Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Handel - Theodora - Bane of virtue

[parsifal75007]

Where are you Lorraine ? With the angels !

[Zyghnwyr]

Superb technique, faultless musicianship, and great Handelian style. Above all, she sings from the heart. What a great, great artist.

[janiemobrien]

I agree with Handelfreak. I was there... I was actually there, and could actually feel the discomfort in the stalls as people shifted around in their seats. There had never been anything like that production before and there has never been anything since that remotely touches it. It was perfection. I have seen and heard it all. There is nothing left.

[noratranvouez]

how we miss her !

[heyboy08]

this is pure bliss. pure pure pure. i make the same facial gestures and body movements the singers do when listening to lorraine perform his aria. Ah!

[piustwelfth]

These are very appropriate lyrics for today's world. In our consumer-driven, materialistic society, "prosperity" is indeed the bane of virtue. True happiness is only found where grace and truth and love (and peace) abound.

[Handelfreak]

I love it how in the dacapo she is singing directly to the audience of Glyndeborne. I would have thrown my diamond earings up on the stage after that performance.

[sfkcbf]

The timelessly great genius of Handel combined with the beautiful voice of Lorraine. I am able to control my enthusiasm, however, for Sellars.

[heyboy08]

@sfkcbf "I am able to control my enthusiasm, however, for Sellars."

Um. If anything, he did a fantastic job of stripping away any excess and letting Lorraine's performance--and Lorraine's profound power and grace, Handel's transcendent music, and the rejuvenating content (like a breath of fresh air) of the libretto--be the focal point. I think in this beautifully spare production in particular, he didn't make his presence the focal point at all. Lay off Peter. This is a virtuous production.

[tlrox]

[Recitative - Irene] O bright example of all goodness! How easy seems affliction's heavy load While thus instructed and companioned thus as 'twere with heaven conversing, we look down On the vain pomp of proud prosperity. [Air - Irene - begins 0:30] Bane of virtue, nurse of passions, Soother of vile inclinations, Such is, prosperity, thy name. True happiness is only found, where grace and truth and love abound And pure religion feeds the flame Bane of virtue ... [da capo]

[piustwelfth]

Line 2 should read "soother of fine inclinations" -- not "vile". The meaning of the lyric is that prosperity (i.e. wealth) is the soother of "fine inclinations" -- that is, it leads us to more base inclinations.

[rinaldo1978]

I love Her!!! My singing teacher used to perform with her, and he often tells me about the things they did, a great woman!

Since she's been gone, the sky has another star!

Thaks Lorraine, for such a wonderful perfomance!

[RicardoAndreFrantz]

oh my God!

[flugelhorn1976]

Fabulous. Just fabulous.

[XPRT10R]

She was fantastic and magical everytime. So committed she transcended technicalities and took ou on a journey of pure bliss. Being on stage with her was an unforgettable experience! And a lovely and caring person too. Bless her soul forever

[grig035]

You were on stage with her?! Please tell us some more if it's not too painful. Many thanks.

[Graviak]

really a very nice performance,.../bow

[nessie96]

Unfortunately, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson succumbed to cancer a few months ago....she was scheduled to perform at the Met this past season. She was an extraordinary artist who will certainly be missed.

[jabberwock01]

Such a marvellous singer - and her warmth and humanity and care for others came through her every note - she had an 'inner light', as someone has said (this is quoted in the booklet of her Mahler etc CD). Sadly missed. I recommend the DVD of Theodora from which this clip was taken, too, as well as all of her CDs.

She died in July 2006 of breast cancer, at an early age.

[Theodora67]

what do you mean she died? What happened to the singer?

[Gigglingatagas]

Ah, what a divine, serene-sounding voice. Notice Dawn Upshaw back there? They both belong to that angelic school of singing that is inborn, not learned.

Thanks so much.

[dusha7]

ovo je od moje duse komadicak..

[SEAMUS123456]

Not since Mozart's or Schubert's untimely death has humanity lost such an artist.

I am proud to say that I saw her in Ashoka's Dream, something I will treasure forever.

[vickersman]

Well I think the loss of Fritz Wunderlich, was an equally tragic untimely death-but to lose one to the devilish cancer seems even more cruel.

[Bachsoboe]

A truly great artist. I cried when I heard she died. Very few singers equal her.

[backyardtrees]

Bravo, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson! Your memory lingers in your voice.

[misterclough]

thank you so much for this...I was lucky enough to see her at NYCO several times. I still can't believe that she is gone, a tremendous loss.

[nfahring]

Our tragic heroine gone......her incredible voice and artistry remain. Thank you.

[Traubel]

Could you post the video of "As with rosy steps the morn"

[andreasscholl]

Heaven needed an Angel....

Farewell Miss Lieberson, we still miss you!

[Mopsythebunny]

Fierce!

Thank you for posting.

[vitroz]

Heavenly Lorraine

[sjld8405]

Oh how I love her. So even, so warm. Rest in peace.

Thanks for putting this up.