Valerie Masterson "Da tempeste" Giulio Cesare

[robin678]

Wonderful memories of the amazing Valerie Masterson. Many years of pleasure from her at ENO and Covent Garden.

[clown84700]

Merveilleux !!!!

[shapewhy]

it could be more interesting but..... it is difficult aria

[gmmix]

I saw V.M. as Mabel in Pirates of Penzance years ago and was completely captivated by the beauty of her voice and delightful stage presence. It's wonderful to see how many examples of her art appear on YouTube.

[guiradobrasil]

She is amazing, the easiness with which she produces the sounds is almost surreal.

[Shezan2008]

Ultimate example of the "park and bark" style of operatic delivery. Nicely done, but how BORING.

[Albertmaximus1]

Beautiful clear voice and excellent technic! Very tasteful performance! Bravo!!!

[Albertmaximus1]

Beautiful clear voice and excellent technic! Very tastful performance! Bravo!!!

[ligth95]

le falta expresion corporal y escenica pero la tecnica es excelente y la diccion muy buena

[nicosupersex]

@ligth95 esto es ópera barroca no pop, los cantantes no se mueven, por que en realidad no están actuando, están cantando, la acción en la ópera barroca no está en la arias, esta en los recitativos.... las arias son sólo reflexiones filosóficas, aun mas en Handel.------

[bejun]

@nicosupersex Muy bien explicado...no hace falta moverse para transmitir lo que quiere transmitir, está siguiendo la mas mura estética barroca: estática, sin numeros circenses para entretener a los oyentes. Por si sola llena el escenario....

[GypsAngelyn]

Masterson is the best of the best when it comes to soprano singing, and no one can argue that.

[la200o]

Love her!

[arnsweden]

I really like Mastersons' version. Most parts of it are crystal clear and with a wonderful vibrato. Very good performance!

[barneswriter]

She is one of the great sopranos. I loved her so much. A fantastic stage charisma and wonderful vocal artistry.

[manc33]

The acting is irrelevant. Lovely diction, and great song of course.

[bejun]

@manc33 The acting is just a recreation of the baroque style, in the way that operas were sung in handel age

[wellbn1]

I'm italian but I have to admit that also the english one is a beautiful version

[passionsong07]

Nice to hear. Not to watch.

[SeattleWaffle]

I love her voice, but I'm not sold on her acting.

[torstvillinger]

Sir(s) or Madame(s): I ask, "Is Ms. Valerie Masterson Nordic?"

[bejun]

British

[torstvillinger]

Sir or Mam: I am sure that at the very Time & Date at which Ye arrive to that Harbor of All Desire, there will meet Ye Our Very Own Ambassage of Emporer Penguins and their Wonderful Young Ones, crowned with tid-bits of Regal Ice. They shall help Ye All become Able to build Igloos. Those have been built so very much by the Inuits, Eskimo, and Aleuts for Centuries to House the Natives, as such as they are, all there, and their Amicable Pet Seals. It is a Good Thing. Have a Nice Day. Godspeed.

[ZenCross1]

The dress makes it for me.

[AshleyTAdamsOnline]

Does anyone know where to find the video recording of Masterson singing Mabel in Pirates? I would love love love to own it!

[worldvote]

I have never seen this opera before.

[rockyshott]

What's with those guards? The way they are just smiling and staring at her the whole time is really creepy.

[TFreckle]

They are roman soldiers

[Szederp]

@rockyshott They lover her boobs, also, they probably love opera, and her beautiful voice...is there a reason to be unhappy ? :D

[FollowToChange]

She made me love opera!

[DieSonneSinkt]

She gave me a hard-on.

[forallyouknow]

She knows how to show off the things that only a soprano voice can do--which is make her high notes sparkle. The simultaneous virtuosity and delicacy are almost too much to handle. Such artistry!

[TheCanta]

She is MasterTon- lovely ;-)

[tenor185]

Maybe the most beautiful and precise coloratura I have ever listened to.

[lgawringer]

Interesting to see the "english" debate here. The reason she is singing in English is that the production was at the English National Opera whose whole ethos is to present opera in the vernacular. As a young man I truly appreciated this as a means to open up opera to me and others. That was before surtitles, now with their technology I think ENO should think again.

BUT... sometimes we get such brilliant translators that the work becomes seminal, (the ENO Goodall Ring). The jury is out!!

[manc33]

Lovely authentic version. Hairs sticking up on my neck.

