Natalie Dessay - Hamlet - "Pâle et blonde" (scene - part 2)

[oplutao]

''Adeus, branca estrela

Adeus, céu

Adeus, doce amigo''

Lindíssimo!

[Cissy97]

The timbre is so worn out...oh, God!

[diesis23]

....e il fa#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrHbc3]

God! So many times in her life she has finished an aria and been met with an explosion of cheers and applause. So many. And yet, although she is extremely serious about what she does, she shows no trace of arrogance. Only straightforward friendliness to virtually everyone with whom she comes in contact.

[chebellamelodia]

Is this before or after she had the surgery for nodes? Just curious.

[MangoNinja]

Gives me goosebumps...

[isabelbleuet]

ce contre fa mythique!

[Lecafeconcert]

@isabelbleuet si vous parlez de la note finale tenue, c'est un contre-la :) Il n'y a pas de contre-fa dans cet air, des contre-mi et ce sublime contre-la ajouté par Natalie Dessay au sommet de son art! :D

[PierreAlexandreRavet]

@Lecafeconcert Un contre-la ? pourtant on entend bien un contre-fa# ... Peut-être est-ce dû à l'enregistrement lui-même.

[Simdaperce]

@PierreAlexandreRavet Bien sur qu'il s'agit d'un contre-fa# et pas d'un contre-la (on se demande ce que viendrait faire un la dans un accord de dominante de si majeur).

[Yakoucchu]

She's UMBELIVEVABLE.

[ingriddoppler]

Great voice, wonderful rendition, BRAVA !!!

[saverioorlando]

Miracle de voix,mais sur tout de souffrance comme Ophelie

[fluffynamedkimba]

magnificent. her legato is just incredible. acting, musicality.... she loses herself. its great. LOVE YOU NATALIE. YIOU ARE THE BEAST!

[arpeggio1358]

This is the most accomplished version of this I've ever come across...simply perfect.

[MySummerDays]

Ohmygod. Elle est fabuleuse.

[giuma333]

semplicemente DIVINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[wwwgggrrrttt]

OMG i'v nevver see nothig similar. just FANTASTIIIC!!!

[Transoxiana94]

I thought I wasn`t a big fan of Dessay - because I never saw or listened to her Ophelia! She`s FLAWLESS !!

[gustopheles]

Ok...I'm not a Dessay fan, but this is a fantastic interpretation, vocally. Her acting, though, I've never once liked.

[Kivimusic]

Has anybody found one little mistake? I didn't. It's perfect.

[zamyrabyrd]

@Kivimusic off pitch around 5:55 for a few seconds. BTW Sutherland gets stunning results without verismo overacting. She and Callas do it through the voice and music.

[THL95]

@zamyrabyrd This is, in fact, a MAD scene...her acting is perfection.

[Rcoppin91]

How is she off pitch? You have to keep in mind that she walking down steps.

[bretul]

Exemplary and superlative!

[danilirico]

Simplemente INCREIBLE!!!

[kcissoscene]

ONE OF THE GREATEST OPERATIC PERFORMANCES OF ANYTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN OR HEARD!!

[isabelbleuet]

Madame Dessay, s'il n'y avait eu que ce rôle dans votre carrière, c'eut été suffisant pour vous attirer toute l'admiration et l'affection que vous suscitez! J'ai la chance d'avoir chanté dans les chœurs toulousains cette année là, et d'avoir partagé ces représentations historiques (Toulouse Capitole, Paris Châtelet)!!! Souvenirs impérissables... Merci pour votre sublime Ophélie, et tout le reste!

[iriisblue]

"You feel for Ophelia and don't care anymore about notes."

Yes, well, then, that's the end of opera.

[octron64]

semplicemente straordinaria!

[franimalistic]

I think this may be her best role; she's just perfect for it!

[CalypsOo0]

Moi qui n'avais pas du tout apprécié son interprétation de la Reine de la Nuit, qui ne correspondait pas, à mon avis à sa voix je suis agréablement surprise !

Elle habite totalement le personnage, je suis transportée, c'est à donner des frissons. Vraiment : éblouissante performance !

[bmp6768]

I saw the MET opera 2010 show broadcasted in french cinema through the Live HD MET. What a fantastic surprise! I didnt know about this opera before. But now, I cant stop listening to Ophelias song Pale and blond Willis in the blue lake. Waow! Get my tears at each time One of the best music Ive ever heard. Although disappointed not to see Natalie in the performance as originally expected, I spend a lovely time. I found Simon Keenlyside brilliant in his role and couldnt get my eyes out of him.

[violinguru07]

Beautiful! :) I just saw this at the MET a couple days ago, although me and my fiancee were disappointed to not see her, her replacement Peterson was phenomenal! Thanks for posting.

