Voice of the Century, from Jussi Bjorling, Maria Callas and Leontyne Price to Peter Pears, Barbara Hannigan and Portland's Audrey Luna

Audrey Luna, a graduate of Portland State University, sings in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Thomas Ades' "The Exterminating Angel." Photo: Ken Howard, Metropolitan Opera

I'm calling this class "Voices of the Century" because these wonderful singers are the names we think of when we admire the greatest voices of the 20th -- and 21st -- century. But instead of  presenting each voice, I’ve paired them so we will hear two singers perform the same aria in order to compare their voices and artistry. Thus, we'll hear Jussi Bjorling and Franco Corelli in "Recondite armonia" from Puccini's "Tosca." And we'll relish Renata Tebaldi and Maria Callas in "Un bel di" from Puccini's, "Madama Butterfly." We'll also hear Fritz Wunderlich and Francisco Araiza, Jon Vickers and Peter Pears, Leontyne Price and Anna Netrebko, Joan Sutherland and Natalie Dessay, Gerald Finley and Dietrich Henschel and Barbara Hannigan and Portland's own Audrey Luna. 

We'll talk about vocal quality, musical style, nuance, musicality and, because this is theater, their vocal character — do they “act” with their voices, do they convey character, how do they do that?

Please join us for this unusual class. 4 p.m. Sunday, March 25, Classic Pianos, 3003 SE Milwaukie and Powell Blvd.

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