Beverly Sills - 1977- Vilja - The Merry Widow

Comments on 'Beverly Sills - 1977- Vilja - The Merry Widow'

1. Beloved Bev! I am delighted this IS slow. I just get to savour her voice for longer and OH! what a voice! A true singing actress without peer and will never be equalled, ever.
2. It sounds as if this were written for her. Others have questioned the tempo and spirit of this lovely performance. Whatever seems correct is in the ear of the beholder, but I'm not convinced this is a light-hearted piece. I've always thought of it as poignant, and I think the tempo, phrasing, and shading here reflect that Beverly may have thought so, too. I think tat the tenderness is justified by both text and music.
3. When I worked in Radio in the 60's in Los Angeles I went with some pals to her her baby doe around 1969 with city opera on tour and was just amazed by her voice, acting and emotion, also in Puritani around thaT TIME she sang with a big voiced tenor, a Corelli type, SHE WAS HIS EQUAL ON THOSE HIGH C'S forget his name, something like Mauro, Mauro I think so and she could act besides! Brava Bell Silverman rest in peace. Spoke to her after and she sent me a nice post card with her picture on it.
4. I have long considered this to be the definitive performance of Vilja. How can one listen and not get tears in the eyes?
5. Listening to this Made My Day!
6. Sills is right on the money with this as she makes it work at this tempo. I seriously doubt that anyone else could sing it so slow and pull it off. And by the way, at her prime she could sing faster legato coloratura than anyone with the most accurate rhythm and pitch. When you're adding up points for flexibility, accuracy, pitch, rhythm, phrasing, Sills has no competition. She was the Nadia Comaneci of female opera singing.
7. I love Sills, and this is just one of the reasons why.
8. I'm really starting to like a lot of her slower more romantic style singing. Her depuis le jour is gorgeous, as is her baby doe stuff.
9. Where did you get this footage? This is a wonderful performance of Vilja!
10. This is a deeply felt rendition of this beauitul song by a great prima donna. If she felt it should be slow, then let her! It`s a stunning interpretation and stands apart from all others. Wonderful acting, with voice and body. We miss her, she was great!
11. Beverly Sills was one of the most under rated singers of our time. Those of us who listened to opera from the 1950's to now are spoiled by all the great singers. I find here enchanting and I miss her so much. What a wonderful person and excellant singer! Mai po'ina.
12. Sills minds about the text ! She feels what she is talking about ! It's an Aria about Nostalgie , so it is the RIGHT TEMPO ! Only great Artistry feels so deeply ! Gorgeous ! It is not far from the Korngold Marietta lied !
13. Boulanger was a great teacher, but not of Beverly Sills. Her only teacher was Estelle Liebling. RIP, Beverly Sills...whose name also spells "Silvery Bells."
14. This is a rendering that stresses some points about the widow's wisdom and understanding. I think that's why it's so slow.
15. Rest in Peace Beverly.
16. She's so wonderfull. My name is Vilia and my mother use to sing this song to me. I lost her and I miss her in her honor I dedicate this video to her spirit. love you mom
17. It is slow but Bubbles phrases with perfection... Boulanger was a great teacher.
18. the singing n acting are really nice, but this is way toooooo SLOW
19. A good version--but too slow. However, the greatness of the music overwhelms everything. What a song!
20. She's amazing...but, why was the tempo so slow???
21. Bev. Sills> amazing
22. Oui, I would agree she is one of the best singing actresses on the planet- my only issue with this musical clip is the extreme slowness of tempo- I don't know if that's the conductor or her choice. This is a lighthearted piece I have sung many times and when you slow it down too much it almost becomes a dirge. But hey, when it comes to Beverly, I'll take her anyway I can get her. LOVE her voice!!!!
23. Wonderful! Her vocal, apperance and costume are all beautiful!
24. La meilleure chanteuse actrice sur notre planète avec une sensualité, une humanté une générosité exceptionnelles ....!!!
25. A true singing actress of the highest order!I LOVED the phrasing here! Brava Bev!!!!