Suzie LeBlanc - Lascia ch'io pianga

[consultjohan]

This aria became part of my psyche. It's divine; transcendental. I link to beautiful music like this from my flickr account, and always listen to this when I view my photos.

[mjdalamie]

The best rendition ever. Stunning!

[thedeeliciousplum]

This is sooooo beautiful. What a stunning voice and orchestration. Thank you for sharing this.

[SeanOsborneII]

It still remains an air for a male counter-tenor, as it was originally intended... but heh, GO SUZIE, you will always get me with your pure and angelic voice . LOVE to you, after all these years, oh my...

[skjumpers]

@SeanOsborneII actually it was written for the female role of Almirena in the opera Rinaldo.

[erkierkierki]

who the f dislikes this?

[jodelleferlandfan1]

I think the movie Antichrist popularized this song somehow.

[carloCGN]

I just love her voice !

[Monique007ish]

The song is from Handel's opera Rinaldo:

Lascia ch'io pianga (Let me weep)

mia cruda sorte, (my cruel fate),

e che sospiri la libertà. (and let me sigh for liberty.)

Il duolo infranga queste ritorte(May my duel break these chains)

de' miei martiri sol per pietà.(Of my tortures, only for pity's sake.)

Hugs xx

[Monique007ish]

Stunning voice!!

[EryckaMoondragon]

I first heard this song on a commercial for the PBS series "American Experience" a few years ago. I ended up submitting a yahoo question, which didn't help. Somehow I managed to email PBS who emailed me months later. Glad I did! I later performed this song during my undergrad. Absolutely love this piece, and this performance tops them all.

[shafrika]

ah this one always leaves me just breathless. but Suzie LeBlanc has added even more depth and light with her vocal sensitivity. She has connected the exact hue of sorrow in the text with musical quality that you just can't find every day.

[priscila126]

this is what i was looking for(:

[eviedriley]

THIS, Hayley, is how it's done.

[oplutao]

Amo a interpretação da Suzie, é bastante romântica!

A de Bartoli já é mais dramática. Ambas são valiosíssimas!

Nota mil.

[pisanza]

intense and clean, not rhetoric at all. I agree: one of the best versions. thanks.

[likeicare2111]

one of the most beautiful opra songs ever. it reaches into your heart and soul, takes grip and doesn't let go. makes me feel both sorrow and joy at the same time, very moving.

[lezilebowsky]

Pustite me da plačem...

[kicyro]

I was reading Amazon's reviews on Handel's Rinaldo while listening rather mindlessly to this music; suddenly I was taken aback at about 3:40 of this clip. What a voice, what an expression!

[lucomug]

É uma das operas mais emocionantes,,,,

[faclosada]

Ela é grandiosa. GOD bless we all.

[shadowgirl32]

it was amazing to see Suzie LeBlanc live. I have a signed CD. =)

[suzettegm]

Chill

[cmsg77]

Lovely singer, and very nice, simple embellishments, beautifully executed. I have a bit of a weakness for the more complex improvisations of Julianne Baird, but it's wonderful to hear an interpretation like this.. Not a fan of the endless sustain, though.

[tingchenchang]

Beautifully sung. Lovely bell like quality to the voice.

[SalMessina1]

Splendida interpretazione!

Grazie :)

[erroll9621]

What a voice! truly a world class performance. But when you get down to it, it's gorgeous... and that's all that matters, the true expression of a man in longing for liberty and freedom. representative of our times.

[serenaluce]

@erroll9621 The true expression of a MAN in longing for liberty and freedom??? Actually, it's a woman's aria, Almirena's from Handel's Rinaldo, and Farinelli unlike in that famous movie Farinelli, il Castrato where it was just an interesting move, couldn't sing it as he sang Rinaldo, e.g. Cara Sposa, Or la tromba, Venti turbini and couldn't sing a woman's role too:-). Or you just mean MAN, that it the true expression of MAN, of each of us as representative of our times?

[erroll9621]

@serenaluce Wow! how could I've missed that one.. so sorry, I mean "each of us as representative of our times". Thank you for correcting me!

[serenaluce]

@erroll9621 :-)

[franckyjo01]

Magnifique.

[franckyjo01]

Magnifique.

[denis8359]

dffdssssssssssss

[Nadusa77]

ძალიან მაგარია <3

[jeankim90]

mesmerized...cant...stop..hitt­ing the replay button.....

