Why did Angela Gheorghiu become popular in the first place?

[scytheavatar]

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/mi ... els-again/

Following yet another cancellation from her, I do wonder why opera houses and audiences continue to tolerate her behavior. She became famous for her La Traviata, and even so I had always considered her to be a decently talented at best and never a top class soprano like Fleeming or Gruberova. Her prima donnaish, unprofessional behavior is well documented and disgraceful, yet audiences still continue to pay a pentium to see her perform. Is there a reason why Gheorghiu is considered irreplaceable?

[Chalkperson]

I can't stand her, or her voice...

[stenka razin]

Gheorghiu has a fabulous discography. She is one of my favorite opera singers. Her voice is silvery and very lovely. May she continue to bless us with her impassioned performances.


P.S. Look for Angela and Placido Domingo in a new complete performance on DG of Umberto Giordano's vastly underrated gem, 'Fedora' in early 2011.

[John F]

The first time I saw and heard her was a telecast of Covent Garden's "La Traviata," which was quite early in her career and apparently was her breakthrough. I was much impressed with her singing and moved by her acting. Haven't seen much of her since then.

[lennygoran]

>I do wonder why opera houses and audiences continue to tolerate her behavior.<

She's been very good in just about everything I've seen her in--better than Alagna for that matter--still she is quite a powder keg and there are others I like just as much--maybe more--Netrobko for example. Garanca's Carmen replacing her couldn't imo be topped! Regards, Len

[josé echenique]

Gheorghiu is one of those artists who people love to hate. The tenor Thomas Moser who recorded Carmen with her (in the Sinopoli recording) told me that she was a living nightmare and that he will never work with her again.
I didn´t care much about her Violetta, the generosity of spirit is missing to make her a truly great Violetta, but I think she is a superb Manon. That role fits her like a globe, vocally and temperamentally, if you want to own just one recording of Gheorghiu it has to be Massenet´s Manon.

[maestrob]

Gheorghiu is indeed tempermental. That said, she has a lovely sound in the right repertoire (lighter roles) but, she has, unfortunately, ventured unsuccessfully into heavier rep (Tosca???) and schemed with her husband about his brother taking over stage direction of a production at the MET, which got them both canned!

Unprofessional behavior has cost the Alagnas (now separated) quite a bit of notoriety, yet he now sounds better than ever, both in Carmen and Don Carlo: exactly where his voice belongs at the moment (certainly not in Aida!!).

I have a two recital discs by AG that show some lovely singing, but nothing really extraordinary (obviously I'm not a fan), but I must say she has her glorious moments. Unlike Solti, I was not impressed with her Traviata: too self-centered and superficial, for my taste. Anna Moffo was MUCH better, as an example.

[josé echenique]

This Covent Garden production of Faust is great fun. Alagna had one of the finest nights of his career, vocally he´s magnificent, every high note perfectly placed, and he savors the language as only a native speaker can. His acting is also far better than average. Gheorghiu is fine vocally, the only thing missing is the charm and naivete. Bryn Terfel has great presence and is most amusing as the devil.
A highly entertaining production that owes a bit to the famed Jorge Lavelli Paris Opera Faust first seen in the 1970´s.

[absinthe]

Why did she become more popular?

Her nice rack.
(CD rack, that is)

One wonders, looking at this picture...

whether that silver strip hanging down the front is the ripcord.

[Chalkperson]

Gheorghiu is indeed tempermental. That said, she has a lovely sound in the right repertoire (lighter roles) but, she has, unfortunately, ventured unsuccessfully into heavier rep (Tosca???) and schemed with her husband about his brother taking over stage direction of a production at the MET, which got them both canned!

Unprofessional behavior has cost the Alagnas (now separated) quite a bit of notoriety, yet he now sounds better than ever, both in Carmen and Don Carlo: exactly where his voice belongs at the moment (certainly not in Aida!!).

I have a two recital discs by AG that show some lovely singing, but nothing really extraordinary (obviously I'm not a fan), but I must say she has her glorious moments. Unlike Solti, I was not impressed with her Traviata: too self-centered and superficial, for my taste. Anna Moffo was MUCH better, as an example.

