I too, respectfully disagree.
Look, every other soprano today, with one or two, RARE exceptions, sings in thirds....I swear, I have listened to performances and cannot tell you what note they are on. Also, at over 80, I have HEARD live what was great singing, and I am embrarrassed to say, we took a lot of it for granted.
No soprano remotely resembles, except Millo, the type of singing that was considered standard years ago. A Caniglia, A Muzio, a Milanov, Tebaldi, also sang in the mask, and sang with a legato
that was considered absolute. Much like the Ballet, traditions were adhered to, letter of the law. You strayed only with the invention of a esteemed choreographer.....
Now, people sing in the wrong resonsances. I feel that might explain the feeling of listening to thirds.....the assents to top are not of one cloth. Ponselle was often critized by the young pups of the day, saying she was too homgenous! Too one tone, boring. I have never heard a voice more true in my life...the overtone was dead on. Flagstad too. Dull, matronly, off pitch? Hardly.
But with every age, the new authorities think they know best. I respectfully submit, they do not.
Crooning, scooping, sagging, and jazz renditions of opera happened years ago too, but we had examples of proper singing, so no one freaked. Wagnerians, real ones not the attempts we have today, sang the italian with harsh angles, and showed themselves swans out of lake....but they had real stimme so you let it roll..... NOW they are very few examples of real Italian singing.....I grew up in Milano in the late 30's and 40's and that was some education. Most of our stars today would be booed off the stage, they do not know their instruments or what they are saying. Tradition isn't bad, it is correct, and needs lifeblood to keep it going forward.
CanBelto, from an old opera lover, take my word for what it is worth, there are very few left who know at all the magic of italian opera. Millo, is one. Wishing you well, and glad you seem passionate about so great an art.