she was - and will always be - one of the most intelligent, sensitive and gifted artists in history. do not wonder why there are not many recordings, quality has never been a big concern for money-makers, especially in Italy...however, real art cannot be forgotten, nor denied.
thank you, Leyla
Paolo, Genceriano from Rome

After seeing again, after a couple of years, the great video Opera Fanatic featuring Gencer among other great divas,I realize her strong integrity and uniqueness among singers.
I love her interpretation of Lady Macbeth.
She ought to be more well known for real admirers of real expressive singing and intense passion.
One of the real charismatic singers of all time.
Congratulations and thank you for your efforts with a great omaggio
site!

Today is the first anniversary of the death of our beloved "diva turca" and I 'm commemorating it while listening to the beautiful live performance of "Werther" in Trieste, 20.1.1959. Unforgettable Charlotte !

Genceriano from Ljubljana

I have been an ardent 'Genceriano' for about some years now. Just listen to her rendition of Rossini's Elisabetta or Donizetti's Anna Bolena and you can feel the glow of Italian opera in its heydays. Gencer was aristocratic, awesome, majestic, always cutting a commanding presence both on and off-stage. She possessed the Fuoco Sacro, which she accorded to Callas herself. One of the last true Divas to use chest voice (and not ashamed to admit it)...La Sultana!

Madame Gencer was truly a unique soprano. Her Aida has spoiled all others for me. Her Medea ranks among the top three. Even at the end of the voice the sound was truly haunting and her own. Let us not forget her Lucrezia in Due Foscari from Fenice--magic. What a gorgeous woman she was.

Leyla Gencer was the most wonderful soprano I`ve ever heard!!! I really miss you!!! Thanks for all those years Regina!!!! BTW: Thanks for this web-page!!

Türkiyeni yetiştirdiği en büyük değerlerden biri Leyla Gencer ölümünün
ardında müzik adına büyük eserler bıraktı.Yolunu açtığı dünya arenasın da genç sanatçılarımız ve peşinden gelen kuşak büyük başarıara imza atıyor.Nur içine yat.Seni unutmıyacağız.

I came to know La Gencer through her dazzling interview in Stefan Zucker's "Opera Fanatic", which is an entertaining yet odd documentary film. She struck me as a charismatic and intelligent lady to whom many of the other divas compared unfavourably. In the interview, she rightly compares herself to a priestess of Greek Antiquity in view of her 'magnetic emanations'. I decided to buy a compilation of her live performances. Her voice is a real container of emotions and passion! In the interview, she mentions Maria Callas as the colleague who touched her most. Both divas possessed the 'sacred fire'...

Leyla GENCER seni çok özleyeceğiz...Dünya sensiz ve sesinden yoksun, öksüz...kuzyakalılar,yörükköylüler,safranbolulular,Karabüklüller unutmayayacağız sevgili divamız.

Leyla Gencer was one of a KIND, her performances certainly outshadow the more famous sopranos. Regine Crespin said she was sadly overshadowed by Callas but , she knew who was the best and it wasn,t the Greek soprano. Gencer performances with Bergonzi touch a milestone in Verdi singing that no other couple have touched, maybe Stella with Bergonzi. Just listen to their Aida, Ballo, Forza and that stunning Ernani to realise that 2 of the greatest singer are at work. Gencer Gencer sang a more viceral Donizetti than anyone,she above all others ploughed the way in Donizetti, more so than Sutherland, Caballe Caballe and the overparted Sills. She will be missed.