L'empio, sleale, indegno from Handel's Giulio Cesare

[wellbn1]

Bravo!

[purcellist]

Love it! Powerful ct voice. Don't mind the "modern" here at all... if having a "modern" production and an historically informed Baroque production produced at the same time (three major "Rodelindas" at once a while back comes to mind) means the work gets out to more of the public - that countertenors from all over the world get more recognition - I'm all for it.

[SalieriLives]

Super! The stage presence and warm countertenor voice of a Michael Chance. I wish him all the best in his career. Looks like a bright future for Mr. Pagenkopf. Did a wonderfully funny job with PDQ Bach as the "bargan counter tenor"! Check it out on Amazon.

[ikpmom]

Wow, I went to high school with him and was in the same choir, but I didn't know he was this good.

[feraloperacompany]

Beautiful, and good acting too!

[nicksum29]

Nice voice, but the Baroque pathos and beauty of line becomes distorted when emotions are too... modern.

[CountertenorJ]

Could you please explain this to me?

[nicksum29]

For CountertenorJ: Very often in Baroque opera and opera seria, a singer may tend to "push" the emotion as if he/ she were singing Verdi or Puccini. They do this with the best of motives: emotional dynamics. Instead they should rely on subtleties of emphasis, ornamentation, and musical line. Ignoring these can result in ugly vocalisations which, while modern, are anachronistic and jarring. Of course, I am a classicist, and many modernists would disagree with me on this.

[CountertenorJ]

Do you have any sources for this? I am interested in learning more about this. I was under the impression from my studies that the castrati were often, such as the case of Guadagni, better and more dramatic actors than they were singers.

[nicksum29]

The term "dramatic actor" has a very different connotation in our modern times. Baroque text does not lend itself to modern realism. To authentically reproduce the intentions of the great Italian librettists, one must keep in mind the Baroque idea of acting. A good indication of the kinds of movement expected of a good actor can be gleaned from Baroque dance steps. To be "real" is not Baroque. To be true to the art form is a more Baroque ideal. Ian Caddy can help you here.

[CountertenorJ]

While that is all and well, and I am not saying that it isn't the case, I would really like some concrete sources to back this information up on. When I teach my classes and my students ask me how I know this information, I can't just tell them "Some guy on YouTube told me." :-)

[nicksum29]

Google it.

[CountertenorJ]

So no. Got it.

[nicksum29]

IAN CADDY. GOOGLE IT. Read your messages more carefully next time. I trust you do not treat you lecturers with similar disdain.

[klaviergeezer]

Bravissimo Gerrod. As someone who shared some Handel time with you in Serse (remember, the nursery?) I am thrilled by how your singing is flourishing. One of the best performances of this aria I've heard, visually and vocally....congratulations.

[ilovechocolatechip]

Absolutely fantastic, a really strong, clear countertenor voice.

[bunnigirl8]

Wow, great job Gerrod! I graduated from Gillett High too, I am so impressed with what you have accomplished!

[boromidz]

bravo :)

[citibank82]

warum nicht ! nur eine Klavierbegleitung ist zwar gewöhnungsbedürftig... aber es passt zur reduzierten Ausstattung dieser Version... Bravo !!! Well Done !

[k10sju]

fantastic! a beautiful rendition

[NatashaNabokov]

That was....bad. The piano kills it. Nothing against the voice...

[CubbyNH]

Hmm, I like it. And ive heard this sung a million times by a million singers.. very nice.