Aria from Diva - Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez

[silvanusslaughter]

Terrific through and through!

[ericbelify]

as one-hit wonders go, Catalani hit the bullseye with this one. This is an absolutely magical peice of music.

[sonofTelstar]

An intoxicating opening to a film over-flowing with beautiful moments and scenes and words...my spine shivers every time that I see and hear this....how could you not be drawn into this beautifully sad reverie?...modern French cinema at its zenith..

[TheBlizzardcat]

I really liked this rendition.

Has anyone heard Maria Callas sing this piece? Do listen please.

Thanks for posting. 😃

[19davo66]

Amazing. she, the music, the film and the memories. x

[zo219]

Love the technology! (Truly a Best Movie.)

[walker0762]

wow!!!!

[86Leinad]

For those keen to see Wilhelmenia in a different role, have a look at the magnificent performance of Aida (Luxor, Egypt, 1994) also on Youtube. To see it, copy this behind the 'watch?v=' part of your current URL: FYG4uolR_K4&t=1h1m37s

[DocHennson]

the moment she started singing it has been like a cultural shock to me while I was sitting in the cinema! After this my heart was opened to the real beauty of music next to the stuff I fancied at that time. Thanks for life...

[rscmrcmd]

I'll never forget seeing this in NYC. It's such a great movie and this opening scene of Ms. Fernandez singing the aria from "La Wally" is a perfect way to start a thriller.

[jacobsimon]

She put this beautiful aria from La Wally on the map with the greater public. Interesting how a movie can take an obscure musical gem and make it into a huge hit.

[xavierulzok]

oh, those EYES! just beautiful

[sslohier]

i love this film- it is such a classic, and 80s Europe seems like so much fun!

Cinema new look!

[blondin74]

Waouuu! les frissons que ca fait c'est inoui!! ca met en transe des trucs pareils!! J'adore cette chanteuse avec Jessye Norman une de mes preferé sans conteste

[thetoughtruth]

Perfection

[pjbristolwright]

This was a great French film, with great music, but I could never find out what Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez did after this movie..

[rawmark]

This is one of my favorite films and Wilhemina Wiggins Fernandez was perfectly cast. Truly a slick, french film.

[calamityjane19]

just..i love....

[grosnard]

une merveille............

[JOEBLACK36]

A stunning Diva. Brava!!

[Belgusto1]

I saw this scene on the Classic Arts Network here in NYC several weeks ago! I've never heard of this film. Thanks, Classic Arts Network!!

[bibicool65]

Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez, actrice américaine qui chantait aussi... Mais on est loin dans le film Diva de la perfection de cette même aria chantée par Maria Callas ou, mieux encore, par la divine Tebaldi.

[Bogart1899]

@bibicool65 J'ai ecoute les versions de Callas et Tebaldi sur YouTube.. Des 3 versions, la version de Callas est de loin la meilleure. Je croix qu'elle chante avec plus d'emotion, ses phrases sont plus nuancees, l'interpretation est tres subtile. En somme, impossible de faire mieux.

[The1620]

You know this is "sort of" a true life story involving the wonderous soprano Jessye Norman? All the more moving, I think.......

[Vlasta4444]

@The1620 oh tell more!

[The1620]

@Vlasta4444 WELL: Jesse said that there really was a Courier boy who would show up at most venues when she was performing -- must have cost fortune in fares. He was always a gentleman she said, and that he is no longer alive. ( OH, and no dress was nicked as in the film !) I think it's rather nice that someone can adore an artist to obsession-level and NOT always be a nutter or stalker. Hard to tell which is which, but I know Jesse was pleased her art brought him joy and perhaps peace.

[Vlasta4444]

@The1620 Oh thank you! What a lovely story. Diva is one of my favorite movies and I adore the beautiful Ms. Fernandez` singing. Knowing the story has a basis in fact makes it, as you say, all the more moving.

[jebeja]

Just caught this on the ARTS Entertainment Network on 'BCAT', does anyone know if she's actually singing? The scene held me captive. Thanks for posting.

[Vlasta4444]

@jebeja yes it was she.

[barrett5169]

I used to end every DJ set I played with this song... never went down well, everyone got confused and left. Perfect end to a night!

[PerignonPop]

@barrett5169 That's a great picture you paint. I nearly fell off my seat laughing. Class. Hahahaw. Night folks!

[MrTapoche]

Take that Céline Dion SHE'S TOTAL CLASS AND DO NOT SING WITH HER NOSE!!

[MrTapoche]

that is so good..!!

