I wouldn’t have believed if I had not seen and heard myself

Shirley Verrett is obviously a very great singer. I remember the first time I heard her back in the 80’s in a tape of Vivaldi’s Stabat Mater which haunts me still today. But I never thought I would hear of something like a recital in which a singer sings both Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilate*and Wagner’s Liebestod! And beautifully both of them. I feel tempted to say purists will raise an eyebrow – but that is just a cliché. She produces stylish Mozart and Wagner and still finds room too add her own Verrett-isms which just spice the proceedings. Bravissima!

My browsing through youtube found so many contrasted examples of her artistry – such as audio excerpts of her Amelia (Ballo in Maschera) and video excerpts of her Tosca at the Met (both with Pavarotti).

* Unfortunately, the youtube video of the live Exsultate, jubilate has been deleted. So, as a compensation, I post here a link to a studio performance.