[SuperJohnnykay]

Correction: just read the comment i wrote and it sounds murky . So what I meant to say is by the time you have heard the soprano sing,Lascia ch io pianga,mia cruda sorte-you know if you want to continue.Try it out with some of theYT renditions!Patty Petibon and Suzie Le Blanc are 2 that come up trumps!!Just beautiful and real,these 2!Others can be forced,brittle or just plain wrong.

[SuperJohnnykay]

She does a good job!! Lascia is something you cringe at after the first 2 bars and Im not just noticing this with the cross-over types.Suzie-well done, a clean and honest rendition_I enjoyed it!

[dimo0kos]

amazing <3

[MultiUniv3rsal]

This is the version from the film Antichrist, is it not?

[getschi007]

@MultiUniv3rsal Nope, it isn't. That peace, what you mean, is from mezzo-soprano Tuva Semmingsen...

[ThePro2004]

@getschi007 This one is also better ;)

[tamerlano236]

Stunningly beautiful. The best version on youtube in my opinion. Brava. Thanks for uploading.

[Wavewolfaroha]

Very lovely, indeed--the singing, and must say the orchestral phrasing is exquisite. Who is playing? Conductor?

[jaddle]

@Wavewolfaroha The orchestra is Ensemble Arion , led by Stephen Stubbs. On an Atma recording.

[Wavewolfaroha]

@jaddle Thank you!

[handrakeworld]

I feel I hear something not of this world....

[Zeitgeiste]

Lovely.

[EnricoB1978]

I was about to write something... then I realized I had no words that can describe how I feel...

[limeroundup]

@EnricoB1978 and yet you did ;)

[thedarkwarriorfdeath]

fuk women!!! i feel like the sailors in the time of Odysseus i just cant look away !!

such a simple piece and yet so sophisticated and magnificent , it just relives you of any tension in your mind.

[Avedissalitis]

So bright, so glass-clear. A wunderfull performance.

[schokolade975]

I agree - the best version available on youtube and maybe of all there are. Anyhow: she sings incredibly well...

[Lakeofdespair]

Magnifique! J'aime beaucoup cette version, tout comme celle de Cecilia Bartoli.

Ce sont les deux plus belles que j'ai entendu.

Merci pour ce partage

[upstart1776]

Ah, she sings it exactly as I would. It's so wonderful when you discover and artist who sings as your soul does.

[pianomags]

I wonder if China will go ahead & re-introduce male castration at 10, so we really get to hear what a castrato sounds like? Would stop half the argy-bargy on YT in a second.

[serenaluce]

@pianomags Oh please, you want revival of castration? I'm against it. How about just giving the respect to countertenors with wonderful, advanced technique which they have nowadays? If more people know that such stunning voices exist with special MAGIC which can only be found in high MALE voices, don't become hysterical when they hear them by chance, don't think that they are castrated or all gays, just know that it's such TECHNIQUE and if attitude in the music world changes,no need for castrati

[pianomags]

@serenaluce of course I don't, don't be so daft! It was ironic.

[serenaluce]

@pianomags I was ironic too:-) But true, serious countertenors, not just falsettists who make musical parodies on baroque in the pop style producing sweet but empty sounds like Philippe Jaroussky, really deserve more respect. Then no castration is needed:-)...

[Maddog5340]

@serenaluce -Agreed. J.Steve

[hersenlozeslet]

Sublime. This is how it should be sung, without the need for unnecessary embellishment but with true emotion close to the lyrical content.

[52sport6469]

@hersenlozeslet - Yes, absolutely best version I ever heard - straight and clean, emotionally bringing the message of the text to one´s heart.

A wonderful contrast to e.g. Bartoli´s cold showing-off of her "fantastic technical skill" with all those unnecessary shivering vibratos.

[unagondolaunremo]

brava suzi leblanc, molto brava!

[kingwd88]

I have to agree, after just listening to thirty different versions, this is outstanding, and I've never heard of her. I want to hold her.

[mas709]

Lovely singing by a lovely person. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. LeBlanc (and conductor Howard Dyck) after a concert and both of them were very nice and down to Earth. Maybe not as well known outside of Canada, but she deserves to be recognized.

