Shirley Verrett and Scotto, Mödl, Ludwig, Urmana, Simionato, Baltsa, Flagstadt, Jones, Price

I love all the singers here, Shirley Verrett & Scotto, Mödl, Ludwig, Urmana, Simionato, Flagstadt, Jones, Price. This clip is not made to pull down anybody but to give back to Verrett what she deserves (even if some of these comparisons can seem more natural, and others a bit extrapolated to some people, especially at the end of this clip). Whatever. Despite the disparities in the quality of the sound extracts, we can get an idea of what Verrett has brought specifically: a special tone, a scrupulous and expressive phrasing, the respect for the rhythmic aspects of the score with sufficient technique to assume the noted colorature, often sovereign high notes, fortissimo or pianissimo or in long high phrases with diminuendo or filati, nuances, and a strong low range sometimes raucous. It is no mystery that I appreciate her charismatic personality well tempered, exuberant or melancholic, but also made of reserve and nobility. Verrett urged her students to be better than their best, rather than trying to outdo someone else.