M. Kožená - Handel "Oh! had I Jubal's Lyre" (LIVE)

[presbyterosBassI]

She does look pretty ticked off.

[fernylein]

nice voice --- but i don't hear/feel/see any "joy" in her voice and facial expression. It would have been better if she turn her back to the audience, then at least her wiggling movement would have the meaning of happiness :D ... as for her facial gymnastics, i think she should improve it and learn more from Cecilia Bartoli :D

[tritonusgesang]

RESPEKT! - Eine wunderschöne, gelungene Interpretation! - Bravo!

[suzanneetmoi]

She always has a lovely voice but there are so many ingrained bad habits that simply can not be overlooked when singing Handel. The tendency to let body movements drive the voice is distracting and this is a prime example of "What not to do"....

[mamp71]

How is the conductor? Salman Rushdie?

[MissJessyeNorman]

She is bobbing around like crazy because she doesn't have technical control of the piece. The sound keeps falling back and becoming breathy. Because the sound isn't centered she can't move it with ease, it doesn't ring beautifully, it's all at one dynamic level and she doesn't have the freedom to emote. I would've waited to perform it until it had settled. I don't know her singing otherwise, so I can't say whether she is a good singer. What I can say is watch Caballe to see how it's done!

[Rumpelstiltskinsky]

@MissJessyeNorman Jeez..if only she had you as her teacher, she might be even more celebrated / recognised.

[Agi1969]

@MissJessyeNorman Hi There, I really like your comment, it sounds like you know what you're talking about! I would like to have some advice how to sing those difficult parts, how to train myself, what exercises to do to develop better control and what to take care of. I am no spring chicken and started singing only a year and a half ago seriously.

[MsOhayoOhio]

she's wiggling too much!

[Paddy818]

Disappointing! Only heard her and excited to see her but very disappointed in the visible technique! Too many external distractions. It's ashame really, it's a turn off.

[kokoleese]

We sang this in Choir

[torstvillinger]

Sir(s): If I may, at this Date and Time, state here how this Veritable Dame of Fine Music lends the Inspiration to seek for Jubal's Lyre and to find It. I believe It is such a very good thing also. Thank you. Have a Nice Day. Godspeed.

[sion7111]

I think Kozena is one of the best, but this performance is not so good . Those who see this video must see Raya Gonen version. She really "rejoice" in the piece and her performance is delightful.

[iloneens]

I think, brilliant :)

[lmsubramaniam]

I think she is better listened to than watched? so much movement going on...

[CountertenorJ]

That is probably the most dreadfully deadpan face on the word "Rejoice" I've ever seen. If one cannot add the inflection and meaning behind the text due to wanting to sing it at an "unactable" tempo, I'd rather just hear an instrument without words. :-/

[shindereen]

her gesture is HORRIBLE!!!! O.o

[wtchcorvuspixie]

I am a current student in voice, and the visual is why you attend a live performance. anyone can buy a recording that has been edited and you don't have to look at someone. it is the performance, not just the sound, technique or music that matters.

[marzanjp1]

HER POSTURE IS KILLING ME

[artdanks]

I LOVE her voice, and her musical styling. But watching her made me so nervous I had to scroll down so I would have to see her!

[pianomags]

@artdanks yep, moi aussi. One of things you're barked at about is wriggling about like this. Really takes away from what is probably an amazing voice. Who's mentoring her I wonder? Would love to hear loads more, especially once the moving about is under control.

[compeld2sing]

I personally prefer it slower, although she does  always do an impeccable job regardless.

[BeeVan19]

I like the voice.. Not the posture, or the lack of actually portraying what the song is trying to say....

[27twentyseven27]

Can someone please post Kozena's Dopo Notte which was of the same concert Youtube had taken it down and it was the best Dopo Notte by far.

[Lutzenberger]

krikby, argenta and bonney are still the best. cmon, she even cant sing a nice open "rejoice"! (2:55) ...

[beemsaroa]

i agree with jabberwockygirl. she looked angry and annoyed through out the whole piece. it was also a bit hard to understand her at times.

[jabberwockygirl]

technically she sings it great, but in my opinion, she's giving off the wrong mood. She sings the word "heaven" at the end with an intense scowl!!

[bubblykings]

Magdalena! I'm your biggest fan!!

To those people who keep talking about her facial expression:

Who cares?! Her voice makes up for it 400%! She's a gorgeous lady and her melismatic runs were wonderful.

[iwafam]

Wonderful technique! Superb!! Great performance!!!!!!!!!

[beanwuzhere]

She has no idea what the words are, does she? If I didn't know what they were already, this performance wouldn't clue me in at all. I mean--it's a happy song! She looks downright angry. Better facials for Queen of the Night. ;)

[carfan707]

you're absolutely right ! i have sung this a hundred times , in 50 operas , and never was i so sad as when she sings it

[swiftsboy]

A very nice rendition,combining a fluid clean clear line with sone excellent decoration.