[serenaluce]

What a beauty! Such a contrast with ugly Bartoli's version! Brava! One of the most beautiful versions if not the best I've ever heard! A lot of emotions and sharing her soul with listeners. She cares about BEAUTY! Not only technique as that overpromoted Bartoli who forgot what true purpose of singing is. Leblanc's only real problem is that she is not promoted enough though sings on the highest level! She is a wonderful Canadian soprano! But the whole world should know about her! She deserves it!

[shadowgirl32]

amazing version. And she's coming to our town! And I think I might be BUSY that night!! *headdesk*

[maritate]

@shadowgirl32

Hi there

I am in Canada and I never heard this beautiful voice

In what city is she going to sing soon?

Please let me know,I would like to go

Thank you

[shadowgirl32]

@maritate she's in BC in October. You might want to check her website for more details. Good luck =)

[serenaluce]

@maritate You know, I live in Canada too. She is not promoted at the International level like e.g. another Canadian mezzo Joice di Donato who is very good, but in IMO Leblanc is just an exquisite soprano! But still they've mentioned her on Canadian TV on the BC Knowledge channel. But only her. They never mention that she is just a wonderful , thoughtful partner for countertenors - our great Canadian Daniel Taylor and American Derek Lee Ragin, the voice of Farinelli! Do you know them? I have CDs.

[maritate]

@serenaluce

Hi there

Thank you for replying

No,I don't know them but I would like to heard some of them.

I love classical music ,it is my life... my job too

Thanks!

[TheShittydrummer]

..amazing o.o

[Evalyra]

Oh my God, I've been looking for this version for ages! I heard it once but couldn't find it but I recognised it because this is the only version I know in which the singer's voice blends with the aria instead of being over-present. (Cecilia Bartoli is pretty close to that as well, though. ;)) Thank you for that! :)

[Phebus74]

sotto un punto di vista tecnico e come linea di canto niente da dire,a parte che è piatta e priva di variazioni,ma sopra tutto mi chiedo dov'è il pathos?Interessante l'esecuzione della Kozena-Unica resta Dame M.Horne.

[kindofimportant]

I absolutely agree

[luciernaga10]

I love this one!!

[ioloboat]

What a voice !. It washes over one's soul like a warm spring day. I'd recommend this to anyone who is on a downer.

[shadowgirl32]

@ioloboat ...no kidding. I was fearsomely grumpy five minutes ago. ^_^

[YT102008]

Almirena is a prisoner lamenting her circumstance and crying for her freedom. You should feel the sorrow and weeping in the voice.

[YT102008]

Lascia ch'io pianga mia cruda sorte,

(Let me weep my cruel fate)

e che sospiri la libertà.

(and let me sigh for liberty).

Il duolo infranga queste ritorte

(May sorrow break these chains)

de' miei martiri sol per pietà.

(of my suffering, for pity’s sake).

[lodengreeneyes]

Lovely to hear it from a soprano such as Suzie, but I think the song is more suited (imo) to a mezzo-soprano or a counter-tenor.

[YT102008]

@lodengreeneyes: Handel wrote this aria specifically for Isabella Girardeau a soprano. She played Almirena in the very first and only performance of the opera Rinaldo in which Handel was personally involved in its production..

[YT102008]

@lodengreeneyes: Handel personally chose Isabella for the role of Almirena.

[lodengreeneyes]

@YT102008 Tnx for that info!

[YT102008]

@lodengreeneyes: Some extra tidbits: The 1994 movie "Farinelli" which supposed to tell the life of Carlos Boschi (stage Farinelli) have some people wrongly concluding that this popular Handel aria was written for Boschi one of the most famous of all castrati. As usual the producers took a lot of liberties (i.e., untruths) with real history. Boschi was a child of six when this aria was first performed.

[YT102008]

@lodengreeneyes: A castrato (castrati plural) is a male singer who had his testicles removed when he was a young boy so to keep his young soprano voice into adulthood. Since castration is now illegal, countertenors, specifically soprano countertenors are about as close to a castrato as you can get now.

[lodengreeneyes]

@YT102008 Yes. YT, I know what a castrato was.

[ModulationAlert]

I like this interpretation because it's just honest and not overdone. Beautiful soprano.

[sparkiersuperjet]

extraordinariamente bello!

[Polaris431]

I like the rendition by Hayley Westenra more.

[arpeggio1358]

@Polaris431 I'm sorry, but Hayley Westenra is a pop performer, while Susie LeBlanc is a classical singer. They are two very different types of performers.

