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.
And it is about a shepherd being tempted to come across the river to meadows in bloom (which may or may not be true), rather than stay to care for his flock which very much chimes with the health, societal and political landscape at this time.
The Abbado/Strehler production still haunts me with the Scottish people bemoaning their state in a line that seemed to sink into infinity. Both in Milan and at the Kennedy Center.
Seemingly, unexpected the triumphant Chorus is being heard. Now, slowly at first but building in rapture. The villain is finally vanquished and Verdi knew as well as the opera ends with joy.
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.
Rostropovich revived it at Washington Opera with Galina Vishnevskaya that created a sensation at the Kennedy Center which got coverage in Opera News and The NYTimes. We never saw it in NYC. Unfortunately.
The Flower Duet from Lakme. It’s a nice contrast to the noise and politics right now.
Perfect! 🥂🙏🏼
Here's a recording that will break the hardest of hearts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ZL5AxmK_A
That gave me shivers right though my body. . . LOVELY!
Courage is the word for today. Andrea Chenier all the way !!!
Ohh good one! And I think I have the perfect woman in mind to sing it too! 😉
Indeed Bob !!!
It’s been a long time Dan. I hope you are doing well.
Happy you saw my note. You would probably enjoy my Newark, Italy and me (Lulu Books) 2019. Regards to all of you.
How do I purchase ?
April Frederick in John Joubert’s Jane Eyre. Stunning performances and a beautiful composition
Ohh can not wait to check this one out! 🥂
http://www.operatoday.com/content/2017/08/john_jouberts_j.php
🙏🏼🥂
Pearl Fishers' Duet - any version - I have never heard a poor one (but I do have a bit of a weakness for Jussi Bjorling . . .)
Oh yes!!!!!🙏🏼🥂
Victoria de los Angeles, songs of the Auvergne Bailero, makes me well up every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NMDE3mZRQw
OHHHH SO GOOD 🙏🏼🥂
And it is about a shepherd being tempted to come across the river to meadows in bloom (which may or may not be true), rather than stay to care for his flock which very much chimes with the health, societal and political landscape at this time.
Thank you - that was beautiful. It's an aria I always associate with Hayley Westernra, but this was a delight.
Ride of the Valkyries
So good!
Patria opressa from Verdi's MACBETH seems most apt'
🥂🙏🏼
The Abbado/Strehler production still haunts me with the Scottish people bemoaning their state in a line that seemed to sink into infinity. Both in Milan and at the Kennedy Center.
Seemingly, unexpected the triumphant Chorus is being heard. Now, slowly at first but building in rapture. The villain is finally vanquished and Verdi knew as well as the opera ends with joy.
O Mio Babbino Caro and The Pearl Fishers duet.
So good! 🙏🏼🥂
It has to be O Mio Babino Caro sung by Maria Callas - so stirring, so chilling, so moving and so beautiful.
yes so good! 🙏🏼🥂
Leontyne Price "Depuis le Jour". Love this version so much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eMP7gTf6Sk
ohhh yes!! 🥂🙏🏼
This is heart-meltingly lovely - thank you!
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.
These selections - yes!!!!! I may write the emails but the inspiration is coming from all of YOU! 🙏🏼🥂
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.
Ohh I need to check this out!!
Rostropovich revived it at Washington Opera with Galina Vishnevskaya that created a sensation at the Kennedy Center which got coverage in Opera News and The NYTimes. We never saw it in NYC. Unfortunately.
Listen to Jan Pearce singing Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise
So good!!!!! 🥂🙏🏼
The in studio recording is even better, but it was interesting listening to the radio version.
What about Kathleen Ferrier?
What a voice . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbtvUtiKkCc&list=RDXljmp4jvIG4&index=13
I love a contralto.
wow! 🥂🙏🏼
One of my favorites, Pavoratti singing Nessun dorma
Yes!
Pavoratti Nessum Dorma
Yes!