Search - Carl Maria von Weber, Richard [Classical] Wagner, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky :: Lebendige Vergangenheit: Maria Jeritza

To say that "They don't make 'em like that anymore"........

Robert C. Hufford | Hopewell, VA USA | 08/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...is a tired cliche. But sometimes.... Maria Jertiza [1887-1982] was something else...a blonde bombshell before that was even a term, and before Harlow was even born. [Not to mention that, in her day, beauty was a handicap for an opera singer...though there were other exceptions]. A difficult, unpleasant, person who stood out even in a profession full of them. [Still, she was never unprofessional; unlike some {Callas}, she never let being difficult interfere with her job]. A lady who did it her way, damn what anyone else thought; her most famous role was Puccini's Tosca [the prone-position "Vissi d'arte" was the result of an accidental fall that caught so much attention it stuck]...part of the story line is that Tosca is dark haired, and jealous...lots of blondes have worn a dark wig, but Jeritza showed off her gorgeous mane for all to see...a modern director would have shot her, and missed out on the greatest Tosca that ever lived....



And then there was her repertoire...over 70 leading roles...German, Italian, French...Wagner to operetta...lyric...dramatic...all points of the compass. A modern singer would be locked in a padded room if she even considered what Jeritza did to perfection...and would ruin her voice if she tried.



As to the present offering, it is a superbly selected, wonderfully remastered, selection of Madame Jeritza's greatest works, recorded between 1914 and 1927. We get "Vissi d'arte" of course, a masterful "Suicidio!", several beautiful Massenet numbers, and Wagner that would melt the heart of a stone statue. Nothing from "Turandot". Sorry...I don't know if she ever recorded any excerpts.



OK, I've gushed enough...this record is a 76'+ journey in a time machine. I know that I review a lot of records by pretty blondes, but this is WAY different...I can't possibly compose a high enough recommendation. You shall NEVER hear any girl from our day even try this, much less do it to divine perfection...Jeritza never hits a bad note. Get this, and prepare to be blown away...they just don't make 'em like that anymore!!!!!

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