Valerie Masterson - Piangero La Sorte Mia Giulio Cesare

[TGTSTS]

Vocally, she performs this well. However, she breathes in unnatural places and her face looks like she's just had botox. Of course, it doesn't help that this is a supremely awful translation - one that takes the heartbreak and sorrow out of the original text, as well as the rage of the B section. She looks slightly crazed during the B section, where it should be more passion-filled. However, she sings quite delicately and she has a wonderful Baroque style.

[heula1]

This sounds awful in English. There's a reason why we perform operas in their original language.

[iJenny1010]

@heula1 I COMPLETELY agree!! The Italian language that it was written in was actually meant to be! Besides, her interpretation is horrible. The A section of this aria is sad, the B section is demanding. She seems like she is more worried about singing beautiful than portraying expression to the audience. I think she honestly doesn't really understand what she is singing about, that's why she's singing it in English. She is a pretty good singer though, she obviously understands what legato is.

[asx5252]

although the english is super annoying, I have yet to find anyone who captures the style of the role as well.

[MastersoftheOpera]

I love Valerie's interpretation. She's English, so that works for Baroque music by Handel, who lived & worked in London. Her voice is gorgeous and her technique is solid. But I also love American soprano Beverly Sills singing this same role.

[MrOperadirector]

This is how to sing.

[TFreckle]

She truly is a master.

And even through this complicated text, which also happens to be a horrible translation, she does it better than many others!

[rlee1976]

I friggin hate ENO translations!

[doubtletreble]

The English translation utilizes closed vowels in really difficult places, but Masterson handles them so beautifully...

"breathe..", "cease"...

I am so impressed!!

[KEAHUGHES]

I am learning this in Italian. She is taking far more breaths/breaks. I have been asked by my teacher to sing through.

[Kdawg080786]

Listen to your teacher, it is much more expressive when you sing through! And this as with most english translations are not nearly as beautiful. They usually set the highest notes on the most inconvenient vowels or at least the most shrill sounding ones. You should try and find a recording of Kathleen Battle doing this, some people are not big fans of her personality but she is quite good at this aria!

[KEAHUGHES]

I've listened to it again and there are breaths in such unnecessary places! However, I've attached my practice of this piece... ha ha! comment if you like and give me a star or two..

[nicosupersex]

yeah!!!!!!! sing it in italian, you can only listen to this english version because her singing is more than perfect, but the original setting is in italian, so it should be sung in that language

[ode13you]

agree

[bejun]

great, and aren't you interested in the dvd? jejeje

[jorojoroviolinistico]

i am. how can i buy it?????

[escaelis]

More Valerie!!! She is the best!

After these videos I bought the CD!!!!

[hillevifan]

Could you please post Sesto's aria "svegliatevi nel core" (and the recitative that precedes it?)