It should be remembered that Purcell originally composed Dido & Aeneas for performance at Josias Priest's girls boarding school in Chelsea. It was there, in 1689 or thereabouts, that his opera was given its only performances during his lifetime. This rather astounding fact perhaps gives us some insight into how Purcell intended it to be sung - by a relatively youthful, and relatively untrained, voice, without vibrato or other embellishments typical of professional singers of that era. After a few performances in the very early 1700s, the opera all but disappeared for almost 200 years, until it was revived. So this aria was little known before the 20th Century, when it was frequently given a very portentous, tragic, and 'operatic' treatment; certainly until the revival of interest in original instruments and performance techniques from the 1980s onwards. Buckley's performance, therefore, may not be as wide of the original mark as we might imagine.
@Whatever Lola - hi, I am a professional opera singer and with respect, you are wrong. Firstly, at no point is Jeff "trying to sing with an operatic technique". If he did try to sing operatically, with anything less than 10 years opera training, I would have cringed. There is very little laryngeal tilt applied, a small amount of falsetto and relaxed, modern diction. The fact that he has managed to apply his own 'contemporary' vocal production and unusual vocal range to this, without undermining the integrity of the piece, makes it extraordinary imo. The contrast between 'trying to imitate an operatic technique' and a 'real' opera singer, usually compares to the difference between a bad, mock gothic castle at Disneyland and Windsor Castle. Modern covers of classical pieces should follow a similar principle to architecture, if you are modern, you can sing an old piece, but sing it with your contemporary voice, and this is what he has done, with extraordinary beauty and musicality.
L Russell That’s a perfect critique of this outstanding interpretation. Where are you singing? Any upcoming concerts? Please email scherzo613@gmail.com
Worth reading: I hope that people who liked him resist the temptation to turn his life and death into some dumb romantic fantasy--he was so much better than that. Not everyone can get up and sing something they take a liking to and make it their own, sing true to their heart and be curious about all different strains of music. Corpus Christi Carol was a completely conceived interpretation. I'd never heard the piece before and when I heard the original I realised what Jeff had done was even more amazing. He'd taken it into his own world. That's something my favorite classical musicians can do, be themselves but use all that expertise to make the music more beautiful. Jeff did that naturally. Only a handful of people are capable of that. I was amazed when he did meltdown. I asked him what he wanted to sing and he said he'd like to do one of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder in the original German! Absolutely fucking fearless. He was convinced he could sing it without rehearsal, just because he liked it. In the end he did a Purcell song, Dido's Lament, which is in danger of sounding incredibly poignant in retrospect: 'Remember me but forget my fate'. But he also sang Boy With the Thorn In His Side because he liked it, and Grace to show something of himself. When he started singing Dido's Lament at the rehearsal, there were all these classical musicians who could not believe it. Here's a guy shuffling up on-stage and singing a piece of music normally thought to be the property of certain types of specifically developed voice, and he's just singing, not doing it like a party piece, but doing something with it. My last memory of him was at the little party in the green room afterwards. There were all these people sitting round Jeff who'd never met before - Fretwork, the viol group, a classical pianist and some jazz player --all talking and laughing about music. He'd charmed everybody. I'd much rather remember that than anything. Elvis Costello from Mojo Magazine, August 1997.
You really leave much to digest there! Kudos! I can't say that my initial reaction to your brief essay elicits an electric response. I've had some wine and I'm listening to Jeff doing Purcell? That is kinda mind blowing stuff right there.
From Jeff's manager Dave Lory's new book "Jeff Buckley: from Hallelujah to Last Goodbye" regarding this performance: 'We had a small shopping list of stuff Jeff had asked us to pick up: peppermint tea, black hair dye, and a CD of “Dido’s Lament.” The week after Glastonbury, Jeff had been booked to appear at Meltdown, another prestigious annual event, held in London at the Royal Festival Hall. Each year an artist known for being eclectic was made guest curator of a week of genre-crossing concerts, and that year’s curator was Elvis Costello, who had invited Jeff to sing with an orchestra. After discussing singing some Mahler in the original German, Jeff decided he wanted to try “Dido’s Lament.” Sam had located a music shop in Bath where we could pick up the CD. It was a tiny place up a steep hill, so small that six skinny people would fill it. There were no racks; you just asked at the counter for what you wanted. An old guy was serving, and when I asked for a copy of “Dido’s Lament” for one of my male artists, he laughed and told me no man could sing it. The only other person in the store was a young dude, around eighteen years old, who asked which artist it was for. “Jeff Buckley,” I said. He turned to the shopkeeper and said, “Jeff Buckley can sing it.” I laughed, tickled that word about Jeff had reached out here ... The show was a few days later and, although not quite a black-tie event, the atmosphere was very formal-the crowd was seemingly classical music fans having a daring night out. There were some priceless looks on their faces when this rumpled dude came out and started singing. It was so much fun watching their reaction that I hardly watched Jeff. But he sounded incredible. That kid in the Bath music store knew what he was talking about. I got chills. Elvis Costello: “When he started singing ‘Dido’s Lament,’ there were all these classical musicians who could not believe it. Here’s a guy shuffling up onstage and singing a piece of music normally thought to be the property of certain types of a specifically developed voice, and he’s just singing, not doing it like a party piece but doing something with it.” “That’s an understatement,” says cellist Philip Sheppard, who was in the orchestra. “I remember the silhouette of his frame as he bent almost double to wrench every ounce of meaning from a song written three hundred years ago. Better than any classical musician I’ve ever heard. It’s probably the greatest musical experience of my life; it turned my world inside out…made me realize I was a musician who played through study rather than played through feel, an incredibly pivotal moment for me. I think about him nearly every day, which is quite strange really, because I only met him for about half an hour.” I wish Jeff could have done more of that kind of thing. When you saw how he shone in those unique environments, there was definitely a conversation to be had about whether alternative rock was a big enough playground for him.'
Jay Cee I'm reading that book now, and I just had to listen to this song. thank the universe, it's here. I loved his music for a while now, but from now on I love him as well. What a treasure, what a waste he's gone. I'm his age now, and when I listen to his music while the story about him keep climbing to my heart I just feel so heartbroken, so, so sad and devastated.
What a beautiful story , I saw and felt EVERY word while listening to his magnificent creative and powerful expression , thank you for taking time to share your history 🤗
Classical violinist here and with many an opera behind my back lead as concertmaster. I have to say: amazing performance. Also, I'm biased, because I'm a major Jeff Buckley fan and wish we had him for longer. Absolute joy to hear his own technique being used in this aria. Very refreshing, genuine, and worthy of the "proper" performances out there. Jeff is one of those artists that left too early and our world is poorer for it.