[lgawringer]

Don't blame the poor woman for "sheep", blame the insensitive translater. "i" as in "ship" sounds awful as Lloyd Webber (should know better) demonstrated in European song.

Glyndebourne translation had "battered boat" rather than shaken ship. Much Better.

[zasesdea]

really good......she is very good...excellent.....how is gay?

[LiedduoKoeln]

lol - my sheep...

[DieSonneSinkt]

Stormy winds my sheep has shaken?

[jordidel66]

In english????

[Albinoni1]

superb!

[italwines]

Ma!trovo quest'aria scialba,priva di pathos,melodia ed estro.Sara' perche' non amo l'aytore.

[Ostochskinkmackan]

This is a true Pro' and artist!

[delauge]

isnt it from year "onetwothree" ? but still it is good if I think the english language, because now I can only hear and not see to translate.

[DieSonneSinkt]

I wish I were a soprano... but (sighs), I'm a baritone.

[elias12186]

Haha in what universe are you a baritone? Let me try, I wish I were a soprano...but (sighs) I am just superman.

[Motetftw]

I wish i were superman... but (sighs) I am just God.

[svejelka]

he is gay...

[cantatrix]

This song and Valerie Masterson make me proud to be a soprano. It's wonderful to see a production of Giulio Cesare done so beautifully Baroque, just as it may have been done when first produced. I loved the ornamentation of the da capo, it was very time period appropriate and skillfully executed. Dominance of the singer, baby! :P

[sagagossard]

This is the best soprano that youve ever seem,my dear you must meet more sopranos

[woytynowska]

she's good, but Philippa Hyde is for my the one and only as Cleopatra.

[elias12186]

Wicked coloratura

[DieSonneSinkt]

Lascivious...

[svejelka]

the coloratura between 4:52 and 4:56 is below any level of good taste!!!

[Lohengrin]

actually, it is dreadful :))

[belcantoBR]

Could you educate us and tell what is dreadful or do you just speak out of your arse?

[clarinetsweetheart]

This is pretty bad, yeah.

[nclysander]

Indeed, that particular attempt at a trill is not the greatest. But in that no way undercuts the general glory of the performance.

[cellocarla]

that´s right - not only technical....she has all of it :)

[denchfan]

I come back to this over and over again - I saw it three times live - just love this woman's voice and when she performed - the charm, the beauty, as an audience we went crazy for her!

[cellocarla]

omg...her intonation and technique on every single note.....

[emyjaymac]

absolutely brilliant, hey?

[wobblatura83]

this is child's play for her. brava.

[Kleinfelterz]

notice how still she is - she doesn't move her mouth on coloratura....genius.

[lomoto69]

enil gaeu mier an 4:20 nos

[nicosupersex]

what about her beautiful high notes in 4:20?????????

[gmmix]

I first heard Masterson a long time ago as Mabel in G&S's Pirates of Penzance and much admired her elegant diction and lovely voice. She was a real charmer. Her appearance added much sparkle to the production. When she was on stage, ALL eyes were on her--whether or not she was singing. No denying it; I was smitten! FIVE STARS!

[sicuro75]

Love Valerie Masterson in this role she's very English boroque in every sense.

[GUILLERMO1957]

I prefer the english version of this opera. The cast in this production is insuperable!!! Dame Janet Baker sings a superb Cesar, Sarah WAlker and Della Jones are great. Counter tenor Bowman is outstanding, and Tomlinson´s Achillas simply great. BRAVO MACKERRAS!

[nicosupersex]

well, when a composer writes a vocal piece, he is thinking in the language too, this version in english is annoying sometimes, you think : there is something wrong, naturally the language

[Ellimaaan]

Her voice is so clear and bright. I think it fits this aria so well, and she gives us an amazing performance. Simply beautiful.

[mrrk]

A very underrated singer. Brava

[daco54]

God she,s good.

[stingabe]

simply breath-taking! Bravo!

[bejun]

why not? I complain again. Have you undestood?

[fassionero]

永這兒有一篇評論中國人，所以你不要抱怨

[fassionero]

永這兒有一篇評論中國人，所以你不要抱怨

[h56770]

Sills' version done with 18th century staging and costume is a masterpiece. It takes your breath away, but not hers. Larsen's sad attempt in a bikini (why bother singing)and Masterson's carefully ladled out froth can't compare with Sills' depth, timbre and astonishing tempo. We owe a great deal to Meredith Greenough for allowing us these snatches of pleasure and making sure her mother's artistry remains so easily available.

