Roberta Invernizzi: Cieca Talpa (A. Scarlatti)

[biciomon]

straordinaria, commovente, meravigliosa!!!

[cembalaro]

....this is how a gorgeous soprano can make something intelligent out of an otherwise 'silly italian cantata aria' - Strings are not bad, either - but 'she' shines!

[TheCrazyCello]

@cembalaro This is in no way shape or form a "silly Italian cantata aria" - it is from an Oratorio. Only Alessandro Scarlatti's talent and intellect could combine such operatic techniques into a sacred work and still produce something lofty and sincere. How much Handel owes this man! Also "strings are not bad either" - not bad for some of the finest baroque musicians in Europe...

[xyaqua]

Around and around, i'll always return to this anthem, again and again

[JozefKraweznik]

Voice silver and brisk like that of Tinker Bell, but equally tiny, I'm afraid.

[EvaKant01]

wonderfull!

[shadowblue746]

Superb

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

100th "i like it"

[erikomertens]

Magnificent! Beautiful voice.

[xyaqua]

The tenth muse. She is ... in explainably incredilbitense!

listen to this with digital headphones, it will weaken your knees.

[Elfenohr]

does anyone have the lyrics for the oratorio or a translation?

and also: invernizzi is awesome :D

[xyaqua]

Like a blind mole, around in the sun

your mind is still revolving

frantically, and you still imagine

in your darkness to be able

to behold such splendour

Loses a bit in translation, no?

Trust me: Get the CD read the text, it is in Italian, English french and German. follow along with track 28 and 37, they will draw tears to your eyes, forcefully!

I DARE you to do this, and let me know if you are not moved.

i've listened to this 100 times, and i still get goosebumps. wow.

[Elfenohr]

Thank you so much!

Well, I guess I might just do that and finally buy the CD. The parts you can hear on youtube are just amazing :)

[TheCrazyCello]

I can only echo what xyaqua said. The lyrics don't make a lot of sense out of context - in this part of the Oratorio, Faith is arguing with Theology about whether humanity can ever understand the mystery of the Triune God. It's odd that such a dryly academic libretto with such abstract characters can be so moving, but that's Scarlatti's exemplary skill.

[xyaqua]

The lyrics lose a bit of continuity in english. But if you read the italian, even if you do not read italian, it helps you understand. it is truly transcendent. it brings ears to your eyes. real tears. The performers are without peer. i'll never find the words to truly expres the feeling of hearing this uber-ordinary oratorio.

[TheCrazyCello]

It's not a particularly good translation which doesn't help, they alter the sentence structures in the English translation in a number of places which actually just makes the text even more confusing.

[xyaqua]

I agree, but i still love trying to interpret the diction, grammar of other languages. Languages do influence how one thinks, the logical steps and the poetic connections one tends to make. Learning or listening to other languages can provide a unique viewpoint to an interpretation.

Thank you very much for the recs!

(It was a store clerk who pointed me to my first true love of a classical album, weissenberg's recording of d scarlatti sonati)

I'd never know such art without you both!

[TheCrazyCello]

Oh and you mentioned in a previous post that you're a neophyte to opera - if you like Scarlatti's Oratorios, then try Bononcini. He's actually a little more accessible, both he and Scarlatti developed the genre of "Serenata" which is sort of halfway between a Cantata and an Opera, there are a few really excellent recordings around of Bononcini Oratorios and Serenatas.

[xyaqua]

This is Europa galante she is singing with, look around, you'll see a few milion dollars worth of string instruments..

Perhaps the best ensemble, playing the finest instruments, with the best arranger playing the best composer's best oratorio. ....

There is no adequate follow up to that, this is simply italian operatic art at its best.

[vespersinblue]

Europa Galante is a great ensemble, but one should not disregard both the "Cappella della Pietà de Turchini" and the "Concerto Italiano", since these orchestras have reached a very high standard of musicianship (to mention only Italian ensembles).

[xyaqua]

Wow, great referrals! Thanks! I'm a neophyte when it comes to opera, this moves me, i'm learning to appreciate it.

Like almost anything artwise, there is 98% dross matter and 2% creme. A lot depends on personal taste.

