Cathy Berberian: Xango

Here is a famous song (written by Heitor Villa-Lobos) performed in a Yma Sumac-ish manner by the great avant-garde opera singer Cathy Berberian. Cathy Berberian (Attleboro, Massachusetts, 1925 - Rome, Italy, 1983) was a composer, mezzo-soprano singer, and vocalist. From 1950 to 1966 she was married to composer Luciano Berio, who deconstructed her voice in “Thema (Omaggio a Joyce)“ (1958) and wrote his “Circles“ (1960) and “Recital I (for Cathy)“ (1972) for her. In addition Sylvano Bussotti, John Cage, Hans Werner Henze and Igor Stravinsky wrote works for her voice. She interpreted contemporary avant-garde music, Armenian folk songs, Monteverdi, The Beatles, and her own compositions. Her best known work is her “Stripsody“ (1966), in which she exploits her vocal technique using comic book sounds. Enjoy!