Don't forget his wonderful rendition of Byrd's "Domine Secundum Actum Meum", a rare and wonderful Tudor motet, on the "Elizabeth" soundtrack. It's there as "Night of the Long Knives"....
While I respect anyone's right to watch David's videos, why does the same negative comments come from the same few on just about all of his videos? Why waste your time, watch something else more to your liking and leave David to us d.hobophiles who can't get enough of his voice.
Whoever sings this aria would automatically put him/herself under microscope to be analyzed and compared with all the great versions out there. David Hobson had a pleasant voice then but the singing was mediocre, even sloppy at times. There was not much baroque style in his singing, just bland and boring!
I too prefer female singers. The role of Serse was written originally for Caffarelli, an Italian mezzo soprano castrato. In modern times this pants role is notably sung by female voices. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson version is even more beautiful.
In Wikipedia defined as: "a castrato is a male soprano, mezzo-soprano, or alto voice produced either by castration of the singer before puberty or one who, because of an endocrinological condition, never reaches sexual maturity."
Castrati - either soprano or contralto, but never mezzo or alto - should be discussed in the past tense, the last one died nearly a century ago, although the voice-type became mercifully unfashionable in the later 18th century, and the French never tolerated it at all! Their preferred male singers were very masculine haute-contre tenors, of which Hobson is a present-day example.
The definition is quoted directly from Wikipedia. Caffareli (Gaetano Majorano 1716-1783) for whom Handel wrote the role for is indeed described in a number of books as an Italian mezzo-soprano castrato. The role of Serse today is often sung by mezzo sopranos (a pants role). There are also some excellent tenor renditions of "Ombra" on YouTube eg. Wunderlich, Daniels and Scholl. All of whom sing it better than Hobson IMO.
FYI Paolo Abel do Nascimento (1957-1992)is heard on YouTube singing part of the aria-and not badly too!Don't know how his condition came about, but I'm pretty sure he didn't submit to emasculization just to sing"pretty"
Thank you for the explanation. I assumed that mezzo sopranos were always women, therefore a castrati mezzo soprano was an impossibility, hence my query.
Coolock Bel Canto (my campus's chior) sang this at the competitions, and although I am a huge Hobson fan, I think it needs a more feminine touch. He sings it beautifully though.
So we were told by an earlier poster, but each to his own taste. I also have Renata Tebaldi singing this - among more than a dozen other interpretations - but I'd rather hear it sung by a man, and my preference will always be Hobson's version.
I remember videos of J'ai perdu mon Eurydice (French & Italian Arias)and Silent Worship (Handel Arias) - they were quite beautiful and I'd love to see them again.
I see, so this is david hobson's legit voice? It is absolutely beautiful, it sounds so not operatic though from all the other opera singers Ive heard.
Yes,this is Hobson's legit voice - recorded in late 2001 - and he sounds different to most opera tenors because technically he's a rare haute-contre, the highest of true, lyric tenors (countertenors don't qualify)!
His most recently released CD, The Exquisite Hour (French Art Songs) is also outstanding, particularly the track À Chloris (Hahn) which is sublime.
I think thats the best legit voice I've heard. Most of the other operatic tenors are really annoying. In female voices I tend to like coloratura just because they're really clear. I don't like cloudy voices like they're swallowing their larynx or something.
National Public Radio (NPR) reaches an audience of 26 million Americans across a network of 800 Public Radio Stations in the US.
More to the point, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's extraordinary performance of this Handel aria which you can hear on Amazon. Lieberson is widely considered as one of world's greatest classical singer in living memory. During her distinguished career she won many international awards . Her classical discography speaks for herself. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson died last year.
Yes, I knew of her passing, although it wasn't until she was scheduled to sing Orfeo at The Met that I'd heard of her. La Fleming and Upshaw get a fair bit of airplay here but Hunt Lieberson very little, so when I heard a tribute track last year I thought what a loss she was to opera. Like Ferrier, she'll be long remembered for her beautiful voice and untimely death.
Loyal to Hobson I still think his version is outstanding (you should hear the rest of the album) but I'll check HL at Amazon.
Listen to Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's rendition of Ombra mai fu on Amazon. It's absolutely exquisite and far superior in comparison. Hunt's version was also voted one of the top 10 songs by NPR.
