Her execution does not obscure the music and the feeling. I really enjoyed this - 'enjoy' is a somewhat prosaic word. So gentle and essentially human. Handel's music and especially the Messiah, always lifts my spirits.
She is in no way flat. I wonder how many of those who believe that have ever sung in front of anyone but themselves. Live performance is just that. It takes courage. Not like our present day performers who can do it over and over until it's "perfect" in a studio, and haven't half of this kind of talent.
It's a very good quality performance of such an inspired piece of written oratorio which I have fond memories of being a part of many years ago. I was actually trying to find a recording of the late Elizabeth Harwood performing this but thank you for your upload.
I like the purity and simplicity of her voice for this kind of repertoire. Too many sopranos try to sing Handel like Puccini and that doesn't work at all. And she sounds a whole lot better than 'ordinary church soprano voices with good training'.
This is A440 and she is not flat. In fact, I know some of her students and all of them say that she is VERY picky about pitches and staying in tune even during lessons.
She most certainly is NOT flat - she just sings it in a very understated manner, which is wholly appropriate as it is a hymn and not a Vaudeville piece.
The Messiah was orginally written for a small emsemble of perhaps under 20 voices. It does not need to be sung at a ff level. Otherwise she has no place to go. And she is not flat but perhaps this is being sung in another Key than that of the original piece. As well some of the english ensembles sing a half tone under what they do elsewhere in the rest of Europe.
Why all the hate? Her voice is beautiful, and though she doesn't project very strongly here, she is not out of tune, as a generality. I for one like her conservative vibrato. Its nice to see such a beautiful and tasteful/high quality clip on youtube! Btw, this is possibly the best hymn ever written.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This girl simply does not have the quality voice that it takes to sing Handel. This is the voice that you would have if you took the overt problems out of a lot of ordinary church soprano voices. Good training, plain voice.
@Elsbeth1540 She "does not have the quality voice that it takes to sing Händel" ?? Really? You´re sure? That´s an amazing comment. Did you know that Mc Nair was one of the leading sopranos worldwide in this repertory, highly acclaimed from the critics and most important orchestras, conductors and ensembles for this kind of music? Everything is a kind of taste -of course- but there is no doubt for her special talent in singing Händel, really not. I don´t wanted to be rude in my words ! Regards
I do not think she is flat at all! I think she has a wonderful line and hits those G#s with precision and accuracy! Wonderful! This is one of my FAVORITE arias but I love anything out of the Messiah
@MrSkylark1 As readers, while, to suppose that, she's flat all the way through is contrary to the logic of the thing, consideration of it does point up yours as a bald critique—without actuality; and if t'were otherwise, why didn't you cite the time track as to just where your criticism was valid? In logic, then, you couldn't because, it's but a mere conclusory allegation, . . . she might be flat somewhere, I don't hear it that way, and the logic is in support, . . .
Exodus 4:24-26 (King James Version) AKA (GOD IS A WIERDO!!!!!) 24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
She is not flat at all, she is just drawing attention to the music as oppose to to herself, which I for one think she ought to be commended for.
MyDemon321 2 months ago 2
Under Gardiner and his ilk, she wouldn't be using so much vibrato. A great singer.
ajhiflyer 3 months ago
Her execution does not obscure the music and the feeling. I really enjoyed this - 'enjoy' is a somewhat prosaic word. So gentle and essentially human. Handel's music and especially the Messiah, always lifts my spirits.
pinchmeImnotdreaming 3 months ago 2
VEVO? Really?
TORNELLcello 3 months ago
She is in no way flat. I wonder how many of those who believe that have ever sung in front of anyone but themselves. Live performance is just that. It takes courage. Not like our present day performers who can do it over and over until it's "perfect" in a studio, and haven't half of this kind of talent.
bensdadfrank 5 months ago 3
A perfect performance.This is the way to to perform this important piece of music.Sober and no fussing about. Totally love it. Thank you!!
Norwegiantruckee 7 months ago 2
It's a very good quality performance of such an inspired piece of written oratorio which I have fond memories of being a part of many years ago. I was actually trying to find a recording of the late Elizabeth Harwood performing this but thank you for your upload.
