This performance is very much in the realm of Handel. He appreciated ornamentation so long as it was befitting to the picture he was attempting to convey. It's joyous and bright - far cry from a funerary dirge. Ms Fleming did a marvelous job inserting her vocal ability into this glorious masterwork! Well done!
I must say that I prefer Dame Kiri singing this piece, but anyone who can listen to and watch this piece sung by Ms, Fleming and doesn't get caught up in her pure joy of it all, has an empty place in his/her soul! Thank you for posting this selection.
There is nothing disappointing about this performance. It's bright and cheerful. She's having a good time with her orchestral counterparts. The trumpet is brassy and fantastic! This piece is supposed to be joyful... she makes it happen!. If you can't understand the libretto then perhaps a lip reading lesson is in order. This is a delightful performance. Thanks for posting!
and all those 16th notes, which can be slurred into each other on those runs by other sopranos are very well DISTINGUISHABLE and you can FEEL the 16th not 'pulse' in those runs. EXCELLENT performance Ms Flemming!!!!
She has done a fine job in this performance. I especially appreciate the flow of the music -expressive and moving. Perfect cutoffs. Excellent diction. I understood every word. Furthermore GF Handel provides for colla voce in his recitatives and arias. I know this because I'm an intelligent musician.
Sang in high school chorus with Mrs. Fleming's son. Went to their house for his graduation party and watched her come down the staircase by her grand piano. An indelible memory.
I can't stop listening to it. It praises Dame Joan Sutherland's exquisite delivery while reminding me of the wonder of Kathleen Battle's version. I wonder if she studied both if them. Brava!!!! The ending is wondrous!!!!
Handel says "let the host of angels sing, seraphims included and all those talented enough to sing in their stead" and Rene fills that role, thankfully.
Handel wouldn't be opposed to a new but competent 'take' on his electric "Samson" --- Dame Fleming's sings with gusto and transmits beauty throughout the aria. Speed can afford zest. Bravissimo, Diva!
Beautiful song i first heard the song when Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sang it at The Royal Wedding of 1981. Beautiful tribute to Our Lord and Savior thanks for sharing the video.
She's such a queen it cracks me up and I LOVE IT. After each "they're loud" I love the way she lifts her head up all victoriously after the d sound. At 1:26 and 4:49 soo funny.
Whenever I hear and listen to Handel's beautiful and magnificent piece 'Let the bright Seraphim' beautifully sung by Renee Fleming, accompanied by the Scherzer played magnificently by the trumpeter, I can almost visualise the glorious Throne of Heaven, albeit momentarily. It is absolutely beautiful, magnificent and glorious!
Many ask for the trumpeter's name. According to a Danish comment earlier: "His name is Michael Frank Møller. He is the principal trumpet player of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra".
This may not be my favourite interpretation (like many of you), but I respect it and enjoy it! She is enthusiastic and shows a taste of her skill through a way I haven't heard this piece expressed before, many would not have the guts to perform in a way that is contrary to the traditional one, but she does.
@goknur1977 This woman is one of the most intellectual singers performing on the international stage. It's quite evident that she has researched this aria with regard to performance practices of the Baroque era in general, and Handel in particular. And, the trumpeter did his homework, too. Please note the final call and response between the Fleming and the trumpeter. The passage work in this piece is clear, clean, in tune(!), and without blemish. Learn from it. Thank you.
Some folks in here speaking as if they can do this better. By all means I implore you to upload a rendition of you doing this and see the comments then. Renee Fleming you are a Diva and I Love everything you do!
Ridiculous comment that presumes no-one can ever have an opinion unless they can do it better themselves. Well, unless you yourself can, you're not qualified to praise her either!
Bosie Wilder people can have opinions sure ... a lot of the comments referred to, are ones where people actually don’t have a real opinion, or even an artistic perspective, and react by rubbishing what she’s doing here. Those types of unintelligent comments aren’t necessary. People should have a discussion, if they don’t like her then say why or what about about this particular performance they don’t agree with.
I prefer this song in a "brighter" voice, but Renee really sings that "Let the Cherubic host" section with more feeling and beauty than any I've heard.
Welcome to everyone's interpretation to the conventions of the Baroque. Wow, just enjoy the beauty of the voice. It is a live performance. While I love te Kanawa, she did no ornaments in the Levine live recording submitted in another youtube - unheard of in the Baroque....
