Search - Richard [Classical] Wagner, Edwin McArthur, Symphony of the Air :: Farewell Concert

FLAGSTAD AT 60 ------- STILL A POWERHOUSE OF SOUND

L. Mitnick | Chicago, Illinois United States | 01/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kirsten Flagstad was incredible. She emerged from retirement to sing this New York concert in March of 1955, and was only a few months shy of her 60th birthday. Past her vocal prime? If this is "past prime", it's singing that sopranos half her age would have gladly settled for. Every item here is beautifully done, with Flagstad unfurling her mammoth voice over the orchestra. No details needed here, really. The only subsequent soprano capable of this kind of singing was Birgit Nilsson, who also at age 60 was still going strong. These two Nordic giants were truly daughters of the Vikings!!!! Amazingly reasonable price for this disc. If you want to hear singing on a magnitude completely extinct today, buy this disc. Sound and sonics are perfectly acceptable."

Staggering

W. Burks | Louisville, KY USA | 05/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The concert is an amazing event - most notable is the Immolation scene which is taken slower in places than many sopranos would dare. When the final portion does come, it is a flood of power and wonderful sound.

Great disc!"