I'll give these ensembles a serious listen, i have high hopes for appreciating them. Thanks again!

[vespersinblue]

You are welcome, but I should also mention at least the Modo Antiquo ensemble, Il Giardino Armonico, the Academia Montis Regalis orchestra and the Venice Baroque Orchestra, otherwise their fans are going to stone me to death. ;-)

[LE3C]

Musical. Talented, great feeling for the baroque. What is the need for all of the body movement? It has nothing to do with the phrasing or the voice. Why not simply stand STILL?

[RobertaTriumphans]

wonderful!!!!

[6134447]

You are so great, Roberta!

[melodiafagot]

que lindo timbre

[kracoon22]

I became Roberta's fan listening to this. And I searched other videos. She is real angel of Baroque music!

[bassofiero]

shorter hair and she looks like sandrine piau

[MrsHibbinsFuello]

Brava!! Wonderful voice. Love it.

[mentafari]

que lindooo...

[Crindoro]

Roberta Invernizzi: High priestess of baroque singing

[carloslopezluna]

Bellísima.

[josedelarajose]

Maravillosa.

[paula975]

bravissima roberta , la tua voce è meravigliosa....un dono dal cielo!

[proclassica]

I love this piece, the whole Santissima is just a great masterpiece! And Roberta - her voice is great. I recommend you the Annunciation, also by Scarlatti, I don't know of any releases so far, just heard it one on a concert. It really makes ppl cry. :)

[xyaqua]

How lucky for all of us that Ms. Invernizzi didn't like the piano or bass as much as singing. she began with those then turned to singing. "Singing" sounds way too pedestrian for what she does with her voice.

Regardless of one's opinion of the roman church, it promoted the writing and creativity of the italian baroque that has moved countless souls to tears and awe.

No wonder they call opera the highest form of entertainment!

[pydbl]

Let's not also forget that the Roman church also banned operas that they considered "indecent" in the Baroque period, which is why there is "opera proibita"

[xyaqua]

In the liner notes, it mentions this probably would have not gone over well before a. Scarlatti had established himself as a composer of "decent" as you put it works for the church. Still, I think the churches support of more intricate music helped the scientific revolution- as people realized the nature of music, waves & such, math theory grew which was a tool for scientific growth.

In a way, the church hastened its own loss of power & primacy. A testament to truth and beauty, eh?

[thebestenor]

Semplicemente stupenda, meravigliosa Roberta!!!

[matteokrogher]

=) Concordo..

[Caecarulf]

Roberta...you are a marvellous singer!

Ulf Sawert. Sweden

[delnah]

Refreshing- a singer that does justice to the composer instead of to their ego. Beautiful tone. She doesn`t seem to want to pole vault duing her performance like CB

[escaelis]

Yes, Miss Bartoli is interested in belting out the ridiculously hardest baroque arias - which by default leaves out A. Scarlatti because not a lot of music is as blatant as Vivaldi's.

[leomozart1980]

Roberta sei mitica Leopoldo da Napoli

[barramundo]

Well, is oficial, Ms Invernizzi has won a new fan... I wonder how a Invernizzi-Bartoli duet may be!!!

[DannyDaWriter]

Eh... part of me would like that, and part of me wouldn't.

[xyaqua]

This is a good sound recording, but the CD this is from "La Santissima Trinita" is wonderful. Invernizzi also does an awesome (in the true sense of the word) job in a recording of Vespera per La Assunzione di Maria Vergine (or something like that) assembled by Rinaldo Allesandrini, a 2 cd set of excellent vocals and music. Roberta, brava!

[lyricalmage]

i want to know the name of the violinist who apears at the first of the video, he also apears in bajazet recordings

[blldiego]

That's Fabio Biondi. He's the conductor of Europa Galante

[lyricalmage]

thank you

[niklausse]

If all the parts of my body were tongues, they would not suffice to proclaim the virtues of Roberta!

[LoneConformist]

Anyway, yes, He is smiling. Very little gives Him as much pleasure as Roberta Invernizzi singing Alessandro Scarlatti. Or so I suspect. This isn't even in his Top 5,000 Arias though.

Italian music was so good in the 18th century, from Scarlatti to Porpora to Paisiello.  Then bel canto came and bad taste ruled the day.

