Question:
Thoughts on Anna Netrebko?
mouse6
2008-12-01 15:41:03 UTC
Just would like some general thoughts on her talent, etc.
Four answers:
OpernKatz
2008-12-01 20:14:17 UTC
I mostly agree with Stephen G. Netrebko has a gorgeous voice and can really act believably on the stage... A real presence that commands attention. She's wonderful in the Russian repertoire and in some Puccini roles (I'd say at least Musetta in La Boheme and Liu in Turandot), but she has some real technical issues when she sings Mozart and bel canto stuff.



When you both 'see and hear' her, you would tend to not notice her vocal fluffs... but when you can only hear (as in listening to a Sirius broadcast or to a CD recording), she can be underwhelming. But then... opera is best appreciated in live theater anyhow.



At any rate, she is, by all accounts, really nice in person. And I think she is a great asset to opera in its effort to recruit new and younger audience. Opera can't just appeal to the older and more traditional generation and not the younger crowd who demand more 'visible' stuff in the performance. It's great that Netrebko and other younger opera stars like DiDonato, Garanca, Ernman, Villazon, Florez, et.al are making opera 'hip' again.



I don't think the other singers begrudge her her success as much as some fans do... She draws more people to the theater, and that increases sales, and that allows the other singers and musicians and staff to be paid more, too. I hope she'll have a long and happy career.
Stephen G
2008-12-02 00:19:12 UTC
Very talented, and with a lovely voice possibly vocally slightly overrated - she's not a coloratura soprano, no matter how hard she tries to be - more than acceptable to look at, and by (almost) all accounts magnetic on stage in real life, which is the kind of star quality that cannot be accounted for, nor perceived on a CD.



(BTW when the Met did an HD broadcast with her, they had to bring in a special makeup artist, because she has a very bad complexion and it would show up in HD...)



There are, however, better female singers and more attractive singers (names supplied on demand), and a slight overlap between the two...



I would criticise no-one for being a huge fan, but she doesn't make my top two or three.
Phil
2008-12-02 06:54:35 UTC
She has a very lovely voice. Not the best, though. I still prefer Angela Gheorghiu's voice, though, and her interpretations. Gheroghiu's interpretations are second to none, and she has a gorgeous voice to boot.



One of my main problems I have with Anna is that she is really stupid. Watch any interviews of her. She never has anything meaningful to say, and the ones with Rolando are even worse because she acts like a child with him. Which isn't so bad, but when that's ALL you do, it's frightening. Watch Leontyne Price interviews and cry.
adagio58
2008-12-01 23:47:15 UTC
Lots of talent, fine voice, great future.



God seems to have made a perfect mold when she was created! Has lots going for her - a blessed future.


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