I ahve no CD's by this singer but will certainly look out for some.

By the way,just what is Salman Rushdie doing conducting?

I suppose it keeps him away from the Fatwah? LOL

[sosocasualty]

I mean... I move around a lot when I sing... but not like a fish out of water!

Whatever gets the sound out, I suppose. It seems to work for her. :)

[AZAZADECH]

She's the best!

[wind5001]

Way too fast for my taste, and as said before, she looks like it is horrible work to sing this...

[Pamina18]

hahahah oh dear!

[AchillesValda]

Die Koloraturen sind super!!!!

[MelanieFTW]

Spaz much???

I guess it just isn't my style..? heh.

[KTeKanawa]

If ever I am in a foul mood, I shall think of this clip! Cheers!

[MaidenMiyazaki]

Also, I know I am not as trained as some, but I know my coach would stop me if I was directing with my head. I know most directors will flip out if you direct your with your head. She may have been in control, but she seemed out of control I think due to the jerky movements.

-Again gorgeous voice, she just needed the presence that she has in the opening picture with arms open and soft smile.

[MaidenMiyazaki]

I sung this in a recital a few years ago and I know those runs are a bear ! She DOES have a gorgeous voice. HOWEVER, there is more to singing and musicality than the sound. There is no joy on her face. She does not look as if she is REJOICING at all. She has a beautiful smile in her picture-where is it here? Sure, FLUID movement would have added to the piece, but the hard, jerky movements and scowls stole from the joy of her voice and ultimately, this piece.

[materialmyra]

I made a comment about her "cold" face in some of her performances on youtube and I got 6 negatives...! The head is distracting but it helps me with these mad runs lol!

[Clittl15]

@MaidenMiyazaki You can't say too much because she's obviously famous enough to be contracted to perform it! But I understand where you're coming from.

[jakquiii]

@MaidenMiyazaki i totally agree. that's exactly what i was thinkinh.

and i get to sing this song soon too :)

[XatxiFly]

@MaidenMiyazaki I think she looks jubilant, and she sounds jubilant. The lively animated jerking is kind of cute and the piece is bouncy and upbeat after all.

[avellanedam]

She is really, really great, and those semiquavers!, but her face... was a little scary. Nothing to complain technically or musically, maybe changing the face expression.

[sternschmerz20]

I know only one singer that can play with her eyes and her body on the stage the great CECILIA BARTOLI she is able to make whatever she wants... but what pass to Magdalena does she want to shine like Bartoli for her dance????

[classyteacherdiva]

Sista singa eyes makes her look wild. Cecelia does a lot of interesting things with her eyes.Why she dance so? LOL

[billymoxley]

I love Magdalena but homegirl looks a hot mess in this clip!

[BelCanto1211]

@billymoxley HAHA!! so true, my friend...so true

[agatheballet]

et en plus y a aucune nuance entre les phrases...

[agatheballet]

c'est pas du jeu, elle respire dans les deux grands traits...ce qui n'est pas supposé être fait.

[mozartinaa]

Magdalena Kožená is our best mezzo-soprano singer. I don't mind her face-play. She looks to be very concentrate. This piece is really diffult for singing, mainly the coloraturas.

[eligualao]

I can't believe the amount of stupid comments on Kozena's performance of this aria!. Very few singers today can match her in this repertoire and she certainly doesn't need bobbing her head to help her with her coloratura. Honestly AGNELLODEI!!

[vocalvideos]

This piece is really hard to sing at that speed and I think she is doing a fabulous job. I think she has some very nice musical ideas and she is her own personal artist. To compare her with others is crazy. Each person has their own individual characteristics. That is what makes each of us unique. Find something you like about her performance and dont' compare. Musicians who study what they like in others are the ones that grow the most.

[misssusser]

bravo to your comment vocalvideos..I adore what you said.!!!

[portdevoix]

Honestly, this isn't the best performance of this aria, by a LONG SHOT. She moves too much, her tone is too dark, too much flutter (out of control wobble), and a lack of *JOY* in the singing.

I actually prefer the young girl in the red shirt who is also singing this aria. She still needs training and aplomb, but she has honesty, musicality, and *INTONATION*, which Mme Kozena seems to have forgotten in the shuffle of her contortions.

[schmegaly]

errrm that flutter thing u were talking about...its called VIBRATO...its not out of control...its part of MUSICALITY...but yeah she does look a bit of a spaz =P

her intonation is great, considering she had so mucb 'flutter' and that it is a recording

but her acting isnt so great as her singing methinks =P

[PsYchOsOmAtIcArt]

wowowowowoww W andrea Marcon!!!!

[palepink127]

Please look up Isobel Baillie's recording of this song (available on CD). The recording may be 60 years old, but oh that voice!