[brightboy86]

her replacement was no phenomenal for me, Dessay cannot be sustitued

[sopranosd]

This is so extraordinary.  What is that high M above L she sings at the end?! When I saw this video last year on youtube, I immediately bought a ticket to the Met production. Now Dessay has canceled, which of course is the wise thing to do when you are ill. It's better to preserve one's health and one's voice for the long term than to try to push to the limit. But I'm so upset! Still, the replacement (Marlis Peterson) is supposed to be terrific, so all is not lost.

[ChristineFlora]

I am also devastated that I will miss seeing Natalie at the Met in Hamlet. My son (a college student) & I have been waiting for a year to see her live! But, her health comes first. We wish you well, Natalie, and I know all your many fans wish you the best. Thanks to these videotapes - your acting & singing have given us all so much joy!

[gypsycafe]

I am devastated that she has cancelled her run as Ophelie at the MET. I hope she is better soon! Many are even speculating that she will cancel her next HD at the MET as well (Lucia).

[suzanneetmoi]

Now THAT'S why she considers herself a "singing actress"! Perfection, on all levels!

[SopranoLorena]

Maravillosa, me encanta!!!!Que limpieza en todas las partes dificiles.

[rlee1976]

The stamina required to sing this is just earth-shattering. I mean, really! Brava, Natalie! I think lots of people really bash her so much without realizing how much hard work she's put into her technique, her craft.

She's worked with my new voice teacher, and he teaches a very sound, healthy technique.  Hoping she stays away from too many risk-taking roles voice-wise and doesn't overbook herself again. I think she's learned many lessons. You can't always say "yes" to all gigs.

[whoknowscouldbe]

forget about the brilliant voice, she acts the crap out of this whole aria! the staging is absolutely amazing too

[tcradical]

This is ridiculous, she is perfect!!!!!

[PopoliDiTessalia]

Si on oublie ceux de Mesplé et Robin, oui, on peut considéer ce fa dièse comme étant sublime... certainement...

Julien

[sebastien1chartry]

Et pour info.. Se n'est pas un contre-fa dièse mais un contre-fa!!

[grotsvita]

@sebastien1chartry , excusez-moi, mais c'est un contre fa-dièse...

[velazquez2009]

sublime et terriblement, delicat! la douleur poetique!

[mish80]

inégalable.

[tenor003]

Très beau contre-fa dièse :)

[youfeda]

unica!

[LeliVr]

No doubt, Natalie is THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheValeriaValeri]

wow wow wow wow wow sono senza parole.. incredibile mai sentita una cosa del genere

[Tonifasxon]

estoy llorando.

[kinakina123123]

Brings me to tears at the end every time I watch it. What a beautiful performance and interpretation

[brightboy86]

she is the perfection

[jlg19100]

il faut vraiment tout l'art de N Dessay pour rendre intéressante cette musique plutôt mal foutue et ce texte insupportable.J'adore l'opéra mais là vraiment c'est dur !

[mabemawi]

Absolutely astounding, best Ophelie ever. And you are so very right, Muezzab: with her intense acting, Dessay turns this strange aria, that often sounds too cheerful to be suicidal, into a true scene of despair. Thank you very much for posting!

[Bardacious]

Second half of translation:

The air is veiled, goodbye, white stars, goodbye sky, goodbye sweet friend!

Happy wife in the arms of her groom! My soul is jealous of such a sweet happiness!

Under the sleepy tide, ah, forever, goodbye my sweet friend! Ah, dearest groom, dearest love!

Ah, sweet vow, tender oath!

Happiness supreme! Ah, cruel one, I love you!

Ah, cruel one, you see my tears! For you I die!

[anocheciendo]

Natalie no es humana o realmente es la unica que lo es

[xrejectedxonex]

anyone wanna translate to english for me :) ?!? i know the story of hamlet well but i just wonder exactly what it means it sounds beautiful

[yyjchou]

Saw her performed the same opera with the same producer and conductor in Toulouse in 2000 or 2001, absolutely perfect!

[natygdm]

wao.... ='''

i got the kind of sensation as if you were suddenly all petrified and cold...if you know what i mean :S O.O

[PecsMstr]

I respect her for her musicianship and excellent performances and singing. It's just that she does not hold a position with the great singers. She is just plain excellent.

[aklev77]

The fact that Dessay's voice is unattractive and is weak and childish, does not mean anything? Dessay's acting is bad, if not for music one will never distinguish between her Amina and Lucia. Oh, I forgot Dessay is ugly - that should be a plus! So, she got a "proper" training, so why then Dessay was booed at La Scala? Because people in Italy know a thing or two about beautiful singing, they mostly value the voice, and there Dessays perfect training meant nothing!

