Blog Archives - Contralto Corner

Reader Feature: Daniel Rodriguez suggests Bernadette Manca di Nissa

30/8/2013

Today's contralto, Bernadette Manca di Nissa, has been suggested by Daniel Rodriguez, who previously suggested Wiebke Lehmkhul. I just want to say a big thank you to Daniel for his continued support!

The warm, powerful, yet always beautiful voice of the Italian contralto Bernadette Manca di Nissa is something that, once heard, can never be forgotten. She excels in all genres, from the religious music of Pergolesi, through Mozart to the powerful role of Tancredi and the comic Mrs. Quickly. She has now retired from the stage, but continues teaching.

Check out her pages, and the video below.

Contralto Update: Giovanna Dissera Bragadin

28/8/2013

Today's Contralto Update features Venetian contralto Giovanna Dissera Bragadin.

Giovanna Dissera Bragadin, the Venetian contralto, has a warm, rich voice which suits well the religious works of the early composers. She has had success in the works of Monteverdi, Leo and Pergolesi, and has also performed in the modern-day world premier of J. G. Naumann's works. Bragadin is passionate about the work of Benedetto Marcello, and seeks to rediscover his unreleased music.

Check out her pages, and the video below.

Aria of the Week #15: Salve Regina

25/8/2013

This week's Aria of the Week is the Salve Regina by Nicola Porpora, performed by contralto Delphine Galou. It formed part of his 1745 setting of the Marian antiphon.

Contralto Update: Helena Rasker

23/8/2013

Today's contralto update is Dutch contralto Helena Rasker.

With her deep and dark contralto voice, Dutch contralto Helena Rasker is set to become one of the major players on the classical music scene. Equally at home in staged productions, and on the concert circuit, Rasker is a skilled vocal actress, able to covey the core of the characters she embodies.

Check out her pages, and this link to a recent performance of Dvorak's Biblical Songs.

Reader Feature: Jean Wakefield suggests Anne Gjevang

21/8/2013

A big thank you to Jean Wakefield, who has been sending in suggestions for new contraltos since the Contralto Corner began, way back when it was only a small feature on my other site: Show Me Something Interesting.

This week, Jean has suggested the Norwegian contralto Anne Gjevang, who performs a deliciously viscous version of "Va', l'error mio palesa" from Mozart's Mitridate.

Thanks again Jean!

Update: Contralto Corner Facebook Page

19/8/2013

Hello everybody!

Just to let you know that we have now received over 100 likes on the Contralto Corner Facebook Page! Thank you to everybody who "liked" the site, and to all those who shared it with friends and colleagues.

I have now amended the web address for the Facebook Page to make it easier to find. It is now simply www.facebook.com/ContraltoCorner - much better!

Please do continue sharing with your friends - let's work together to put the contralto voice back into the limelight!

All the best,

James

New Articles by Voice Teacher David L. Jones now available at the Contralto Corner

18/8/2013

David L. Jones, The Voice Teacher, has composed three excellent articles about the contralto voice, and has allowed me to copy them to the Contralto Corner website. David trains students and teachers alike in the Swedish-Italian school of singing, which is particularly refreshing in its treatment of the larger and deeper voices. David's articles on the Heldentenor and Dramatic Soprano are of vital importance to those voice types, detailing the methodology for teachers to correctly identify and place them in the correct fach, and important lessons in terms of training those voices.

So, imagine my delight when, some time ago, I discovered David had prepared a fantastic article called "Training the Contralto Voice." In it, David talks about the registration changes for the contralto, her range (one of the first people to suggest that F3 was not the bottom of the contralto range), and the importance of her middle register. I quoted David in my article "About the Contralto Voice" particularly with respect to registration and range.

David has now produced three new articles via his Facebook Page, which he has kindly allowed me to reproduce on the site. Please note that these articles are all © David L. Jones 2013. If I find any evidence that someone has reproduced these without David's permission, then I shall remove them from the site immediately.

The articles are all available via the Resources Page of the Contralto Corner site, but for ease, the links are listed below:

1. On the Contralto Singer
2. Types of Contraltos
3. A Little More on the Contralto

Many thanks for reading this. I cannot stress strongly enough that any contralto, or singing teacher who is training a contralto, should read these three articles, and the original article on David's website.

All the best,

James

Aria of the Week #14: Sea Slumber Song

18/8/2013

The latest Aria of the Week is Sea Slumber Song by Edward Elgar. First performed by Dame Clara Butt, it is here given a beautiful treatment by the Dutch contralto Aafje Heynis. Have a lovely week!

Contralto Update: Elizabeth Pétillot has a new website for her group, Chiaroscuro Trio, and a new CD, "New People"

8/8/2013

Elizabeth Pétillot is a member of the Chiaroscuro Trio. they have a new website and a new CD called New People. Do check them both out, and also check out Pétillot's pages here are the Contralto Corner.

Contralto Update: Tanja Ariane Baumgartner

7/8/2013

Today's contralto is Tanja Ariane Baumgartner.

Tanja Ariane Baumgartner recently made her surprise debut at the Royal Opers house as Clairon in Richard Strauss' Capriccio. Her dark and rich tone marked her out as a true contralto, an observation which is clarified by her repertoire: Gaea in Daphne, Ulrica in Un Ballo in Maschera, and Mitrena in Motezuma.

Check out her pages, and the video below.