The first time I ever heard this was years ago on a Radio 4 programme and it made my jaw fall. After it, I knew that I had an answer to anyone who might ask of me what was the most beautiful piece of music I had ever heard. I'm a massive Purcell fan and I've never heard anyone - Janet Baker, Catherine Bott, Emma Kirkby...no-one - ever match Buckley's performance here. Interestingly, on the programme in which I first heard this, there was an interview with one of the people in attendance that night. The man in question was a classically trained English musician, and he said words to the effect that he realised when hearing and watching Buckley that, despite all of his years of classical training and performance, he didn't know the first thing about music. As for myself, the closest I can come with human language to describing this performance and its effect on me is to say that he sounds to me like a seraph, one of the highest angels in heaven, in chronic pain. He sounds like a wounded angel. It is utterly exquisite, it is sublime and it is transcendent; I chose all of these words carefully.
Steven McBrien Very,very well said my friend. I just find myself lucky to have the ability to listen to his beautiful music. It's not even music,more like food for the soul!
First time I heard this I had goosebumps, like many classical musicians. In my opinion he sang baroque music like it is supposed to be sung. Huge loss for music; Jeff Buckley deserves to be considered a genuine, rare genius.
I just remembered that I used to listen to Live at Sin-é during my teen years with the lights off in my room. I come back to Jeff every 2-3 years and this is the summit of it all. Every. Single. Time,
This was played last week at the memorial of my dearest friend Prem. He died suddenly and unexpectedly from a stroke. Most of us held it together until Jeff started singing... but that haunting sound, so full of pain, created a room full of tears. I've been playing it a lot since then to help with my grief. It was one of Prem's favourites, also his beautiful daughters' favourite, and now I'll always think of it as his goodbye anthem to this world. Sleep well, brother. I will remember you and miss you every day x P.S. If anyone reads this, we all know the cliche that life is so damn short, but we don't fully appreciate such until it's too late. Please tell your loved ones that you love them and why you love them. You never know when it will be your last conversation.
I am fully with you 🤗 Are you still listening to this intense piece of music? Did it help you with your grief? I would have loved to talk to Jeff after this recording 💔
@@rogpet01 Thank you 💕 Your timing is quite extraordinary... I just lost my beloved cat Moly today. I think I will play this later. The perfect song for when my heart hurts. I imagine that is how Jeff felt too. In many of his songs, he seems to intimately understand pain and then beautifully communicate it. Do you play it to help you too? If so, I hug you in your suffering and hope that things get better and brighter for you, my friend.
Its as if he were singing this as he crossed over to the other side and the doorway were closing behind him. Anyone who as ever heard Jeff will remember him. Its his reward for gifting us with the ecstasy of his presence for the limited time he was able.
I'm a fan of classical music and an even bigger fan of Purcell's music. This interpretation is fantastic and very true to the sentiment of the piece. Never saw it coming....
That is an astounding version of my favourite Purcell song. Never knew Jeff did this but not surprised considering his versatility and vocal range. It moved me to tears. Still mourning his passing
Just listened to this again with the same result. Outstanding voice in any genre. I'm no expert in classical musicology but when the song was written (pre-1685) there were probably no "experts" on music; songs were defined by their author, composer and performer. What we now regard as "the right way", particularly in respect of the standard opera method of singing (which I loathe as so artificial and affected) developed from the late 18th century. Henry Purcell's star performers would have been more like Jeff Buckley than Joan Suthetland Ly
Oh my God. One of the greatest singers ever singing one of the greatest arias ever. Buckley and Purcell, two geniuses who died too young. So beautiful!
@@greyarea1004 sorry I've only just seen your reply. Can you let me know who filmed it ? Maybe we can gently persuade them to release it .ps how do you know it was filmed ?
I don't know if this was video recorded but theres a Soundboard with higher audio Quality, as far as i know is owned by Elvis Costello@@simonwaldram6680
Why are people commenting on technique when music is all about expression? Sure, good technique will preserve your voice a lot longer, but if your singing is all about technical stuff and nothing else, then no one will ever be interested to hear you sing - I can guarantee you from experience! Besides, this is a majestic performance by Jeff, and possibly one of the most spine-tingling recordings I have ever heard. There is a reason why he is Jeff Buckley and the rest are just mere mortals :)
that is so strange, it affected me so much I am shaking, as though I was freezing... but I am also in a warm apartment? One of the best things I ever heard...
It made me laugh. Every time he did a high note my body was laughing, but I wasn't. And I just HAD to go and eat some spaghetti - I mean, is Buckley Italian or what???
I know he lacks training in this section , but what he lacks he gains it on feeling, in this presentation he made people cry because of his emotions put here. Thats what makes up a good performance, the feelings you shed on stage.
I had no idea such a recording existed.. amazing. I used to listen to Dido's lament at sad times by female opera singers...and Jeff buckley at other sad times. Now I have them both in one.
5:52 "I think after that, I know, I'm sitting among the vocalists this evening, I can tell you that none of us want to sing next." (Elvis Costello) :) He then introduces an instrumental group, Fretwork, to play next.
There's no singer I can think of that was able to sing so many genres of music, excellently, like just amazingly great. He was a rocker,bluesman,jazzman,a balladeer,he sang opera's in Quwali etc and all just so well. Unbelievable!
If you continue listening after the performance, you can hear Elvis Costello (a fellow classical music autodidact) say, “As one of the vocalists performing this evening, I can tell you that none of us want to sing next.” Yes, for London’s 1995 Meltdown festival - Queen Elziabeth Hall in London curator Elvis Costello assembled an eclectic lineup of some of the world’s most impressive jazz and classical artists. Plus Jeff Buckley and himself. Thank you for sharing this and the goof (..good) job you did on the sound editing.
Elvis Costello knows brilliance when he hears it I think and that all makes sense @Sofia Noiti. He likes to sing Schubert I thought. Is that for real? Costello I mean. Because we have lost the body of Jeff Buckley :(
Jeff never fails to make my heart ring, and for my soul to cry. How beautiful he sang, how beautiful he sings. The Homer of vocals and emotion, to defeat the odds of time and mend humanity for all eternity. I just wish I could meet him and know him more as a person, but his emotions sure aren't shy when he sings.
