tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post852521390156368082..comments2024-02-28T21:14:54.693-08:00Comments on MRS JOHN CLAGGART'S SAD LIFE: ANNA MOFFOAlbert Innauratohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00372127500758892700noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-80856319668658387782021-04-04T14:38:23.533-07:002021-04-04T14:38:23.533-07:00Did you read the ample biography by Mario Genesi &...Did you read the ample biography by Mario Genesi " Una carriera italoamericana A.M." ? 500 pages quote exhaustive...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16473054820627506934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-54386771674267624972019-12-25T11:02:07.929-08:002019-12-25T11:02:07.929-08:00I stumbled on this blog and was struck by its comb...I stumbled on this blog and was struck by its combination of candor and esteem for Anna Moffo, the latter of which I have always shared. Reading this honest appreciation prompts me to share my relatively recent realization that it was almost certainly Anna Moffo (before she became “Anna Moffo”) who indelibly planted a love of voice in me.<br /><br />In fourth grade in Montgomery county, a suburb of Philadelphia, my class was brought to an auditorium where, with some special excitement, we were told we would hear an opera singer. Whatever else that woman sang I don’t recall, but it must have been December, because her performance of O Holy Night, accompanied by piano, seemed to set off an electrical current through my spine. I was magnetized to this woman’s voice and presence from the moment she opened her mouth, but when she reached “Fall on your knees,” and then the high notes of “O night divine,” I thought I would explode.<br /><br />The singer was a young woman, I always remembered, and attractive. We were up close because she didn’t stand on a stage and we were only perhaps fifty students. I was a Jewish kid, aware enough to resent the imposition of Christmas candlelit processions, New Testament readings, and, of course, carols in a public school despite its 10-20% Jewish population, but at that moment and forever after “O Holy Night” stood outside religion for me (as do masses; I’m a mass junkie who’s never met a classical mass he didn’t like, and in fact I may be the only rabbi who has ever sung in one).<br /><br />Much later, I learned that Anna Moffo had been born in Wayne, Pennsylvania, a neighboring community on the Main Line, and graduated from Radnor High, whose football rivalry with my high school, Lower Merion, was notorious. So where is this going? Well, when the principal of my school introduced this glamorous young opera singer, it was with a considerable excitement. He wanted us to know that not everyone gets to hear this person sing. Did he predict that in the future lots of others would? I can’t say.<br /><br />That was December, 1953. Anna graduated from Curtis, in Philadephia, in 1954 and headed off to Italy, clearly marked for greatness but not quite there yet. She was a local girl, already being recognized, turning down invitations to go to Hollywood, in favor of an opera career.<br /><br />Was it really Anna Moffo who sang at Penn Wynne Elementary School that December? The time, place and circumstances are true fits—not to speak of the emotional and spiritual impact of the voice. Even now I can recall the exact timbre of that voice, and feel the electric charge down my spine that powered my passion for classically trained voice and its emotional potential for the rest of my life.<br /><br />A belated thank you to her, and to the author of this blog who himself died a couple of years ago. LorenzoDRabbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16641354732802772391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-28834129946977738702019-12-22T12:40:04.495-08:002019-12-22T12:40:04.495-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.LorenzoDRabbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16641354732802772391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-53258904939078863392019-12-22T12:34:55.276-08:002019-12-22T12:34:55.276-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.LorenzoDRabbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16641354732802772391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-24816764476252683202019-05-25T00:09:12.118-07:002019-05-25T00:09:12.118-07:00she left some of the most beautiful recordings beh...she left some of the most beautiful recordings behind that it was/is possible to make, and while I never saw her in person I will not forget the thrills I felt when I first heard her recording of Nanetta followed by Gilda.....