[YZ0007]

I saw the movie Diva twice, have only ce CD

[rocketvon]

Beautiful lady, voice, and movie, though a bit odd.

[Cheloveki]

I LOVED this movie. Really weird overall, but fast moving and an interesting "love" story. Love of opera . . .

[hawkeye10k]

THIS VOICE = A GIFT FROM GOD !

I COULD LISTEN TO THIS SELECTION DAILY ... AND THE MOVIE IS WONDERFUL !

[mangui19]

humankind is this

whatever is our race, colour, faith and believe

enjoy

[phantomsviolin1]

ah I shall miss my teacher since I wont see her for two weeks. She makes my day and it is so cool to be able to watch her here on youtube

[spada1857]

Magnifica! Una bella donna con una bella voce!

[spada1857]

Magnifica! Una bella donna con una bella voce!

[JLP078]

Amazing, perfect voice, one of the best interpretation of Ebben from Alfredo Catalani Opera La Wally !!!

So emotional !!!!!

Gorgeous !!!!!

[maxLeifermann]

Beautiful singing, beautiful scene from a gorgeous film...

[phantomsviolin1]

She is even more wonderful in person!! A kind and loving spirit.

[dxhtz]

I am super happy for this woman that her performance REALLY DOES stand the test of time. And happy for the producers..a risky movie..and a great one.

[TheWisemonkey8]

It is a very nice scene from an otherwise strange and eventful film. Although, I must admit, I love the atmosphere and ambience of this particular setting. How powerful music can be in the lives of people. I am sure we will all agree that these are good, solid and worthy uploads. Warm, kind and sincere regards,

[anasthasys]

classy !

[sufiron]

I saw this film many years ago-Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez's voice took me away...such purity of soul....which she embodies...

[toptops]

For Lamar. This is from the movie Diva. It is when I fell in love with Opera.

[kdavid]

Diva is one if the best movies ever !

[19davo66]

@kdavid Exactly how I feel. Amazing story, film, mood - it never gets better than this!

[19davo66]

Qui a vole la robe de la Diva?

[petchuta]

love this flick

[mrfoltz]

I was about 18 or 19 when this movie first came out, I never really gave opera or classical music a second thought until I saw this movie and fell in LOVE with Willamina Fernandez's voice...

I thought she sounded as close to an Angel as I ever heard... I have loved this song since, One of my all time favourites!

[yokonovic]

Jules un postier..

[wjp8888]

She is the first one I heard singing this . Now that more are available on YT, she still the best.

[anomistars]

.

One of my favourite MOVIES

of all time .. Brilliant song .

[Hallasun]

@anomistars Mine too. I just got it on DVD and watched it with my graddaughter who also adored it - had to have been nearly 30 years since I first saw it and it was still very fresh.

[kockadopolis]

La Wally..she's beautiful, and what a beautiful voice. The movie was okay.

[jrramos0730]

I can listen to her over and over again.

[teri2166]

Stupendous !

[texasbluegrassfan]

Couldn't be any more beautiful if it was Bluegrass!

[sweetaliena]

The first time I heard this aria was in this movie. Became an opera lover since then!

[porpoisefathom]

is she actually singing that? wonderful aria! thanks for the post...who are the men in black with the terminator glasses in the audience supposed to be?

[tribilable]

@porpoisefathom You have to see the movie or it will take the tension when we explain you their function in this scene.

[MeredithWaters]

Thank you for posting - my favorite aria and such a beloved film to me for many years. No one can sing it as she! So bittersweet to hear when you are far from home.

[AlexAlcyone]

Ahhhh.... now *this* was one stylish movie. Fabulous! A little trivia: Notice the bootlegger's tape deck... it's a Nagra isn't it? Serious machine. Swiss made... a favorite of audiophiles, movie pros and espionage for many decades. Not many people could afford them; it's another little detail in the obsession of our cool courier.

[blackaristo]

Wonderful!!!

[DivineInterllect]

She is truely stunning and absolutely suites her voice...uuhh!!

[MrPamphletsong]

Un prestation remarquable portée par une voix qui épouse l' excellence.

Un véritable chef d' œuvre dont je me suis délecté.

A consommer sans la moindre modération.

Cette réalisation empreinte de bien des magnificences fut en soi un pur moment de bonheur.

Toutes mes plus vives félicitations.

Bien à vous, chaleureusement et avec mon très bon respect.

Christian.(MrPamphletsong)

[Kichifree]

thank you for this.

[lyghdha]

I remember when she cancelled Salome in Gothenburg under Chung. She rehearsed for days but couldn't do it.

