CDA x 2: Seiffert and Swit

Peter Seiffert (71) was a German tenor who specialized in Wagner, in some ways the most demanding roles in opera. Though I like what soprano Hildegarde Behrens said: yes, you develop the stamina and know-how to sing this rep, but on a certain level either your voice is built for it or not.

I never heard Seiffert but judging from this clip his voice really was built for it. And what a relief to hear a real tenor singing this music, so often we get a baritone who’s moved too far uptown.

And Loretta Swit (87)! You couldn’t escape MASH in the 70s and 80s, either new episodes or reruns, which seemed to play on every channel at every hour. Swit was tremendous, a strong woman standing her ground.

And here she is going all Fay Wray on The Muppet Show. I wonder how Carole King felt about this.