@dontwanto On the contrary, I think a baritone is perfect. The tenor usually "gets the girl" so this piece is perfect for the lower class, poor sap (like Antonio the gardener from Le Nozze di Figaro) that loves a beauty from afar. Listen to the text carefully.
(Then again, I'm not too picky. I could listen to this gentlemen singing a telephone directory. Judging by the wonderful array of Sir Tom rarities you've posted so far, you probably DO have a clip of him singing a telephone directory, but that's another matter altogether ;))
Well, I've never thought of Allen's voice as dark but it does sounds a bit darker than usual in this recording.
Exquisite as the aria may be, it was not originally assigned to a tenor but to a castrato :D. But it became very popular outside the opera and has been sung by various voices, including tenors (in moder performances of Tolomeo you'll find it sung by a mezzo or a countertenor)
Goodness...I've loved this song since I saw the film 'Emma' but never knew the title of it nor the composer. How surprising then to hear it sung wonderfully here by Thomas Allen!
Actually, it's from Handel's opera Tolomeo (look for the aria "Non lo diro" on Youtube). Check also "Did you not hear my lady" - there's a nice video (from 2006 Robin Hood) with this song sung by Aled Jones
That is the commonly repeated story - but actually it isn't true. The tune is Handel's, his tenor aria 'Non lo dirò col labbro' from Tolomeo. But his libretto is different, and in Italian.
Arthur Somervell the tune to new words as 'Silent Worship'.
What a great artist and fine human being. In a word inspirational
expatmartin 2 months ago
Oh.my God, what powerful, and beautiful voice!
achantus1 7 months ago
How curious and yet how beautifully apt as id this lovely work, singing of a silent worship.
rupepill 9 months ago
The more I've heard this, the more I must say: A glorious moment! There is just too few clips of the legendary Thomas Allen and Handel.
achantus1 11 months ago
@achantus1 I agree! I wish he'd sung more Handel in his career (and baroque music in general)
interpreterr 10 months ago
thank you for posting this. It's lovely.
Paddiemae 1 year ago
This is superb
harryfaber 1 year ago
@harryfaber Great minds think alike? :-)
interpreterr 1 year ago
@interpreterr Or we could have watched X factor and Jeremy Kyle all day.
harryfaber 1 year ago
@harryfaber No thanks in this case:)
interpreterr 1 year ago
Wonderful voice, soooo sonorous :)
WJCairns 1 year ago
@WJCairns Well, I won't argue with that -:)
interpreterr 1 year ago
Nicely done, but I believe this piece sounds better when sung by a tenor. McKellar's version is my favorite. Absolutely perfect! :)
dontwanto 1 year ago
@dontwanto On the contrary, I think a baritone is perfect. The tenor usually "gets the girl" so this piece is perfect for the lower class, poor sap (like Antonio the gardener from Le Nozze di Figaro) that loves a beauty from afar. Listen to the text carefully.
uniqueattack 1 year ago 3
This is sooo beautiful - thank you! *crying*
LilliVanessi 2 years ago
You're welcome!
interpreterr 2 years ago
OMG!!!! (dies)
drtmuir 2 years ago
Ambulance! Ambulance!
interpreterr 2 years ago
I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW. Someone bring the smelling salts.
antmusique 2 years ago
@antmusique Would a piano -accompanied version of the piece with the same gentleman singing do?
:-)))
interpreterr 2 years ago
Yes please! :)
(Then again, I'm not too picky. I could listen to this gentlemen singing a telephone directory. Judging by the wonderful array of Sir Tom rarities you've posted so far, you probably DO have a clip of him singing a telephone directory, but that's another matter altogether ;))
antmusique 2 years ago 2
Alas, I don't have a recording of him singing a telephone directory, but if I do get it, I'll let you know...
interpreterr 2 years ago
fantastic!
Snowss 2 years ago
Well, I've never thought of Allen's voice as dark but it does sounds a bit darker than usual in this recording.
Exquisite as the aria may be, it was not originally assigned to a tenor but to a castrato :D. But it became very popular outside the opera and has been sung by various voices, including tenors (in moder performances of Tolomeo you'll find it sung by a mezzo or a countertenor)
interpreterr 2 years ago
I find the timbre of Thomas Allen's fine baritone voice a bit dark for this exquisite aria. In the opera is it not assigned to the tenor register?
MrTalayHo 2 years ago
Goodness...I've loved this song since I saw the film 'Emma' but never knew the title of it nor the composer. How surprising then to hear it sung wonderfully here by Thomas Allen!
schweitzer006325 2 years ago
Actually, it's from Handel's opera Tolomeo (look for the aria "Non lo diro" on Youtube). Check also "Did you not hear my lady" - there's a nice video (from 2006 Robin Hood) with this song sung by Aled Jones
interpreterr 2 years ago
That is the commonly repeated story - but actually it isn't true. The tune is Handel's, his tenor aria 'Non lo dirò col labbro' from Tolomeo. But his libretto is different, and in Italian.
Arthur Somervell the tune to new words as 'Silent Worship'.
royalcourtier 2 years ago
@schweitzer006325
Certainly a treat to have the song passed on from mr Churchill to someone singing more like mr Knightley :-)
1cbabc1 2 years ago
Thanks for the info about the concert. Yes, I know he also sang "Libera me" - what a strange programme!
interpreterr 2 years ago
Interpreterr, I believe this is from 1982, at St David's Hall. The orchestra is the BBC National Orchestra and the conductor is Owain Arwel Hughes.
Apart from the Otello aria you posted, he also sang "Libera me" from Gabriel Fauré's Requiem.
antmusique 2 years ago