THE MUSIC: The complete role of Elena in Verdi's "I vespri siciliani" can be considered a soprano "assoluta" role, ideal for a heavier lirico-spinto soprano with a wide vocal compass (both high notes and low notes) and considerable dramatic punch, but also able to put over this showy bolero in the last act. “Mercè dilette amiche," with its intricate scales, turns, mordents, grace notes, and long trills is so infectious it has over the years been lifted out of the opera by lighter coloratura sopranos, who could never sing the entire role, and performed as a concert selection.

THE SONGBIRD: Case in point: Estonian coloratura soprano Veera Nelus (1916 - 1996). She made her debut in 1944 and was a leading prima donna for three decades with roles including much of the standard repertoire (Violetta, Gilda, Rosina, Lakmé, Norina, Musetta, Zerlina, Manon, and Adele), as well as roles in Russian works such as Marfa and Ludmila. In Nelus's coloratura soprano version of the bolero, she reworks the lowest lying lines higher and adds her own short flourish to a staccato High D at the end. This was recorded in 1963/64.

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