Handel's Giulio Cesare Duet

[boobgrape]

is this the Lorraine Hunt who died of breast cancer at 52?

[Foxtrot670]

I cannot stop watching this. It's beyond anything I've ever seen or heard. So dedicated, so much pain, and so real. I am in awe.

[kcnorthbear]

OMG! I've been watching it over and over! Incredible! True angels. Nothing like the pop tart wannabes. Classic. Thank You for posting.

[adamastorBassBar]

I think this updated production was set against the 1970s-80s backdrop of middle-eastern hostage crises. I was at first mystified by the 'choreography' but it then seems to reflect the Stockholm Syndrome experienced by many hostages with their captors, reflected in James Maddalena's acting of Achillas (Ptolemy's Captain of the Guard), interacting with Sesto and Cornelia. Very, very moving.

[sh00tingstar11]

Exceptionally beautiful. Music, voice, acting and everything else.... This is the kind of opera no one can refuse.

[kcnorthbear]

one of the most moving performances i've ever been lucky enough to come across.....Exquisite!

[murphy150]

the best recording from a great staging

[Garouchka]

wonderfull!!!

[LICIAbug13579]

wow... mrs. westbrook... you are an amazing singer lol... im proud to say you were once my chorus teacher!!!!

[horseyak]

@LICIAbug13579 A gorgeous voice, wonder where she is now.

[horseyak]

Anyone know who this Cornelia is? Magnificent voice.

[Renaissance3950]

@horseyak its Mary Westbrook-Geha, she is terrific isnt she ?

[richardfactory]

I am a counter tenor and I sing at OCHSA. Im doing this scene but I dont know what these people are choreographing. Is this like a traditional way of movements in this Opera?...

Im glad I dont really need to think about mixed voice for this song bc the range is high :)

[GothicToreador]

most magnifique giulio cesare production, wonderful singers. Do you know where can I find this dvd to download?

[orannisthedestroyer]

no words. BRAVA

[DivaTCD]

I want to strengthen my middle voice so that I can do this role! I am a soprano with a good middle voice and I'd love to do this role.. Such depth and warmth and the voices together are exquisite. I love this opera.

[NEBESHIKU]

who can get the lyrics of this aria?

[Elfenohr]

Son nata/o a lagrimar/sospirar,

e il dolce mio conforto,

ah, sempre piangerò.

Se il fato ci tradì,

sereno e lieto dì

mai più sperar potrò.

there is a link to the libretto in the english wiki article about the opera :)

[Gigglingatagas]

Good gravy, this is amazing. I find myself watching it over and over and over and over again. This clip is just so saturated with emotion that it's almost unbearable (in the most perfect way, of course).

One of the few "modern" productions I've seen that really affects me on a deeper level. Sensational.

[buddmar]

This is lovely, isn't it?! So full of despair and sadness. Can anyone with a heart not be moved by this? The music is so sweet and yet it is heartbreaking!! A mother saying farewell to a beloved son she knows is about to die. Tragic and marvelous.

[venausar1]

I couldn't understand what they were saying without subtitles, yet, it is VERY moving. I really thought it was slightly weird hearing it at first, yet it captivated and mesmorized me nontheless. I couldn't look away, nor could I turn it off. Simply brilliant and amazing!!! Bravi!

[EutuveX]

@Gigglingatagas

on a Sappho level ...

[Polushkapolye]

"Son nata a lagrimar" duet from the end of Act I Scene II of Handel's Giulio Cesare in Egitto.

[TFreckle]

Scene II? Not likely... it's the last Aria of act 1

[hollisdead]

This is beautiful! Whats the name of this duet in particular?

x

[jontenorboy]

So the staging is a little weird, but the acting and singing is beautiful. The ending cadenza is superb!

[dolciricordi]

molto bello

[decoseeker]

Visually crap vs musically sublime!!!

[morbidnights15]

AGH! ITS MRS. WESTBROOK!! THST MY CHORUS TEACHER!!! ....and best friends mom! lol~

[hillevifan]

you have her as a teacher? i would kill for that! lol

[jppooch]

Then you are indeed fortunate. Some of my most significat moments as a performer have been on stage with her.

She must bring a great deal of insight and passion to you chours.

[Homoclassicus]

This is just perfect! Those two voices blending so well convey a moment of indefinite peace and emotion. Hunt Lieberson's timbre must be one of the most heavenly and beautiful ever heard, and her phrasing and legato is faultless. I don't like modern productions a lot, but with such good actresses the movements became quite credible and, yes, interesting.

[wotansbitch]

Oh My God! I cried the emotion in the voices is amazing!! I love it!!

[dolukhanova]

vile, appalling, contemptible production. All erased by the beauty of the singing and the acting of the immortal Lorraine Hunt.

[loetje]

This is soo beautiful! Thanks!

[westly2255]

Bravo!! Almost the best version from what I have ever heard.

[LFP2010]

lorraine is the first person ive seen sing a trouser role where you forget its a woman singing...she was so talented its unbelievable

[LFP2010]

ps- 8:20-8:24 are four seconds straight from heaven

[LFP2010]

just so fab...

[jppooch]

Yes, well matched indeed. Both musicians of the highest calibre, transendent.

In 1994 mary Westbrook sang a Verdi Requiem with Dominique Labelle at MIT for John Oliver. At the Angus Dei written with soprano and mezzo an octave apart, they were perfectly in tune throughout and moved as if of one mind and voice. A beautiful moment and I found myself sobbing. Thank you Mary.

Thank you Lorraine for the time you spent sharing your soul and art with us on earth. We were amply blessed.

[hillevifan]

I love Dominique Labelle. One of my favorite Opera singers of all time!!

[Zorica12]

najlepsi!

[horseyak]

The voices were so well-matched.

[Jimminy20]

Beautiful. Both voices give me chills each time I see it.

[nohpiano]

Whatever happened to the great video from the Janet Baker version (in English) that was on here with Anne Howells and ???? - it was to weep over.

[rakewell2]

the singers were Sarah Walker and Della Jones

[linocogo]

I saw this production in Boston in the 1980's in 2007 it remains fantastic. what voices!!!! 10/10

[thethikboy]

exquisite

[ericfc93]

that last phrase were they went really high was gorgeous

[planthi80]

a heart breaking performance.....

[philaguy76]

what is up with the stage direction? i don't get it. what are they trying to do? why such close-up pictures?

[ariodante76]

probably some flaming queen trying to leave her mark... she shoulda stayed in bed.

[AndWhoMightUB]

lorraine looks like greg turay in this role.

[rakewell2]

not even over-creative staging can ruin this sublime musical moment, especially when such tender singing is involved. lovely. thank you for loading this.

[hillevifan]

excellent! Rapture!

[arlisstewart]

exquisite!