I will happily live without hearing another note from this infamous "couple" separated or together...I mentioned before that her voice sounds dated to my ears, can't explain why but I dislike her singing more than her PrimaDonnaNess...

[stefanher]

How can anyone apart from The Penguin Guide ever complain about this great couple's Trovatore brilliantly supported by Hampson?......not. I'm not surprised EMI could barely give it away.

Sometimes death is not a tragedy- what singers like Milanov, Callas & Tebaldi would have made of an overblown semi-soubrette taking on Leonora would probably have driven them to suicide.

She became popular because of hype plus the total dearth of anything resembling a true Verdi soprano at the moment. Mind you- when did we last have one?

[stenka razin]

For those of you in our great forum who have doubts about Ms. Gheorghiu, may I place in evidence a 'La Traviata' from La Scala with Lorin Maazel conducting. Violetta had me emotionally drained as Angela absolutely nailed this difficult part. She is truly spectacular. The whole package and much more. Check out her closeups, if you think she is not completely involved in her heartbreaking performance. She can not only sing, but she can act, too. I dare you not to lose your heart to this great soprano.

[josé echenique]

Sorry Mel, I have seen that video, and even though it improves on her Covent Garden performance la Gheorghiu still doesn´t have what makes Maria Callas and Renata Scotto truly great Violettas.
The notes are all there, she looks pretty and glamorous, what is missing is the sincerity, the generosity, I would never buy an used car from this Violetta.
I still think she was born to sing Manon, not Violetta.

[stenka razin]

Sorry Mel, I have seen that video, and even though it improves on her Covent Garden performance la Gheorghiu still doesn´t have what makes Maria Callas and Renata Scotto truly great Violettas.
The notes are all there, she looks pretty and glamorous, what is missing is the sincerity, the generosity, I would never buy an used car from this Violetta.
I still think she was born to sing Manon, not Violetta.

jose, I agree that she is not Callas, but, who is?....As far as Scotto, she was a remarkable singer, too. But, Angela pours out her heart and I truly appreciated her impressive Violetta, my friend.

P.S. I have the thrilling Netrebko in Manon. Have you seen that DVD(Blu-ray)?

[maestrob]

Mel:

I've seen the Netrebko Manon recently, and while she looks and acts the role very well, she simply has no trill, which is essential. Would that we had Netrebko's looks and Sills's voice: now THERE would be a true Manon! Try listening to Sills's Gavotte next to Netrebko's.

Sorry to say that Netrebko has been foisted on the public in roles that she simply hasn't got the vocal chops for (Puritani for one). She's a stunning talent, but it's a lyric voice, NOT a lyric coloratura.

Hopefully, the voice will mature and she'll be able to take on heavier roles that don't require a trill (her Mimi was stunning!).

[stenka razin]

Mel:

I've seen the Netrebko Manon recently, and while she looks and acts the role very well, she simply has no trill, which is essential. Would that we had Netrebko's looks and Sills's voice: now THERE would be a true Manon! Try listening to Sills's Gavotte next to Netrebko's.

Sorry to say that Netrebko has been foisted on the public in roles that she simply hasn't got the vocal chops for (Puritani for one). She's a stunning talent, but it's a lyric voice, NOT a lyric coloratura.

Hopefully, the voice will mature and she'll be able to take on heavier roles that don't require a trill (her Mimi was stunning!).

maestrorob, Netrebko is no Sills. Agreed, my friend. I was only posting the Netrebko, because jose had mentioned Gheorghiu in that role, my friend.

Regards,
Mel

[josé echenique]

Sure, I have the Netrebko Manon dvd. The production is ingenious if not always successful or logical. I loved what Baremboim and his superb orchestra do with the score though.

But Gheorghiu is a more complete Manon than Netrebko, at least vocally. Believe me or not, in the EMI/Pappano recording Gheorghiu is even more secure than Sills in her recording. Gheorghiu dispatches the Cours-de-la-Reine scene with frightening security, panache and aplomb. She is quite simply dazzling. And because the character is so much like her: abusive, superficial and opportunistic, I think she is the ideal Manon!
No, seriously, even if we hate la Gheorghiu, her Manon is the one role where she is really superb.

[Cyril Ignatius]

Gheorghiu has a fabulous discography. She is one of my favorite opera singers. Her voice is silvery and very lovely. May she continue to bless us with her impassioned performances.


