What an unexpected treasure. I am working on this aria, and I've listened to dozens. The high B is a bit of trouble,& I adore that she cuts a beat of it-rob Peter to pay Paul- but it sounds intentional. Sometimes it's a case of whatever works. Most audience wouldn't notice, and that's the important thing.
Everyone comments about the great sopranos who sang this aria, and I would like to add 2 names to the ones that seem to be missing: Beverly Sills - in my opinion, the best in this aria, and the Met Gala honoring James Levine with Fleming singing this aria. Amazing that so many voice types can to this aria justice.
Grace Moore, Eleanor Steber, Eileen Farrel, Maria Callas, Doro Kirsten, Leontyne Price, Virzinia Zeani, Leyla Gencer,.......and we can add a handfull of other great sopranos. We are so very lucky people that we nowedays can all listen to this great performers, and enjoy their artristy ! To admire their fine taste ! Their beautiful voices.
This is so fabulous in the context that one realizes she could sing modern jazz and make it exceptional.... She was so talented.... the types of music she could make sound like she was made to sing nothing else.... Anyone who sings knows this is quite difficult..... An exceptional talent!
Magnificent!! I can only echo the "Bravo's" of the audience,
She had a great instrument, and the intelligence to know how to use it in an enormous repertoire, Even if she isn't as appreciated as she should be, her fans know how special she was!
There area a few things she sang better than anyone else (Ozean, Divinite' du Styx), and for everything else she had very little competion. It's amazing that someone who sang Gioconda so well could sing this at all. Or is it amazing that someone who sang this so well could sing Gioconda at all?
Truly a masterful interpretation--and rhe aria was not in her fache. I am convinced that if she had stayed with it, she would have gone down as one of the greatest of all Wagnerian hochsopranos. And her work with the Bach Aria Group was incomparable.
...so underused and under recorded that this poor european opera lover had never even heard of her until You Tube put that to rights. She is in that catagory of singer who's work cries out for wider recognition and appreciation in the 21C.
This offering of "Depuis le jour "is up with the very best.
@pjdonagh - I was going to write for 99% the same, what you already wrote!! Goodness me, what a voice, what a breathcontrol, and I feel ashamed I only knew her name, but hardly knew so far what she achieved. So, there is work for me to do! Searching for more and buying records. Thanks for informing us. Its not the 1st time (and the last!) I discover singers after their death....
@pjdonagh I agree with you. I think the High Brow snobs (ie Bing) didn't give her enough chances to shine here--very stupid. They had a shining treasure right here in America with Ms. Farrell--powerful, ringing , golden voice--instantly appealing.
@windstorm1000 I always liked Farrell, yet I always found it unfair when shde complained (as she did often, loudly, and in public) that she was badly treated at the MET, because it just ain't so.She got plenty of chances, but Bing wanted to promote her more in the German Rep. and she wanted to do the Italian, for which Bing preferred Tebaldi, Price, Tucci, Freni, et.al.
I wonder if part of her downturn wasn't simply a change of fashion in singing. But I went back to her Puccini recordings last night and was blown away by the sterling interpretations. Thank goodness we do have what we do have of her recordings, including even the late pop stuff.
I can only echo some of the other comments. It's extraordinary to hear her huge voice in this ethereal (and difficult to sing) aria. I was so fortunate to live in Manhattan in the 1950s and see Farrell and Steber (and other wonderful singers).
An absolutely beautiful clip. Eileen would have been about 34 years of age at the time of this recording. Nearly all of her studio recordings came much later after her voice had become more dramatic in size. At the time of her career, it was not very fashionable to be "an American Soprano," when now several of the best in the world are U.S. Opera singers at that time were largely imports from Europe and the Met. missed out, as did many other concert halls and opera houses. Beautiful voice!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting: this is sheer joy! She controls that massive voice immaculately, her sound is so free and easily produced, the range of dynamic. Heaven! I had no idea she recorded this aria as I associate her with the more dramatic repertoire. You are incredibly generous and a true lover of music--thanks again for posting this.
Love her. I still remember an appearance she made on Mike Douglas where he was asking her if she ever sang lullabies for her kids and she mentioned that if she did she would wake the neighborhood. Then she sang Brahms Lullaby and it was just shimmering over the airwaves. Gorgeous! Fantastic voice.
