It's great to finally get to see Renee happy. She's either a innocent woman whose husband thinks she's cheating on him and he's gonna kill her (Othello) or she's under water and wants to be a human and then she does and it goes to hell (Rusalka) or she's royalty with a unfaithful husband who wants to get on her maid (Figaro). I mean finally FINALLY we get to see her happy! Its about time...
@sasamack Well, Handel himself called it "After the Manner of an Oratorio", further it's a worldly theme, so actually it is half way between opera and oratorio, and has often been called "opera".
I love this very modern interpretation. It reminds me that Handel was not J. S.Bach. He wrote music to be enjoyed and financed by the public, not by religious institutions or by the nobility. I have no objection to an artist having endless pleasure with her own interpretation of "Endless pleasure". I think that if Handel could hear this in the context of the music of today, he would be pleased and would say "If you don't like it, don't buy it",
Semele (HWV 58) is a 'musical drama', originally presented "after the manner of an oratorio",[1] in three parts by George Frideric Handel. Based on a pre-existent opera libretto by William Congreve, the work is an opera in all but name but was first presented in concert form at Covent Garden theatre on 10 February 1744.
My partner, who is Italian, heard her in "La Traviata" and said that he could not understand the words either, so this problem afflicts her in more than one language. Beautiful voice, though.
It’s English. Muffled recording quality. Notice the distortion on the applause at the end. Listen to her studio account on CD (also on UA-cam) in clearer sound and you will understand every word. I find it very easy to understand though too. “endless pleasure, endless love, Semele enjoys above” “on her Bosom Jove reclining, useless now his thunder lies” etc.
Muffled recording quality. Notice the distortion on the applause at the end. Listen to her studio account on CD (also on UA-cam) in clearer sound and you will understand every word. I find it very easy to understand though too. “endless pleasure, endless love, Semele enjoys above” “on her Bosom Jove reclining, useless now his thunder lies” etc.
I speak as someone who holds Ms Fleming as one of his favourite sopranos but in this aria I agree that her diction leaves something to be desired. (In passing, for me the coloratura is dazzling if a little over indulgent.) I don't care how talented a singer is but if you can't communicate the words I wish you'd stay home rather than mount a concert platform. After all we're talking composer AND librettist, or had you forgotten on this occssion Ms F...?
Muffled recording quality. Notice the distortion on the applause at the end. Listen to her studio account on CD (also on UA-cam) in clearer sound and you will understand every word. I find it very easy to understand though too. “endless pleasure, endless love, Semele enjoys above” “on her Bosom Jove reclining, useless now his thunder lies” etc.
I love how she smiles and bites her lower lip when she is finished. She is so adorable!!
Adoring Mrs Fleming
I absolutely LOVE this video. Was one of the first youtube videos I loved back in 2007! Wonderful coming back to it a decade later!
Unbelievable trills!
she and Sutherland probably have the best ever!
stop hating....she nailed it!
Gorgeous!
Thank you! ;-)
Literal queen.
what a wonderful name for a song =P
Endless pleasure endless love
lovely! so playful ;)
Excellent! It's so good to hear this aria sung in a joyful, relaxed way. What is the year of this concert?
OMG. SAM, THIS IS FREAKY. And so am I!! :D
your studio mate, K
Just makes me smile ;)
Amazing!!!
She's a goddess!
It's great to finally get to see Renee happy. She's either a innocent woman whose husband thinks she's cheating on him and he's gonna kill her (Othello) or she's under water and wants to be a human and then she does and it goes to hell (Rusalka) or she's royalty with a unfaithful husband who wants to get on her maid (Figaro). I mean finally FINALLY we get to see her happy! Its about time...
They used to say the same things (including me) about Sutherland. Couldn't understand a freakin' woid she sung!
But that voice...
@sasamack
Well, Handel himself called it "After the Manner of an Oratorio", further it's a worldly theme, so actually it is half way between opera and oratorio, and has often been called "opera".
in opera you can't always understand, but this is clear, that some of you don't get it it's your problem
I love this very modern interpretation. It reminds me that Handel was not J. S.Bach. He wrote music to be enjoyed and financed by the public, not by religious institutions or by the nobility. I have no objection to an artist having endless pleasure with her own interpretation of "Endless pleasure". I think that if Handel could hear this in the context of the music of today, he would be pleased and would say "If you don't like it, don't buy it",
@Babs22h well i prefer cecilia's "colours" or 'ranges" or anything in general then ok?
I belive 'Semele' is an oratorio and not an opera.
Semele (HWV 58) is a 'musical drama', originally presented "after the manner of an oratorio",[1] in three parts by George Frideric Handel. Based on a pre-existent opera libretto by William Congreve, the work is an opera in all but name but was first presented in concert form at Covent Garden theatre on 10 February 1744.
does anybody know who conducted this?
She has a gorgeous voice - but i feel like this was taken a tad bit too fast.
My partner, who is Italian, heard her in "La Traviata" and said that he could not understand the words either, so this problem afflicts her in more than one language. Beautiful voice, though.
....what is she saying? Seriously, it's very hard to believe she's singing in English. Is she English speaking, or German?
It’s English. Muffled recording quality. Notice the distortion on the applause at the end. Listen to her studio account on CD (also on UA-cam) in clearer sound and you will understand every word. I find it very easy to understand though too. “endless pleasure, endless love, Semele enjoys above” “on her Bosom Jove reclining, useless now his thunder lies” etc.
Is she really singing in English? I could not understand a single word.
Benedict Miceli because it's old - english, maybe
Muffled recording quality. Notice the distortion on the applause at the end. Listen to her studio account on CD (also on UA-cam) in clearer sound and you will understand every word. I find it very easy to understand though too. “endless pleasure, endless love, Semele enjoys above” “on her Bosom Jove reclining, useless now his thunder lies” etc.
I speak as someone who holds Ms Fleming as one of his favourite sopranos but in this aria I agree that her diction leaves something to be desired. (In passing, for me the coloratura is dazzling if a little over indulgent.) I don't care how talented a singer is but if you can't communicate the words I wish you'd stay home rather than mount a concert platform. After all we're talking composer AND librettist, or had you forgotten on this occssion Ms F...?
Muffled recording quality. Notice the distortion on the applause at the end. Listen to her studio account on CD (also on UA-cam) in clearer sound and you will understand every word. I find it very easy to understand though too. “endless pleasure, endless love, Semele enjoys above” “on her Bosom Jove reclining, useless now his thunder lies” etc.
Listen to Sutherland if you want to hear Handel...or, for that matter...a soprano.
Or if you want to hear what a mermaid singing underwater sounds like. Drowning gargled singing doth not a soprano make.
Renee is sooo much better than cecilia
Renee, lova ya, but stop swallowing those vowels!