[PecsMstr]

Remember, Valerie is a lyric - Sill is a coloratura. Valerie has truly a pure beatuful voice with NO FLAWS. And how beautiful - not even Sills could compare there.

[PecsMstr]

Remember, Valerie is a lyric - Sill is a coloratura. Valerie has truly a pure beatuful voice with NO FLAWS. And how beautiful - not even Sills could compare there. MASTERSON IS A MASTER.

[nclysander]

Sills' version is my favorite, but I don't think you need bash every other Cleopatra you come across because of it. Masterson is a wonderful artist, and this is one of her greatest roles. Agreed on Larson, though.

[h56770]

not bad, unless you've seen Sills do it then it pales no authority or power

[skeetonwarde]

I think I actually prefer Masterson's version to Sills'. Masterson is clearer and seems more in control of her voice, though Sills is fabulous too.

[bejun]

why dont you speak english?

[iromanovsky]

I can describe you what these guys were discussing.

They argue that "Giulio Cesare" in English is not as good as in Italian. They claim that "Giulio Cesare" had to be performed only in Italian.

And they say that Handel has to be considered a German composer, not an English one (despite most of his life spent in England).

And then they discussed feasibility of finding a male singer with castrato voice in Russia.

[Slavaimperator]

Да, по-английски "Юлий Цезарь не так хорошо", как по-итальянски. Так же как и моцартовская "Волшебная флейта" не хороша по-русски. Или "Борис Годунов" по-английски. Гендель не только английский, но и немецкий композитор, вот о чем шел разговор.Вот так.

[iromanovsky]

By the way I do not agree with what those two were saying. I think Handel was an English composer. I think that "Giulio Cesare" is as good in English as it is in Italian.

And in my opinion Valerie Masterson was a beautiful woman and great singer.

[EmilyGreene1984]

Handel was actually born in Germany.

[QueenOfShemakh]

we speak and write English. But isn't it allowed to have a discussion in other languages? I am quite sure that people who comment opera speak lots of different languages. Sinon, comme je l'ai déjà dit, la version de cet air paticulier en anglais me plaît, MAIS je préfère que les rôles des castrats soient chantés par les falsettistes.

[contessabrilliante]

You are perfectly in your right to discuss in whatever language you wish, although it does peak the curiosity of some, myself included. But then, how about those who do not know any english, and have to look at all of our comments in English whereas THEY don't understand any of it. They don't ask us to know their language and YOU should not be obliged to confine your text to English.

God Bless you.

[bejun]

Es mi video y yo tengo el derecho de solicitar al menos que se escriba en un lenguaje comprensible, pero lo que no es plan es que 10 persona me escriban en ruso o lo que sea, en un lenguaje cirilico. Ves, yo escribo español, I speak spanish, J'écris en espagnol

[QueenOfShemakh]

Je n'écris pas en espagnol, mais je comprends ce que vous voulez dire. Ils écrivent en russe sûrement parce qu'ils ne savent pas écrire en anglais... Tout simplement... That's it.

[pacomerode]

tienes toda la razón del mundo, no se trata de entrar en un conflicto lingüístico, sino de que nos entendamos todos. Además, no me creo que un ruso no sepa hablar inglés mucho mejor que un español.

[gloriain9]

Tienes mucho bueno gosto e te agradeço tus videos. Foi aqui que io hei descubierto el Barroco musical e me guasta mucho. My spanish is very bad, mais mon français est insupportable.......... eheheheheheheheh es solo rire

[Slavaimperator]

Опера написана на итальянском. И Гендель, хотя и прожил почти 50 лет в Англии, оставался немцем. Это не "Саул", и не "Иуда Макквей", не "Самсон". Это "Джулио Чезаре". И ария Da Tempeste, а не... простите, не знаю, как называется на английском.

[Sadiesexy]

Otsjen horrosjo = Very good.

[QueenOfShemakh]

Не ссоримся :-) Выбор языка можно обсуждать (тут тоже свои традиции), а вот исполнение великолепное. // Parfait. D'habitude, je préfère "Giulio Cesare" chanté en italien, mais cette version anglaise est super belle!

[Slavaimperator]

Прекрасная ария! Только почему на английском?

[BachLoveNat]

Да! :( .... на английском странно звучит....

[Slavaimperator]

Da tempeste на английском, нда...