[gisellegarbe]

Belíssimo!!!!!

[ytviewer46]

Listen to her and Philippe Jaroussky back-to-back. Both are very beautiful renditions.

[10ojos10]

Una verdadera delicia....

[bigmandrel]

This is quality shit here. Like expensive wine, it needs to be drunk...as often as possible.

[1770LUDWIG]

Beautiful!. Adorable!. What wonder! Thank you.

[1770LUDWIG]

Thank you. It's so beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!

[lilbellakay19]

My chorus class sinqs thiis. Were amazinqq . < 3 they made this sonqq into a chorus production, but we still have all those skips (:

[mssTeefy]

gooooood gooood

[saltapollo]

brava brava, testo italiano perfetto e interpretato con straordinaria misura

[Karihma411]

I'm singing this as a solo Aria in my Choir!!!!!!!!!

[AgnessGrey]

Divine voice, voice of Angel.

[angelaharpist]

Fantastic! :)

[kumahachi1]

la version la plus belle...

juste magnifique

[moyduarte]

que hermosura......

[SuperGedda]

La mejor interpretacion junto con Cecilia Bartoli que he escuchado en mi vida

[KristynDietrich]

This is Very good... the only things that bugs me is the amount of reverb they used when recording it.... I bet she sounds even better than this...

[natalibera66]

mervigliosa! voce perfetta; interpretazione struggente. Non vi sono altre parole.

Francesco Sclaverano

[CarrickMon]

I've studied music all my life and out of all, Lascia ch'io Pianga is the simplest and the most emotionally provoking if sung and played properly - if not, it's a disaster.

This performance is as perfect as it can get. Very beautifully sung and played - vibrato is spot on. Very mature.

[marukar]

i love her voice but she is life much better than that, we had her as guest in our choir an dit was beauuutiful! thank you so much for the song :)

[HaviusCorpus]

Ah, I've been looking for the perfect rendition of this piece and have finally found it. Lovely performance

[rinaldus]

Beautiful. One of the better versions of "Lascia ch'io pianga". Who are the orchestra and the conductor?

[seneque19]

Suzie Leblanc :Portrait

Handel

Académie Baroque de Montréal, Claire Guimond.

ACD2 2392

2006/07/01 ATMA records Montreal

[rinaldus]

@seneque19

thanks!

[pureleslie]

best! best! best handel!

[cordelia405]

ma la Bartoli resta sempre la più grande!

[getschi007]

You can't compare a soprano with a mezzo-soprano - Suzie Leblanc is a soprano and Cecilia is a mezzo-soprano, my dear :-) So please, drop such comments...

[chanteusse]

@getschi007 but bartoli is really a soprano. she was just marketed as a mezzo.

[lamiacuffietta]

@getschi007 cecilia is falcon... she sings both mezzo and soprano rep....

[getschi007]

@lamiacuffietta Yes, of course in a way you are right, but actually she is a mezzo-soprano. Alone the dark colour in her voice, if you compare this to a pure soprano, is a important sign for that fact. She has got just a very, very broad compass, so that the most people think, she would be a soprano... But in my opinion she is a clear mezzo-soprano!

[oplutao]

Eu sinto mais comovente a voz de uma mezzo para canta esta ária linda.

[lufa303]

@getschi007 what are your thoughts about tony soprano ?

[SidneyKreutzfeldt]

It´s one of the most touching pieces of music I´ve ever heard in my entire life.

[Giuseppevipero]

Incantato dalla sua voce!!!!

[laokoonHH]

Ein Hochgenuss!

[LaetareIerusalem]

Eine vorzügliche, ausgezeichnete Interpretation!

What brilliance, what accurateness, oh what expression! Mo st of the dramatic voices (Georghiu) are to low (not exact) and to theatrical and thus not reflecting the deep tristesse of this lament.

[killerwaz88]

truly majestic.

[Nhotavo]

best of bests!!

[MickeyLove01]

I find it strange how people are rating versions of this piece. You cannot perform this if you are crap!

[berkeleysquare1]

Absolutely Perfect!

Cant stop listen to this!

[Gerdina848]

Oh yes, she sing it very good!!!! I can feel the emotions! Loved it!

[doidinha50]

Hers is my favorite version - sorrowful & full. Also Philippe Jaroussky's counter-tenor version.

[thewhoopimen]

its more like counter alto. But this song was originally for men.

