Natalie Dessay - Lakme - Bell aria - 1995 - (St Etienne)

[htercas]

The best interpretation of this aria ever. I came to know this aria sung by Callas, and after by Sutherland. Both are very beautiful, but I have to admit that the essence of the composition is better revealed by Dessay. BRAVA, no doubt. The pleasure of listening to one of the most beautiful melodic compositions ever!

[Lbalance94]

Magnifique!!

[Tiberius302]

Natalie Dessay, dieser wunderschöne, engelhafte Klang Ihrer Stimme, Ihre Technik, Ihr ganzes Wesen - all das macht mich ungemein glücklich, wenn ich Ihre Interpretation dieser so schwierigen Arie höre. Eine Arie, die mich schon als Teenager - also vor mehr als 50 Jahren - fasziniert hat (damals gesungen von Mado Robin). Ich danke dem Schöpfer, dass es Sie gibt! Natalie, ich liebe Sie!!

[withchalie1]

Wowwwwwwwwwwwww

If I remember correctly.....another one with such ethereal voice...was Dame Joan.

[lunadel94]

Bella diva I love how she sing this aria because your voice is exactly like a bell ♥

[MrDajx]

She really deserved that round of applause.

[MrDajx]

Wow! That note at 6:25 :O

[MYRHAH]

Sans doutes la plus belle Lakmé...cette partition était vraiment faite pour elle. Son plus beau rôle.

[Poet2916]

she gets a million brava's and bravo's at every performance! *sighs* what I wouldn't give to have a gift like hers...

[mayreecanary]

My endorphins are releasing!

[ubedajils]

Picando en el Sol Sostenido Sobreaguso (Sx3)... fantastico. Muy bien cantado y muy bien interpretado.

[Cambrey13]

I could listen to this all day and still be amazed. <3

[sopranosd]

such speed and accuracy; and real acting. I crab about the change in her voice, but I love her no matter what.

[gustavoanmosura]

sibemol sobreagudo como la robin........increible

[pcharpiot]

avec Nathalie Petitbon nous avons les meilleures et en y ajoutant mme ALAGNA!

quel monde merveilleux

[tomaskejr]

natalia my love

[MYRHAH]

nathalie dessay était là dans son meilleur rôle, du temps de sa splendeur: elle a su attribuer à cet air un caractère dramatique, ne l'a pas chanté comme "un léger", lui a donné du relief et du corps. Interprétation très "pensée" et belle présence.

[SawyersSexy]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Justin43212]

is this whole video available somewhere?

[marylambcarter]

bravaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[dollartwenty]

absolutely charming ande the high notes were so much sweeter than they are now.

[sopranosd]

@dollartwenty - yeah, what did happen to her voice? Was it oversinging that caused the damage that led to the operations, or did her technique fall apart? She is singing differently here from how she sounds now. These days her singing sounds a little throaty and too far back, except on her highest notes. Maybe age has also played a part? The youthful singing in this video is superb, and I wish she could have continued to sing this way.

[johndlabella]

@sopranosd This is a great question: singing sensations are hard to describe - even to oneself. Over time/in different languages/roles/acoustic settings, the sensations are different. And so you see singers puzzled to find their voices not working because 'they're feeling/thinking the same things they always have'. Yet, underlying those sensations are principles that can help you find the voice again and again. These get lost/were never learned/get forgotten. More time not performing is needed!

[icansingtoo]

PHENOMINAL!!!!

[asdfopera]

eradesso is right about the trill. Sutherland really had a great trill in this, but Dessay's high notes are really spectacular.

[skitzo429]

beautiful E

[eradesso]

To me Dessay IS Lakmè.

No getting around that. I may like others, she may not have the most reliable trill... but still.... she IS Lakmé. She owns it.

[meltzerboy]

Among contemporary singers, I agree that Dessay owns Lakme as she does Ophelie. But once upon a time, Lily Pons owned the role (and the "Air des clochettes"), especially at the Met, but even before that, in France. Mado Robin was also associated with the role, as was Mady Mesple.

[eradesso]

I have to say I dislike both Pons and Robin.

The latter to me was just a useless scooper of high notes and nothing more.

Mesplé on the other hand, gorgeous voice, gorgeous woman and plenty of style. And she definitely owns the Flower duet.

I'll add Dessay also owns Olympia imo.

[meltzerboy]

I essentially agree about Robin's singing. I listen to her mainly for the spectacular high notes. On occasion, she sings with charm and sweetness as well. I realize Pons has many technical faults and is not the most expressive artist. But I like her singing anyway, in part since she was the first opera singer I ever heard on recordings and live on television. Also there is something I find appealing about her voice and style. I never became a fan of Mesple's singing, but appreciate her artistry.

[eradesso]

I may say that about Mesplé, I really didn't like her when I first heard her. Her voice reminded me of vinegar, if you know what I mean.

But then, I heard such magic renditions from her; she is the quintessential French voice.

I see a modern Mesplé in Elizabeth Vidal. unfortunately a very underestimated artist.

But no, I never get past Pons' technical shortcomings and despite loving high notes myself I don't like how Robin produces them nor employes them out of context..

[MrLupo23]

totally agree!!!

[Lukejoker3]

@eradesso so true! I saw a much older version from 1970´s don´t remeber her name fantastic also!

[SsteinwayS]

WOW thanks again!!