[Hal5423]

Exactly what is your musical training?

[MagecGC]

are u crazy?

[itoohill]

Your statements are pretty damn ignorant.

a. Dessay's "unattractive, weak, and childish" voice, not to mention her incredulous virtuosity and musicianship, have given her a stellar career (that you'll never have with that attitude.)

b. Her acting has put her at the forefront of a new theatrical movement in opera.

c. La Scala is notorious for its incredibly polarized, picky audience. Hundreds of the world's best singers have been booed there, so your insult doesn't have much ground.

[MegaCawotte]

You should see a doctor sorkin. Oops, I mean, aklev77 :-) Because Dessay is an obsession to you.

Anyway, I don't agree with you. She is one of the best soprano I've ever heard, and her acting is just amazing, I would even say that she's better than lots of Hollywood's actresses.

And she's definitely not ugly. Look around you, and you'll see that if she is, the majority of the women are. So don't be rude and stupid, and look what the word "respect" means in a dictionnary, and then we'll talk ;-)

[Wickedsiren]

doesent EVERYONE get boo'd at la Scala?

[47viviane]

the Milanese have a peculiar way of showing their appreciation - and their expert knowledge ha-bloody-ha by booing even La Callas. If I remember correctly Alagna stormed off the stage there after he got his share and left his understudy to sing in jeans and shirt (if the pressreport is right which it seldom is, but it's a great story anyway).

[cking904111]

In my opinion, Natalie Dessay in this video comes as close to perfection as I have ever heard and seen. Incredible. She breaks my heart.

[killerbunny123123]

was the last high note an F# ??

[Rcoppin91]

yup

[killerbunny123123]

I feel that when natalie sets foot on the stage, she disappears....and then the character who she is interpretating takes her place....the woman on the stage in this video is not natalie Dessay....it is Ophelia herself

[akemilsson]

hej hej vidoesvar????? Eller annat svar

par ooouuu

[akemilsson]

merci muezzab pour les subtexts . C'est toujuors un probleme pour nous francofiles a comprendre ce que vous dites

[rawdonqueen]

I always go back to this video to remember how great Dessay was before her voice was damaged, and before she sang parts, like Lucia, that are too heavy for her.

[moghedien13]

I dont think lucia is too heavy for her, shes quite fascinating. but i do agree she ruined her voice. it makes me sad to listen to her now (even though she is still very good).

[killerbunny123123]

it's true she ruined her voice but the fact is that maybe it was worth it.....I mean if Natalie didn't give her all back then, Im sure she wouldn't be today the Dessay we all know...this woman has given the 100% of her heart and even today (with what remains of the greatnes of her voice) she is still trying very hard..I love her

[MangoNinja]

It's sad that her voice was ruined but I can see how it would happen with the way she sings. She's awesome.

[brightboy86]

isn´t she great?? j'adore cette femme :)

[Darana78]

Magnifique. Je ne fais pourtant pas partie des des fans de Dessay mais là, c'est carrément splendide.

[MisterSoprano]

Well, Natalie is one of my favourites... have heard her life in Vienna (as Amina in La sonnambula) and twice in New York (as Julia in Romeo&Julitte) and she was just GREAT! Have also heard Gruberova in this aria in concert and was fantastic! This aria is very difficult, the high notes are not just there (as in belcanto many times) but the express feelings... and Natalie shows it, she knows what she sings! BRAVAAAA!

[nickalternativo]

Superb!!!!, The best Ofelia ever!!!!!

[kngiht84]

Best acting ever !!!

[Iareto]

Vocally, I prefer lots of other people. Dramatically, Dessay does very well here. I used to really think she was the best until realized that opera singing wasn't only about high notes and started recognizing some of her split-resonance. It's not a well focused sound. It's lovely, but I prefer focused tone and a little more meat on the voice (this is my opinion, please don't be some of the stupid Youtube users who tell people they're wrong for their opinions ;)). Thanks for the post!

[viverito]

She sings like a tenor

[sopran21]

what are you talking about?

[SsteinwayS]

Someone's truly mad...madly captivated by Natalie's amazing voice and acting!

(btw I didn't know tenors sang up to F-sharps three octaves above middle C...?)

[johanna33560]

I love this artist, for me she's the best... I like very much that she comes at Bordea&ux in France for a recital or an opera.. so i love and brava la dessay!!!

[dmgs86]

I saw her in Barcelona as Ofelia and Mannon ¡Astonishing!.¡Sobrenatural!¡B­ravissima

Natalie!

[angelalimarj]

Show! Adorei mesmo, emocionante!

[123Niche]

Finalement est-ce que cela va sortir en DVD ?

[Simdaperce]

I think this moment is one of the operatic miracle of the past 10 years. What a voice, what emotion!! Even if some criticize is current voice, she definitely left a mark in opera.

