5. Verdi’s Style

This chapter elaborates on Verdi’s style and the end of bel canto. Tetrazzini’s impersonations of Violetta and Gilda were memorable and her recordings are testament to a performing tradition that continued despite Verdi’s dramatic treatment of the voice. In Tetrazzini’s recordings melodic modifications tend to remain confined to the final cadenza or, less often, to the central semicadenza, but can still be sparkling with pearly coloratura, as is the case with Violetta’s cabaletta.