Glass Shatterers! Laura Aikin - Thomas: HAMLET, Ophelia's Mad Scene, High F#, 1991

~The "Glass Shatterers!" series focuses on sopranos who sustain High F, or sing higher.
THE SONGBIRD: American coloratura soprano Laura Aikin was born in Buffalo NY, studied music, then relocated to Berlin where she studied with Reri Grist. Aikin quickly launched her career in 1991 in Berlin and has based her career there singing a wide variety of leading high soprano roles in all the major European houses and festivals -- including Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, Brussels, Paris, Dresden, Zurich, Naples, Florence, La Scala, and Barcelona. In the United States, she has sung at The Met (Queen of the Night, Fiakermilli, and Sophie); San Francisco Opera (Anne Truelove, The Angel in "Saint François d'Assise"), Chicago Lyric Opera (Zerbinetta), and Santa Fe Opera (Aspasia).
She is known for her compelling stylistic versatility from well-known and rare classical and romantic works, to premieres of modern concert and opera pieces. Here she sings Ophelia's mad scene from "Hamlet" by Ambroise Thomas, captured at the very beginning of her career, with an interpolated sustained High F# at the end.

[@lauraa3741]

Thank you for sharing this!! I so love that aria. Still even now. :))

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

Ms.Aikin, is MARGUERITE DE VALOIS still part of your repertoire?

[@lauraa3741]

Sure! Why not? But there must first be the opportunity. 🤷‍♀️

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

@@lauraa3741 would LOVE to see/hear you in that role: it seems to have been written especially for you!

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

@@lauraa3741 do you have a personal recording of "O Beau Pays"?
It's not available on UA-cam.

[@lauraa3741]

Unfortunately, no. I rarely gather recordings of my performances. Thank you very much for your interest. It is very kind 💐💚