Angela Gheorghiu as Leonora in Il Trovatore

Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu's legendary characterization of Leonora from Il Trovatore (1853, Giuseppe Verdi):

1. Cavatina di Leonora: Tacea la notte placida (act I, scene 2);
2. Cabaletta di Leonora: Di tale amor, che dirsi (act I, scene 2): begins at 6:26
3. D'amor sull'ali rosee (act IV, scene 1): begins at 8:00
4. Miserere (act IV, scene 1): begins at 11:49
5. Cabaletta di Leonora: Tu vedrai che amore in terra (act IV; scene 1): begins at 17:19

Sung in true Verdian style, this performance ranks with the very best in the history of opera.

Some comments on Gheorghiu's rendition from Amazon.com reviews:

"We have one of the greatest sopranos of our time performing Leonora. Angela Gheorghiu's lyric-dramatic voice isnt' as huge as Price's or as powerful as Tebaldi's, but her technique and style are flawless and her interpretation is thrilling. Even if she's not a spinto, she doesn't disappoint in any part of the opera. She has the dark and veiled sound for "Tacea la notte placida", a quite good coloratura for "Di tale amor" and "Tu vedrai che amore" and the drama and firmness for "D'amor sull'ali rosee". In fact, her "D'amor sull'ali rosee'', which I consider Leonora's most challenging aria, impressed me as very few singers could. Her soft but firm timbre, her phrasing, her style, everything is perfect. Her characterization is the most noble and sad I have heard, and Gheorghiu manages to express every feeling in Leonora's words. I'm not afraid to say she's the best Leonora we have heard since Leontyne Price". Ygor, Brazil

"Angela Gheorghiu si propone da subito come una delle interpreti storiche di Leonora: tutti i suoi momenti topici sono perfetti e bisogna veramente tornare alla Callas ed alla Gencer per trovare interpreti di tale livello espressivo". Pietro Bagnoli, Italy

Check out also the playlist "Angela Gheorghiu - A Vocal Portrait of the Great Diva": it contains 200 clips adding up to more than 22 hours of superb music - it is Youtube's most comprehensive resource on Angela Gheorghiu (you find the playlist by doing a Youtube search with the full name of the playlist).

Frequently compared with MARIA CALLAS for her innate musicality, dramatic flair, sense of style, and exquisite musicianship, and with RENATA TEBALDI for the extraordinary quality of her voice and her natural affinity for verismo roles, Romanian soprano ANGELA GHEORGHIU is the most known contemporary soprano and probably the only one from the current generation who will be remembered 100 years from now. Gheorghiu's luscious, ravishingly beautiful timbre is instantly recognizable and her stage presence, glamour, and charisma are legendary. Situated in the transition zone between full lyric and spinto, her velvety, silvery, slightly veiled voice conveys morbidezza and is remarkably phonogenic and rich in harmonics.

"Vocally, Angela is leagues above any other soprano in recorded history. Not only is the voice thick, luscious, and velvety, but she is also able to emote her VOICE in a way that to me is unprecedented. I have yet to hear a singer who carries emotion into the voice better" (comment made on Youtube by user longliveclassicmusic).

"I continue to feel that Angela Gheorghiu's voice comes the closest to Maria Callas's in tone, texture, and focus. There is a voltage factor in her voice that I have yet to match in any modern classical soprano. I am never disappointed. And I am always energized by her incredible concentration. She always draws me into wanting more....." (comment made on Youtube by user johntmarohn1)

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