[escaelis]

Amen. Ironic, but yes.

(I think Roberta Invernizzi might make his top 1000 Aria singers though)

[tHEnOOSEsWINGS]

....And the Gods looked up and smiled. Divine!

[LoneConformist]

You mean God the Father looked DOWN and smiled.

Check the name of the recording again. This isn't Greek myth.

[DannyDaWriter]

tHEnOOSEsWINGS wasn't being literal.

[escaelis]

Also Grats to Ms Invernizzi for the Handel Recording award for 2007!

[niklausse]

I uploaded a video I made with an aria superbly sung by Mr Invernizzi.

Kind regards

[escaelis]

I just really hope we see more of her.

Such a wonderfully flowing voice

[niklausse]

Rousset agreed as you can read by yourself here

gfhandel(dot)org/interviews/ro­usset(dot)htm

[MehdiCaps]

Yes, I've already read that interview several times.

That was 3 years ago. The recording of "Il Trionfo" has changed things.

"Here is probably Natalie Dessay's best Handelian performance. Her singing fits Handel's music better than before, and we can now start to believe she could be a Handelian singer."

gfhandel dot org/reviews/hwv046a_virgin.htm

I agree with that statement.

[niklausse]

Anyways I do not hate her. Simply having sung badly an aria is not sufficient cause for me to begin the labor-intensive work of actively hating her.

Have a nice day

[niklausse]

Roberta is the possessor of a pure voice,in all its registers and cleanly used. No aspirates, a fine trill, an excellent if not perfect legato, and an innate sense of style. this clean, unaffected yet touching singing is the perfect antidote to dessay recent mannered efforts. Brava!

[MehdiCaps]

As far as I'm concerned, I don't find her singing touching, especially in this aria that is almost entirely based on empty virtuosity (I do like Alessandro Scarlatti, though). And I don't see mannerism in Dessay's singing: I'll call that emotion. Exactly what I don't find here.

[niklausse]

I don´t think Dessay brings emotion to music, her histerical/divaesque treatment of recitatives is (to me) awfull, Roberta sings with more drama and awareness of text than Natalie Dessay (compare their versions of Handel´s delirio amoroso) and se does not need unwritten and gratuitous high notes.

My english might not be accurate, I apollogise

[MehdiCaps]

The problem I have with your first comment is mostly: hating. There's no reason to hate Natalie. She proposes something and you're free to prefer other versions. It's not necessary to create imaginary rivalries between singers.

Roberta is a baroque music specialist and understands Italian better than Natalie, that's for sure! Natalie is relatively new to this music, but she's getting better and better, according to gfhandel dot org. Haïm's "Il trionfo" is regarded as a very good recording.

[MehdiCaps]

Also: I understand your point of view, but you didn't choose the right videos to post your comments: here, we have gratuitous virtuosity by Roberta, and in the other video, Natalie was pretty moving. I know it can be the contrary in other arias.

Both are able to move. Both are capable of virtuosity.

[MehdiCaps]

Regarding "unwritten and gratuitous high notes", it's baroque music, for Händel's sake! Singers are allowed and even encouraged to add cadenzas, which usually include "unwritten and gratuitous high notes", of course. After that, it's a question of taste...

[niklausse]

I do not hate her but I think she has nothing to in barroque music,in an interview Rousset said he was contacted by Natalie and she expressed that she´d love to sing handel but she admited that there were NOTHING for her voice in his repertoire.

[MehdiCaps]

Actually, she said that "there were no roles for her in Handel's operas", but Händel has written many other things.

Rousset agreed with her, but it was because Händel has written for sopranos with a strong medium, and not for light sopranos. But Dessay had surgery 2 years ago, she's 42, and her voice is changing. She could sing Händel heroines in a near future. She's learning the job now with early cantatas and oratorios.

[niklausse]

I wish her the best =)

[niklausse]

As for the Natalie-hating business;...Hatred is hard work, and I, just like other people, like to know that their work is going towards a worthwhile cause, There are precisely two persons in the world whom I hate, and those person had to work long hours over a period of years to earn such devotion from me, and Natalie isn´t one of them.

Kind regards

[firebreathone]

wonderful