Elena Cernei-THE Mezzo-Soprano Of The Century

Listen readers, REALLY listen, with your heart as well as your ears.  I wrote about this mezzo-soprano two years ago and since have discovered the many facets of her well-trained and natural voice.  I have grown to love the richness and depth of her singing which brings out so much passion inside of me.

When I accidentally found her I was curious. So I found more of her videos on YouTube, thanks to her husband Dr. Stephan Poen.  What beautiful tributes he has posted!

While finding out about her and enjoying her gorgeous, sumptuous performances, I thought, I can't just listen to her on YouTube anymore.  I need to have her music for my very own.  Well, little did I know it would be an arduous journey to find it.  I tried many different sources....ITunes...Amazon.....Craigslist...Ebay, and even tried using the web to find a place to buy her music.  To no avail, but I kept trying.  Finally, 2 months ago I saw a listing for her music on Ebay.  It was a vinyl album of her repertoire which had all the arias I had been listening to on YouTube.  The seller was in Israel and I have to admit, it was a little more expensive than I would normally have paid but of course I HAD to have it.  It seemed like an eternity (two weeks) waiting for this treasure to arrive!  It came and I opened the package and pulled out a beautifully preserved vinyl disc that I immediately put on my 1969 Delmonico Nivico Hi-Fi and instantly my mind traveled to my romantic place and I was swept away.  I cried.

This record album has not left my stereo since I put it on the turntable and I listen to her almost every day.  Again, many thanks to you, Dr. Stephan Poen for introducing me to such an emotionally enriching 'prima voce'!  May Elena always be remembered in our hearts and our ears!

La Vita Bella!
Angelo di Gioa

Tribute To A Beautiful Voice

Anita Cerquetti: a most beautiful voice I had never heard until 2 nights ago.

I have a friend online with whom I have the love of opera in common.  We were comparing our favorite soprano divas and he of course said his was Maria Callas.  I must admit, I was disappointed because although Callas was one of the best in her genre both technically and dramatically, her voice has never moved me inside my heart, which is the reason I listen to opera.  :)

So, getting to the reason for this post.  I thought maybe I could give Callas another listen to maybe prove myself wrong.  I went to YouTube and looked for her singing Casta Diva, which is the measure I use to size up mezzo-sopranos, which are my favorite type of soprano.  I gave Callas another chance, and, stood firm to my opinion.  Afterwards, I started listening to many great mezzos and then saw THIS particular video.  I had never heard of Anita Cerquetti so I decided to give her a try.  This recording is actually a LIVE performance from 1958 when she stood in for Maria Callas because of illness.  How ironic for me...lol.  I started to listen to the most beautiful and full voice I had ever heard.  There is a richness and deep timbre in her voice that sends me into orbit....and YES, moves my heart enough to bring tears to my eyes!  Give her a listen and try to tell me this is not a PRIMA VOCE!

HH~
ANGELO

Prima Voce!!!!!

Cecelia Bartoli is the name I speak of when I thought of the title. I am a fan of a style of music which I believe is becoming a lost art: opera. My favorite roles are those sung by what is called a Mezzo-Soprano, a deeper timbre and very full melodic range that pleases my ear. I have always favored the older artists from the Enrico Caruso period up to the early 1970's, and those were fewer as the years progressed. There is now Cecilia, who's voice moves me to distraction and makes my heart swell with emotion, ESPECIALLY with this piece heard hear!!!...a tribute to Maria Malibran.


The ability to stir emotions in people with her voice is a gift from God! Give it a listen!