Artists Review

Mme. Strombotne, who received her early training in Denmark, has one of those round-toned, bell-like voices that seem to be the prerogative of Scandinavian sopranos. It is the kind of voice Wagner wrote for, and her ‘Elsa’s Dream’ from ‘Lohengrin’ had the right quality. Her low range is unusually strong. No voice can retain its full glow, especially in high notes and pianissimos, but there was a warmth of mature interpretation to make up. A greater drawback was deviation in pitch in the more brilliant numbers. The simple and direct songs came over best, lovely songs that everybody used to sing and that have been neglected lately: Schumann’s ‘Du Bist Wie Eine Blume’, Grieg’s ‘En Svane’, Quilter’s ‘Go Lovely Rose’. It is not often that a singer’s strongest impression is made in the opening selection, but Handel’s ‘O Mio Cor’ had a rich vocal line…

pianissimos : a passage played, sung, or spoken very softly

Music of the West Magazine

Harold Kay (left) president of the Peninsula Artists and Opera Association,
congratulates pianist Mortimer Markoff and soprano Elsa Strombotne and
her accompanist, LeRoy Miller following their concert
in Palo Alto in March which was sponsored by the Association.

May 1959 Issue

“The final concert in the Peninsula Artists series on March 20 introduced to local audiences mezzo-soprano Elsa Strombotne in a joint program with Mortimer Markoff, well-known Palo Alto pianist. The policy of presenting new artists with those already established is beneficial for all concerned.

Mme.  Strombotne is a vocalist with the range, Wagnerian power and freshness we have come to expect from Scandinavian singers. The size of her voice, free from vibrato, suggests a career in opera and oratorio but as a recitalist she proved to be a sensitive interpreter, at home in many styles. The soprano’s pitch is not always flawless and she needs to curb an urge to take all top tones fortissimo. Her English diction can be improved upon. LeRoy Miller contributed sound accompaniments.”

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mezzo-soprano is the middle vocal range for women, comparable to the baritone range among men. The word mezzo means medium or middle in Italian, and usually refers to female singers with characteristics of both alto and soprano singers. The classic mezzo soprano has the ability to reach high notes, usually up to the C two octaves above middle C, while retaining a richer timbre of voice similar to that of a deeper-ranged alto.

vibrato is a musical effect consisting of a regular pulsating change of pitch. It is used to add expression to vocal and instrumental music.

fortissimo : very loud

Hear one of Elsa Strombotne’s recordings…