Paxtoranious 7 months ago
I like the purity and simplicity of her voice for this kind of repertoire. Too many sopranos try to sing Handel like Puccini and that doesn't work at all. And she sounds a whole lot better than 'ordinary church soprano voices with good training'.
musicyh 7 months ago 2
This is A440 and she is not flat. In fact, I know some of her students and all of them say that she is VERY picky about pitches and staying in tune even during lessons.
musicyh 7 months ago
don't worry about the dummies who put thumbs down. This singer's voice is beautilful. LOL
franchute63 7 months ago
She most certainly is NOT flat - she just sings it in a very understated manner, which is wholly appropriate as it is a hymn and not a Vaudeville piece.
TheKaifie 8 months ago 12
It's ok. Just ok.
SPTN58 8 months ago
The Messiah was orginally written for a small emsemble of perhaps under 20 voices. It does not need to be sung at a ff level. Otherwise she has no place to go. And she is not flat but perhaps this is being sung in another Key than that of the original piece. As well some of the english ensembles sing a half tone under what they do elsewhere in the rest of Europe.
sammac451 9 months ago
Why all the hate? Her voice is beautiful, and though she doesn't project very strongly here, she is not out of tune, as a generality. I for one like her conservative vibrato. Its nice to see such a beautiful and tasteful/high quality clip on youtube! Btw, this is possibly the best hymn ever written.
xylonation 10 months ago 15
@xylonation I'm with you 100%. In fact, I just "favorited" the video and "thumbs up'd" your comment. ;-)
TVWriterGuy 8 months ago
Gyönyörű énekhang! Kiválló zenei kiséret, a hegedűsök játéka fantasztikus!
galafer50 10 months ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This girl simply does not have the quality voice that it takes to sing Handel. This is the voice that you would have if you took the overt problems out of a lot of ordinary church soprano voices. Good training, plain voice.
Elsbeth1540 10 months ago
@Elsbeth1540 She "does not have the quality voice that it takes to sing Händel" ?? Really? You´re sure? That´s an amazing comment. Did you know that Mc Nair was one of the leading sopranos worldwide in this repertory, highly acclaimed from the critics and most important orchestras, conductors and ensembles for this kind of music? Everything is a kind of taste -of course- but there is no doubt for her special talent in singing Händel, really not. I don´t wanted to be rude in my words ! Regards
lassisimo 8 months ago 4
Very beautiful and pathetic.
Thank you: Liz
Mistral0307 10 months ago
I do not think she is flat at all! I think she has a wonderful line and hits those G#s with precision and accuracy! Wonderful! This is one of my FAVORITE arias but I love anything out of the Messiah
sethtinsley1 11 months ago
What a great musical group, and what a performance by Sylvia. Good job!
0me0my1 11 months ago
LISTEN to ELEANOR STEBER. FLORENCE AUSTRAL. This singer is flat.
MrSkylark1 1 year ago
@MrSkylark1 As readers, while, to suppose that, she's flat all the way through is contrary to the logic of the thing, consideration of it does point up yours as a bald critique—without actuality; and if t'were otherwise, why didn't you cite the time track as to just where your criticism was valid? In logic, then, you couldn't because, it's but a mere conclusory allegation, . . . she might be flat somewhere, I don't hear it that way, and the logic is in support, . . .
phillipgaley 10 months ago
@phillipgaley
There was a reason the past was known as "The Golden Age of Singing."
Suggest listening to FLORENCE AUSTRAL
MrSkylark1 10 months ago
could some tell me who is the singer? awesome voice
klassicfun 1 year ago
Beauty!!!!
Diction is PERFECT!!
Jheeezzzz
lilqaxy 1 year ago 2
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Exodus 4:24-26 (King James Version) AKA (GOD IS A WIERDO!!!!!) 24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
TheMoTucker 1 year ago
It always blows my mind how these gifted artists are hardly recognized here in the US for their amazing talents...
opraluvr 1 year ago 2
Gorgeous, sublime, heavenly, alluring, dreamy and, oh, I like the aria too!
Brahmsfourth 1 year ago 2
What a heavenly voice! She is one of the most beautiful faces in the world of opera. She is really gifted!
brian317usa1 1 year ago 2
but you should hear Reri Grist sing "Il Re Pastore"
StuartPapa58 1 year ago
I have her "Il Re Pastore." What a jewel! And obviously as lovely with Handel here as with Mozart. Thanks.
bbbartolo 1 year ago