Emily C., Listening Assignment, Casta Diva

1. Renee Fleming
1. Her sound was warm, round, and very smooth, and the only thing that was outstandingly unappealing to me was her sometimes audible breath intake. I loved her facial expressions; all of her movements seemed effortless and natural, including her hand motions. She was a close tie with Maria Callas, and I think the only reason I chose her to be my favorite was the quality of the video to be honest. 
2. Maria Callas
1. From the first notes from the orchestra, she was extremely expressive, and it wasn’t “awkward.” There’s a wonderfully warm and free sound, and musically, she incorporates many subtle nuances that add more expression. There was quite a bit of collapsing in the chest and shoulders on sustained high notes, and that was extremely distracting for me.
3. Sumi Jo
1. I really liked how, with all of her high notes, it sounded as if she could propel herself even higher without any effort; in fact, I found myself wishing she would sing higher “just because she can.” She has a bright sound that’s a little less heavy than that of Fleming and Callas, especially on the high notes. She did go a little flat at times. (There’s no visual to comment on.)
4. Anna Netrebko
1. Her sound is warm and floats easily and noticeably above the orchestra. On the high notes, she puts on a sort of sob/wail quality. I liked the expression she made with her body and her face, but I feel like sometimes her eyes were almost too intense. She made use of the space around her very well. Everything seemed pretty effortless as far as sound production went. 
5. Barbara Frittoli
1. Her sound was very warm and balanced, but she had less nuance on the higher notes, I feel. Her hands were stiffly stuck against her legs, and I feel like she stretched her mouth open to the point where it looked almost unnatural to make room for the higher notes. I loved her vocal freedom here as well, and her upper range seemed very “round” and pleasant to listen to. 
6. Joan Sutherland
1. It could’ve just been the recording, but I felt that this performance was almost “brassy,” but not quite. I liked this performance, but I felt less “engaged” in it somehow than the rest of the other performances. There was not as much body movement, but she had some great eye expression. 
7. Edita Gruberova
1. I had a hard time listening to this to be honest. Her voice carried well over the orchestra, but it was that sort of bright, almost “shrieking” sound that we discussed in class when a singer goes “too far” and had an almost abrasive quality. Her tone seemed to have less depth than the other singers. She was an emotional singer, but I could see that she sets her shoulders (pulls them up) and upon releasing her sound, she releases her shoulders. She was flat on the high notes at times.