Hey there 👋 we’re trying something new for this Wednesday’s post. We’re going to be taking a break from our regularly scheduled Opera Daily tomorrow to highlight YOUR selections. You all are amazing, and unsurprisingly I get so many wonderful comments from you every week and so I want to give you the mic for tomorrow.
Jessye Norman, "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" from "Samson and Delilah" (Samson et Dalila, 1877), described in Wikipedia as a grand opera in three acts and four scenes by Camille Saint-Saëns, with French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire.
I find this performance so affecting, not only because of the great diva's singing, but also out of lingering grief over her death just over a year ago. This is from a Lincoln Center concert:
I've been listening to a different nineteenth-century opera every working day during the pandemic, and today I discovered Glinka's Ruslan and Lyudmila for the first time: splendid! Especially the overture and finale.
The Flower Duet from Lakme. It’s a nice contrast to the noise and politics right now.
Courage is the word for today. Andrea Chenier all the way !!!
April Frederick in John Joubert’s Jane Eyre. Stunning performances and a beautiful composition
Pearl Fishers' Duet - any version - I have never heard a poor one (but I do have a bit of a weakness for Jussi Bjorling . . .)
Victoria de los Angeles, songs of the Auvergne Bailero, makes me well up every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NMDE3mZRQw
Ride of the Valkyries
Patria opressa from Verdi's MACBETH seems most apt'
O Mio Babbino Caro and The Pearl Fishers duet.
It has to be O Mio Babino Caro sung by Maria Callas - so stirring, so chilling, so moving and so beautiful.
Leontyne Price "Depuis le Jour". Love this version so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eMP7gTf6Sk
Jessye Norman, "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" from "Samson and Delilah" (Samson et Dalila, 1877), described in Wikipedia as a grand opera in three acts and four scenes by Camille Saint-Saëns, with French libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire.
I find this performance so affecting, not only because of the great diva's singing, but also out of lingering grief over her death just over a year ago. This is from a Lincoln Center concert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do9t0hMmQHI.
Here is the Maria Callas version (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppSJIjoRSwg) which I also find extraordinarily beautiful.
There are many wonderful opera singers, male and female, but I've only hear of one who gives us opera daily. Thank you, Michele.
I've been listening to a different nineteenth-century opera every working day during the pandemic, and today I discovered Glinka's Ruslan and Lyudmila for the first time: splendid! Especially the overture and finale.
Listen to Jan Pearce singing Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise
What about Kathleen Ferrier?
What a voice . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbtvUtiKkCc&list=RDXljmp4jvIG4&index=13
I love a contralto.
One of my favorites, Pavoratti singing Nessun dorma
Pavoratti Nessum Dorma