I saw a surprising number of dislikes here on this performance and read many of the comments to learn why. My, what a bunch of musical snobs! Renee Fleming can, in fact, sing this better than all but 0.0000001% of the soprano-singing population out there, and that's just not good enough for some! If you can not perform this piece better yourself then you are nothing more than a spectator. If you can not say something nice about someone, then stay quiet.
I am usually not a huge Renee fan... but that high C# at 4:22...THAT my friends, is perfection... LOVE this rendition of one of the most challenging soprano arias ever written... love what Renee does with the ending, adding tons of runs and trills up to high C#s and Ds... back when she was in her prime...
It might not have as high of a tessitura, but those runs are very difficult... most sopranos are lyric sopranos... high F#s are mainly sung by coloraturas, which are less common. Perhaps I should have phrased this as being one of the more difficult "common" or "standard" arias... but saying it isn't difficult, that is definitely an understatement...
I'm not going to lie, every time I hear her voice, I just sit back and go: 'wow' its like an Oil tanker that berths perfectly in a port >JUST< big enough for it. Sure she has slightly modified vowels, but she doesn't need much amplification, ever. ._.
let the bright Seraphim in burning row Their loud, uplifted angel-trumpets blow. Let the Cherubic host, in tuneful choirs Touch their inmortal harps with golden wires. Let the bright Seraphim in burning row Their loud, uplifted angel-trumpets blow. Let their celestial concerts all unite, Ever to sound his praise in endless blaze of light.
ohhhhh wow i've been reading a book called Simple unforgettable by Mary Balogh and i just got curious 'cause she cites this song as one that is sang by the main character... can't believe it is soo beautiful.....
In baroque there are never the same things twice. Since this is a deCapo aria, she goes and sings the first part again. Since the same part isn't sung the same way twice, it is expected for the artist to add embellishments to enhance the repeat.
Beth Remler even though I am a music geek, I forgot that. Thanks for the reminder. BTW Handel is my favorite operatic/oratorio composer. Not to be irrelevant, but RVW is my favorite hymn tune composer...and for the category of my favorite organ composers, it's *a tie* between Bach and Handel.
I get that she's not the perfect voice for this piece, but there is an element of urgency in her sound which makes her singing so interesting and exciting. I feel this is lacking in so many other singers, even those who have gorgeous voices (e.g. Sutherland sometimes)
wow before 3:00 what renee does with the piece... AMAZING wasn't sure if I'd like her singing it in a style other than the traditionally accepted version. but wow. !
Listen to Beverly Sills. When I listen to Ms. Sills (despite the less than desired trumpet playing), it was literally the first time I clearly understood the words.
Let the bright Seraphim in burning row their loud uplifted angel-trumpets blow. Let the cherubic host, in tuneful choir, touch their immortal harps with golden wire. Let the bright Seraphim in burning row their loud uplifted angel-trumpets blow
@ElizabethLewis3 I love Callas, she is my favourite soprano, but I totally agree with you. She had a fantastic technique and passion, but she first of all was a dramatic soprano (even a wagnerian according to someone) with a dramatic soprano vibrato. She could also do coloratura, but her voice was made for dramatic accents, so it's obvious that her coloratura, nice and still impressive considering her dramatic voice, couldn't be as light and quick as that of real coloratura sopranos.
This aria might not be right for Renee Fleming's voice (I'm a relatively newcomer to opera too:D) but I love how vibrant her performance is. She sings it with exuberance! I love it. :)
I've always held Kiri te Kanawa as my definite favorite, and I have always thought Fleming was similar to her in some ways, but when I compare them directly, I don't think they have much alike besides both being full lyric sopranos. Both are great, but they both have unique "isms" for themselves, I prefer Kiri's
Taste is a particular thing. Indeed! Renee always does things like that. and she's blriliant for that! I just love her!
Awesome Mrs Fleming
THANK you...
This performance is very much in the realm of Handel. He appreciated ornamentation so long as it was befitting to the picture he was attempting to convey. It's joyous and bright - far cry from a funerary dirge. Ms Fleming did a marvelous job inserting her vocal ability into this glorious masterwork! Well done!
Sirracco Renee and Kiri are the best sopranos ever, and *no other composer wrote operas and oratorios as beautiful as those of George Frederic Handel*
The trumpet is perfect also!
I must say that I prefer Dame Kiri singing this piece, but anyone who can listen to and watch this piece sung by Ms, Fleming and doesn't get caught up in her pure joy of it all, has an empty place in his/her soul! Thank you for posting this selection.