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01112591182618471481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-72421348318428908162018-03-14T17:29:35.232-07:002018-03-14T17:29:35.232-07:00I'm watching the 1971 Lucia. The video has so...I'm watching the 1971 Lucia. The video has some technical limitations, but nothing wrong w/ Anna Moffo's vocals. Yikes - she is breaking my heart as she and Edgardo part. What a voice! This text gives wonderful background on her achievements. I don't follow all the professional references, but I get the part that Anna had many obstacles in her way because she was so generous w/ her talent and time. Thank you!wilddavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10049106466288820599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-59371401417181354752017-05-31T17:48:15.113-07:002017-05-31T17:48:15.113-07:00I'm glad you mentioned that, Jane Z. It's ...I'm glad you mentioned that, Jane Z. It's a very good overall performance. As for Anna, she would have been better off without so much electronic help. But what emerges from the misty echo of her sound stage really isn't as bad, as you rightly mention, as many record reviewers of the time insisted. Thanks for your comment.Albert Innauratohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00372127500758892700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-34943327153348352872017-05-31T12:53:47.647-07:002017-05-31T12:53:47.647-07:00Ah, but you spoke too soon! "Thais" has ...Ah, but you spoke too soon! "Thais" has just been released on CD, and it appears that forty-some years have mellowed the reviews.Jane Z.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03114316609556799500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-64078922366927613952017-04-30T16:24:20.215-07:002017-04-30T16:24:20.215-07:00Oh dear! I just watched her 1957 Madame Butterfly ...Oh dear! I just watched her 1957 Madame Butterfly movie on YouTube and I feel so tearful - Not only from the ending of the plot, but the ending of the life of my dearest babysitter in Wayne who was eight years older than me but who was not only a mentor but so loving and generous and kind to me. She encouraged me to sing and I tried to remember and copy the pieces she sang in the High School concerts. I even stayed with her parents, just a few doors from our house, a couple of times when my parents went to conferences. And I would stop by her amazingly skilled father's shoe repair shop to watch him as he nailed and glued and then ran the long wall of grinding and polishing wheels to finish up his project. My parents adored her and wrote letters introducing her to Ed Sullivan to get her on his show and they stayed close for years. I tried to too - despite years of international moves. When I lived in New York, my husband and I enjoyed her invitation back stage at the Met after her amazing performance, and years later after we moved to Milan, our penthouse was only two blocks from La Scala where we heard her and saw her again. I collected every recording of hers I could and tried like heck to "sing just like her". Truthfully, I have never heard another soprano who I liked nearly as much. But, most importantly, I have never met another woman who was as kind and human and lovely as my dear baby-sitter, and later hero, Anna Moffo. She deserved far better care than she received. I thank you for writing this about her. Lady Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16527845872605990562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-71260910231901292492017-04-26T05:38:00.774-07:002017-04-26T05:38:00.774-07:00Wonderful tribute. Thank you!Wonderful tribute. Thank you!David Hertzberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11848045443429734153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-25264905405368702492017-03-11T17:56:01.027-08:002017-03-11T17:56:01.027-08:00It was wonderful to read this tribute to such a br...It was wonderful to read this tribute to such a bright and shining lady. Thanks for writing in such a sensitive way about the problems that overtook her too early. She's still my favorite to listen to in most of the music she sang!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07420848587593306592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-58304469381094257602016-12-04T14:14:39.966-08:002016-12-04T14:14:39.966-08:00Anna Moffo my all time favourite! I started listen...Anna Moffo my all time favourite! I started listening to this great voice in 1962 and have NEVER stopped listening to her recordings or forgotten her greatness and her beauty.Andrew Hermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02204561919755991089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-81853310224437987762016-10-06T13:39:46.554-07:002016-10-06T13:39:46.554-07:00She had a truly natural, stunning instrument. It m...She had a truly natural, stunning instrument. It moves like clear water meandering over smooth rocks. The mismanagement of her voice is truly a tragedy for humanity. When I selfishly consider the many more recordings we could have had of her healthy voice, it truly saddens me. Her story is akin to that of a beautiful swan that simply flew too much, too far, too early and improperly. I am grateful that we had her voice in full health, if only for a little while.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10034382917723201764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-67076277931250510482016-10-03T19:14:05.120-07:002016-10-03T19:14:05.120-07:00I adore Anna Moffo. Though sometimes after reading...I adore Anna Moffo. Though sometimes after reading some of the commentary on Youtube, doubtless given by the same "unmusical fools" you mention, I felt I had to explain or apologize. No more. Sing on bright angel.JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03383019194737366111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-59105743588724198712016-09-18T09:27:10.474-07:002016-09-18T09:27:10.474-07:00Thanks for this informative and human piece on Ann...Thanks for this informative and human piece on Anna Moffo.