[BachLoveNat]

Не удивляйтесь, дорогой, если скоро ....

по-русски петь будут :)))))))

[Slavaimperator]

Цезарь на русском? Нда.. хотя.. интересно было бы послушать для забавы. Только вот где столько конртеноров найдут? Цезарь, Птолемей, Секст или женское контральто?:)))

[BachLoveNat]

Некоторым контртенорам не мешало бы поучить .... русский. Это язык Пушкина, Толстого и Достоевского! Вот хорошая идея! :о)

А с контральто, я думаю, в России проблем никаких ....

[Slavaimperator]

Это точно!:) С контральто не будет проблем. Здесь же кстати фрагменты, где Цезаря, играют женщины.

[BachLoveNat]

После увиденного мною трижды /в Париже и в Копенгагене/ сложновато будет усвоить Цезаря-контральто :) Представляю это в Мариинском ! Кто ставить-то будет??!!! Может мы с Вами??!!!! в свободное от работы время???!!!! ;о)

[iromanovsky]

Чё это тут русские собрались?

На каком языке она вам должна петь?

Гендель всё-таки,

значит по-английски нужно петь.

Вот она и поёт по-английски.

[BachLoveNat]

'Cesare' и английский....

Это все-равно что "че" и Пушкин :(

[iromanovsky]

> 'Cesare' и английский..

Не понимаю. Английский язык - очень красивый язык. Почти треть слов в английском взято из латыни, то есть английский язык - родственник итальянского. Гендель - английский композитор, певица англичанка, красивая и хорошо поёт.

Что не так?

[BachLoveNat]

Во-первых, Гендель лишь отчасти английский композитор, и его гений не от английского .... хммм ...источника..Во-вторых, я не думаю, что английский в данном случае идеально подходит к этой опере.... было ли это в мыслях у маэстро?!...это не "Саул" :)))))

[artdanks]

For some reason she reminds me of Roberta Peters. Not sure why.

[EllimanAtomica]

She seems so suited to this role. Yet more beautiful singing from Valerie, and yet more beautiful music from Handel.

[hillevifan]

Could you please post Sextus' recitative and aria from the first act 'the time for tears is over...come rouse yourselves to vengeance'?

[ekhsoj]

I prefer arias sung in the original language but I have to say that Valerie Masterson delivers an excellent performance here. Incredible singing and very charming! One of the best performances of this aria.

[zacharybr]

It's in English, but it's still awesome.

[lorgain2]

How does she do it, amazing singing.

[bejun]

where can i get that recital?

[hillevifan]

its actually a full production of Julius Caesar. Just go to amazon and search "julius caesar mackerras" and you should find a couple of dvd's. I really think you'll like it (especially Della Jones' sesto)

[FABRIZIO82]

Madame Masterson is a magnificent artist. I have a video with her singing MIREILLE, she is gorgeous. I invite you to purchase the PEARL recital,it's her only recital and it's a miracle.

[bravasoprano]

wonderful technique!

gentle&charming

[energyandpower]

Why in english??? No, no, no

[radicalclassic]

Why not in English??? Yes, yes, yes.

[mepidoprimer]

Well... because English isn't vocalic enough for so many 'coloratura', because English sounds well for theatre but not as good for singing... and because Haendel wanted it to be in Italian. Mi mother language (Spanish) sound even worse than English, so I wouldn't like at all it being sung in Spanish.

[HsFreezer]

Valerie Masterson is one of my favorite Handel sopranos. Her voice is just so suited to it.

[Miguelpalermo]

Sorprendente!

Me gusta, aunque debo decir que luego de escuchar tantos sonidos agudos enlazados en coloraturas interminables termino concluyendo que para este tipo de repertorio prefiero una mezzo!

Pero es brava!

[operaoaf]

I'm amazed at her rythm and tone in these coloratura passages. I'm also taken with her delivery of this emormously difficult music with an understated cool and aristocratic elegance. Additionally, the english version poses even more pitfalls in the coloratura than the Italian version due to the fewer vowels. This is the most elegant rendition I've ever stumbled into.

[cartman40000]

adoro haendel pero esta mujer lo interpreta como si estubiera cagando

[bejun]

Pues eres de los pocos que pienesa eso, ya que precisamente esta cleopatra ha sido considerada antológicaa, y valerie como una de las mejores en la interpretaciones barrocas del sajón

[clashguy]

Menudo comentario...

Poco conocimiento el tuyo.

