Virginia Zeani imitating Dame Joan, Callas to illustrate how they achieved their technique.

[JHan]

I love youtube.

Biggest takeaway is how she describes where a singer should "place" the voice. For Zeani, ideally it should be placed in the cheekbones but this is subjective, since a singer can choose to place sound in other areas , even the neck - wherever there is the most resonance as this helps with tone and volume. Place the voice correctly and you have greater control.

[empedocles]

1. I would go where Birgit Nillson placed her voice.

[defacto7]

2. Hear. Hear!

or Edita Gruberova.

Birgit could sink ships!

BTW, it's Birgit Nilsson

[JHan]

3. hahah :)

[defacto7]

5. Ok, you people know more than I thought you did.

Never mind. But Birgit still could sink ships.

[JHan]

6. a powerhouse well into her early 60's.

I'll also be getting this box set soon

https://www.schmopera.com/la-nilsson-celebrating-birgit-nilsson-at-100/

[defacto7]

8. That collection looks fantastic. I have a few of the

recordings mentioned in the description. Memories...

[defacto7]

4. I've known 2 sopranos who imitated the Calas sound

and they did fairly well for themselves. But I always thought of it as the adenoid technique. I think only Calas could actually pull it off.

Edit: I just listened to that recording. Enh.
She's right about Corelli if you could stand the lisp.

[Golden Raisin]

7. Happily, Zeani is still with us (93).

In addition to being an outstanding vocalist, she was a beautiful woman. I saw her as Violetta and as Desdemona (Rossini's).