Stephen Costello sings Gounod's St. Cecilia Mass

[rmsadoq]

Wow. Rich, ringing tenor voice, clear as you can get. And, a great, prayerful rendidtion. Don't know what happened to the high A's -- I think it's the recording equipment. Must threaten the music director at my church to do this or I'll quit!

[ForAll23]

For me, it seems that Mr. Costello feel more comfortable when he sings in the church compared to the opera.

It is possible that he shares the same fate as Mr. Björling, which means that he is more a natural person and feels some discomfort inside the operas designed walls.

[MarvelGirl11]

Simply Gorgeous!

[curlingnf]

To: feiketao: re request for info on lyrics.

Yours are correct. Except "osanna" is prounced with an "H". (Hosanna). Prior to Vatican 2 council,when a lot of liturgy was changed, the "Benedictus qui Venit" was sung after the words of Conscreation were said over the bread and wine.This why you do not hear it as Part of the "Sanctus" This is probably my favourite mass, and I have had this score for many years. This is a very good rendition. I love Steven's voice.

[Nadir2711]

une belle voix et la foi dans ce qu'il chante....le choeur est très bon également...

[girardje70]

très bonne prestation de Stephen costello et duc Choeur. bravo

[hsoenario]

Wow, what a voice and so well projected.

Thanks, it so encouraging to hear and see such a young talent and to read all the positive comments!

Herman, Australia

[feiketao]

Em...who can tell me the lyrics of this version? I cannot hear clearly. But I find that the below version is shown frequently...Is that the correct version???

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, dominus Deus Sabaoth,

Pleni sunt coeli er terra gloria tua,

osanna in excelsis

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Osanna in excelsis

[Contratenor18mlg]

:-)

[63Attila]

Oh How beautiful. This young man shows promising artistry. Nature gave him the clean tone. How old is he? Where was this performance done?

[searnold56]

hes 27 now i think. he made his met debut in lucia last season

[pvaskivuo]

Wow, wonderful to see young talents! Peter

[girardje]

very good

[stitt2]

I sure am a believer in this young tenor. This guy is someone to watch, he should go far.

[naftade]

VERY, VERY NICE! IMO the "Credo" (latin fo "I believe") is even stronger. Fortunately I have two versions of the entire mass on cd. If you like it,vernon, I strongly recommend the EMI-Edition with Jean-Claude Hartemann which is so full of pure beauty and overwhelming power, it almost makes you a believer (if you're not one already, that is ;-).

[mariavelasco]

Bravo!!!

[GnosticDwarf]

Yes, I agree. You too? I think you're right. Thanks!

[GnosticDwarf]

How utterly amazing. Beyond all petty criticisms of performance, voices, technique - whatever - the fact is this: the finger of God touches the human heart, and the realm of the transcendent is revealed. All genuine art does this - music above all - and the truth of it is beyond small-mouthed carping. Thanks be.

[vernon361970]

absolutely divine  i think Gounad was inspired in this piece it lifts you out ofthe seat ....does anyone have the entire mass itself especially the version sung by Barbara Hendricks

[pescepattate]

I do not live in London so please tell me when and where will it be performed thanks

[HendonKissArmy]

Beautiful. I am lucky my choirs at All saints church Margaret st in London perform the entire mass once a year. Always my fave, although some of the Mozarts rock as well.

[ratws]

Charles Gounod besaß jene ans Wunderbare grenzende klangliche Sentimentalität, die in die endlos scheinenden Tiefen unseres Gemüts fällt. Costellos Stimme trägt die Stimmung vom Anfang bis zum Ende. Bravo, bravissimo.

[CHerbek]

Damn he is good!

[Kopsinger]

Stirring, passionate performance. Well done, Stephen.

[Cuccussette]

I fell in love with music first time I saw Nosferatu by Werner Herzog - it is at the end of the movie, when Harker rides!

It is not easy to find this music.

Thank you for sharing this masterpiece.

[pambazo55]

What could the Lord says about this music composed in his honour ?

[TwinOaks1674]

This music is a taste of Heaven.

[ka254]

This chorus is spectacular. Anyone in the Philly/SJ area should RUN to see them wherever they appear. Thanks for posting it so I can revisit an amazing concert.

[outinforce]

Absolutely beautiful! This piece of music has long been a favorite piece of mine. Thanks so much for posting it.