Wow, first time I've heard this. As a lover of baroque, a lover of Purcell and allround classical music lover I am totally blown away with it. How I would have loved to hear him live singing it. Fabulous.
This deserves hundreds of thousands more views. Not just because it's a take on one of my most favourite pieces of music ever. He was not a trained opera singer, this is amazing...
Yes,In the beginning Jeff says, "Didos Lament,which is the same as I'm loco so...(inaudible)". At the end the host/announcer says "As I sit amongst the other (inaudible) tonight,I can tell you nobody wants to sing next."
Holy crap! This is extraordinary and so important for anyone who understands how important Jeff was to indie music (and how still). Thank you so much, years after you published. It's still precious.
You’re welcome. Someone did do a better job of cleaning up the audio on here. I still prefer mine lol. Any time someone helps share his music is a good thing though!
Jeff's voice is beautiful yet terrifyingly eerie. It's how he manipulates vibrato. It has a tendency to produce a sort of 'pulling in and out' effect. Though if you were to ask him he would say he's simply taking messages. I don't think Jeff even knows where it comes from. Any artist consumed by their craft will tell you the same.
Thank you! I was listening to Nomi and so i found this version of Jeff Buckley. Thank you so much. Its all about feelings. That separates Humans from Machines.
Myriam Mimi what a condescending comment. As if knowing the Opera's storyline is the only way of appreciating the amazing rendition that Jeff Buckley did here. WITHOUT EVEN BEING A TRAINED TENOR
Holy crap this was stunning. He was so special. I might love this even more than Klaus Nomi's version. I had no idea he had such a high voice. So full of pain and so perfect for this piece. It cuts right through you. I'm in tears right now. Freaking perfection.
The thing you can never ignore about Buckley is that, as one music reviewer wrote, he is "expansively sexy." This song is so ultimately romantic to begin with, sad and eerie, just like Buckley. To hear a man like Buckley sing this is just too good for words. I can't take it!
21 people can not understand that a "rock".. singer had the guts to sing this aria though he had never had classical training. Jeff Buckley taught himself how to sing and his voice is one of the best, ever. He had never ever performed any aria. This is his first time he performed a classical song. And the best of all was that he was touring, and he was so tired that he didn't know in which country he was. "Germany or England?", he asked. He sung it awesomely!
Sofia Noiti Well said Sofia. I can only really pity the idiots who think they are too good for this incredible performance by Jeff, or say that Jeff isn't doing it correctly or whatever nonsense which they spew forth from their keyboards. Amusing 'critiques' from this very comment section include "horrible" and "bad" while the funniest of all is "unacceptable". The same person who proclaimed that also preaches that "it is not art unless it works". So according to that poor soul this is "kind of a parody". No the only test for what is art and indeed what is great art in musical performance is that it moves the listener. Philip Sheppard himself wrote of Jeff singing this, with him playing cello, "I mean no one can sing like that. No one should be physically able to sing like that … I remember the lights being pretty bright and the silhouette of his frame as he bent almost double to wrench every ounce of meaning from a song written 300 years ago. Better than any classical musician I've ever heard". He has since become a professor and senior lecturer at The Royal Academy of Music. "I've been so lucky to have been able to play the cello with some of the most amazing musicians, but by far the greatest was Jeff Buckley".
John Arundell "The closing section of the programme introduced Philip Sheppard, cellist and now composer. He spoke about how he was invited along to be part of the supporting orchestra for Elvis Costello Meltdown Festival in 1995. One of the pieces was to be Dido's Lament which would be sung by charismatic rock singer Jeff Buckley. Although Philip had never heard of Jeff Buckley before once he heard him singing it had a most profound effect on him: He seemed to screw every ounce of meaning out of the words and physically he looked like he was wracked with pain and anguish as he was singing it. But what was coming out was beyond ethereal his voice had this quality where it meant so much more than when I had ever heard it before. But then when he sang it it seemed to be a Lament so much more and it really went beyond what I would consider to be classical music...and to date it's actually probably the greatest musical experience of my life, in as much as it turned my world inside out. As a result Philip had to admit: """I know NOTHING about music - at all!""" Up to that point I was a musician who played through study rather than a musician who played through feel and now I have to say I seek out people to work with who do not necessarily read music who have their first sense is one of 'ear' rather than of 'technique'... Philip then goes on to say how this became a pivotal moment in his career which helped him to become a composer, enabling him to move away from being 'a player who just repeated other people's music'. Jeff Buckley died in a tragic accident just two years later in 1997, sunsequently his version of Leonard's Cohen Hallelujah reached number one in the US Billboard charts and is considered by many to be the definitive version. Now Philip thinks of Jeff nearly every day and is ever grateful for the effect of the encounter, even though he only met him for around half an hour...
Thanks Sofia! Did you see my comment about what Jeff said at the Melbourne gig in between songs? I wrote it yesterday when you asked if I had any more stories about Jeff. I never met him or anything like that so this is the best I can do. You will like it though as I'm sure any woman would :) not to be sexist but Jeff was obviously the ultimate artistic and charismatic ladies' man.
It is on this video under the replies to Nadya Nadya when I first answered about exactly what Elvis said after the performance. Then I said something about seeing Jeff play in Melbourne in 1996, then you replied and said you would post it to a JB facebook page or something like that and I wrote one more very funny thing which I remember Jeff saying during the show. He was responding to a woman who just wanted to hear soft love songs apparently she got a shock when he played Kick Out The Jams and the road version of Eternal Life when Jeff was really rocking out very heavily :)
I think it's amazing he did this. How many male singers would do this? None--they'd all be worried that it wouldn't be macho. Jeff Buckley was above that bullshit.
Oh if I had this voice I wouldn't hold back, mate. I think you don't see this often because most people don't have this incredible voice ability. But some male singers also do sound like women (or have this inhuman quality to their voice). Vitas and Thom Yorke, for example.
Somehow because this late young man - may he rest in peace - sings something so out of his usual style this is incredibly moving. Thank you for broadening our horizons
Wow. This is stunning. I don't think I've ever heard a more passionate singer. Jeff is my all time favorite. Come to think of it, the term "singer" doesn't do him justice. Maybe "vocalist"? I think we need a new word just for him.
