This performance shows what a dramatically compelling performer Dame Janet was. I treasure the times i heard her live as a young lad. I too would have prefered French, but as a lesson on how to sing in English it is exemplary. The sensitivity and emotion are evident. May she continue to have a happy and peaceful retirement
This might be around 1969. Dame Janet performed Dido in Scottish Opera's landmark production that year (I still get goosebumps thinking about that event!).
@@patshaw51 Yes - I was there too. The quotation from the love duet in this scene just now brought back a clear image of her seated during the duet - even the expression on her face. I once heard her in Handel's Orlando n a production from the Barber Institute at Sadler's Wells where Orlando's first big aria "Viene combattere" brought down the first act curtain. She wasn't all that well known generally then, but a thrill went through the house when she came on to sing it, even before she had made a single sound. The only other time I ever experienced that was with Callas's arrival on stage in the Visconti Tosca ( and with Callas you were never entirely sure exactly what you were going to hear).
The language is a detail against this canvas of dramatic articulation, superb voice and technique, physique du rôle, and complete identification with the character and circumstance. Dame Janet’s movement and agility are strikingly demonstrated in her dash up the stairs at the beginning. Her acting ability in the opera house was unchallenged except perhaps by Callas.
She did, and recorded excerpts with the Scottish Opera production she sang it for. Her French isn't perfect, but pretty good -- at least as good as any German or other foreign singer, and I've heard lots! -- and the characterization is incomparable.
But I notice it's mostly non-French who complain. Berlioz's French can sound very stilted, and a good English translation like this may well be more immediate, at least if you can cope with the language at all.
Mais ce nom a l'air plutot Allemand? Moi, je n'ai rien contre l'anglais, c'est l'Angleterre qui a ressuscite Troyens pour nos jours, pas la France ou l'Allemagne. Berlioz en allemand, serait vachement nauseabond ca!
I disagree about language. She was such a great artist who must have known that half the music is in the language, and she made so many composers sound like Elgar with these perverse English versions of things. ‘Venus, rends moi ton fils’ indeed. Means nothing here.
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Gorgeous tone, thoughtful acting, and perfect diction! No one like her today: her voice is immediately recognizable. I am so glad to have seen this!
This performance shows what a dramatically compelling performer Dame Janet was. I treasure the times i heard her live as a young lad. I too would have prefered French, but as a lesson on how to sing in English it is exemplary. The sensitivity and emotion are evident. May she continue to have a happy and peaceful retirement
Such a voice !! This is an artist!
This woman can sing this in English, French, or Swahili for all I care! Listen!!
Such a dramatic sound coming from Dame Janet, it's truly wonderful.
Extraordinary. A moment of unsurpassing beauty and deeply moving.
My favourite mezzo of all times!!!
One of my favorite Mezzo❤❤❤
Gorgeous!
This might be around 1969. Dame Janet performed Dido in Scottish Opera's landmark production that year (I still get goosebumps thinking about that event!).
That's good because your geese can't fly away!
Her 'Didon' with Scottish Opera is still CRYSTAL clear in my memory!
@@patshaw51 Yes - I was there too. The quotation from the love duet in this scene just now brought back a clear image of her seated during the duet - even the expression on her face. I once heard her in Handel's Orlando n a production from the Barber Institute at Sadler's Wells where Orlando's first big aria "Viene combattere" brought down the first act curtain. She wasn't all that well known generally then, but a thrill went through the house when she came on to sing it, even before she had made a single sound. The only other time I ever experienced that was with Callas's arrival on stage in the Visconti Tosca ( and with Callas you were never entirely sure exactly what you were going to hear).
Superb
The language is a detail against this canvas of dramatic articulation, superb voice and technique, physique du rôle, and complete identification with the character and circumstance. Dame Janet’s movement and agility are strikingly demonstrated in her dash up the stairs at the beginning. Her acting ability in the opera house was unchallenged except perhaps by Callas.
Her French diction was also exemplary. I think she might have sung this role in French, as well.
She did, and recorded excerpts with the Scottish Opera production she sang it for. Her French isn't perfect, but pretty good -- at least as good as any German or other foreign singer, and I've heard lots! -- and the characterization is incomparable.
Baker est bouleversante meme en Anglais.L'emotion est la.
Seule Crespin....
@1972jewish jajaja, indeed! Those diferent vowels are driving me just maaad!
Opera for people who like drama instead of music?
What's wrong with English? It was good enough for Shakespeare!
yes, she is excellent in french too! I heard her!....but Crespin is the unsurpassable one in this repertoire!
@1972jewish
yes, jewish french is horrible to sing Berlioz, i'd rather prefer swahili
Dame Janet Baker sings and acts like a goddess but I can't get into this english translation.
But I notice it's mostly non-French who complain. Berlioz's French can sound very stilted, and a good English translation like this may well be more immediate, at least if you can cope with the language at all.
she's suberb! however french would be more preferable. alas.
le français est un language horrible!
Elle chante bien, mais cet aria est .. je vais mourir.....
Berlioz en anglais! Bof!... Beurk!...
Mais ce nom a l'air plutot Allemand? Moi, je n'ai rien contre l'anglais, c'est l'Angleterre qui a ressuscite Troyens pour nos jours, pas la France ou l'Allemagne. Berlioz en allemand, serait vachement nauseabond ca!
I disagree about language. She was such a great artist who must have known that half the music is in the language, and she made so many composers sound like Elgar with these perverse English versions of things. ‘Venus, rends moi ton fils’ indeed. Means nothing here.