Renee Fleming - Richard Strauss - Zweite Brautnacht! (Die Agyptische Helena)

[liedersanger1]

An intelligent version, but lacking radiance. Any of Leontyne Price's versions are superior. By the way, LP's best version--and the most thrilling of all, in my opinion--is the one from 1959 recorded by the BBC--it's here on YouTube, and probably in the sidebar.

[wTrevorh]

She sounds beautiful, as usual, but Leontyne Price TOTALLY eats up this aria. LOL With Leontyne, it's TRULY an awakening!

[raunchy9305]

She has not performed this role and probably will not since that horrible new production at the Met alreadyt went to Voigt.

[LohengrinT]

She can transform any Straussian piece into something truly beautiful (or reveal the beauty it holds). No-one else made me listen to this even to its middle (Price, Jones etc)

[AliciaOlatuja]

Ummm....hello. Leontyne KILLED this aria with ease in 1968 AND 1991. She laboreth not. :-)

[JoeHolte]

@AliciaOlatuja YES INDEED!  HALLELUJAH!

[leonardovittori1]

@AliciaOlatuja Totally AGREE! She reigns in this aria, probably in the role too.. I believe she has performed it.

[raunchy9305]

An OK performance but cannot compare to any of Leontyne Price's performances of it from 1968 up to 1991 when she was 64, not nearly as good in sound or phrasing or breath control

[fludu1]

Gorgious but no one can keep up with Leontyne in this

[carl44acq]

@fludu1 I agree1

[AulicExclusiva]

She's not really the high-flying Hochdramatisch this music requires (too bad Maria Jeritza, for whom it was written, never recorded it!) but she's pretty damn good. The voice is certainly lovely, and she does not shrink from the tremendous tessitura. Good for Fleming.

Thielemann is no slouch, either.

[guardian2079]

Sounds a little labored. But then again no one can make this aria sound easy. Anyone think she would sing the complete role live?

[PukKoleszka]

It's really live becausce all arias and songs from this CD are recording of Renee Fleming's concerts live, not in studio :)

[cantanteporsiempre]

@guardian2079 Leonie Rysanek made it sound easy, and extremely musical.

[LohengrinT]

@cantanteporsiempre

although she was singing whatever came to her mind as usual :))

[JoeHolte]

@guardian2079 LEONTYNE PRICE --1991

[fludu1]

@guardian2079 listen to leontyne price! I love Renée and she is my favourite Marschallin! But for me this aria is owned by leontyne! She can make it sound like nothing ;-)

[leonardovittori1]

@guardian2079 I disagree.. why sing this when L. Price sings the hell out of this? I would not even try..

[tristanhnl]

@leonardovittori1 So just because a certain singer performs something very well, other singers shouldn't attempt? With that line of thinking I suppose Sutherland should never have done Lucia, Norma, and a whole bunch of other bel canto roles since Callas was so darn good in them.

Point is, even if Leontyne Price sings this piece extremely well, other singers have something unique to contribute as well. A singer's phrasing, timbre, and emotional insight differ from other's.

[tychaton08]

Merci!

[65attila]

Her voice is beautiful and accurate but the performance lacks consistent sweep. Too many broken lines. I orefer Rose pauly and Leonztyne Price but still Fleming is excellent,

[mwalsh2008]

Yes, a beautiful interpretation of a very difficult piece . . . but don't forget Thielemann and this orchestra--sweeping and powerful. Listen to how the low brass snarls for a moment in several places before the rest of the orchestra pours out its sumptuous Straussian sounds. Thanks for an excellent post!

[OstrasDeNoruega]

RENEE! If you read this....: You are so beautiful, and your voice even more! Great interpretation!

[PukKoleszka]

Of course - great interpretation! She all is great !!!