6foot3two25 You are so right. Every time I talk about him and I say he is a singer, I feel the word does not do him justice at all...I can't think of a better term though. I think he is one of those musicians that don't fit into one word...He was a deeply sensitive and extraordinary human being who happened to be a deeply sensitive and extraordinary musician and when he sang, he was able to express that. He sings without artifice, partly because he had mastered his instrument (his throat) and partly because he knew that music was about connecting with an emotion and he was able to do that effortlessly. I guess he was a Musician, a real Musician, not a performer. There are millions of people who can sing or play an instrument, but that does not mean that all of them are Musicians. He was a MUSICIAN.
Jeff Buckley’s version of this was a bleeding of his heart & soul I think. Damn, he gave us a spectacular form of grace with that performance! JB.....one of my 10 best for singers🎶🔑🗝🦋⚡️🐾🔐 RIP JSB ✝️🎚☦️
Breathtaking, Beauteous, Perfection. Jeff sings to my soul He was too good for this world. Now our angel is singing with Nusrat, Nina, & yes, Tim. because we forgive. Thank you so much for your remaster. This is hands down the best version of thus song I came across on the internet. God Bless
Another classical musician chiming in to say what a compelling performance of this piece this is among the many fantastic interpretations. I don’t care what you want to say about rock voices v classical technique. He uses more correct chest mix than most top countertenors working today.
I’ve always loved this tune, and am often struck by how many songs I love happened to have been covered by Buckley at some time. I’ve been trying to arrange this one for baratone uke, and find this performance randomly, but not surprisingly, inspiring me further. The song seems more than apt coming from him, and hopefully its plaintive request can be heard, that his fate may be remembered less than the richly layered gifts of his music.
Quite beautiful in an eerie way. Often I find it an embarrassment when non-classical singers sing opera arias (and sometimes also vice-versa), but this works somehow.
The human voice is the greatest instrument of all. Nothing matches its subtlety. To those people who are obsessed with technique and being 'correct', I wish them the best of luck and I know that there are plenty of great singers out there. But they aren't THIS singer, who had his own way of shaping the music; and so, today, I prefer to hear Jeff Buckley to any other. I wonder if Purcell would have minded? I rather doubt it.
Jeff Buckley is one of my favorite artists of all time (second only to The Smiths), and I am also a classically trained vocalist. That's what I do! And I love, love, love this rendition. He wasn't trying to be something he wasn't, he wasn't trying to be Janet Baker. It wasn't a perfect technical or operatic performance. However- that's why I like it. Music/art is not solely about technical perfection; it's expression, emotion, a release for the human condition. Even though it's an operatic aria, I think it works. Because the message comes across through the emotion he's portraying through his voice, and it's effective. I think it could be interesting to see certain artists (not Top 40 artists, by any means...my god) try their own renditions of operatic arias. It would be a good exercise to see how far they can stretch it while still remaining in the confines of a true aria, and leading with their artistic portrayal of a piece without being so focused as technical stuff (as some opera singers often are) that they give a, dare I say, boring performance. Could be interesting to see!
I'm glad that many people are still able to enjoy this. You're welcome to everyone who has thanked me. So happy to share it with you all!
Johnny Red for sharing we are grateful
it's me Laura 😁😉
Unbelievable I heard this back in college and never would’ve thought that my favorite artist of all time had his own rendition all these years
Ta
Thanks dude bless u!...........👍❤️☮️🙏🤟😪
The voice of a ghost, it barely sounds human. What a genius he was.
Beautifully said
He was a great singer I prefer the original though
@@thefitzgeralds5287 A great singer I prefer his father though.
@@thefitzgeralds5287wow you were around in the 1600s to hear the original?
lol the original?@@thefitzgeralds5287
It should be remembered that Purcell originally composed Dido & Aeneas for performance at Josias Priest's girls boarding school in Chelsea. It was there, in 1689 or thereabouts, that his opera was given its only performances during his lifetime. This rather astounding fact perhaps gives us some insight into how Purcell intended it to be sung - by a relatively youthful, and relatively untrained, voice, without vibrato or other embellishments typical of professional singers of that era. After a few performances in the very early 1700s, the opera all but disappeared for almost 200 years, until it was revived. So this aria was little known before the 20th Century, when it was frequently given a very portentous, tragic, and 'operatic' treatment; certainly until the revival of interest in original instruments and performance techniques from the 1980s onwards. Buckley's performance, therefore, may not be as wide of the original mark as we might imagine.
Super information. Thanks
@Whatever Lola - hi, I am a professional opera singer and with respect, you are wrong. Firstly, at no point is Jeff "trying to sing with an operatic technique". If he did try to sing operatically, with anything less than 10 years opera training, I would have cringed. There is very little laryngeal tilt applied, a small amount of falsetto and relaxed, modern diction. The fact that he has managed to apply his own 'contemporary' vocal production and unusual vocal range to this, without undermining the integrity of the piece, makes it extraordinary imo. The contrast between 'trying to imitate an operatic technique' and a 'real' opera singer, usually compares to the difference between a bad, mock gothic castle at Disneyland and Windsor Castle. Modern covers of classical pieces should follow a similar principle to architecture, if you are modern, you can sing an old piece, but sing it with your contemporary voice, and this is what he has done, with extraordinary beauty and musicality.
L Russell
That’s a perfect critique of this outstanding interpretation.
Where are you singing?
Any upcoming concerts?
Please email scherzo613@gmail.com
Whatever.
100% agree it's cool to see Jeff's influences on this piece I think they really shine
Fantastic response and so legit.
comment should be pinned
Worth reading:
I hope that people who liked him resist the temptation to turn his life and death into some dumb romantic fantasy--he was so much better than that. Not everyone can get up and sing something they take a liking to and make it their own, sing true to their heart and be curious about all different strains of music. Corpus Christi Carol was a completely conceived interpretation. I'd never heard the piece before and when I heard the original I realised what Jeff had done was even more amazing. He'd taken it into his own world. That's something my favorite classical musicians can do, be themselves but use all that expertise to make the music more beautiful. Jeff did that naturally. Only a handful of people are capable of that. I was amazed when he did meltdown. I asked him what he wanted to sing and he said he'd like to do one of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder in the original German! Absolutely fucking fearless. He was convinced he could sing it without rehearsal, just because he liked it. In the end he did a Purcell song, Dido's Lament, which is in danger of sounding incredibly poignant in retrospect: 'Remember me but forget my fate'. But he also sang Boy With the Thorn In His Side because he liked it, and Grace to show something of himself. When he started singing Dido's Lament at the rehearsal, there were all these classical musicians who could not believe it. Here's a guy shuffling up on-stage and singing a piece of music normally thought to be the property of certain types of specifically developed voice, and he's just singing, not doing it like a party piece, but doing something with it. My last memory of him was at the little party in the green room afterwards. There were all these people sitting round Jeff who'd never met before - Fretwork, the viol group, a classical pianist and some jazz player --all talking and laughing about music. He'd charmed everybody. I'd much rather remember that than anything.