This CD was nominated for the 2003 Handel Society International Recording Prize, as well as the 2002 Australian Recording Industry Awards (ARIA) for Best Classical Album. It was #18 on the ARIA Top 20 Classical Chart for that year (with the likes of Groban, Watson, Brightman, Bocelli and Callas - a compilation) and even managed to invade the Australasian Popular Albums Chart for several weeks, reaching #9 on the Top 20 list!
Wonderful!
EROSGODOFGAYS 1 year ago
Lisa Gerrard's male counterpart... sure sounds similar
dangmills 1 year ago
he didn't consider the piece at all.. is he thinking anything while he sings? i don't like it..
semme01 1 year ago
@semme01 I agree, the piece is about Xerxes appreciating his tree, I keep seeing fade ins of fire for christ sake.
muzman52 1 year ago
Don't forget his wonderful rendition of Byrd's "Domine Secundum Actum Meum", a rare and wonderful Tudor motet, on the "Elizabeth" soundtrack. It's there as "Night of the Long Knives"....
contessa670 1 year ago
Vow! And goodlooking, too...
kocsogarc 1 year ago
What a unique voice! I love the slight quiver in his voice. And loved how he adapted a basically dramatic voice to a Baroque aria. I'm a new fan!
stryker704 2 years ago 5
awesome
Octavin2 2 years ago 3
I fell in Love with David when hesang in La Bohemeand still love his singing.
smeggy3 2 years ago 3
i really liked your interpretation. i like singing this song, but, I just can't sound like you. That was great!
brianusamd 2 years ago 2
gross set: pure kitsh... but very impressive voice!
kaibzolis 3 years ago 4
Ma chi è 'sto qui?Mah...
gunaali 3 years ago
I admire David, not just for his singing but his happy disposition. I much prefer Fritz Wunderlich singing this piece though.
saens8 3 years ago 3
ich finde die Stimme und diese Version gut-manche Kommentare hier sind einfach unpassend
dinadalai 3 years ago
Don't those eyes just rip into your soul.
versatile0268 3 years ago
While I respect anyone's right to watch David's videos, why does the same negative comments come from the same few on just about all of his videos? Why waste your time, watch something else more to your liking and leave David to us d.hobophiles who can't get enough of his voice.
versatile0268 3 years ago 4
I think he's ok. Not very great but I am getting the feel he's enjoying and understanding the piece.
SeanMinn 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The worst rendition of ombra mai fu on the tube!
georgibear 3 years ago
OK, whatever pal. I have no idea what you said then and no I'm not his teacher!
pinksugar624 4 years ago
Whoever sings this aria would automatically put him/herself under microscope to be analyzed and compared with all the great versions out there. David Hobson had a pleasant voice then but the singing was mediocre, even sloppy at times. There was not much baroque style in his singing, just bland and boring!
freda1995 4 years ago
I totally agree.
dropover 3 years ago
I don't get it, your marking all the nice comments negative and all the horrible comments positive, I think he has a beautiful voice! =]
pinksugar624 4 years ago
Hobson sucks. He has a voice like Mickey Mouse.
Ragnaroekk 4 years ago
How boring can this guy be?!?! He has a pleasant voice but it's so dead pan.
bizou99 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
A beatiful aria for a georgeos performer. I can listen to David singing all day.
hobsonite1 4 years ago
What a beautiful voice.
ashbyjay 4 years ago
My equal favourite version of my absolute favourite song. Beautiful singing. I like Andreas Scholl's version too.
treble32 4 years ago
beautifull ...
porem com sotaque carregado !!!!
darktv 4 years ago
Yawn...
nimby909 4 years ago
I too prefer female singers. The role of Serse was written originally for Caffarelli, an Italian mezzo soprano castrato. In modern times this pants role is notably sung by female voices. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson version is even more beautiful.
2beeb2 4 years ago
Would you care to explain 'mezzo soprano castrato'?
becoblue 4 years ago
In Wikipedia defined as: "a castrato is a male soprano, mezzo-soprano, or alto voice produced either by castration of the singer before puberty or one who, because of an endocrinological condition, never reaches sexual maturity."
2beeb2 4 years ago
Castrati - either soprano or contralto, but never mezzo or alto - should be discussed in the past tense, the last one died nearly a century ago, although the voice-type became mercifully unfashionable in the later 18th century, and the French never tolerated it at all! Their preferred male singers were very masculine haute-contre tenors, of which Hobson is a present-day example.
jan2602 4 years ago
The definition is quoted directly from Wikipedia. Caffareli (Gaetano Majorano 1716-1783) for whom Handel wrote the role for is indeed described in a number of books as an Italian mezzo-soprano castrato. The role of Serse today is often sung by mezzo sopranos (a pants role). There are also some excellent tenor renditions of "Ombra" on YouTube eg. Wunderlich, Daniels and Scholl. All of whom sing it better than Hobson IMO.