What a treat✨ We're so very lucky (those who, like me & others, like) 🙏
Renee Fleming (and Kathleen Battle, for that matter) can sing anything and it will be glorious!
I love everything she sings.
There is nothing disappointing about this performance. It's bright and cheerful. She's having a good time with her orchestral counterparts. The trumpet is brassy and fantastic! This piece is supposed to be joyful... she makes it happen!. If you can't understand the libretto then perhaps a lip reading lesson is in order. This is a delightful performance. Thanks for posting!
Sirracco your comments are spot on!👍👏
Amen!!!😀😀
⁹
and all those 16th notes, which can be slurred into each other on those runs by other sopranos are very well DISTINGUISHABLE and you can FEEL the 16th not 'pulse' in those runs. EXCELLENT performance Ms Flemming!!!!
not to mention also, that was a helluva great performance by the guy playing the D-trumpet, also, bravo to him, too
This exquisite. Tasteful, elegant, florid, gorgeous ornamentation!!
BRAVA!! DIVA!!
An outstanding performance of a magnificent operatic aria by one of the world's greatest sopranos!!!
Wow! What fabulous ornamentation in the Da Capo!!!
Brilliant!
wooow!!! beautiful! beautiful! beautiful!!!
SHE SINGS WITH GREAT PERFECTION!!! PERIOD!!!
She has done a fine job in this performance. I especially appreciate the flow of the music -expressive and moving. Perfect cutoffs. Excellent diction. I understood every word. Furthermore GF Handel provides for colla voce in his recitatives and arias. I know this because I'm an intelligent musician.
Sensational pyrotechniques! Congratulations Renee!!
Sang in high school chorus with Mrs. Fleming's son. Went to their house for his graduation party and watched her come down the staircase by her grand piano. An indelible memory.
Wait a minute! Renée doesn’t HAVE a son! She has two daughters! ( Maybe a step-son?)
Absolutely breathtaking! Agree with Alexander--this is a slice of Heaven, truly!
she sing wonderful!! her voice it's very powerpuff!!!!
probably my favorite interpretation! so expressive!
Splendid. Spectacular. Magnifico.
My, my, she does radiate,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, !
I can't stop listening to it. It praises Dame Joan Sutherland's exquisite delivery while reminding me of the wonder of Kathleen Battle's version. I wonder if she studied both if them. Brava!!!! The ending is wondrous!!!!
the trumpet player is my dads cousin and when i found out about that i started playing the trumpet and i have been playing for about 3 years
Good luck, Greg. Try playing the beast the trumpeter played in this tape!
Could you tell us the trumpet players name? A real bonus would be what trumpet is he playing?
I'm inclined to agree
Handel says "let the host of angels sing, seraphims included and all those talented enough to sing in their stead" and Rene fills that role, thankfully.
david stuart Handel composed the best operas and oratorios.
J. K. 👍 Absolutely!
I love it!!
Wonderful ornamentation and sense of style. One of my favorite performances of this.
ESTA VEZ LE ACHUNTO' . MENOS ES MAS!!!!
I absolutely love her voice ! I have not listened to her recordings in sometime and I came upon this and well I was enthralled! Marvelous! Brava!
Handel wouldn't be opposed to a new but competent 'take' on his electric "Samson" --- Dame Fleming's sings with gusto and transmits beauty throughout the aria. Speed can afford zest. Bravissimo, Diva!
Hudson Bailey 👍Your comments are *spot on*
... with "ä" .... please :-)
Beautiful song i first heard the song when Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sang it at The Royal Wedding of 1981. Beautiful tribute to Our Lord and Savior thanks for sharing the video.
And here she is singing Händel. Just came from a Catalani. Renée's awesome! =P
Eu na Guiana Francesa yes, she is very awesome! Renee and Kiri are the best sopranos. I like all sopranos but they are the best.
I'm torn between A Cappella and orchestration. Hence the reason for nine choirs of angels. Renee Fleming is Handel's boast and my toast!! Thank you.
Qui...lei ha cantanto meraviglioso!
lol....renee nailed this aria renee style.....bravo!
beautifully rendered
She's such a queen it cracks me up and I LOVE IT.
After each "they're loud" I love the way she lifts her head up all victoriously after the d sound.
At 1:26 and 4:49 soo funny.
Magnifica ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
She is perfect.
