Search - Ohms, Bindernagel, Fuchs :: Four Dramatic Sopranos of the Past

A MOST fascinating set of dramatic sopranos

Impostazione | New York City Area | 10/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anny Konetzni

....is known as one of the most jealous and insecure prima donnas among the pre-war and early post-war Wagnerian sopranos. How could a woman with a voice as open and round as this be insecure? Grob-Prandl, her successor, said that Anny had a "most beautiful voice", I agree. This is a truly lovely voice that has no hint of the modern soprano sound, for her tones are not placed in the mask but behind the nose and in the head. It is because of her that I bought this set because I was exposed a small section of her Siegfried Brunnhilde. What a fascinating voice, full of color, accent, declamation; it is a voice to give one goose pimples. Her high tones are beautiful, but she does not linger there, neither does she indulge in the techniques of legato, piani, phrasing, etc... She is a jovial singer, typical opera Brunnhilde with a fat body and voice; plump, round, juicy, just plain delicious.



Martha Fuchs

The second reason for this set was the articulate Martha Fuchs. I enjoyed her artistry from the first, rare for me. Every word is clear, every vowel well placed in this rather dark, almost hooty, but glorious voice.



....La Bindernagel

How sad to have been murdered at the opera house, when La Bindernagel was not even 40 years of age. Her husband killed her. She was young but the promise of her talent is obvious. I enjoyed the translucent top notes above all.



now finally............Elisabeth Ohms

I was least interested in this Dutchwoman, but as I listened to Abscheulicher! from Fidelio, I began to feel relaxed, I felt as though I were floating on air in a glorious waft of some sensual emotion. That was the effect of the art of Elisabeth Ohms. She is sublime. Her art seemed to have been emulated by Flagstad, yet Ohms seems more feminine than Flagstad, open to the love of a man. Her exalted legato, extremely broad phrasings, emotions, and diction are above any singer I have ever heard on record or in person. Her high notes are divine. Elisabeth Ohms was extremely intelligent, but she choose the humble route of career. The occasional pitch issue did not bother me. Kudos to the this woman, the greatest singer I have ever heard!"