Elvis Costello from Mojo Magazine, August 1997.
dead on. jeff made every song his own, even--perhaps especially--those that he did not write. thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing that. It's really cool.
You really leave much to digest there! Kudos! I can't say that my initial reaction to your brief essay elicits an electric response. I've had some wine and I'm listening to Jeff doing Purcell? That is kinda mind blowing stuff right there.
@@originaltommy It's a quote from Elvis Costello, who was the host of the event at which this was recorded, you fucking idiot.
It's spooky seeing this comment as I have just read this part in the Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye book
From Jeff's manager Dave Lory's new book "Jeff Buckley: from Hallelujah to Last Goodbye" regarding this performance:
'We had a small shopping list of stuff Jeff had asked us to pick up: peppermint tea, black hair dye, and a CD of “Dido’s Lament.” The week after Glastonbury, Jeff had been booked to appear at Meltdown, another prestigious annual event, held in London at the Royal Festival Hall. Each year an artist known for being eclectic was made guest curator of a week of genre-crossing concerts, and that year’s curator was Elvis Costello, who had invited Jeff to sing with an orchestra. After discussing singing some Mahler in the original German, Jeff decided he wanted to try “Dido’s Lament.” Sam had located a music shop in Bath where we could pick up the CD. It was a tiny place up a steep hill, so small that six skinny people would fill it. There were no racks; you just asked at the counter for what you wanted. An old guy was serving, and when I asked for a copy of “Dido’s Lament” for one of my male artists, he laughed and told me no man could sing it. The only other person in the store was a young dude, around eighteen years old, who asked which artist it was for. “Jeff Buckley,” I said. He turned to the shopkeeper and said, “Jeff Buckley can sing it.” I laughed, tickled that word about Jeff had reached out here ...
The show was a few days later and, although not quite a black-tie event, the atmosphere was very formal-the crowd was seemingly classical music fans having a daring night out. There were some priceless looks on their faces when this rumpled dude came out and started singing. It was so much fun watching their reaction that I hardly watched Jeff. But he sounded incredible. That kid in the Bath music store knew what he was talking about. I got chills. Elvis Costello: “When he started singing ‘Dido’s Lament,’ there were all these classical musicians who could not believe it. Here’s a guy shuffling up onstage and singing a piece of music normally thought to be the property of certain types of a specifically developed voice, and he’s just singing, not doing it like a party piece but doing something with it.” “That’s an understatement,” says cellist Philip Sheppard, who was in the orchestra. “I remember the silhouette of his frame as he bent almost double to wrench every ounce of meaning from a song written three hundred years ago. Better than any classical musician I’ve ever heard. It’s probably the greatest musical experience of my life; it turned my world inside out…made me realize I was a musician who played through study rather than played through feel, an incredibly pivotal moment for me. I think about him nearly every day, which is quite strange really, because I only met him for about half an hour.”
I wish Jeff could have done more of that kind of thing. When you saw how he shone in those unique environments, there was definitely a conversation to be had about whether alternative rock was a big enough playground for him.'
Jay Cee I'm reading that book now, and I just had to listen to this song. thank the universe, it's here. I loved his music for a while now, but from now on I love him as well. What a treasure, what a waste he's gone. I'm his age now, and when I listen to his music while the story about him keep climbing to my heart I just feel so heartbroken, so, so sad and devastated.
Fantastic comment
Thank you for this.
What a beautiful story , I saw and felt EVERY word while listening to his magnificent creative and powerful expression , thank you for taking time to share your history 🤗
I was there. Thank you for the insight.
Classical violinist here and with many an opera behind my back lead as concertmaster. I have to say: amazing performance. Also, I'm biased, because I'm a major Jeff Buckley fan and wish we had him for longer. Absolute joy to hear his own technique being used in this aria. Very refreshing, genuine, and worthy of the "proper" performances out there. Jeff is one of those artists that left too early and our world is poorer for it.
I feel incredibly blessed that someone recorded this.I'm so glad we all get to hear this. God.
The first time I ever heard this was years ago on a Radio 4 programme and it made my jaw fall. After it, I knew that I had an answer to anyone who might ask of me what was the most beautiful piece of music I had ever heard. I'm a massive Purcell fan and I've never heard anyone - Janet Baker, Catherine Bott, Emma Kirkby...no-one - ever match Buckley's performance here. Interestingly, on the programme in which I first heard this, there was an interview with one of the people in attendance that night. The man in question was a classically trained English musician, and he said words to the effect that he realised when hearing and watching Buckley that, despite all of his years of classical training and performance, he didn't know the first thing about music. As for myself, the closest I can come with human language to describing this performance and its effect on me is to say that he sounds to me like a seraph, one of the highest angels in heaven, in chronic pain. He sounds like a wounded angel. It is utterly exquisite, it is sublime and it is transcendent; I chose all of these words carefully.
Steven McBrien Very,very well said my friend. I just find myself lucky to have the ability to listen to his beautiful music. It's not even music,more like food for the soul!
Amen xx r.i.p.JB
open.spotify.com/episode/5dhdOiAEzB6hZDnGZXX3WR
This must be the programme you were listening to.
@@essentialpheny Thank you, it is! I heard this was it was aired. Ten years ago! My God. :/
True...a wounded angel..."waiting in the fire.."
Still crying everytime I listen. Jeff's lament.
First time I heard this I had goosebumps, like many classical musicians. In my opinion he sang baroque music like it is supposed to be sung. Huge loss for music; Jeff Buckley deserves to be considered a genuine, rare genius.
that was one of the most beautiful things i've ever heard in my life.
I just remembered that I used to listen to Live at Sin-é during my teen years with the lights off in my room.
I come back to Jeff every 2-3 years and this is the summit of it all.
Every. Single. Time,
This was played last week at the memorial of my dearest friend Prem. He died suddenly and unexpectedly from a stroke. Most of us held it together until Jeff started singing... but that haunting sound, so full of pain, created a room full of tears. I've been playing it a lot since then to help with my grief. It was one of Prem's favourites, also his beautiful daughters' favourite, and now I'll always think of it as his goodbye anthem to this world.