Whenever I hear and listen to Handel's beautiful and magnificent piece 'Let the bright Seraphim' beautifully sung by Renee Fleming, accompanied by the Scherzer played magnificently by the trumpeter, I can almost visualise the glorious Throne of Heaven, albeit momentarily. It is absolutely beautiful, magnificent and glorious!
Alexander Hersh how right you are!
Many ask for the trumpeter's name. According to a Danish comment earlier:
"His name is Michael Frank Møller. He is the principal trumpet player of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra".
She has so much agility for such creamy big voice, and notes for days.
This may not be my favourite interpretation (like many of you), but I respect it and enjoy it! She is enthusiastic and shows a taste of her skill through a way I haven't heard this piece expressed before, many would not have the guts to perform in a way that is contrary to the traditional one, but she does.
gorgious
her voice is super amazing
stephen onomo Yes, it is!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Amen to that!!!
Completely agree.
still fabulous!
How is this not her aria? She has made it her lyrical property, in my opinion. I enjoy other performances, too, Te Kanawa and Battle.
The most brilliant da capo I've heard!
Chanze Chaput YES!👍
Happy birthday, Renee!
That B section is stunning! Go Renee!
The B section is too fast.
Bosie Wilder no, it is NOT.
tess mattingly it surely is! You are so absolutely right about that! Bravissimo, Renee!👍👏
I listened Kiri again... she takes catch breaths as well. "Their loud uplifted Angel-trumpets" *breath* "blow..."
Sirracco I love both Kiri AND Renee. Even though I like all sopranos, those two are the best.
@dwrichy
My name is Michael Frank Møller
Principal trompet at The Danish National Orchestra(DRSO)
You are marvelous Michael!! Bravo.
This is so gloriously sung and played. bravi tutti. a joy
The trumpeter was fabulous. As far as the singing is concerned, Sutherland will always be the standard for me.
DCFunBud I like all sopranos, but Renee and Kiri are the best.
2:49. my goodness. the voice of an angel.
@goknur1977 This woman is one of the most intellectual singers performing on the international stage. It's quite evident that she has researched this aria with regard to performance practices of the Baroque era in general, and Handel in particular. And, the trumpeter did his homework, too. Please note the final call and response between the Fleming and the trumpeter. The passage work in this piece is clear, clean, in tune(!), and without blemish. Learn from it. Thank you.
Some folks in here speaking as if they can do this better. By all means I implore you to upload a rendition of you doing this and see the comments then. Renee Fleming you are a Diva and I Love everything you do!
Shane Louw read those haters to filth!
Ridiculous comment that presumes no-one can ever have an opinion unless they can do it better themselves. Well, unless you yourself can, you're not qualified to praise her either!
Bosie Wilder people can have opinions sure ... a lot of the comments referred to, are ones where people actually don’t have a real opinion, or even an artistic perspective, and react by rubbishing what she’s doing here. Those types of unintelligent comments aren’t necessary. People should have a discussion, if they don’t like her then say why or what about about this particular performance they don’t agree with.
Bosie Wilder
th-cam.com/video/Fk3s1qF1CKY/w-d-xo.html
Shane Louw
Qq
I prefer this song in a "brighter" voice, but Renee really sings that "Let the Cherubic host" section with more feeling and beauty than any I've heard.
Wonderful da capo!!
Excuse me: this woman is astonishing.
Try to listen the Renée's studio version of this piece.
Welcome to everyone's interpretation to the conventions of the Baroque. Wow, just enjoy the beauty of the voice. It is a live performance. While I love te Kanawa, she did no ornaments in the Levine live recording submitted in another youtube - unheard of in the Baroque....
What are you talking about??? I think she sings it wonderfully!!
Yeah i really want to know to!
you should hear kathleek battle sing this song!!! she is great, because her voice is lighter. but mrs. flemming has a wonderful voice too!
I saw a surprising number of dislikes here on this performance and read many of the comments to learn why. My, what a bunch of musical snobs! Renee Fleming can, in fact, sing this better than all but 0.0000001% of the soprano-singing population out there, and that's just not good enough for some! If you can not perform this piece better yourself then you are nothing more than a spectator. If you can not say something nice about someone, then stay quiet.
Worrell057 Amen to that!!!
I love Renee and Kiri, they're the best. It's a tie.
I am usually not a huge Renee fan... but that high C# at 4:22...THAT my friends, is perfection... LOVE this rendition of one of the most challenging soprano arias ever written... love what Renee does with the ending, adding tons of runs and trills up to high C#s and Ds... back when she was in her prime...
