Ebben? Neandro lontana – La wally by Wilhelmenia Fernandez

We have covered different types of music that have influenced Broadway musicals, Gospel, country, bluegrass and opera. In time, we will highlight some wonderful music from operettas; but for now, let’s go back to opera. In between Rossini, Verdi and Puccini, there are a number of lesser known composers who wrote some glorious music. Take, for example Alfredo Catalani and his opera, La Wally (1892), with its divine “Ebben? Neandro lontana.” It is no wonder that Arturo Toscanini was so passionate about Catalani’s music. We have heard many soprano’s sing this aria; however, our favorite is the performance given by Wilhelmenia Fernandez on the soundtrack of the French thriller, Diva (1981):