Eula Beal was my mother. Married William Garnett in 1942 who became a world famous areial photographer. I hope to post more information on her in the future. Her voice is missed by all of us.

Well I personally think both have their own inherant beauty - but the problem comes when women, who are contraltos, are forced to play "bitches, witches, or in breeches" and sopranos get to play all the feminine roles.

I think Eula Beal is one of the most beautiful contraltos of all time, it's a true shame she didn't continue her career. She's one singer i aspire to be like, so inspiring! Though I have no idea what range I am, i enjoy singing her style, it's just too beautiful!

It's not surprising to me that she has a nice high register. Some contraltos have a high c. To me, what we're hearing is that her high register is extremely free. This is the result of a singer who strengthens her entire voice rather than her preference.

When the melody rose, her voice broke up sweetly, following it, in a way contralto voices have, and each change tipped out a little of her warm human magic upon the air. - The Great Gatsby

The look on her face is not blankness or boredom. It is the candid purity of a noble soul, renouncing any violent or extreme individuality, in order to become the conduit of the highest expressions of all humankind. If there is a God in heaven, and if he can hear us, then I am sure he granted her prayer.

I have an undersized 11-month-old female kitten who just came running in here, top speed, to sniff at the speakers and look at the singing lady! ;-> She's an engaged little cat, but I've never before seen her so enthralled by *anything*. Lovely. Do we know the year this was taped? The cat has good taste.

This is the english translation if anyone is interested Have mercy, my God, for the sake of my tears! See here, before you heart and eyes weep bitterly. Have mercy, my God.

This is the most beautiful contralto voice I've ever heard, every note is a diamond, perfect legato, rich, round, velvet-like sound...her voice flows so effortlessly.

I love how she sways as she sings. Like she's literally moved by her own voice in a non-snobbish way.

I also love Mr. Menuhin's performance on the violin!

(Continued) While raising their 3 sons, she ran the business end of his photo endeavors. "She was truly the woman behind the man," said a daughter-in-law. She continued to sing with local orchestras and choral groups, and in later life, she & Dr. G. ,who died in 2006, grew grapes for Napa Valley wineries. She said she never regretted giving up her career. Sounds like hers was a long, happy, and varied life, but, oh, the listening pleasure generations of music lovers missed out on!

This recording breaks my heart..... it's not just her exquisite voice, but the total honesty and drama of the interpretation and with Yehudi on the violin.... wonderful. Thank you.

Thank Heaven we have all these great recordings of superb artists.....................and those who make the effort to download them onto KZfaq. Thank You, all of you.

Eula Beal (January 25, 1919 July 29, 2008) was an American contralto. During her relatively short touring career, she performed with distinguished collaborators not only in concert on the US West Coast but also in Concert Magic, a 1947 film billed as "the first motion picture concert." -Wikipedia

I can think of nothing more beautiful on this earth than the combination of this woman,her voice,Menhuin's playing and this music,and I have been around longer than most.

What a class act this is in every aspect;singing, violin playing, even the setting. Eula is wonderful! Yehudi magnificent! Stand up and applaud! How fortunate to have heard this, thank you so much. Teachers, please develop more contraltos.

This is absolutly breathtaking. She sings this Aria so effortless. Love it.

Really we have here three artists of immeasurable elegance, Beal, Menuhin and Dorati all intoning the greatest artist of all , Bach, at his most soulfully elegant. Thank you for this!

This was the favourite piece of music for Yehudi Menuhin, and we all understand why, don´t we ? Eula Beaul with a very good classical interpretation of this work.