Ewa Podles

Maciek · May 18, 2007, 10:37:02 AM

And why not one more contralto, while I'm at it?

We had a thread dedicated to this fantastic singer on the old GMG as well. No, wait, another one? We actually had two then!

Well, here's one for a start...

Let's see if anyone has anything more to say. I for one still need to get that A Treasury of Polish Song disc. The few tracks that I've heard on the radio (and promptly recorded) are stupendous.

Hm, come to think of it - strange choice of adjective. But I'll leave it that way. It is a big voice.

Cheers,
Maciek

Mozart · May 18, 2007, 10:38:03 AM

I saw her in Giulio Cesare and I didnt think she was very good.

Maciek · May 18, 2007, 10:41:06 AM

When did you see her and whom did she sing?

Mozart · May 18, 2007, 11:06:53 AM

Quote from: MrOsa on May 18, 2007, 10:41:06 AM
When did you see her and whom did she sing?

She was Ceasar and it was in San Diego like a year ago. I forgot who cleo was but she was soo much better.

Maciek · May 18, 2007, 11:10:06 AM

She used to sing Cornelia in some other production. I've heard neither, I'm not much of a Handel fan...

Have you seen the Berlioz clip that Mike posted on the old GMG?

knight66 · May 27, 2007, 11:51:57 AM

I do with someone could come up with the rest of that piece...it is stunning. It prompted me to buy a mixed disc of her work. She is a bit of a Rossini specialist and as I am not much into Rossini, I may well be missing out on some of her best stuff.

I have listened to that Berlioz AGAIN, can't get enough of it. Even the very first entry is jaw dropping. She really knows how to take the piece by the scruff of the neck.

Mike

Brian · October 21, 2007, 05:07:44 PM

Just saw a performance of Un ballo en maschera with Ms Podles as Ulrica, at the Houston Grand Opera. Ms Podles was simply jaw-dropping - her appearance stole the show, in fact, and I spent the intermission reading the synopsis, hoping her character would be returning. My primary question is, why isn't this woman legendary? From the moment she started singing she had my friend and me by our throats, almost - extraordinary range and tremendous emotional power!

Anne · October 21, 2007, 07:52:08 PM

I first heard of her about 8 - 9 years ago and waited expectantly for the Met to have her in a performance. I may have missed it but don't recall hearing her sing there.

I did hear her recently (first time for me) in a recording. She sang the character, "La Haine" in Gluck's opera Armide Mark Minkowski conducting. I was shocked when I heard her voice! I've never heard anything like it before. She sounded like she was singing from the depths of hell.

I think she also has recorded some opera for Naxos but forgot which one.

Wendell_E · October 22, 2007, 03:53:20 AM

Quote from: Anne on October 21, 2007, 07:52:08 PM
I first heard of her about 8 - 9 years ago and waited expectantly for the Met to have her in a performance. I may have missed it but don't recall hearing her sing there.

I did hear her recently (first time for me) in a recording. She sang the character, "La Haine" in Gluck's opera Armide Mark Minkowsky conducting. I was shocked when I heard her voice! I've never heard anything like it before. She sounded like she was singing from the depths of hell.

I think she also has recorded some opera for Naxos but forgot which one.

She sang four performances of the title role in Handel's Rinaldo for the Met back in 1984 (two in the house, and two in park concerts), and covered Marilyn Horne for the others. She's supposed to be returning as La Cieca, in La Gioconda next season. Surely, they could find something better for her!

Isn't she wonderful in that Armide? She also sings the very different role of Opinion Publique in Miknowski's EMI recording of Orphée aux Enfers.

She recorded the title role in Rossini's Tancredi for Naxos.

Anne · October 22, 2007, 07:02:47 AM

Thanks, Wendell. You are a walking encyclopedia! Much obliged. Did you hear Tancredi? If so, what did you think of her voice? Yes, she was wonderful in Armide - powerful and just right for the character.

Wendell_E · October 22, 2007, 08:16:04 AM

Quote from: Anne on October 22, 2007, 07:02:47 AM
Thanks, Wendell. You are a walking encyclopedia! Much obliged. Did you hear Tancredi? If so, what did you think of her voice? Yes, she was wonderful in Armide - powerful and just right for the character.

Yep, I've got the Tancred, and really like it. I haven't heard it in a while. Really need to give it another listen soon.

Sarastro · December 20, 2007, 10:14:05 PM

She has a unique voice....pity, but it's not valued for its real worth.

knight66 · December 21, 2007, 10:57:15 AM

I rather agree, we ought at least to have more recital discs. It is a mystery to me as to why we don't hear more of her on disc. We need such distinctive voices.

Mike

Great Gable · December 21, 2007, 11:02:38 AM

Quote from: Anne on October 21, 2007, 07:52:08 PM
I did hear her recently (first time for me) in a recording. She sang the character, "La Haine" in Gluck's opera Armide Mark Minkowski conducting. I was shocked when I heard her voice! I've never heard anything like it before. She sounded like she was singing from the depths of hell.

Is that intended as a compliment? I ask because I was thinking of getting that set.

knight66 · December 21, 2007, 11:14:18 AM

Try this for size, why only part 1...I do wish someone would post the rest, staggering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lasa3OfxaPQ

Mike

Anne · December 21, 2007, 01:01:36 PM

Quote from: Great Gable on December 21, 2007, 11:02:38 AM
Is that intended as a compliment? I ask because I was thinking of getting that set.

Yes, it was supposed to be a compliment. Her character's name was Hate and IMO her voice was perfect for the part.

Maciek · December 22, 2007, 01:06:53 AM

Sometime not very long ago I posted a clip of her singing a Handel aria in a technical thread about embedding mp3s on GMG. Don't have the time to search it out now but it's out there somewhere...

(Currently waiting for this interesting and very rare disc of duos to arrive:)

Anne · December 22, 2007, 05:37:19 AM

Quote from: knight on December 21, 2007, 11:14:18 AM
Try this for size, why only part 1...I do wish someone would post the rest, staggering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lasa3OfxaPQ

Mike

Her voice is even more beautiful than I had previously remembered it. I love her high notes. We should start a petition and give it to our respective opera houses.

Maciek · December 22, 2007, 09:41:39 AM

And here is the post I mentioned earlier today.

Maciek · September 02, 2009, 05:42:19 AM

I was going to mention a new Podles CD I noticed today but instead I'll just say... Look, Mike, look! Is that what I think it is? (I can't check, I have sound turned off at the moment... $:-\$ )

And here's Part III, presumably.

And here's a bit from Nuits d'ete.

Darn, I'll have to come back in the evening to listen to all this...

Ewa Podles

Mozart

Mozart

Great Gable