[megashoo]

everything is ravishing in this scene from diva.and that dress takes it to another level.she looks like a black sirene in it!!!!!!!

[gvt2u]

I always wondered why Wilhemenia Fernandez seemed to just disappear after this movie. She was so beautiful and gave such a wonderful performance. I thought she would do more movies.

[raycica]

sorry for my bad english,as much as I know she had very hard private problems that ruined her carrier,her voice is something so special that makes me cry every time I hear her singing

[gvt2u]

Do you know where you've heard that information? I can't find much information about her at all.

[debourex]

My friend who is professional piano player told me so years ago,as you can see there is so little about her on the net. Where are you from?

[gvt2u]

I live in Florida, and I saw Diva when it was in the theaters in the early 80's in Los Angeles.

[slmUSA]

gvt2u I saw it in Los Angeles, too. It was an independent theatre on Wilshire Blvd. in West L.A. Wish I could remember the name. They played a lot of foreign films there.

[gvt2u]

Was it the Nuart?

[slmUSA]

Yeah, that was it! Is that where you saw it, too?

[gvt2u]

It probably played at the Nuart long after its initial release. I likely saw it when it was in theaters probably in Westwood Village.

[gvt2u]

By the way, I saw it again in the last few years on video or DVD, and it was absolutely painful to watch. It really, really made me miss the early 80's and the New Wave era. It made me so nostalgic that I could hardly stand it. No other movie has done that to me to that extent.

[xixviiiii]

where are you hearing this? She's had no private problems, her career has been nowhere near ruined! That's absolutely absurd! And trust me, I should know...I lived with her the first 20 or so years of my life!

[joel1923]

@gvt2u I've always wondered the same thing. What ever became of her...

[xixviiiii]

Her career has been mainly overseas, performing various roles across Europe, Africa and Australia. She still records, although i'm not sure if her latest cd has yet been released here in the states, i have to ask. Information online concerning her will only be found from various venues updating their sites with concert information. She's enjoyed a phenomenal career and is blessed by all that the success of Diva has offered her and her family. There's your update... :) Hope that helped

[Glasswings7]

i agree with you !! is so perfect !!

[xixviiiii]

She vowed not to do any other movies after this, as it wasn't what she wanted to do. Although she did do the short film Orfeo & Euridice some years later. She went on to have an expansive career on the stage in various operatic roles from Aida to Il Trovatore, etc., utilizing her gift as the opera singer that she was crafted to be.

[LibertasVideos]

I still remember the day my friends wanted to go watch this movie at UT Austin. I had no desire to see some weird French movie. Thank God they talked me into it. I remember it more than the friends that I went with. Cương? Nghĩa? Giao? Ai biệt?

[hwanmig]

Amazing!

[Onegiin]

No, it's not Callas singing, but at about 2:31 the camera pans over the audience and there is a woman who looks enough like Callas to be her--sitting just to the left of the two goons.

[TheWisemonkey8]

@Onegiin Well spotted my friend in music!

[mash2vhK]

Gorodish's words in "Diva" 1982 still see me through so many situations: 'You can't win them all'.

[missasegei]

My favorite film of all time... Magic..

[Aleks2763]

God, I loved that movie - and no it isn't maria callas or renata tibaldi

[MickCorgi]

My favorite scene is Gorodish spotting this aria by Cynthia Hawkins in a bath tub.

[ebonywahine]

@MickCorgi

[ebonywahine]

@MickCorgi

Gorogish is one of favorite film characters, he's so cool ...in the jazz sense. The scene you mentioned...priceless.

[penguinmama88]

Love this movie, thanks so much for posting this particular clip xoxoxox

[KRYTEN451]

This is an awsome movie. So good I bought 2 DVDs of it and 2 sound track CDs.

[joel1923]

@KRYTEN451 Me too!

[anasconuto]

I love it!

[tritosdaktylos]

Maria Calla's voice is georgeous..!

[MrNoupie]

But it's not Maria Callas. It is Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez!

[tritosdaktylos]

Yes, I see. But I prefer Renata Tibaldi singing la Wally and secondly Maria Callas...

[electriclime1017]

Hi!  It's Wilhelmenia Fernandez.

[TheWisemonkey8]

Thats not Maria Callas...;).

[xixviiiii]

No, it's not Ms. Callas. The name of the singer who starred in the movie is at the top of the clip, Wilhelmenia W. Fernandez. And the woman at 2:31 does resemble Callas (good eye Onegiin!!), but considering she passed away in 1977, I guess that would be unlikely, huh?

