Bernadette Greevy 1940-2008
Sep 30th, 2008 by oldfogey
The great Irish contralto Bernadette Greevy died last week. In memory of her and her wonderful voice (the finest contralto voice since Kathleen Ferrier) here is a recording of her singing Elgar’s Sea Pictures. It is taken from a broadcast of a public concert on 7 July 1985, with the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maurice Handford. The recording quality is not of the finest (it was taped from my radio) but that lovely voice shines through unscathed.
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Many thanks for posting this extraordinary performance of this unique artist, a voice so totally and immediately recognisable, an unsurpassed legato and unparalleled breath-control. I had the honour of working often with Bernadette in the eighties and was very moved to hear this recording. I wonder if she ever recorded the Angel from dream of Gerontius. I cannot believe she is no longer with us, she always projected such a strong life-force. I miss her enormously
james vaughan
Thanks. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ve tried to find out whether she did record Gerontius but I have been unable to find anything. Like her great predecessor, Kathleen Ferrier. She did some recordings of Mahler for Naxos - Kindertotenlieder - but not Das Lied von der Erde. A great pity too. OF