Steve Owen

[kareninflorida]

OMG, you just reminded me: A few years before she died, I got to meet (& sing for!) Isobel Baillie at a ladies club meeting when I was 15 or 16. (I was the entertainment.)

You know, I may have even sung this piece, as it was in my repertoire then; although I might have sung a Mozart aria. I can't recall since it was almost 30 years ago. But I *do* recall that Dame Baillie was a lovely & gracious woman, especially considering the fact that I didn't even know who she was at the time. :-(

[TtHhFf2]

deffinently not the best version of Jubal I've ever heard. far from.

[Sunkissed04643]

sounds a little held back...and she looks like a moron!

[schmegaly]

held back? how about you try singing all those semi-quavers!

[agnellodei]

Bobbing her head ain't gonna help her sing the coloratura.

[umdbrianna]

her voice sounds really strained in my opinion. and this is SO rushed. and her faces. ridiculous. please someone get her a mirror. the expressions are a distraction. i'm in a women's choir in high school, and we just performed this piece in concert recently. and i'm pretty sure though we're amateurs, we didn't look like someone who was being set on fire. wow. but otherwise, it's a beautiful piece with the strings, i prefer that over piano.

[alejandra379]

Just heard the rendition by Montserrat Caballé, and I am afraid that Ms.Kozená does not achieve a great performance here... I've listened to better things from her..

[Gudrun74]

Alejandra you say you heard better things of Magdalena ... what I will ever LOVE her for are her Italian Cantatas with Minkowski (the whole CD, I've uploaded some arias) as well as the "Laudate pueri" (where the above response aria is taken from). In these early pieces from Handel in Italy 1707, Magdalena's genuine sense of style and beauty are brought to perfection!

[alejandra379]

Thank you Gudrun, I will search this music... I love Kozena's baroque singing, its just that this one... well, you know what I think. Thanks!

[moti304]

@alejandra379 I agree with you 100% she is no way close to Montserrat Caballé

[katiedid1393]

I think part of the diction problem might be because of her natural accent. I think she took it too fast, she sounds rushed.

[maryjivinjane]

Hahahah...  Man, she is making some strange faces. She sounds great though!

[Mozmike]

Someone should tell her to check her facial expressions....they're awful! She should be filmed from distance. On the other hand, the middle violinist from the 3 men standing behind her is GORGEOUS!!!!! Would love to see more of him!

[epicondyles]

She's horrible, her facial expressions will give me nightmares.

[BlkMuscGent]

In my opinion the tempo's a hair too fast. Her coloratura sizzles, but she sounds hurried when she should sound jubilant--there is a difference. Her physical mannerisms take away from her performance, though I'd be willing to forgive her for those if she sang with more conviction. She makes nothing of the text. This is Bel Canto music; the text is ALWAYS important.

[Glenmed]

I have Lucia Popp's rendition - also in English and there is one by Victoria de los Angeles in German. Magdalena makes life and pronunciation hard for herself by being 30 seconds quicker. But I think she is great and I must learn some more about her.

[ENERGYZBM]

brilliant,learning from that!

[pweny]

I don't get it...Why all the fuss? She barely gets by and looks pained doing it.

[gmoney1117]

girlllll u got it.......i loved it

[whitequeen21]

her voice is like a spring russel, you come to it with an empty bottle and her voice fill in just for you!!! i love her voice !!!

[eugeneonegin]

She sounds great (despite her terrible diction), but looks awful. The attitude is that of a student.

[KEAHUGHES]

I think she looks and sings a bit too serious ie not happy. But thanks, always good to see another one - at least she can sing - and to see the different ornamentations. I have the Janet Baker recording. Am learning it for an audition.

[Operaphile]

Stunning vocal performance!!! I love her! And the Venice Baroque Orchestra...wow oh wow!!!! So interesting to see her shaking her head like that in the coloratura...imagine if Dame Joan shaked liked that through her career!!! I agree her English isn't flash

[BaconLock]

im doing this for my jury... i wish i could sing it as well as she does!!!!!

[andreamoboe]

thank you!

[141407078989]

it's so nice to hear a short aria from Haendel, usualy they are loooooooooooong and a little bored. Her voice is beautiful, so enjoyable! thanks for the post!!!

[Gudrun74]

Oh you're SO right 141..., she has this fab coloratura technique and I'd be SO keen on hearing more of her bravura arias! I really can't hear Lascia... any more and will never understand why the audience is so fond of it.

Will attach you sth like a melodic forerunner of this aria, even shorter&more virtuoso, wait ...

[alejandra379]

REally good, she sounds well... but her english is not "there" yet.

[Gudrun74]

You're welcome.

I always wish she would sing more virtuoso arias, she's one of the few who are able to!!

[terezqa]

Wonderful, thanks for posting!