Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Opera singer known as Opera's Forgotten Voice, a soprano rediscovered via newly released recordings.
On the island
Eight records
Tatiana's Letter Scene (from Eugene Onegin)
Well, I think Tatiana for me, I suppose, was always an um ambitious thing because she is the epitome of the Russian maiden of that class. She's the heroine of Eugena Negin, and somehow I I think in a way possibly my character was similar to hers.
Prelude in D-flat major, Op. 28, No. 15, 'Raindrop'
Well, my mother was a very, very brilliant amateur pianist, very brilliant, and she was specifically good in Chopin, so I was sort of brought up on it. And whenever I hear Chopins, it becomes three dimensional. So I'd like to have that.
Trepak (from Songs and Dances of Death)
Fra Leppen has always been. sort of a background to my childhood. I mean, he was a godlike figure, and so I would have to have him on the island, and so I've chosen Mussolfski's Tripa.
When I was doing ENSA there was a a wonderful young man called Timothy Lloyd. He was wonderfully good looking. He was eighteen, the most fascinating sense of humour, and he made his own puppets... and somehow Frances Day's singing I la la la love you so, and then I need you so became our song.
Yaroslavna's Lament (from Prince Igor)
I sang the two Yaroslavna arias As an audition piece for the Liceo Barcelona, I just Sang them on tour tape and they were sent there and I got the job.
Rosa Pottsell was always a tremendous inspiration to me because I think our voices were very, very similar and she was always there for me as an example. of beautiful singing.
I did that as a one off just to hear what my voice sounded like when I was in my late twenties, and I never ever dreamt that it would be of such importance on a C D.
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral'Favourite
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler
Because to me it's always been tremendously elemental and I feel it on an island. When one is at the mercy of the elements and surrounded by them, this would be something apt and it's beautifully aligned.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:58Why was this voice, which is obviously one of the greats, ignored?
Well, bad management, I think, A, and lack of perception, I think from the point of view of agents and uh the establishment.
Presenter asks
9:35How close were you to starving [after the Russian Revolution]?
pretty close. I mean, you know, there were times when we ate potato peels in water and rotten fish bones would be for Sunday.
Presenter asks
11:52Did you know fear as a child?
I think as long as my mother was with me I knew no fear. It's very strange, but to me she was Well, she was my security.
Presenter asks
21:05Can you describe your voice to me, what kind of voice you had?
It's very difficult. I think it's an exquisitely beautiful voice with no faults to it. I mean now I listen to it objectively. And I think it had an amazing colouration. I think that I paint the words and give enormous emotional feeling without ever affecting the tonal quality. I think I was born with a natural voice which was naturally placed already.
The keepsakes
The book
I would love an im imaginative cookery book that would make one feel as if one had had a good meal.
The luxury
My luxury would be some form of animal food which would tame the little four legged ones and the birds. … I am mad about animals and I couldn't live without animals.
Presenter asks
28:13In hindsight, do you think you made the right decision in the end in turning your back on [singing]?
I found peace of mind after about ten years, yeah. But uh No, I I I shouldn't have given it up.
“It is possible I was not an aggressive person. It is totally not in my nature to ever ask for favour. Because to me that is being beholden, and I just cannot be beholden.”
“I think that somebody with a with a special talent Has a special character, really. I mean, either you're incredibly ambitious and aggressive. Or you value your talent to such an extent that you wouldn't allow anyone to pollute it.”
“When you're at the end of your life. And your voice is a memory and your career Nonexistent, your voice will be reborn.”