Eileen Farrell was an American Treasure. To Bing's eternal shame, he never re-engaged her after the old Met closed. She remains amongst the greats, though, through her outstanding recorded legacy. And give a listen sometime to her pop/jazz. She always gives the impression that she is LOVING the music, regardless of the genre. Thanks for the post, and Brava Eileen!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
In Bing's defense, Farrell's operatic voice fell apart toward the end. I saw her in Recital and in "La Forza". She had trouble gulping in enough air to support that huge voice through high phrases, and her top notes (B and Bb) were precarious. She continued singing pop wonderfully until age 75.
Nonsense. I heard her sing the 2nd act of Tristan with the Boston Symphony in the early 70's and she had no trouble whatsoever with that big beautiful voice. However, I will give Bing the benefit of the doubt because as much as I love Ms. Farrell there is no question that she could be as much of a difficult diva as any other soprano and the truth is the reason she didn't have a bigger career was because of the choices she made. We may agree or disagree with those choices, but they were hers.
Farrell was terrific. She sang a few times at the Met and had a fight with Rudolph Bing about repertory and there went her career She had her own radio show in the late 40's, sang jazz, pop (all in her albums), and was the voice of Marjorie Lawrence in that film bio of the Australian diva. Farrell, in person, was a charming performer (I caught a few of her concerts) and knew how to wow the audience.
it is wonderful to hear such a huge voice used with such immaculate control and artistry. Why ever was she not fully appreciated world-wide alongside the "chosen recorded" few? We barely knew about her in England.
Kudos to all that made this posting possible,and to dear James that sent it to me. This goes directly to my favourites-as soon as I can make a place for it. My first loves in opera were recordings with Tucker and Farrell-way back in the late fifties. Bravo,and thank you all for allowing me to share this treasure.
One of the very greatest soprano voices, and that's saying something. I heard her, along with Jan Peerce and the Bach Aria group, back in the early 60's, and I have seldom heard such pure, thrilling vocalism. A perfectly produced voice, of immense power, which she could scale down at will, to the point that it was perfect for a Bach cantata. A wonderful singer (and a first-class character :) Thanks for this!
Well of course... Miss Moore was coached for this role by Charpentier himself. She's a personal favorite of mine. Another great version of this aria is by Mary Garden recorded in 1926, already posted elsewhere on YouTube.
@stan724 I was just going to add that! Mason didn't get the phonographic exposure she deserved... I really have to nominate it as the best version of this -- in spite of all the other incredible versions such as this one by the beloved Farrell and not forgetting everyone from Garden and Gluck onward...
Wow...this is sublime! Would have never guessed this was part of her rep. Nice to hear her lighter side as well...A great singer...one of the the greatest!
C'est énorme!!! Parfois il y a des gens qui savent chanter, et à peu près tout chanter. Elle sait. Quelle classe! Wow, bravo... et dire qu'on est en train d'écouter une first class isolde... chapeau l'artiste!
Thank you for posting this! I'm a huge Farrell fan but I have never heard this before. I was actually surprised at how beautiful it is, although I don't know why I should have been. I thought her voice would be too heavy, but she makes it seem just right. Wagner, Gershwin, and everything in between. And it was live!!!
Apparently she thought this was the most beautiful aria and this was the first time she ever performed/recorded it. Donald Voorhees said he had trouble convincing her that her voice suited the aria and I don't know if she performed or recorded it again after this.
Interesting. She was very successful, in my opinion. It's now one of my favorite recordings of the piece. I don't think she ever recorded it, at least not commercially. In her biography, she states how much she loved French music. Thanks so much for sharing. I wish they would reissue more of her recordings on CD.
@SheHadManHands She sings as though she believes it is "the most beautiful aria"; and in her hands - it is! If she never recorded it,, we are very fortunate to have this version.
A stunning voice - new to me. Thanks for posting
XXSIXPENCE 1 month ago
Fleming has listened to that, as a child, I am sure. :-) There's the same candor, luminous opulence, and most of all "phrasing".
foropera 2 months ago
What an unexpected treasure. I am working on this aria, and I've listened to dozens. The high B is a bit of trouble,& I adore that she cuts a beat of it-rob Peter to pay Paul- but it sounds intentional. Sometimes it's a case of whatever works. Most audience wouldn't notice, and that's the important thing.