Sleep well, brother. I will remember you and miss you every day x
P.S. If anyone reads this, we all know the cliche that life is so damn short, but we don't fully appreciate such until it's too late. Please tell your loved ones that you love them and why you love them. You never know when it will be your last conversation.
I am fully with you 🤗 Are you still listening to this intense piece of music? Did it help you with your grief? I would have loved to talk to Jeff after this recording 💔
@@rogpet01 Thank you 💕
Your timing is quite extraordinary... I just lost my beloved cat Moly today. I think I will play this later. The perfect song for when my heart hurts.
I imagine that is how Jeff felt too. In many of his songs, he seems to intimately understand pain and then beautifully communicate it.
Do you play it to help you too? If so, I hug you in your suffering and hope that things get better and brighter for you, my friend.
We will 'remember you' Jeff, we always will.
Its as if he were singing this as he crossed over to the other side and the doorway were closing behind him. Anyone who as ever heard Jeff will remember him. Its his reward for gifting us with the ecstasy of his presence for the limited time he was able.
I'm a fan of classical music and an even bigger fan of Purcell's music. This interpretation is fantastic and very true to the sentiment of the piece. Never saw it coming....
That is an astounding version of my favourite Purcell song. Never knew Jeff did this but not surprised considering his versatility and vocal range. It moved me to tears. Still mourning his passing
Just listened to this again with the same result. Outstanding voice in any genre.
I'm no expert in classical musicology but when the song was written (pre-1685) there were probably no "experts" on music; songs were defined by their author, composer and performer. What we now regard as "the right way", particularly in respect of the standard opera method of singing (which I loathe as so artificial and affected) developed from the late 18th century.
Henry Purcell's star performers would have been more like Jeff Buckley than Joan Suthetland
Ly
I cried like a baby
Even though not written for counter tenor the beauty of this young man's voice gives the aria an unearthly poignancy.
leaves me in tears every single time. in my opinion the most beautiful version ever. straight from the heart.
Oh my God. One of the greatest singers ever singing one of the greatest arias ever. Buckley and Purcell, two geniuses who died too young. So beautiful!
Imagine if this was filmed. I wish so much to see him singing this.
Laura it was filmed , but not released
@@greyarea1004 sorry I've only just seen your reply. Can you let me know who filmed it ? Maybe we can gently persuade them to release it .ps how do you know it was filmed ?
@@greyarea1004 no wayyyyyy
@@greyarea1004 really?!! How do you know this? Who owns the film?
I don't know if this was video recorded but theres a Soundboard with higher audio Quality, as far as i know is owned by Elvis Costello@@simonwaldram6680
Why are people commenting on technique when music is all about expression? Sure, good technique will preserve your voice a lot longer, but if your singing is all about technical stuff and nothing else, then no one will ever be interested to hear you sing - I can guarantee you from experience!
Besides, this is a majestic performance by Jeff, and possibly one of the most spine-tingling recordings I have ever heard. There is a reason why he is Jeff Buckley and the rest are just mere mortals :)
I'm sitting next to the heater while listening to this and I'm shivering like I was naked in Siberia. Buckley's is beyond amazing.
that is so strange, it affected me so much I am shaking, as though I was freezing... but I am also in a warm apartment? One of the best things I ever heard...
It made me laugh. Every time he did a high note my body was laughing, but I wasn't. And I just HAD to go and eat some spaghetti - I mean, is Buckley Italian or what???
This song is echoing the tragedy of his life.
Such a hauntingly beautiful rendition. Jeff left a void in the music world that will not be filled.
no word.
just tears.
I know he lacks training in this section , but what he lacks he gains it on feeling, in this presentation he made people cry because of his emotions put here. Thats what makes up a good performance, the feelings you shed on stage.
Juma Rios what a great phrase, 'the feelings you shed'.
Thanks😁
+Juma Rios Listen with headphones on.
...yes, I agree: lack of feeling in a singer destroys a performance.
SAM The Proud! I so wish there was a vid of this performance... :'(
I heard this on BBC Radio 4 for the first time and it was like being haunted, the beauty and feeling in this brings tears to my eyes when I hear it.
I assume that was a better recording than this one?
I had no idea such a recording existed.. amazing. I used to listen to Dido's lament at sad times by female opera singers...and Jeff buckley at other sad times. Now I have them both in one.
Shockingly beautiful voice like a 200 year old castrato from another world.
5:52 "I think after that, I know, I'm sitting among the vocalists this evening, I can tell you that none of us want to sing next." (Elvis Costello) :)
He then introduces an instrumental group, Fretwork, to play next.
one of the most beautiful things I've heard....and truly the best version of this aria!
Jeff's voice peels of layers around emotions and leave you crying and feeling cold. This guys really knew how to touch your soul
There's no singer I can think of that was able to sing so many genres of music, excellently, like just amazingly great. He was a rocker,bluesman,jazzman,a balladeer,he sang opera's in Quwali etc and all just so well. Unbelievable!
Jeff Buckley, tenor-sopran
Catherine Edwards, piano
Ian Belton, violin
Philipe Sheppard, cello
Thanks!
I thought it was Countertenor!
didn't Jeff play the piano? I always wondered
@@Anna-jx5pl yeah he played but I haven't seen any recordings.
If you continue listening after the performance, you can hear Elvis Costello (a fellow classical music autodidact) say,
“As one of the vocalists performing this evening, I can tell you that none of us want to sing next.”
Yes, for London’s 1995 Meltdown festival - Queen Elziabeth Hall in London curator Elvis Costello assembled an eclectic lineup of some of the world’s most impressive jazz and classical artists. Plus Jeff Buckley and himself.
Thank you for sharing this and the goof (..good) job you did on the sound editing.
Pretty sure you meant 'good' job, but goof was pretty funny ;)
LOL..... goof....funny, yes! Goodddd job!!!!
Elvis Costello knows brilliance when he hears it I think and that all makes sense @Sofia Noiti. He likes to sing Schubert I thought. Is that for real? Costello I mean. Because we have lost the body of Jeff Buckley :(
Great story thanks for sharing !
Still an inspiration, decades after his passing.
Jeff never fails to make my heart ring, and for my soul to cry. How beautiful he sang, how beautiful he sings. The Homer of vocals and emotion, to defeat the odds of time and mend humanity for all eternity. I just wish I could meet him and know him more as a person, but his emotions sure aren't shy when he sings.
