Montserrat Caballé (Caballe) in Sofia, 2of9 - La Vierge + Thaïs' Méditation (Verka Stefanova)

Conductor is José Collado,
Sofia Philharmonic. September of 2000
This part contains Caballé's second aria, a sublime scene from Massenet's oratorio La Vierge, the Extasy of The Virgin (L'Extase de la Vierge). Caballé transposes down the two climactic notes so they are fourths and not fifths from the tonic (the original notes would be high B-flats... but beware, a huge B-flat will come in the next part), but hey, it sounds fine enough to say the least, and it's so expertly done no-one would doubt it with no score at hand.
What follows is an orchestral interlude, in the form of a moving interpretation of the Méditation out of Thaïs, also by Massenet,
by José Collado, Sofia Philharmonic, and their first violin at the time, Mme Verka Stefanova.
Lyrics for this part:
Rêve infini, divine extase,
Mes yeux sont éblouis !
L’immensité m’oppresse !
Rêve infini.
Ah, d’un charme inconnu je suis tout enivrée,
Des esprits bienheureux j’entends déjà les voix,
Des liens de la vie à jamais délivrée,
J’ai connu la douleur pour la dernière fois.
Ô vertige sacré, douloureuse allégresse !
Mes yeux sont éblouis, et l’immensité m’oppresse.
Les portes du ciel vont s’ouvrir.
Rêve infini, divine extase,
L’éther scintille et s’embrase
À la clarté du jour qui ne doit pas finir…
Paradis je te vois,
Ô torrents de lumière,
D’harmonie et d’amour,
De paix et de beauté.
Mon âme trop émue
A besoin de prière,
À l’aspect redoutable du céleste séjour !
Ô vertige sacré, douloureuse allégresse,
Mes yeux sont éblouis, l’immensité m’oppresse,
Les portes du ciel vont s’ouvrir,
Rêve infini, divine extase.
L’éther scintille et s’embrase
À la clarté du jour qui ne doit pas finir!
Filmed (very expertly, to boot) by the Bulgarian National Television, and owned by it. Sadly they haven't made it otherwise available as of yet. I am ready to take this upload down if any copyright dispute arises, just ask me.

[@Abigayl1950]

Montserrat always delivers !!
What an overwhelming rendition ...... I love Massenet and I love Montsy .
May GOD bless you .
Rest In Peace , you’ll be alive in our hearts for ever and ever !!

[@dircesantana5408]

Sempre maravilhosa...

[@thomashansen6501]

What a beautiful and strong , varm voice !. Rip .Thomas Oslo Norway. ❤❤❤

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

Simplemente maravilloso.!!

[@judyjones2475]

The violin solo is so heart-rending 💖

[@judyjones2475]

Absolutely beautiful ,stirring the heartstrings, thankyou 😘

[@sonjagehring3224]

Eine wunderbare Stimme,diese Klarheit,diese Kraft,einmalig!🤗

[@m.d.7974]

Grand bravo pour cette chanson en français, toujours entouré d'orchestre fabuleux et un double bravo pour la violoniste verka stefanova tendre moment très émouvant🥰

[@judyjones2475]

Magnificent Montserrat 🇲🇸 👏 👌 😍 ❤

[@arpasat]

Lindo sem palavras...

[@astridgunkel2230]

Montserrat looks so good......when she sings this arie!!!!😍😍😍😍

[@GeorgiNM]

And that's my Merry Christmas to yer all!

[@Lellobeetle]

Very lovely way to wish a Merry Christmas, Georg M. I've seen you around in the comments on Montse videos. Laura

[@GeorgiNM]

There's my comments, there's my videos. We've also messaged on several occaisons. Glad to see there are people who appreciate this exceptional singer for what she is.

[@allexsantos6838]

descanse em paz diva 😢

[@OperaMyWorld]

wow!! an amzing Christmas Gift!! THANK YOU!!!

[@jordipanadesribera6890]

Non Plus Ultra, R.I.P.

[@MB-kx5qs]