GoshGus 10 months ago
Lovely... lovely, so musical.
kgarmaker123 1 year ago
Everyone comments about the great sopranos who sang this aria, and I would like to add 2 names to the ones that seem to be missing: Beverly Sills - in my opinion, the best in this aria, and the Met Gala honoring James Levine with Fleming singing this aria. Amazing that so many voice types can to this aria justice.
cantorandopera 1 year ago
@cantorandopera Fleming? Gags..
SheHadManHands 1 year ago
@SheHadManHands Renee Fleming's performance of this aria was indeed immaculate. Please put aside your prejudices! :)
jd7x7jd 8 months ago
Grace Moore, Eleanor Steber, Eileen Farrel, Maria Callas, Doro Kirsten, Leontyne Price, Virzinia Zeani, Leyla Gencer,.......and we can add a handfull of other great sopranos. We are so very lucky people that we nowedays can all listen to this great performers, and enjoy their artristy ! To admire their fine taste ! Their beautiful voices.
Hans NL
qklq42 1 year ago
This is so fabulous in the context that one realizes she could sing modern jazz and make it exceptional.... She was so talented.... the types of music she could make sound like she was made to sing nothing else.... Anyone who sings knows this is quite difficult..... An exceptional talent!
cocoagirl61660 1 year ago
Beautiful! What a gorgeous voice! I'm always fascinated by her low register - so rare, so rich - and without using the chest voice. Unic.
PrevitaliA 1 year ago
What a great deep Soul !
thefixedG 1 year ago
such passionate-round-piano-soft notes in an aria that screams for it ! I loved it.
pslogge 1 year ago
beautiful,beautiful,beautiful
nirebreaf 1 year ago
Magnificent!! I can only echo the "Bravo's" of the audience,
She had a great instrument, and the intelligence to know how to use it in an enormous repertoire, Even if she isn't as appreciated as she should be, her fans know how special she was!
skatesindreams 1 year ago
There area a few things she sang better than anyone else (Ozean, Divinite' du Styx), and for everything else she had very little competion. It's amazing that someone who sang Gioconda so well could sing this at all. Or is it amazing that someone who sang this so well could sing Gioconda at all?
RobNYNY1957 2 years ago 5
wow, this is really gorgeous......
jtdendy 2 years ago 2
Truly a masterful interpretation--and rhe aria was not in her fache. I am convinced that if she had stayed with it, she would have gone down as one of the greatest of all Wagnerian hochsopranos. And her work with the Bach Aria Group was incomparable.
jrtrmish 2 years ago 2
wow... never heard such a nice version so far. Perfect diction as well. Hard to believe she's not French or was she?
kigomin 2 years ago 2
No. She was American and what she sang on her early radio programs would suggest she was Irish-American.
SheHadManHands 2 years ago
This is wonderful. Where are the voices of today that can sing like this?...No where!
My first opera recording was of Miss Farrell. I guess I'm spoiled
AGM1951 2 years ago 3
One of the best voices and artist ever existed.
joanabanyeres 2 years ago 2
God...now THIS is music
fpngan 2 years ago 2
Eileen Farrell.. it doesn't get better than this, period.
guirlandes3 2 years ago 2
I used to think Price had the best version but now I think it's Farrell: Thank you-She was severely underused and under recorded.
rodlarocque 2 years ago 3
...so underused and under recorded that this poor european opera lover had never even heard of her until You Tube put that to rights. She is in that catagory of singer who's work cries out for wider recognition and appreciation in the 21C.
This offering of "Depuis le jour "is up with the very best.
pjdonagh 2 years ago 3
@pjdonagh - I was going to write for 99% the same, what you already wrote!! Goodness me, what a voice, what a breathcontrol, and I feel ashamed I only knew her name, but hardly knew so far what she achieved. So, there is work for me to do! Searching for more and buying records. Thanks for informing us. Its not the 1st time (and the last!) I discover singers after their death....
jcriedijk 2 years ago
@pjdonagh I agree with you. I think the High Brow snobs (ie Bing) didn't give her enough chances to shine here--very stupid. They had a shining treasure right here in America with Ms. Farrell--powerful, ringing , golden voice--instantly appealing.
windstorm1000 9 months ago
@windstorm1000 I always liked Farrell, yet I always found it unfair when shde complained (as she did often, loudly, and in public) that she was badly treated at the MET, because it just ain't so.She got plenty of chances, but Bing wanted to promote her more in the German Rep. and she wanted to do the Italian, for which Bing preferred Tebaldi, Price, Tucci, Freni, et.al.
assindiastignani 4 months ago
What a fabulous singer! I loved her voice dearly.
benderpm 2 years ago 4
One does not normally associate her with arias such as this, but WOW! Out of the park, a home run!
meinfb 2 years ago 4
Being a fellow Staten Islander, Farrell was classical artist I ever heard. She was a favorite of Berstein.
