Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Luigi Ricci, Rome Opera House Orchestra :: Verdi: Il Trovatore

The Beautifully Colorful Stella Roman

Impostazione | New York City Area | 11/12/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Recordings by Stella Roman are VERY RARE! She was one of the two principal Verdi sopranos of the MET between 1941-1950. This Trovatore was made after her New York career ended, which seemed to coincide with the arrival of Rudolf Bing. By the time of this recording, it is true that her voice had lost some of its youthful color, that velvety warmth, but the beauty of the sound is still evident as is her wonderful musicianship. Along with Zinka Milanov she was the Metropolitan's "house prima donna" of the Verdi wing and while I can say that Zinka eventually became far more and historically famous, she never had Roman's instrumental musicianship, vocal colors, subtle nuance, or her distinctive pianissimi, which are the most beautiful of any Verdi soprano I have heard. Stella Roman lacked Milanov's luxurious vocal quality. Zinka was a greater Leonora in Forza for example and Roman was the ideal Desdemona. As for me....You could say...I admire Zinka but adore Stella!



To understand why Stella Roman was so very special refer to the Act II quartet (Perche piangete?) of this recording on the phrase "o dolce amiche, un riso, una speranza......" and witness for yourself how spectacular Stella Roman can be even at the very late stage of her career.



You may not need another Il Trovatore, (though this one will certainly add a comic twist with the Azucena), but I think this recording is important if only to remember this forgotten prima donna who really was something quite different and wonderful."