Russian Roulades
These are pictures and portraits of coloratura sopranos from Russia, mostly historic. Most are quite obscure here in the West to all but the most devoted old record collectors.
Nadezhda Kazantseva was a very distinctive lyric-coloratura in the 1940's and 50's -- she had a creamy tone, but was not always accurate in her fiorature. The Lucia Mad Scene I have on an old Melodiya 10" is brilliant; she uses completely different ornaments and cadenzas that the ones we are so used to (and a bit bored with?). Brava!
Vera Firsova had a typically vinegar Russian sound, rather wily on the top.
Valerie Barsova was a major star in Russian in the first half of the 20th Century. Her records are wonderful.
Rosalie Gorskaya -- I really don't know much about, but his picture is a charmer.
Bela Rudenko came to prominance in the 1970's with a warm voice and a plentiful top extension. A few of her records on Melodiya were imported over to the West.
Elena Stepanova in a ridiculous costome -- I can't imagine, Queen of the Night, perhaps?
Maria Kurenko debuted in 1914 and at the Bolshoi in 1918. She lived in the US after 1925 and became a leader in recording and concertizing Russian art songs. A very long career.
Kuznetsova
