The Art of Shirley Verrett

March 16, 2019, 4:30 pm

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Larry recalls this superb American mezzo‐soprano in some her greatest Verdi roles including Macbeth, Don Carlo, and Un ballo in maschera. There is also a La Gioconda duet with Montserrat Caballé and a cradle song by Montsalvatge.

Playlist

“Re dell’abisso affrettati” from Un ballo in maschera by Giueseppe Verdi
Shirley Verrett, mezzo-soprano; RCA Italiana Orchestra; Erich Leinsdorf, conductor
(Rome 1966. RCA VICTOR 6645‐2‐RG)

“O don fatale” from Don Carlo by Giueseppe Verdi
Shirley Verrett, mezzo-soprano; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor
(London 1970. EMI 5 674002)

“La luce langue” from Macbeth Giueseppe Verdi
Shirley Verrett, mezzo-soprano; Orchestra of La Scala; Claudio Abbado, conductor
(Milan 1976. DGG 00289 477 8286)

“L’amo come il fulgor del creato” from La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli
Shirley Verrett, mezzo-soprano; Montserrat Caballé, soprano; New Philharmonia Orchestra; Anton Guadagno, conductor
(London 1969. RCA VICTOR 60818‐2‐RG)

“Canción de cuna” by Xavier Montsalvatge
Shirley Verrett, mezzo-soprano; Charles Wadsworth, piano
(New York 1964. RCA VICTOR 09026‐68167‐2)