P.S. Look for Angela and Placido Domingo in a new complete performance on DG of Umberto Giordano's vastly underrated gem, 'Fedora' in early 2011.

I agree. Her voice, and her overall stage image, is simply outstanding. I love her recordings. DVD concert at Covent Garden, and VHS of her New Years Concert with the NY Philharmonic demonstrate her superstar talent. I have heard about her opera style changing in recent years, becoming more stylized, and more strange. And I heard rumors that she can be quite the Diva to deal with. I don't know. But I certainly stand behind her exceptional voice and great stage presence.

[Cyril Ignatius]

....but I think Anna Netrebko is simply spectacular!

[Chalkperson]

And I heard rumors that she can be quite the Diva to deal with. I don't know. But I certainly stand behind her exceptional voice and great stage presence.

Being ultra talented does not give you the right to behave like a Diva with a Migraine every day...

[Lance]

Undoubtedly, Gheorghiu's natural beauty has contributed greatly to her celebrity. She also happens to have one of the better soprano voices I've heard in a long time. Personality-wise, she is going the way of Kathleen Battle and, as time goes on (as has already been demonstrated), people will not put up with her "divaness."

[scytheavatar]

Undoubtedly, Gheorghiu's natural beauty has contributed greatly to her celebrity. She also happens to have one of the better soprano voices I've heard in a long time. Personality-wise, she is going the way of Kathleen Battle and, as time goes on (as has already been demonstrated), people will not put up with her "divaness."

She refused to wear a wig in the 1996 MET Carmen. Since then there has been countless instances of her moaning about productions, missing rehearsals, pissing off fellow singers and managements, canceling shows in the last minute and in general showing zero professionalism as an artists. Meanwhile someone like Kathleen Battle, one of the most talented lyric coloratura singers of our generation, gets chucked into bars for acting like a diva. So I do not understand why opera houses continue to be tolerant of her behavior.

[arepo]

Jose said: "Gheorghiu is one of those artists who people love to hate."

With me it is just the opposite. I hate loving her.
I cannot deny that her voice is unique and beautiful. Though it may lack "Met power", it has a plaintive sound that renders it very attractive and vulnerable.

That the lady chooses to be a "Diva" in the true sense of the word is perhaps off-putting but her voice is the reason I cannot look away.

I find her full of herself. Even to the point of curtain calls where she drums up press for herself.
Obviously, she's got "something or other" because even her dear Roberto and she have gone back together yet again.
All is honeymoony for the time being in their little lair.
They have made a pact NOT to sing together anymore -- it being the main factor that drove them apart.

So I just close my eyes to her nasty antics and listen with true pleasure to that voice.

[Cyril Ignatius]

You are exactly right, Chalkperson. It's very unfortunate that this Migraine-Diva syndrome happens to so many. Maybe its sometimes for the best that people like me don't have the opportunity to know these people intimately! The recordings are cherished anyway.

And I heard rumors that she can be quite the Diva to deal with. I don't know. But I certainly stand behind her exceptional voice and great stage presence.

Being ultra talented does not give you the right to behave like a Diva with a Migraine every day...

[Chalkperson]

You are exactly right, Chalkperson. It's very unfortunate that this Migraine-Diva syndrome happens to so many. Maybe its sometimes for the best that people like me don't have the opportunity to know these people intimately! The recordings are cherished anyway.

I worked with Kiri Te Kanawa a couple of times for her Record Covers, you could not find a more friendly and down to earth person, she was an absolute pleasure to work with...

[slofstra]

I do love Georghiu's voice. It has a pure quality that you seldom find. Didn't Pavarotti also show up less often than he did as his career wore on. I'm not sure why performers don't just take a sabbatical when they get burnt out.

[Heck148]

Maybe its sometimes for the best that people like me don't have the opportunity to know these people intimately! The recordings are cherished anyway.

the same could be said for many of the great conductors - as persons, they were really quite awful, miserable people - but they could produce great performances...

what people won't tolerate is one who puts forth the Diva/Grand maestro/spoiled brat routine, but does not produce the musical goods...
the musical world is full of these types....
they think they are a big deal out in East Jerkwater, or West Cupcake....