2beeb2 4 years ago 3
hello Jan. This is magic to see David singing this wonderful aria. His voice is perfect.
Joan8835 4 years ago
FYI Paolo Abel do Nascimento (1957-1992)is heard on YouTube singing part of the aria-and not badly too!Don't know how his condition came about, but I'm pretty sure he didn't submit to emasculization just to sing"pretty"
vickersman 4 years ago
Thank you for the explanation. I assumed that mezzo sopranos were always women, therefore a castrati mezzo soprano was an impossibility, hence my query.
becoblue 4 years ago
Coolock Bel Canto (my campus's chior) sang this at the competitions, and although I am a huge Hobson fan, I think it needs a more feminine touch. He sings it beautifully though.
Eruadhiel 4 years ago 2
Good but not as good as Lorraine Hunt Lieberson' beautiful recording of the same on Amazon.
MILAUST 4 years ago
So we were told by an earlier poster, but each to his own taste. I also have Renata Tebaldi singing this - among more than a dozen other interpretations - but I'd rather hear it sung by a man, and my preference will always be Hobson's version.
jan2602 4 years ago
I remember videos of J'ai perdu mon Eurydice (French & Italian Arias)and Silent Worship (Handel Arias) - they were quite beautiful and I'd love to see them again.
jan2602 4 years ago
Beautiful. Thanks for the post. One of my favourite CDs. Any chance of a video version of En fermant les yeux...from the French and Italian album? :)
dawnie009 4 years ago 2
Sorry a video of that track was never made. There are 2 other legit David Hobson clips on YouTube - Moon River and Nella Fantasia - enjoy!
ABCClassics 4 years ago
Was this song from an opera? Its amazingly beautiful.
orca1142 4 years ago
From 'Xerxes' (or 'Serse') by Handel - one of his Italian works - written in 1737.
jan2602 4 years ago
I see, so this is david hobson's legit voice? It is absolutely beautiful, it sounds so not operatic though from all the other opera singers Ive heard.
orca1142 4 years ago 2
Yes,this is Hobson's legit voice - recorded in late 2001 - and he sounds different to most opera tenors because technically he's a rare haute-contre, the highest of true, lyric tenors (countertenors don't qualify)!
His most recently released CD, The Exquisite Hour (French Art Songs) is also outstanding, particularly the track À Chloris (Hahn) which is sublime.
jan2602 4 years ago 2
I think thats the best legit voice I've heard. Most of the other operatic tenors are really annoying. In female voices I tend to like coloratura just because they're really clear. I don't like cloudy voices like they're swallowing their larynx or something.
orca1142 4 years ago
National Public Radio (NPR) reaches an audience of 26 million Americans across a network of 800 Public Radio Stations in the US.
More to the point, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's extraordinary performance of this Handel aria which you can hear on Amazon. Lieberson is widely considered as one of world's greatest classical singer in living memory. During her distinguished career she won many international awards . Her classical discography speaks for herself. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson died last year.
opau1 4 years ago
Yes, I knew of her passing, although it wasn't until she was scheduled to sing Orfeo at The Met that I'd heard of her. La Fleming and Upshaw get a fair bit of airplay here but Hunt Lieberson very little, so when I heard a tribute track last year I thought what a loss she was to opera. Like Ferrier, she'll be long remembered for her beautiful voice and untimely death.
Loyal to Hobson I still think his version is outstanding (you should hear the rest of the album) but I'll check HL at Amazon.
jan2602 4 years ago
Listen to Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's rendition of Ombra mai fu on Amazon. It's absolutely exquisite and far superior in comparison. Hunt's version was also voted one of the top 10 songs by NPR.
opau1 4 years ago
NPR - please explain?
This CD was nominated for the 2003 Handel Society International Recording Prize, as well as the 2002 Australian Recording Industry Awards (ARIA) for Best Classical Album. It was #18 on the ARIA Top 20 Classical Chart for that year (with the likes of Groban, Watson, Brightman, Bocelli and Callas - a compilation) and even managed to invade the Australasian Popular Albums Chart for several weeks, reaching #9 on the Top 20 list!
jan2602 4 years ago
One of my absolute favourites.
becoblue 4 years ago
Too beautiful for words!
jan2602 4 years ago