Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
An opera singer.
On the island
Eight records
Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, K. 412
Dennis Brain, Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan
one of their performers I found really outstanding in my memory... is Dennis Brain, who is of course the great French horn virtuoso. So I'd like to hear Mozart concerto for him.
chosen for three reasons. First of all because I adore Frank Sinatra. Second of all because this particular song was sung in a movie which I saw and when I saw Rome it was so utterly beautiful and I never thought that someday I would be in Rome studying and that's where I began my career.
Anna Moffo (with Herbert von Karajan, etc.)
It's my very first recording, which was Falstaff. And it was in London. It was for my first trip to London. And it was really so thrilling for me because I was such a kid. And here I had a chance to be elbowing with my great lady who taught me a lot about recording, Elizabeth Schwartzkopf, and her husband Walter Leg and Tito Gobby and Fedora Barbieri. It was fantastic. And Dennis Brain was in there too. And so it's just a it's a record I'd like to play once in a while on an island because it it takes me back.
NBC Symphony Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini
In my athletic days one of my great interests in stillers was the ballet. And the first ballet I ever saw was Romeo and Juliet. So I've chosen an unusual version of Romeo and Juliet, but my favourite, which is the Toscanini record of it.
Duet from Manon Lescaut (Act II)
Leontyne Price and Plácido Domingo
I did feel that if I were on a desert island beside my own voice, I'd like to hear somebody else's... I narrowed it down to two people I really think not only are great artists by themselves, but who on this particular record sing so beautifully together.
Daphnis et ChloéFavourite
London Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
just for my own really musical pleasure. I've for an Italian girl I've always had a great affinity for French music. And I've always loved the W C Pulang. Ravell Group.
Being a jazz fiend at one time. I found a fellow by the name of Lenny Tristano. I think he's just fantastic.
I saw Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl. And she was just so absolutely overwhelming that particular night that I think I'd like to take her record of people with me.
In conversation
Presenter asks
5:12When did you decide that music was to be your life?
Well long after my debut because they kept re-engaging me.
Presenter asks
6:39What was your very first professional engagement when you finished your studies in Rome?
I got a contract to do Madame Butterfly in Milan, and it was very important because it was televised. And on January 23rd 1956, I was Anna Maffo, and my n name might as well bin have been Little Miss Muffet, and on January twenty-fourth in the morning, everybody knew who I was because we only had one channel then. And I had a con it wi it's almost too exciting to tell. It's a Cinderella story. I had a contract for EMI Records, I had a contract for La Scala, I had a contract for Vienna Staatsoper, for Salzburg, for Paris, all the next morning.
Presenter asks
12:05Which is your special favourite [opera]?
Well, I suppose I should say Traviata because it's the opera I've become most associated with. But I did did love very much Lucia and Manon.
The keepsakes
The luxury
Presenter asks
You'll spend a great deal of your time now in recording studios. Do you enjoy recording?
I don't spend a great deal. I record maybe one or two records a year, yes. I love recording. It's very hard work. But it's it's fascinating because you must be able to give the illusion on a record uh which is after all only a sound. As if people were really seeing a performance and seeing a person die or seeing a person be happy or... seeing uh a love scene or a wedding or... It's it's a big challenge, I think.
Presenter asks
18:36Miss Moffo, how well could you look after yourself on this island in a practical way?
Oh, I'm a terrific cook, if that's what you mean.
Presenter asks
19:36Would you try to escape?
Of course. Sure. I'm a fairly good swimmer. How close is the next island?
“I was Anna Maffo, and my n name might as well bin have been Little Miss Muffet, and on January twenty-fourth in the morning, everybody knew who I was because we only had one channel then.”
“I had a con it wi it's almost too exciting to tell. It's a Cinderella story.”
“I've sung a hundred and nineteen different parts.”
“I think it would be. Daphne Sinclair.”
“I think I'd take a piano.”