What a gorgeous piece, performer and performance! Fleming is truly astounding. I recently performed this in California at the 2011 OperaWorks Emerging Artist program. I am a baritone and performed the piece from the perspective of Sullivan Ballou. Visit my page to check it out!
The spoken version of this speech on KCTS's "Civil War" program was absolutely heart-breaking. I don't mean to sound sexist, but I don't think this letter was meant to be spoken by a woman. Still, she does do a good job.
@HK271 The way I look at it, she is the wife reading the letter - that's what makes it more heart-breaking, to think that she didn't actually read this before he died.
This piece is absolutely stunning and Renne Fleming does a magnificent job performing it! I heard this piece performed live in a senior recital recently and, so far, this is the only piece to ever make me cry in a live performance!!! Thank you so much for posting this great performance!!!
I was at Carnegie Hall when Miss Fleming sang this song during the first M. Horne's Foundation concert. She was not very famous then. When she finished, there was a "frisson" with the whole audience holding their breath. After a few seconds, she brought the house down, a truly magical moment. I venture to say that it must have been a turning moment for the singer as well. It certainly was for everybody else in the hall that day.A CD of the concert (no longer available)edited out the moment.
Lung doc, you are ABSOLUTELY right! My wife and I were in the front row that FREEZING Jan. day. Renee was SO nervous she was shaking as she got up to sing this. At the end we were spellbound! Thanks for the memory!
@lungdoc I was there too, and, as far as I'm concerned, this piece was the most touching and most beautifully sung selection on the program. It was in 1993 and I remember wondering who is this fabulous singer?
This is one of the most moving songs I've ever heard, and sung so beautifully! The repeated text at the end is heart-rending and so sad, especially knowing the writer's fate.
The 3 people who clicked 'thumbs down' to this have no soul.
ellethelvanui 5 months ago
What a gorgeous piece, performer and performance! Fleming is truly astounding. I recently performed this in California at the 2011 OperaWorks Emerging Artist program. I am a baritone and performed the piece from the perspective of Sullivan Ballou. Visit my page to check it out!
Zeus1028 6 months ago
I think the letter is the most beautiful love letter I have ever heard . But this is just dreadful I hate it just dreadful
5050zulu1 1 year ago
Comment removed
5050zulu1 1 year ago
Oh I love this piece!! I saw her perform this in Mississippi. I cried!
MissJennySmiles 1 year ago
Singing this at my senior recital in the spring! Can't wait!!
Zeus1028 1 year ago
Does anyone know where one could find sheet music for this piece?
Stunning.
mintykangaroo 2 years ago
The spoken version of this speech on KCTS's "Civil War" program was absolutely heart-breaking. I don't mean to sound sexist, but I don't think this letter was meant to be spoken by a woman. Still, she does do a good job.
HK271 2 years ago
@HK271 The way I look at it, she is the wife reading the letter - that's what makes it more heart-breaking, to think that she didn't actually read this before he died.
opmaus 1 year ago 8
moved to tears... it is truly wonderful
ashleylynnjoan 2 years ago
what an incredibly rare and deeply moving Document... Seems that Art is a Universe without an End
LohengrinT 2 years ago
This piece is absolutely stunning and Renne Fleming does a magnificent job performing it! I heard this piece performed live in a senior recital recently and, so far, this is the only piece to ever make me cry in a live performance!!! Thank you so much for posting this great performance!!!
ju5t4n0w 2 years ago
I thank God every day to have created this person....
Singinganneke 3 years ago 10
Does anyone know where I can get a recording of this?
lewisbic229 3 years ago
I would love to know where you got this recording so I could get it!!! I am studying this piece for my senior recital this June.
whittysingasong 3 years ago
I believe it's available on a CD from Marilyn Horne's birthday celebration at Carnegie Hall -- was it her 70th?
roseolla 3 years ago
@roseolla It was Marilyn Horne's 60th birthday; I still remember it.
meltzerboy 1 year ago
I was at Carnegie Hall when Miss Fleming sang this song during the first M. Horne's Foundation concert. She was not very famous then. When she finished, there was a "frisson" with the whole audience holding their breath. After a few seconds, she brought the house down, a truly magical moment. I venture to say that it must have been a turning moment for the singer as well. It certainly was for everybody else in the hall that day.A CD of the concert (no longer available)edited out the moment.
lungdoc 3 years ago
Lung doc, you are ABSOLUTELY right! My wife and I were in the front row that FREEZING Jan. day. Renee was SO nervous she was shaking as she got up to sing this. At the end we were spellbound! Thanks for the memory!
pmdane 2 years ago
Thanks for your comment. As far as I am concerned, that moment should become part of Carnegie Hall legend.
lungdoc 2 years ago
@pmdane Thanks for your comments.
lungdoc 1 year ago
@lungdoc I was there too, and, as far as I'm concerned, this piece was the most touching and most beautifully sung selection on the program. It was in 1993 and I remember wondering who is this fabulous singer?
meltzerboy 1 year ago
@meltzerboy Correction: it was performed in 1994.
meltzerboy 1 year ago
This is one of the most moving songs I've ever heard, and sung so beautifully! The repeated text at the end is heart-rending and so sad, especially knowing the writer's fate.
opmaus 3 years ago 2
Saw this live with at the Boca Raton Arts Festival the love of my life...we wept...
jimbograz 3 years ago
enthralling.
kommhoffnung 3 years ago
so glad somebody finally put this up. Stunning--
plmbx 4 years ago
so great...........
moniquetb 4 years ago
simply beautiful!
elyk1986 4 years ago