| Ruth Ann Swenson soprano |
| In SFO 2005-2006 Season Countess Almaviva - Le Nozze Di Figaro |
 |
| NPR - The Musically Inspiring 'Romeo and Juliet' Charles Gounod's Romeo et Juliette, Munich Radio Orchestra, Chorus of the Bavarian Radio. Romeo: Placido Domingo. Juliette: Ruth Ann Swenson (3rd piece of music featured.) |
 |
| From start to finish Swenson is a source of pure pleasure, producing limpid tones and effortless fioriture. In the astounding aria "Myself I shall adore" she combines bravura singing with laugh-out-loud humor and, when you think she's surely got to run out of steam, launches into yet one more display of exquisite coloratura. It seems that Diva Swenson doesn't have to breathe as mere mortals do. (Review) |
 |
|
| A former Adler Fellow, she made her Company debut as Despina in the 1983 production of Cos� fan tutte, and has since appeared in Dorinda in Orlando, Nannetta in Falstaff, Juliette in Rom�o et Juliette, Gilda in Rigoletto, Pamina in Die Zauberfl�te, Adina in L'elisir d'amore, Oph�lie in Hamlet, in addition to the title roles of Manon, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Ballad of Baby Doe and Semele. |
| CAST A Performance Dates Sat 6/10, Tue 6/13, Sat 6/17, Tue 6/20, Sat 6/24, Tue 6/27 Thr 6/29 |
 |
 |
| THIS IS |
| OPERA |
 |
| The Countess, neglected by the husband who had wooed her so ardently just two years earlier (in "The Barber of Seville"), obviously has a special place in the composer's affections. Melancholy is the domain of the Countess, who has seen her romantic illusions crumble swiftly into the humdrum of marital routine. Swenson, better known for her zesty portrayals of Susanna, adopted a strikingly different vocal quality for this role, deepening her characteristically bright sound in favor of a husky, slightly shadowy tint that spoke volumes about the Countess' predicament. If there was still a certain emotional vagueness about her stage demeanor, that was easily integrated into the reserve that her character retains in the presence of servants. And the lushly phrased melodies of her two arias boasted a welcome eloquence./ 06 Review |
| Anyone can Google and get this information, placed here for entertainment and education. |
 |
 |