Renee Fleming - Elijah (Mendelssohn) - Hear Ye, Israel

[SFOtter]

Lovely performance. Not sure why the grousing about diction. The aria is terribly high so many sopranos will opt for lyricism over diction. Fleming is superior to Rosalinde Plowright in this regard.  My personal favorite on recordings is Gwyneth Jones on the EMI Fruehbeck de Burgos recording. She has ample power, diction, lyricism and heart. One of her rare outstanding recordings.

[VirginiaL99]

I agree with Dymension. My favorite recording of this is Eleanor Steber.

[ForestChav]

She has a lovely voice, and you can hear every word.

[Dymension]

I don't think it's that bad. I rather like her. My favorite rendition though is Eleanor Steber.

[fiddler927]

Not her best performance. Her diction is not terribly good. But I love listening to Renee Fleming, and I think her critics can be vicious.

[rockgor]

Great music and great singing. I first heard this aria half a century ago.

A fine recording by Lois Marshall.

According to various web sites, Mendelssohn had Jenny Lind in mind

when he wrote the oratorio.

Tnx 4 the wonderful post.

[choirsinger123]

I must admit this is not my favorite performance of this aria. Too"muddied" by heavy vibrato-can't quite understand the words. Listen to the video of Marita Solberg-clear as a bell! This aria tells the story of the second part of Elijah-very important to the story. Elijah is almost always performed in english. Oh, except my german friend told me they did it in german at home-what a surprise...

[choirsinger123]

I have to admit this is not my favorite performance of this aria. Her heavy vibrato "muddies" some of the words. She is responsible for telling the story to begin the second half of Elijah. This oratorio is almost always performed in English, although my German friend sang it in german at home-no surprise there!

[choirsinger123]

I have to admit-it is not my favorite performance of this aria. She is telling the story to begin the second half, and her heavy vibrato sometimes interferes with the words. Elijah is almost always performed in English.

[musiclove2222]

I think  you all need your hearing tested.. The word are clear to me which are in English

[annashackleton]

I can't understand anything she is saying either.. just the odd word here and there!

The words are the most VITAL component of this piece as she is supposed to be telling us what's going on!

[gharusa]

stupid cow this is in GERMAN!!!!! beautiful interpretation

[macabregemini]

@gharusa Clearly you've never heard German, because this piece is in English. Though it's not sung so well (Renee is not my favorite singer... vibrato is too heavy and she tends to scoop practically every other line but...), it IS indeed, in English. "Hear ye, Israel! Hear what the Lord speaketh"... Sure seems like English to me.

[gharusa]

stupid cow this is in GERMAN!!!!!

[nostopsnopurgatory]

Geeeeorgeous!

[moepmaster2]

I don't like an German oratorio sung with English text :/

[Pywacket2]

@moepmaster2 Historically, Elijah is performed in English. It was introduced in London and sung in an English translation which Mendelssohn himself polished.

[cleanears]

This is really terrible. No diction. No technique. Keep her!

[PukKoleszka]

@cleanears och :/

[Pywacket2]

@PukKoleszka What nonsense. Fleming's performance is exquisite.

[vocalissimo1]

A magnificent aria in an oratorio that is full of inspiring music. Try Elly Ameling for a truly memorable performance.

[796824]

Too labored Listen to ISOBEL BAILLIE

[steffino2]

Oh I didnt know this recording existed! Maybe its not promoted in Germany because EMI people think that nobody buys it because of the English text? Sounds like an amazing production!

[CandieGirl]

@steffino2 It's wonderful. I own it and love listening to her and Bryn.

[floydrharper]

btw, it's from "Elijah"

[floydrharper]

Incomparable

[tychaton08]

Merci!