Ann Hallenberg's singing is truly superb - perfect intonation, great agility, clear enunciation, wonderful rhythmic sense, rare power of expressivity, in short, truly musical in the HIGHEST sense.
I don't want to be cruel, but in the bad old days before the original instrument movement I heard the Barber Institute production of Orlando at Sadler's Wells, conducted by Anthony Lewis. it wasn't a perfect production, but in the ritornello for "Fammi Combattere" you could feel the excitement (the hairs went up on my neck) before the then young Janet Baker had even opened her mouth to sing. She didn't disappoint. But then, things were simpler then - you just sang.
It is from a live performance in Beaune 22 July 2006 with Ottavio Dantone. Although Ann is taking on higher and higher roles (apart from a recent Tamerlano in Madrid and an upcoming Penelope at Drottningholm) this is a thrilling rendition of this demanding role.
Now there are, together with Vivica's version from her CD, 2 different and excellent interpretations "on the market". I really find it exciting to see what (THE?) top 2 virtuoso Handel Mezzo Sopranos make out of the same aria, which is not often possible.
Of course I don't mean there's an "order" of top singers. The two just have sung the most difficult arias that I've ever heard on stage (Vivica: "Qual guerriero" and Ann: "Come nembo che fugge ...", btw. you don't happen to have a live rec from the latter from Zurich 2006 or so?)
Mrs Genaux and Mrs Hallenberg are two fabulous MEZZOS (you know how much I like them) but when they head for the contralto land.. well they aren´t so convicing, Podles and Stutzmann excels in this aria
In ALL her recordings/videos, Ann does such an exquisite job of her performances. She can even make a so-so aria sound like the most beautiful selection that you ever heard. Her version of Va Tacito is BY FAR, WAY nicer than the second nicest, and her ornamentations are the most beautiful, (that,unfortunately is not on YT) . This selection (Fammi Cambattere) measures up beautifully, needless to say. AGAIN, BRAVISSIMA!
Ann Hallenberg's singing is truly superb - perfect intonation, great agility, clear enunciation, wonderful rhythmic sense, rare power of expressivity, in short, truly musical in the HIGHEST sense.
One of the very GREATEST singers today.
Cissy97 3 days ago
Excellent singer!
Cissy97 1 month ago
Her voice is amazingly beautiful!!
JoanaStanelyte 3 months ago 2
@JoanaStanelyte
Very true - even in ALL REGISTERS, creamy and silvery at the same time.
May be not as rich as Paula Rasmussen's, but beautiful in totally another sense.
Cissy97 3 days ago
Bella interpetazione, ma preferisco quella de Bowman, ha piú di forza, questa e un poco fredda...
baalhaophanim 1 year ago
I don't want to be cruel, but in the bad old days before the original instrument movement I heard the Barber Institute production of Orlando at Sadler's Wells, conducted by Anthony Lewis. it wasn't a perfect production, but in the ritornello for "Fammi Combattere" you could feel the excitement (the hairs went up on my neck) before the then young Janet Baker had even opened her mouth to sing. She didn't disappoint. But then, things were simpler then - you just sang.
Allanfearn 1 year ago
Que me perdonen todos los contratenores del mundo...pero donde esté una buena mezzo...................
mirenmina 2 years ago 4
It is from a live performance in Beaune 22 July 2006 with Ottavio Dantone. Although Ann is taking on higher and higher roles (apart from a recent Tamerlano in Madrid and an upcoming Penelope at Drottningholm) this is a thrilling rendition of this demanding role.
stolof 3 years ago
Cool!
Now there are, together with Vivica's version from her CD, 2 different and excellent interpretations "on the market". I really find it exciting to see what (THE?) top 2 virtuoso Handel Mezzo Sopranos make out of the same aria, which is not often possible.
Thank you
Gudrun74 3 years ago
PS (reply to myself haha):
Of course I don't mean there's an "order" of top singers. The two just have sung the most difficult arias that I've ever heard on stage (Vivica: "Qual guerriero" and Ann: "Come nembo che fugge ...", btw. you don't happen to have a live rec from the latter from Zurich 2006 or so?)
Gudrun74 3 years ago
Mrs Genaux and Mrs Hallenberg are two fabulous MEZZOS (you know how much I like them) but when they head for the contralto land.. well they aren´t so convicing, Podles and Stutzmann excels in this aria
Crindoro 3 years ago 3
Try Marijana Mijanovic
CzarDodon 2 years ago
@CzarDodon
nooooooo, she's horrid. try Patricia Bardon with Christie!
mistatomsom 1 year ago
In ALL her recordings/videos, Ann does such an exquisite job of her performances. She can even make a so-so aria sound like the most beautiful selection that you ever heard. Her version of Va Tacito is BY FAR, WAY nicer than the second nicest, and her ornamentations are the most beautiful, (that,unfortunately is not on YT) . This selection (Fammi Cambattere) measures up beautifully, needless to say. AGAIN, BRAVISSIMA!
contessabrilliante 3 years ago
is this from a live recording which was released? Its magnificent.
altodivo 3 years ago
It is from a live recording for radio.
wienerfr 3 years ago