Wow, first time I've heard this. As a lover of baroque, a lover of Purcell and allround classical music lover I am totally blown away with it. How I would have loved to hear him live singing it. Fabulous.
This deserves hundreds of thousands more views. Not just because it's a take on one of my most favourite pieces of music ever. He was not a trained opera singer, this is amazing...
Yes,In the beginning Jeff says, "Didos Lament,which is the same as I'm loco so...(inaudible)". At the end the host/announcer says "As I sit amongst the other (inaudible) tonight,I can tell you nobody wants to sing next."
Johnny Red That inaudible word was "vocalists" and the host is none other than Elvis Costello.. Good day!
+Hausch13 Thank you!
+Hausch13 Costello is such an underrated genius, dunno in your country, but in France, he is more than underrated ..
+Johnny Red Thank you!!
ohh, he has just played in my city
holy fucking shit
That's exactly what I just said!
hardly exists better version of this. the soul poured into this piece was unbelievable.
His voice brings a truly deep soul and love
it's crazy humans can make something this beautiful
That has raised my arms and scalp with goose-bumps.
Scalp 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Holy crap! This is extraordinary and so important for anyone who understands how important Jeff was to indie music (and how still). Thank you so much, years after you published. It's still precious.
You’re welcome. Someone did do a better job of cleaning up the audio on here. I still prefer mine lol. Any time someone helps share his music is a good thing though!
Jeff's voice is beautiful yet terrifyingly eerie. It's how he manipulates vibrato. It has a tendency to produce a sort of 'pulling in and out' effect. Though if you were to ask him he would say he's simply taking messages. I don't think Jeff even knows where it comes from. Any artist consumed by their craft will tell you the same.
he was the embodiment of love in music
Thank you! I was listening to Nomi and so i found this version of Jeff Buckley. Thank you so much. Its all about feelings. That separates Humans from Machines.
The Best Dido's Lament. Purcell would be amazed and love this.
+wei Sjö Jessye Norman is better.
+Le Lol I like most versions (Jeff's too); Norman's is special. It's hard to say who is "better" because the styles are different.
Try Janet Baker's
Not the BEST but a good interpretation of the song.......................but does HE know the whole story and do you? Anyway, good version
Myriam Mimi what a condescending comment. As if knowing the Opera's storyline is the only way of appreciating the amazing rendition that Jeff Buckley did here. WITHOUT EVEN BEING A TRAINED TENOR
my fauvorite singer, I love his music and everything...amazing young musician.
A gorgeous haunting lament by Purcell, sung by an artist whom (I'm sorry to say) I've never heard of before.
His father Tim also had an extraordinary voice
Beauty incarnate, in mind, body and voice.
his voice is not of this earth
Phenomenal performance.
Holy crap this was stunning. He was so special. I might love this even more than Klaus Nomi's version. I had no idea he had such a high voice. So full of pain and so perfect for this piece. It cuts right through you. I'm in tears right now. Freaking perfection.
The thing you can never ignore about Buckley is that, as one music reviewer wrote, he is "expansively sexy." This song is so ultimately romantic to begin with, sad and eerie, just like Buckley. To hear a man like Buckley sing this is just too good for words. I can't take it!
21 people can not understand that a "rock".. singer had the guts to sing this aria though he had never had classical training. Jeff Buckley taught himself how to sing and his voice is one of the best, ever. He had never ever performed any aria. This is his first time he performed a classical song. And the best of all was that he was touring, and he was so tired that he didn't know in which country he was. "Germany or England?", he asked. He sung it awesomely!
Sofia Noiti Well said Sofia. I can only really pity the idiots who think they are too good for this incredible performance by Jeff, or say that Jeff isn't doing it correctly or whatever nonsense which they spew forth from their keyboards. Amusing 'critiques' from this very comment section include "horrible" and "bad" while the funniest of all is "unacceptable". The same person who proclaimed that also preaches that "it is not art unless it works". So according to that poor soul this is "kind of a parody". No the only test for what is art and indeed what is great art in musical performance is that it moves the listener.
Philip Sheppard himself wrote of Jeff singing this, with him playing cello, "I mean no one can sing like that. No one should be physically able to sing like that … I remember the lights being pretty bright and the silhouette of his frame as he bent almost double to wrench every ounce of meaning from a song written 300 years ago. Better than any classical musician I've ever heard". He has since become a professor and senior lecturer at The Royal Academy of Music. "I've been so lucky to have been able to play the cello with some of the most amazing musicians, but by far the greatest was Jeff Buckley".
John Arundell "The closing section of the programme introduced Philip Sheppard, cellist and now composer. He spoke about how he was invited along to be part of the supporting orchestra for Elvis Costello Meltdown Festival in 1995. One of the pieces was to be Dido's Lament which would be sung by charismatic rock singer Jeff Buckley.
Although Philip had never heard of Jeff Buckley before once he heard him singing it had a most profound effect on him:
He seemed to screw every ounce of meaning out of the words and physically he looked like he was wracked with pain and anguish as he was singing it. But what was coming out was beyond ethereal his voice had this quality where it meant so much more than when I had ever heard it before.
But then when he sang it it seemed to be a Lament so much more and it really went beyond what I would consider to be classical music...and to date it's actually probably the greatest musical experience of my life, in as much as it turned my world inside out.
As a result Philip had to admit:
"""I know NOTHING about music - at all!"""
Up to that point I was a musician who played through study rather than a musician who played through feel and now I have to say I seek out people to work with who do not necessarily read music who have their first sense is one of 'ear' rather than of 'technique'...
Philip then goes on to say how this became a pivotal moment in his career which helped him to become a composer, enabling him to move away from being 'a player who just repeated other people's music'.
Jeff Buckley died in a tragic accident just two years later in 1997, sunsequently his version of Leonard's Cohen Hallelujah reached number one in the US Billboard charts and is considered by many to be the definitive version.
Now Philip thinks of Jeff nearly every day and is ever grateful for the effect of the encounter, even though he only met him for around half an hour...
Thanks Sofia! Did you see my comment about what Jeff said at the Melbourne gig in between songs? I wrote it yesterday when you asked if I had any more stories about Jeff. I never met him or anything like that so this is the best I can do. You will like it though as I'm sure any woman would :) not to be sexist but Jeff was obviously the ultimate artistic and charismatic ladies' man.
no, where is it?
