Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Vale Victoria!

THE WONDERFUL Spanish soprano Victoria de los Angeles died on the weekend. She was 81. I heard her sing only once, in 1986, when she gave a recital accompanied by Geoffrey Parsons, also sadly missed.

She sang with a glorious tone and great intelligence; the program included the de Falla Six spanish songs as well as some fascinating songs by Montsalvatge. At 62 she rarely betrayed her age and, if my memory serves me correctly, she performed a number of encores to thank the very enthusiastic audience. After the recital she met members of the audience in the foyer, looking for all the world like a small, pink puffball (I recall a mass of ostrich feathers), and she charmed all who came in contact with her.

She was one of the great singers of the 50s and 60s, a time of not a few greats, and leaves a large recorded legacy which includes 21 complete operas.

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