It might not have as high of a tessitura, but those runs are very difficult... most sopranos are lyric sopranos... high F#s are mainly sung by coloraturas, which are less common. Perhaps I should have phrased this as being one of the more difficult "common" or "standard" arias... but saying it isn't difficult, that is definitely an understatement...
I'm not going to lie, every time I hear her voice, I just sit back and go: 'wow' its like an Oil tanker that berths perfectly in a port >JUST< big enough for it. Sure she has slightly modified vowels, but she doesn't need much amplification, ever. ._.
*brilliant
yeah right! she does this like she could do it in her sleep
WOW!!!!!!!!
it is because it is a rotary trumpet rather than the more common piston valve trumpets you would normally see.
Великолепно!!!
let the bright Seraphim in burning row Their loud, uplifted angel-trumpets blow. Let the Cherubic host, in tuneful choirs Touch their inmortal harps with golden wires.
Let the bright Seraphim in burning row Their loud, uplifted angel-trumpets blow.
Let their celestial concerts all unite, Ever to sound his praise in endless blaze of light.
Hell ya thats hard to do at 4:22. That's a high high D!!! damn....awesome..
ohhhhh wow i've been reading a book called Simple unforgettable by Mary Balogh and i just got curious 'cause she cites this song as one that is sang by the main character... can't believe it is soo beautiful.....
This is excellent example of baroque embellishment, she really has good ideas.
Brava, as always.
In baroque there are never the same things twice. Since this is a deCapo aria, she goes and sings the first part again. Since the same part isn't sung the same way twice, it is expected for the artist to add embellishments to enhance the repeat.
Beth Remler even though I am a music geek, I forgot that. Thanks for the reminder. BTW Handel is my favorite operatic/oratorio composer. Not to be irrelevant, but RVW is my favorite hymn tune composer...and for the category of my favorite organ composers, it's *a tie* between Bach and Handel.
It's da capo, but you are right about the custom of embellishment on the second time through.
jolie voix !
I get that she's not the perfect voice for this piece, but there is an element of urgency in her sound which makes her singing so interesting and exciting. I feel this is lacking in so many other singers, even those who have gorgeous voices (e.g. Sutherland sometimes)
wow before 3:00 what renee does with the piece... AMAZING wasn't sure if I'd like her singing it in a style other than the traditionally accepted version. but wow. !
@suzanneetmoi yOU are right ;my voice teacher just taught me thisabout voice types -lyrical ,spinto, etc.
She's pretty!
Bravo
Listen to Beverly Sills. When I listen to Ms. Sills (despite the less than desired trumpet playing), it was literally the first time I clearly understood the words.
Let the bright Seraphim in
burning row their loud uplifted
angel-trumpets blow.
Let the cherubic host, in tuneful
choir, touch their immortal
harps with golden wire.
Let the bright Seraphim in
burning row their loud uplifted
angel-trumpets blow
@ElizabethLewis3 I love Callas, she is my favourite soprano, but I totally agree with you. She had a fantastic technique and passion, but she first of all was a dramatic soprano (even a wagnerian according to someone) with a dramatic soprano vibrato. She could also do coloratura, but her voice was made for dramatic accents, so it's obvious that her coloratura, nice and still impressive considering her dramatic voice, couldn't be as light and quick as that of real coloratura sopranos.
This aria might not be right for Renee Fleming's voice (I'm a relatively newcomer to opera too:D) but I love how vibrant her performance is. She sings it with exuberance! I love it. :)
HIGH D!
Não sei quem é melhor ela ou o solista. Espetacular.
I think this is a one-off orchestra, consisting of various members of the professional danish orchestras, picked for this show in particular.
That is very true! And you said it well.
This aria is more suited to Joan Sutherland, in my opinion.
I've always held Kiri te Kanawa as my definite favorite, and I have always thought Fleming was similar to her in some ways, but when I compare them directly, I don't think they have much alike besides both being full lyric sopranos. Both are great, but they both have unique "isms" for themselves, I prefer Kiri's
Daryl Barclay arent you a treat commenting on an 11 year old comment 😂
Michael Frank Møller - Principal in Danish National Symphony Orchestra
I like what you say. Very valid, just persoanl preference I guess. Trust me- K Battle is saved as a favorite as well.
She looks very happy lol
4:54 guy in the background looks up like "holy crap"
"Guy in the background" is a violinist or violist, and he has done at least one full rehearsal prior to this taping, so he has heard it before.
Who is the trumpet player? Wonderful playing - really fine rendition.