of Seville and Nabucco) were sung at one point by Maria Callas and her versions remain my favorite recordings to listen to.
1. “Regnava nel silenzio” from Lucia di Lammermoor (act I, scene II) composed by Gaetano Donizetti
You should listen to the whole song, but especially~
(3:33-4:08) & (7:07-8:00)
Parmi che a lui d'accanto, Sì schiuda il ciel per me. (It seems that when I am near him, the heavens open up for me)
2. “Un bel di vedremo” from Madama Butterfly (act II, scene I) composed by Giacomo Puccini
Goosebumps.
(2:15-3:40)
Chi sarà? Chi sarà?
E come sarà giunto
che dirà? Che dirà?
Chiamerà "Butterfly" dalla lontana.
Io senza dar risposta
me ne starò nascosta
un po' per celia ... e un po' per non morire
al primo incontro, ed egli alquanto in pena
chiamerà, chiamerà:
"Piccina mogliettina,
olezzo di verbena,"
i nomi che mi dava al suo venire.
(Can you guess who it is?
And when he's reached the summit,
can you guess what he'll say?
He will call: "Butterfly" from the distance.
I, without answ'ring,
hold myself quietly conceal'd.
A bit to teaze him and a bit so as to not die
at our first meeting; and then, a little troubled,
he will call, he will call:
"Dear baby wife of mine,
dear little orange blossom!"
The names he used to call me when he came here)
3. “Una voce poco fa” from the Barber of Seville (act I, scene II) composed by Gioachino Rossini
Is it a bird?? Is it a flute?? No, it’s Maria Callas’ stunning voice.
(2:00-5:00)
Sì, Lindoro mio sarà; (Yes, Lindoro will be mine;)
Lo giurai, la vincerò. (I've swore it, I'll win.)
Io sono docile, son rispettosa, (I'm gentle, respectful, )
Sono obbediente, dolce, amorosa; (I'm obedient, sweet, loving;)
Mi lascio reggere, mi lascio reggere. (I let be ruled, I let be ruled.)
Mi fo guidar, mi fo guidar. (I let be guided, I let be guided.)
Ma se mi toccano (but if they touch)
Dov'è il mio debole (where my weak spot is)
Sarò una vipera sarò (I'll be a viper)
E cento trappole (and a hundred traps)
Prima di cedere farò giocar. (before giving up I'll make them fall)
4. “Ben io t' invenni” from Nabucco (act II, scene I) composed by Giuseppe Verdi
♥♥♥
(5:30-6:30)
Piangeva all'altrui pianto, (I wept at the tears of others,)
Soffria degli altri al duol; (I suffered at the sorrows of others;)
Ah! chi del perduto incanto (Ah! who of that lost enchantment
Mi torna un giorno sol? (will return to me one day?)
5. “Vogliatemi bene” from Madama Butterfly (act I, scene XI) composed by Giacomo Puccini
(4:10-6:23)
Ah! dolce notte! quante stelle!
Non le vidi mai sì belle!
Trema, brilla ogni favilla
col baglior d'una pupilla.
Oh! quanti occhi fisi, attenti,
d'ogni parte a riguardar!
pei firmamenti, via pei lidi,
via pel mare...ride il ciel!
Ah! dolce notte!
Tutto estatico d'amor,
ride il ciel!
(Oh, lovely night! What a lot of stars!
Never have I seen them so beautiful!
Every spark twinkles and shines
with the brilliance of an eye.
Oh! What a lot of eyes fixed and staring,
looking at us from all sides!
In the sky, along the shore,
out to sea...the sky is smiling!
Oh, lovely night!
In a ecstasy of love
the sky is smiling!)
Her voice brings each of these brilliant composers’ music to life the way a model makes a designer’s clothes come alive, or the way that an actor helps deliver a story to the world. It’s pure art and it makes me shiver to the bones every time I hear her sing these astounding arias. Even though I speak Italian so I can understand it, you don’t need to understand the words to feel the emotions in her powerful soprano voice. So if you’re in the mood for music that will take your soul on a journey, give opera a try, in particular the legendary works of Maria Callas.
Did they ever give you a reason to believe in something different,
If you're looking for love, for what it's worth,
I have plenty of it lying around here somewhere
If you are looking for disappointment, you can find it around any corner.
In the middle of the night I hold on to you tight, so both of us can feel protected
Time to see U.. #보헤미안랩소디#비고라이브#bigolive#unbeldivedremo#나비부인#초초상#소희#아프리카티비#오페라#뮤지컬 https://www.instagram.com/p/BsCsWp-gv17/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xc7gbyiqc7rh
La febbre da fieno si è appena risolta e non ho ancora sentito una voce. Inoltre, sfido una canzone che non ho mai cantato, anche quando ero un'epoca di lezione d'opera e professionale! Pronuncia e pronuncia di GUESS Ci dispiace. Non conosco ancora i tempi di questo respiro. Quindi ... mancanza di respiro, sembra morire. #Guess #operasinger #opera #soprana #vissdartevissdamore #unbeldivedremo #madamabatafly #chochosan #tosca #aria #花粉症が治りたて #声がまだでない #本調子じゃない
