Emily F. listening assignment #1 Casta Diva ranking

Emily F. listening assignment #1 Casta Diva ranking

1. Anna Netrebko: She was my overall favorite because she was so comfortable-looking and made it seem easy. There were some pitch problems (flat), dark timbre, and possible under-energization, but her performance was lovely to watch.
2. Sumi Jo: There was no video so I don't have any visual notes. Watching may or may not have changed her place in the ranking. Her high notes were very delicate and graceful and easy. The fioratura section was a little airy, maybe.
3. Barbara Frittoli: Sound was consistent with great balance. The [a] vowel was darker than I liked. I saw some body tension, lip tension and chin tucking, all of which looked a little uncomfortable.
4. Maria Callas: This seems too easy for her. She shows experience. I honestly wonder how she's able to sing with her body closed off like it is?! Her jaw is particularly easy and loose, as if this takes no effort. Her sound and lack of expression put her as far down as she is. Her timbre sounds swallowed, but I don't know if that's the recording or her. I kept swallowing when I listened to her to clear my throat.
5. Renee Fleming: Her high notes are lovely, and she is so graceful and expressive. She is this far down on the list because of her gaspy breathing, lots of jaw movement, and overworked darkness in her timbre.
6. Joan Sutherland: Her sound is fairly well-balanced, mostly, but sometimes sounds pushed. It also seems that there isn't easy facility throughout the range, but that there are "set" options in high, low and middle. I see a lot of rigidity in the neck and shoulders. She pulls her lower lip back over her teeth on [a] and [o] and it makes me wonder where her tongue goes when she does that.
7. Edita Gruberova: Lots of weird face stuff going on! Her general expression includes a downward mouth pull with overly open eyes, but this changes with each note. Some of the high notes seem pushed out and maybe painful. She manages to get to everything but it takes a lot of effort with facial and vocal gymnastic tricks to get there.