It seems like she could sing anything!
Houndentenor1998 2 years ago
oh wow!! thank you for posting this.
I wonder if part of her downturn wasn't simply a change of fashion in singing. But I went back to her Puccini recordings last night and was blown away by the sterling interpretations. Thank goodness we do have what we do have of her recordings, including even the late pop stuff.
suffisance 2 years ago 3
An impeccable artist. Under utilized by the Met. How sad for all of us;
Beautiful free soprano;
rodlarocque 2 years ago 2
Thanks for posting this! Fabulous orchestra, too.
In1breath 2 years ago
I can only echo some of the other comments. It's extraordinary to hear her huge voice in this ethereal (and difficult to sing) aria. I was so fortunate to live in Manhattan in the 1950s and see Farrell and Steber (and other wonderful singers).
marlyharris 2 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous singing.
MrCafiero 2 years ago 4
An absolutely beautiful clip. Eileen would have been about 34 years of age at the time of this recording. Nearly all of her studio recordings came much later after her voice had become more dramatic in size. At the time of her career, it was not very fashionable to be "an American Soprano," when now several of the best in the world are U.S. Opera singers at that time were largely imports from Europe and the Met. missed out, as did many other concert halls and opera houses. Beautiful voice!!
jimhandel 3 years ago
My voice teacher use to say that her drama was to have a career at the same time Callas had hers.
One of the most beautiful voice, singer and artist of her time.
Thanks for posting.
freespiritQC 3 years ago
I think your teacher is right!
;)
jean1938 3 years ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting: this is sheer joy! She controls that massive voice immaculately, her sound is so free and easily produced, the range of dynamic. Heaven! I had no idea she recorded this aria as I associate her with the more dramatic repertoire. You are incredibly generous and a true lover of music--thanks again for posting this.
dolcefico 3 years ago
Love her. I still remember an appearance she made on Mike Douglas where he was asking her if she ever sang lullabies for her kids and she mentioned that if she did she would wake the neighborhood. Then she sang Brahms Lullaby and it was just shimmering over the airwaves. Gorgeous! Fantastic voice.
rhomp2002 2 years ago
come on eileen! what an artist:-)
SMMHELDENTENOR 3 years ago
Eileen Farrell was an American Treasure. To Bing's eternal shame, he never re-engaged her after the old Met closed. She remains amongst the greats, though, through her outstanding recorded legacy. And give a listen sometime to her pop/jazz. She always gives the impression that she is LOVING the music, regardless of the genre. Thanks for the post, and Brava Eileen!
RVP57 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
In Bing's defense, Farrell's operatic voice fell apart toward the end. I saw her in Recital and in "La Forza". She had trouble gulping in enough air to support that huge voice through high phrases, and her top notes (B and Bb) were precarious. She continued singing pop wonderfully until age 75.
raythespian 3 years ago
Nonsense. I heard her sing the 2nd act of Tristan with the Boston Symphony in the early 70's and she had no trouble whatsoever with that big beautiful voice. However, I will give Bing the benefit of the doubt because as much as I love Ms. Farrell there is no question that she could be as much of a difficult diva as any other soprano and the truth is the reason she didn't have a bigger career was because of the choices she made. We may agree or disagree with those choices, but they were hers.
lasjfohe 2 years ago
Bing also made the stupid error of losing both Melchior and eventually Traubel, both of whom could have sung for another ten years, and in fact did.
orovalleydude 2 years ago 3
He also fired Maria Callas and Robert Merrill; he forgave Merrill, fortunately. What an ass he could be!
billyguns2 2 years ago
Farrell was terrific. She sang a few times at the Met and had a fight with Rudolph Bing about repertory and there went her career She had her own radio show in the late 40's, sang jazz, pop (all in her albums), and was the voice of Marjorie Lawrence in that film bio of the Australian diva. Farrell, in person, was a charming performer (I caught a few of her concerts) and knew how to wow the audience.
paultineg 3 years ago 2
it is wonderful to hear such a huge voice used with such immaculate control and artistry. Why ever was she not fully appreciated world-wide alongside the "chosen recorded" few? We barely knew about her in England.