[nomads77]

goes right through you.

fabulous

[sookietex]

Perfection personified---could she be any more beautiful *sigh* :-)

[tizfrreecharm]

@sookietex

Hi! I hadn't seen this coolest of films for the better part of the last 20 years; I 'd forgotten how truly beautiful she is!

Now if somebody would just post the ' how to properly butter a baguette' scene, all would be well with the world :)

[MsEiceEK]

Some of the comments here are OTT. Beautiful? That's stretching it slightly....

[happyness01]

@MsEiceEK - Aw shut up, this film and Wilhelmenia have a following for a REASON, her voice is FAR more real than a lot of the Trained voices that sound so machine like. Her's just comes naturally. And THAT'S far more attractive than some Europe Opera House for 20 years trained machine voices, not that's there's not a place for voice coaching, but it's even better if someone has NATURAL TALENT in the first place.

[angeleuviah]

Merveilleuse voix, même si le film en lui-même n'est pas terrible (avis perso)

[missasegei]

She wearin' the hell outta that dress..

Absolutely Beautiful..

[missasegei]

This just sent chills up my spine..

[missasegei]

She is fantastic and Diva is one of my favorite films of all time.

[oxygene65]

I first saw Diva back in the 80s and it is still one of my favourite films, and it is because of this peice of music that I started my passion for opera. Thank you for posting this.

[scottishbigcats]

Me too. I disliked opera until I saw this film. Now I can't get enough of it.

[darin30may]

Fantastic voice, subtile interpretation, beautiful voice, sexy body...}{

[artexlibris]

This was the very first classical piece of music I had heard in a movie that really made me cry.

Like in the movie itself, reality showed that almost no recordings were available by this outstanding singer apart from a record she had made singing gospel music.

It was in 1985 that Wilhemina Wiggins Fernandez happended to perform in Stuttgart/Germany. I had tickets too, but got sick that very day and could not come to see and hear her.-She will forever be in my heart.

andé/germany

[photo199]

A brilliant performance, a brilliant movie

[7inga7]

She really shines in this!

[PpPpnk1994PpP]

how can they wear sunglasses?

[nomads77]

You have to see the movie?

Diva!

Then you will know!

[EyeLean5280]

That gown she's wearing really is terrific; it makes her look like a goddess.

[SordidGuy]

ABSOLUTELY A TRUE DIVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kdavid]

One of the best songs from the best movies EVER !!!

[EyeLean5280]

Yes, and other versions of this aria just don't even come close.

[ohworldgirl]

That's right.

[fraternalsword]

oh lala! quelle purete dans la voix et quelle jolie cantatrice! :) on of my favorite aria.thanks for posting.gives me goose bumps

[nauort23]

Thanks for the background, BestArtsFilm. Makes the song in the film just that much better.

[valleus]

isnt she amazing.I love her cd of Spirituals

[philippo54]

She sings it beautifully and I love the movie. Thanks for posting it.

Best,

Phil

[nomads77]

I love this little movie!  I love to watch this performance, it gives me chills. Fantastic!

[BUweB]

awesome.

Thanks for posting it!

[vagabond4good]

This song made this movie...SHE made this movie...wish she'd made more

[Narvik40]

Her and the old white Citroën..

[CatullusJ]

My favorite movie. Ever. Full of attitude. Beautiful to look at. Clever story. Gorgeous cast. Perfect score. The aria is enough to make anyone an opera lover.

[haineux]

Superb quality, even if there is a slight sync issue. If this video does not convince you to buy the DVD, probably nothing will.

[theBestArts]

Yeah, sorry about the sync problem...

[jonathanbirchley]

Yes!! Tremendous clarity and power in her expression. Definitely buy the DVD. Even better, buy a CD of the opera as well.

[mentalmanperry93]

This was the very first version I heard of this aria and this lovely lady with the emotionally stunning voice has made it one of my "must hear" arias! The voice is soaring and sweet and tender- a honest joy to listen to. Thanks for airing it and making it available.....

[EyeLean5280]

This is my faviorite version of this aria - thanks so much for posting it!

(Great movie, too.)

[webbsjwebb]

yes, yes, yes...! a wonderful movie. when it opened in 1981 I too every friend i knew...at least 15 times. thank you for posting

[shamanorak]

beautiful!!

[patalemoomy]

Thank You. THANK YOU!

[Aetion]

Just great! Tks for posting.

[jiftupop]

Absolutely beautiful ! I'm speechless !

[keepthemusicplaying0]

Superb !!!!!!

[Mopsibus]

This soprano is great. The film DIVA is great. Don't miss it. I think the sound track is off by a fraction of a second int his video however.