[vlg1728]

It was for castrates x) a woman-like voice

[4v2lra]

What a voice! Amazing... It's near by perfect...

[twosevj]

I love this aria so much ever since I first played it learning recorder that I wanted to walk down the aisle at my wedding until I found out what the words meant... let me weep over my cruel fate, and that I long for freedom... etc would be an inside joke to people who are unaware of the meaning...

[dangel503]

we r singing this song in choir

[singcrossover]

brava!

[fairladyo]

The name Baroque has to do with a pearl.

I think she has this quality in her voice. Rich and exquisite, but never overdone.

This is a beautiful recording.

[Methelin]

I agree completely!

I thought tuva semmingsen's version (know from the 'antichrist' ost) was the only genuinely good version on youtube. This is also amazing.

[ridafole]

Bravo. ! She sings with Spirit&Soul , thats the clue for a good Opera singer.

[KarinaPhi10]

enchanting - a voice like light and beauty. Thanks for posting.

[marimbababe]

I thought i should update you... i did my grade 7 and got a distinction :) was very happy!! xx

[korinset]

One of the best versions of this song! Incredible. Only version of my friend is better :)

[kafanic]

great version, beautiful!

[flemingway]

This is my favorit version by fare, all included. Still I have to agree with some of djangobelgos comments on weeping and wanting. Which would mean more accent, volume and vibrato hear and there. It's lot of weeping but less of wanting. despair/wanting is a fine line. Possible to achieve though. More wanting in the strong parts, and melancoly in the following soft parts. Well, we were not there at the recording, to fix it;) She uses nearly no vibrato at all. But anyone found a better version?

[dossig09]

Not clear speak in italian but a fascinating voice and very suited to the baroque. My first listening of Opera. Handel is great!

[djangobelgo]

This is a very subtle version. But for me personally, just a bit too much of the (compulsory) weeping, and too little of the desire.

It's what makes this aria so difficult: it draws a continuous line between passionate desire and deep desperation.

This fine line allows for very subtle, though typically baroque accents. And these are missing in her voice. Not enough "fine graces", as they say.

But still, it's a very beautiful and kind interpretation. I do prefer more power and passion, tho.

[ladyav]

yeah, it must be f major... at least it is in my sheets

[zralokvemigraci]

such a heavenly voice...

[marlyharris]

This is a new definition of perfection. What a treasure.

[Alienada68]

You are so right! This is the most beautiful version! Awesome!

[annestrings]

Beautiful interpretation & ornamentation, lacy basso continuo, lush Baroque sound, nice recording mix

[kirsten90]

wow awesome! love this version but a pity cant get to hear the original singer...

[nessie96]

Simply marvelous...amazingly beautiful!!!

[hullguy123]

I love this version as I did with Bartoli's and Philippe Jaroussky 's. Three good singers.

[theatchico]

Handel is great

[kfarm2001]

Another great Canadian artist.

[GilmoreGal101708]

does anyone know what key this is in??

[sjpc33]

F major I believe

[HGUFNH]

Oh god, we have to do this for chamber music (I'm on the flute) and we're nowhere near as good as this!

[zralokvemigraci]

the best i've ever heard

[flemingway]

absolutely wonderful and what a face to go with it.

[lmspr]

Gorgeous!! One of the most ethereal, angelic versions of this aria I've ever heard.

[marcelawela]

:D wow

[Teofane]

This aria is one of those operatic chestnuts that are often taken for granted. LeBlanc's version, however, is radiant.

[querida1314]

i wonder how she managed to use the 'head voice' without feeling the urge to yawn. I always do. LOL

[querida1314]

Lovely!

[fumoltonian]

私を泣かせてください

はい、泣きました(ToT)

[GeorgiosMICHALAKIS]

Truly exceptional.

HOMOGENEOUS expression, with minimal intensity changes.

Fairly good CONSONANT anticipation, EXCELLENT vowel explosion on each "thesis".

"Passage" notes remain secondary ("grace notes", with unequal temporal divisions.. this way, one hears the SKELETON = "metrophony" and NOT the decorations.

EXCELLENT, well controlled glissandos.

She is Acadian (New Brunswick, Canada) and knows TRADITIONAL FOLK songs = this explains ALL of the ABOVE.

more  info : my Gregorian chant

[mrshermionesnape]

I'm singing this for SoloFest. I'm really nervous.