It is on this video under the replies to Nadya Nadya when I first answered about exactly what Elvis said after the performance. Then I said something about seeing Jeff play in Melbourne in 1996, then you replied and said you would post it to a JB facebook page or something like that and I wrote one more very funny thing which I remember Jeff saying during the show. He was responding to a woman who just wanted to hear soft love songs apparently she got a shock when he played Kick Out The Jams and the road version of Eternal Life when Jeff was really rocking out very heavily :)
probably one of my favorite performances by jeff, so good
This record was and still is my favorite of all TH-cam. Thank you so much.
We remember you, Jeff.
I think it's amazing he did this. How many male singers would do this? None--they'd all be worried that it wouldn't be macho. Jeff Buckley was above that bullshit.
Oh if I had this voice I wouldn't hold back, mate. I think you don't see this often because most people don't have this incredible voice ability. But some male singers also do sound like women (or have this inhuman quality to their voice). Vitas and Thom Yorke, for example.
the fact that he didn't shy away from feminine energy was one of the many things that made him great
Would have loved to think that Freddie Mercury would have given this a good shot too, that man could sing.
Wonderful, magical, a heavenly voice, we miss you deeply Jeff Buckley !
This is incredible, I never knew this existed. Just exquisite. Simply divine. My heart stirred once more by Jeff. Today is a good day ;)
Jeff was amazing... no matter what he did. Love this one
Somehow because this late young man - may he rest in peace - sings something so out of his usual style this is incredibly moving. Thank you for broadening our horizons
I've never left a youtube comment before, but felt compelled to do so here. Thank you for cleaning up this audio. It is extraordinary.
I could listen to him read poetry allll day long
Oh my God! That's incredible, thanks so much for posting.
Incredible, what a talent, what a loss.
Wow. This is stunning. I don't think I've ever heard a more passionate singer. Jeff is my all time favorite. Come to think of it, the term "singer" doesn't do him justice. Maybe "vocalist"? I think we need a new word just for him.
Demigod. The man isn't human.
YES. We do need a new word for him, I've been saying this for years, because he used his voice as an instrument in a way few singers do.
6foot3two25 You are so right. Every time I talk about him and I say he is a singer, I feel the word does not do him justice at all...I can't think of a better term though. I think he is one of those musicians that don't fit into one word...He was a deeply sensitive and extraordinary human being who happened to be a deeply sensitive and extraordinary musician and when he sang, he was able to express that. He sings without artifice, partly because he had mastered his instrument (his throat) and partly because he knew that music was about connecting with an emotion and he was able to do that effortlessly. I guess he was a Musician, a real Musician, not a performer. There are millions of people who can sing or play an instrument, but that does not mean that all of them are Musicians. He was a MUSICIAN.
EARGASM, biggest of my life
There are no words fir for such beauty.
how many times has he brought me to tears? Seeing his mother in tears was something I wont ever forget.
You did good ... very good. I hope this stays accessible to everyone for ever. Thank you.
Sweet mother of God...
I wish pmeltdown 1995 was available in visual format. His whole set was incredible.
Jeff Buckley’s version of this was a bleeding of his heart & soul I think. Damn, he gave us a spectacular form of grace with that performance! JB.....one of my 10 best for singers🎶🔑🗝🦋⚡️🐾🔐
RIP JSB
✝️🎚☦️
Goosebumps over and over
Ed Dee oh yeah!
His voice is so clear, pure and ethereal. That’s what makes it stand out amongst any rendition.
Breathtaking, Beauteous, Perfection. Jeff sings to my soul He was too good for this world. Now our angel is singing with Nusrat, Nina, & yes, Tim. because we forgive. Thank you so much for your remaster. This is hands down the best version of thus song I came across on the internet. God Bless
Another classical musician chiming in to say what a compelling performance of this piece this is among the many fantastic interpretations. I don’t care what you want to say about rock voices v classical technique. He uses more correct chest mix than most top countertenors working today.
I’ve always loved this tune, and am often struck by how many songs I love happened to have been covered by Buckley at some time. I’ve been trying to arrange this one for baratone uke, and find this performance randomly, but not surprisingly, inspiring me further. The song seems more than apt coming from him, and hopefully its plaintive request can be heard, that his fate may be remembered less than the richly layered gifts of his music.
Quite beautiful in an eerie way. Often I find it an embarrassment when non-classical singers sing opera arias (and sometimes also vice-versa), but this works somehow.
The human voice is the greatest instrument of all. Nothing matches its subtlety. To those people who are obsessed with technique and being 'correct', I wish them the best of luck and I know that there are plenty of great singers out there. But they aren't THIS singer, who had his own way of shaping the music; and so, today, I prefer to hear Jeff Buckley to any other. I wonder if Purcell would have minded? I rather doubt it.
+coffeemachtspass Agree, absolute beauty has no 'technique' it just is, and this is a fine example of it!
He's technically perfect, a bit flat on the high note perhaps. He's not using "classical" technique that's all
Full of beauty and suffering. A gem. Thanks for posting
He was one of our all time greatest talents, truly. This is amazing
I am very touched by this moving performance. Elvis also says "See they didn't invent blues in the 1960s".
To me this is both unique and yet quite possibly more authentic in many ways. Bravo, sir.
This is raw and oh so beautiful
oh my... what an extraordinary rendition... yes, otherworldly ... thankyou for recording . spine tingling
Other Worldly . Respect 💜💜💜👏🏼
To die in youth is a tragedy and sadly foretold. Jeff's version of Dido's lament is even more moving. RIP JB.
Thank you for a wonderful job in remastering this. It is truly beautiful. Jeff's version so ethereal.
Jeff Buckley is one of my favorite artists of all time (second only to The Smiths), and I am also a classically trained vocalist. That's what I do! And I love, love, love this rendition. He wasn't trying to be something he wasn't, he wasn't trying to be Janet Baker. It wasn't a perfect technical or operatic performance. However- that's why I like it. Music/art is not solely about technical perfection; it's expression, emotion, a release for the human condition. Even though it's an operatic aria, I think it works. Because the message comes across through the emotion he's portraying through his voice, and it's effective. I think it could be interesting to see certain artists (not Top 40 artists, by any means...my god) try their own renditions of operatic arias. It would be a good exercise to see how far they can stretch it while still remaining in the confines of a true aria, and leading with their artistic portrayal of a piece without being so focused as technical stuff (as some opera singers often are) that they give a, dare I say, boring performance. Could be interesting to see!
Avery Simmons Beautiful
The voice of an angel...
Jesus, the voice of an angel.