96-Year-Old Operatic Soprano With Crystal Clear Voice Sings Miraculous Rendition Of ‘Panis Angelicus’

Jun 23, 2021 by apost team

At 96 years old, Italian verismo soprano Magda Olivero had one of opera's most remarkable voices for her time. Despite the fact that Olivero passed away in 2014, her incredible talent still goes viral on the internet, as it moves people worldwide. Olivero used to perform every year in Italy on Aug. 15, for the public holiday of Ferragosto. She would sing in the Church of Sulden, known as 'Parrocchia di Solda' in Italian. The singer is often dubbed as the 'last verismo soprano,' and is remembered to this day as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century.    

Olivero's impeccable technique allowed her to lead a long a flourishing career before her passing, and she gave her last public performance at the age of 99. The usual retirement age for singers is nearly an entire half-decade sooner. Nevertheless, Olivero's performances were met with half-an-hour standing ovations and praise even in her later years singing opera. With her debut having been in the 1930s, Olivero performed well into the 21st century. Unfortunately, she passed away on Sept. 8. 2014, at the age of 104, after suffering from a stroke a month prior to her death. 

With such a prolific career, it's no surprise that people today still love and enjoy her music. This performance of 'Panis Angelicus' was sung by Olivero at church when she was 96 years old on Aug. 15, 2006, and is still hailed as an absolute classic today.

Read on to learn more about Olivero and to hear her incredible soprano voice.

This performance took place on the day of the Assumption of Mary in 2006, in which Magda Olivero sang two religious songs with an undeniable commitment to her craft. Her voice is angelic, powerful, and passionate as she sings Franck's 'Panis Angelicus.' The crystal-clear quality and tone of her voice is enough to bring chills done people's spines. 

In 1997, American Record Guide wrote a review for a two-disc set of arias by Olivero. According to the New York Times, the review said:

"She reigns supreme, singing with an abandon and fervour that will leave you exhausted." 

In the same New York Times article, it was mentioned that a critic in 1951 also had nothing but praise for the verismo soprano:

"Here is an astonishing talent [with] an intensity, both musical and dramatic, which was quite extraordinary." 

The verismo style is known for its drama, which fit many of the opera roles that Olivero played, such as main parts in Puccini's 'Tosca' and Luigi Cherubini's 'Medea.'    

In the singer's obituary by The Guardian, it was written that she loved to sing softly for long stretches of time:

"Olivero was fond of holding on to the softest notes for the longest possible time and then practically exploding them with a fast crescendo – and the weighty mezzoish tones in her lower register made her performances seem the epitome of the age of verismo."

Despite the singer's passing, her voice transcends beyond time and brings joy to all listeners who are graced with her incredible talent. See for yourself in the video below:

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What do you think of Olivero's performance? Isn't her voice angelic? Do you have another favorite performance of hers? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this on to your friends and family!