Galina Vishnevskaya

[betterthanfine]

I've just finished reading her autobiography and am slightly obsessed with her at the moment. Now, I've read several comments on this site saying that her book is 'full of gossip and lies'. While I can see how she added some drama to several events (direct quotes from conversations she wasn't present at, even describing the speaker's inflection or facial expressions), I didn't come across anything that struck me as flat out untrue. Are there any specific examples?

[knight66]

I thought it was one of the most readable and fascinating autobiographies I have read. It is a long time since I went through it. Everything is ultimate drama and I took some of it with a pinch of salt. But, much as I admire the book, I really do not get on with her voice and no matter how insightful and dramatic her performance, i just do not enjoy her sound. A pity.

Mike

[betterthanfine]

Thanks for the reply, Mike! I myself find a lot of things to admire in her singing, especially when in her younger years. The Russian repertoire fits her like a glove, and even her Tosca makes for an interesting listen. There's some repertoire (Traviata) that is really unsuited for her though.

As far as the book is concerned: I thoroughly enjoyed it. It paints such a vivid picture of her and Rostropovich troubles with the government, and of life in Soviet Russia in general.