"interpreta como si estubiera cagando"... Deja la vulgaridad en casa, chato.

[pianofolle]

esta mujer is one of the best haendel's interpreter of our times, her performance is delightful, and her voice expressive and beautiful

[BDSCalgary]

The orchestra is NOT routine and dull. It is doing what HANDEL wanted it to do, support the vocal acrobatics of the singer, NOTHING more. Dramatic effects are left to Ritornelli.

[BDSCalgary]

Beautifully sung. Baroque opera DOESN'T work with the modern forms of acting as only during recitatives does the action move forward. Arias were created for vocal display only, and at most vocal acting.

[gclef2288]

cadenzas are gorgeous and spot on.

[CharlesMcCxca]

She is utterly divine. First met her with BBC produce Yvonne Littlewood and recorded 6 classic ballad tracks with her.. produced by wizard, Ken Barnes (Crosby/Sinatra) - never released (in my tape store). She was simply outstanding, and a beautiful, unforgetable woman. What memories and what a talent.! (note to self... idiot!!!!)

[alexmacias]

English! How dare they. I just can't stand linguistics crimes in opera.

[CHerbek]

This is good but WAY too slow!

[CaballeroCatalan]

This is lovely!!!! Really beautiful. And damn that instrumental is catchy! Tararan pam pam tararan pam pam tararararararara... I can't get it out of my head. Fantastic aria, my favorite composer!

[polyglotbyron6]

Pretty lady (even at this age) with a great voice to match...

[MrGuizot]

Wonderful singing--very dull, routine instrumental accompaniment and conducting. She doesn't quite have the complete mastery of the trill that Sills and other had.

Fortunately for us, Valerie was with the D'Oyly Carte Opera for many years and recorded some of the lead soprano Gilbert & Sullivan parts (which do have some delicious soprano arias) with that company.

[donizettirules]

I hate to beg to differ sluttyruth but the was a great deal of acting in opera 20 years ago and even thrity and forty... as advancments in operatic acting reall took off in the mid-late sixties. Here though Matserson is, i think, emulating the the acting school traditional to baroque opera, that is the lack of movement standard to handel's day. if you watch Beverly Sill's clip of this same aria, she to does this even though she is renowned for the intensity and beauty of acting skills.

[sluttyRuth]

appreciate your correction, it was just an impression i had, but what you say seems right. thx^^

[Iolamusica]

Where can I get a copy of this? I love it! It's the first time I've good singing AND good acting. I don't get bored at all.

[Llednew]

You can get the DVD at amazon (and most other on-line sources, I'd imagine). Just search DVD for Julius Caesar Masterson. There's also a version of Handel's Serse (Xerxes) with her, also in English.

[sluttyRuth]

simply wonderful. i'm already addicted to this video. its funny to see how just 20 years ago there was no acting whatsoever during an aria. she just walks from one side to the other and still you dont get bored because her singing fills the gap... fantastic!

[theguy3000]

Really wonderful. I found that she made the ending to this aria particularly magical.

[AsTessrid]

Beautiful...I think one of the best songs around:)

[baroquegeek]

wow...nice clarity. A perfect voice for Baroque arias. Her vocal gymnastics in the repeat of the "A" section deserves a clear 9.89!

[sruli2]

Amazing, she is 47 years in this video!

[firebreathone]

What I would like to know is what year this was performed?

[rakewell2]

1984

[linhcba]

Valerie Masterson is my favourite soprano, followed by Lucia Popp - who is now with God.She'll be singing in the heavens as beautifully as she sung on earth.

[bejun]

I ve seen all you love Valerie Masterson, so I ve uploaded some new videos about her. Just have a look at my nick

[dgviktor]

i watch this also every day and not just once :)

[paminaase]

everyday I watch this and her voice gives me joy !

[paminaase]

even better than beverly sills !

[D9l3tt]

Truly Amazing

[firebreathone]

Its absolutely brilliant, however you said "singed by the most.." it should be "sung"

[kiwiscouse]

I can't agree more - Valerie is the best Handelian soprano I have ever heard. Such a fantastic artist & as you say sadly under-recorded.

[Sibelius75]

thank you so much for posting this video of a magnifiscent artist (and a great person) who despite a fantastic stage carreer has made very few recordings! what a shame for the recording industry!

[Noeliuxx]

I first saw Valerie at the eno singing Xerxes, and I loved her, but in Giulio Cesare as Cleopatra is the best one.