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15807855053719681283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-27740391020011109012016-09-18T09:26:47.013-07:002016-09-18T09:26:47.013-07:00Thanks for this informative and human piece on Ann...Thanks for this informative and human piece on Anna Moffo.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15807855053719681283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-5397572574419898962016-08-27T20:19:44.116-07:002016-08-27T20:19:44.116-07:00When i was 17. I went backstage at met and met ann...When i was 17. I went backstage at met and met anna moffo. She was glamerous and had just finished a perf on traviata. She was very gracious and i was studying voice then. I asked her for some points and she was helpful. My little nephew age 8. And mother were with me and she kept teasing him. She was at the ht of her career and i was in awe. My teacher was madame julia drobner at ansonia. Im sad her voice took a tragic turn and her illness but i will always remember me as the aspiring opera singer in awe of this lovly woman. A good memory of the great anna moffo as i seen herAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16811588035067378441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-30171001777576913582016-06-06T00:06:17.811-07:002016-06-06T00:06:17.811-07:00She is always in my cellphone. I hear her each day...She is always in my cellphone. I hear her each day. She inspires me to be a better artist. Definitely an angel. Wherever you are Anna, you're alive. I love you!<br />Thank you very much for the tribute!FernandoHeinsiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02911963859714954424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-19697740383432157222016-03-27T04:19:17.437-07:002016-03-27T04:19:17.437-07:00A wonderful tribute to a great lady and singer. I ...A wonderful tribute to a great lady and singer. I saw her many times in FLorida in the 70's: recitals/concerts/Fille du Regiment in Miami and Tosca in St Petersburg. She was always prepared and the voice was truly lovely.The only time I saw her on the Met tour was in Atlanta and she sang a moving Violetta that night with Maestro Bonynge in the pit. She is greatly missed.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14344864493596982336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-57499536438630053442016-03-19T05:01:21.260-07:002016-03-19T05:01:21.260-07:00What a pleasure to hear Anna and read these testim...What a pleasure to hear Anna and read these testimonies. Heaven may be with us. Jasa.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09894545118068019497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-9338618622735352992015-12-28T12:10:56.299-08:002015-12-28T12:10:56.299-08:00Beautiful tribute,Albert. I remember a live Lucia ...Beautiful tribute,Albert. I remember a live Lucia w/the Met in Central Park ca.1965-1966 with George Shirley. I was sitting up front and somewhere in the mad scene way up hi in the coloratura, a dog near me started wailing. Anna's eyes popped out startled but she continued singing w/o losing a beat.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00247590254378072917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-9693431987790319082015-12-06T23:56:47.098-08:002015-12-06T23:56:47.098-08:00JB Steane is interesting about Moffo in that he cl...JB Steane is interesting about Moffo in that he clearly isn't that sure about the voice type he is listening to, but he echoes your comments regarding the beauty of the voice. Never heard her live, and I don't mean faint praise, but is there a better Nanetta? And the music isn't that easy.<br /><br />Dexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16598555636937242691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-56807730047420831642015-11-30T19:27:09.587-08:002015-11-30T19:27:09.587-08:00A great tribute to a talent that perished far too ...A great tribute to a talent that perished far too quickly--her Mimi in her recorded LA BOHEME (early 1960's) remains the most beautiful (and heartbreaking) I've ever heard---and there's some great competition!Brutal B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06251754598145633669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-72881143893620669292015-11-30T19:26:55.614-08:002015-11-30T19:26:55.614-08:00A great tribute to a talent that perished far too ...A great tribute to a talent that perished far too quickly--her Mimi in her recorded LA BOHEME (early 1960's) remains the most beautiful (and heartbreaking) I've ever heard---and there's some great competition!Brutal B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06251754598145633669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704055254870121256.post-46261162753725907222015-09-17T14:51:42.229-07:002015-09-17T14:51:42.229-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Thorniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10736210621522394316noreply@blogger.com