CharlotteinWeimar 3 years ago 3
I believe you are quite right. What a tragedy!
sebreathnach 3 years ago
Kudos to all that made this posting possible,and to dear James that sent it to me. This goes directly to my favourites-as soon as I can make a place for it. My first loves in opera were recordings with Tucker and Farrell-way back in the late fifties. Bravo,and thank you all for allowing me to share this treasure.
paulostroff99 3 years ago
Непостижимое исполнение.
EvaHartwig 3 years ago
One of the very greatest soprano voices, and that's saying something. I heard her, along with Jan Peerce and the Bach Aria group, back in the early 60's, and I have seldom heard such pure, thrilling vocalism. A perfectly produced voice, of immense power, which she could scale down at will, to the point that it was perfect for a Bach cantata. A wonderful singer (and a first-class character :) Thanks for this!
stefakamelpash 3 years ago 2
also DOROTHY MAYNARD
stingabe 3 years ago
Leontyne Price, Eleanore Steber and Eileen Farrell are the "best" that I have heard singing this aria.
benderpm 3 years ago 2
I agree, Steber is fantastic. Listen to Dorothy Kirsten's as well!
SheHadManHands 3 years ago
And what of Grace Moore?
sebreathnach 3 years ago
Well of course... Miss Moore was coached for this role by Charpentier himself. She's a personal favorite of mine. Another great version of this aria is by Mary Garden recorded in 1926, already posted elsewhere on YouTube.
SheHadManHands 3 years ago
They are all so wonderful, really, aren't they? Cheers and good listening!
sebreathnach 3 years ago
@SheHadManHands Have you heard the beautiful recording, circa 1926, of Depuis le jour by Edith Mason? Exquisite.
stan724 1 year ago 2
@stan724 I was just going to add that! Mason didn't get the phonographic exposure she deserved... I really have to nominate it as the best version of this -- in spite of all the other incredible versions such as this one by the beloved Farrell and not forgetting everyone from Garden and Gluck onward...
Randidan 5 months ago
What an exquisite voice and her breath control was amazing. Many thanks for this post!!!
grandeopera 3 years ago 2
Wow...this is sublime! Would have never guessed this was part of her rep. Nice to hear her lighter side as well...A great singer...one of the the greatest!
Operafiend22 3 years ago 2
Eileen Farrell singing Depuis...WHO KNEW ! She really scales her voice down for this aria.
goldenthroat86 3 years ago 2
C'est énorme!!! Parfois il y a des gens qui savent chanter, et à peu près tout chanter. Elle sait. Quelle classe! Wow, bravo... et dire qu'on est en train d'écouter une first class isolde... chapeau l'artiste!
wotansings 3 years ago 2
One of my favorite singers - this is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much for posting it. (boisterous cheering and applause!)
jkircher314 3 years ago
Thank you for posting this! I'm a huge Farrell fan but I have never heard this before. I was actually surprised at how beautiful it is, although I don't know why I should have been. I thought her voice would be too heavy, but she makes it seem just right. Wagner, Gershwin, and everything in between. And it was live!!!
Ruffiello 3 years ago 2
Apparently she thought this was the most beautiful aria and this was the first time she ever performed/recorded it. Donald Voorhees said he had trouble convincing her that her voice suited the aria and I don't know if she performed or recorded it again after this.
SheHadManHands 3 years ago
Interesting. She was very successful, in my opinion. It's now one of my favorite recordings of the piece. I don't think she ever recorded it, at least not commercially. In her biography, she states how much she loved French music. Thanks so much for sharing. I wish they would reissue more of her recordings on CD.
Ruffiello 3 years ago 2
@SheHadManHands She sings as though she believes it is "the most beautiful aria"; and in her hands - it is! If she never recorded it,, we are very fortunate to have this version.
skatesindreams 1 year ago
Oh, My God. So lovely and beautifully sung by this great singer..........
benderpm 3 years ago 3
Very nice
Onegin65 3 years ago