[DessayBestSinger]

y a-t-il la possibilité du voir tous les applaudissements?

[DessayBestSinger]

pardon, temps*

[DessayBestSinger]

Ça fait combien de tamps que ça doit sortir en DVD?

[sopran21]

Everytime I watch this video I can't stop crying and It makes me think and understand very clearly why I love natalie so much.

Wonderfull actress, wonderfull singer and wonderfull artist.

VIVA LA DESSAY!!!

[vipate]

I saw this performance at chatelet. This scene was unforgetable! She received more than five minutes of applauses in open scene.

[kngiht84]

The best Ophelia ever (the tenor is quite disappointing though, or maybe too dull in comparison with Dessay)

[chanteur73]

Da non credere...

[tacealanotte]

Juste exceptionnel , il faut le reconnaitre.

Même si il y en a qui critique, de toute façon c'est propre à la nature humaine, c'est fabuleux ce qu'elle fait à ce moment là !

Elle a un don c'est plus que de la technique vocale !!! Enthousiasmant ...

[isinglouderthanu]

hear the heartbreak... tears are running down my face... her voice is soaring... floating, iam in this dream with Ophelia... you cant help but be captivated... Dessay IS Ophelia

[artsfanintex]

the BEST !!!!

brava!

[spsp2sp3sp3dsp3d2]

For me this aria is all about the amazing trills and coloratura, so for that I must listen to Sutherland, but Dessay is good here.

[kngiht84]

Seriously, I don't understand why people marked you down like that.

[sour7lemon]

Because Sutherland could never put the soul and heart into this aria that Dessay puts in. Dessay has the amazing coloratura and this aria has few trills, but she does them flawlessly. Sutherland sounds like a robot, sings like a robot, and acts like a robot. Dessay, as someone else has said, IS Ophelia.

[mattyslipp]

...because people hate it when their favorite singer is in anyway "dissed" about a performance. Suddenly, it gets personal. Ha!

[BelCanto85]

I have recordings of Joan Sutherland and Kathleen Battle singing this piece. Both have the technical aspects down pat and do a convincing job. But neither of them come close to Natalie's performance in terms of sheer heartbreak and emotion. It really did bring tears to my eyes, both because of her musicality and incredible acting. Superb!

[girlwithcurls90]

This brought tears to my eyes.

Beautiful, well articulated, moving.

Astounding.

[amishjew2]

I love the part at 5:20 when she holds the blanket like the child that she will never have...such an incredible performance, probably the best that has ever been done.

[jasonlesliestevens]

This is the most incredible thing I have ever heard..Tears are puring down my face from the beauty of it.

[TheCircusFolk]

Her voice and demeanor simply make a perfect Ophelia.

[meltzerboy]

I think Dessay does a great job here; Ophelie is one of her best roles. But I also appreciate the recorded performances of the role by Sutherland (especially her rendition on "The Art of the Prima Donna" album), Callas (the studio performance), and Melba (the first 1904 version). All are brilliant in their own unique way.

[operagodess78]

Meltzerboy,I totally agree with you,but have you heard Galli Curci's version. It's probaly the most astonishing and emotional recored I think she recorded.

[796824]

Has anyone heard of MADO ROBIN?

[zauberkreis]

Every one here heard of her

[hsgiac03]

Yes! Have you seen the video where she sings the b flat ABOVE high c? My friend showed it to me the other day...

[OperaBR]

Dessay is definitely the best Ophélie of all times (at least of the "recorded" times!). Her voice is simply unique, with a velvety and vulnerable tone that turns it even more touching and remarkable. Her ability to express all feelings through a basically leggero voice is very rare, her impressive coloratura is also meaningful and musical, her phrasing is caressing, her high notes are amazing. I think she reached here the highest point of her artistry, it's a legendary interpretation! ;-D

[InformedListener]

WOW...Absolutely thrilling and amazing. I remember when I used to shy away from listening to this aria, because no one seemed to sing it in a way that would really capture my attention. Natalie delivers a compelling performance, capped by fearless singing above the staff. The High-F# at the end cannot be beat!!! BRAVA!!! Thanks for posting!

[gypsycafe]

I completely agree. I didn't really like the aria until I heard it sung by her.

[796824]

Listen to NELLIE MELBA spin the notes effortlessly

[agnellodei]

Nellie Melba didn't have a high Eb though.

[pekochel]

oh my goodness that is an F# she reaches at 7:23!!!!

[desandrelea]

C'est tellement magnifique!Natalie tu es vraiment extraordinaire: non seulement ta voix, mais ton caractere! Mon plus grand reve est de devenir comme toi!La musique classique c'est toute ma vie! j'ai baigné dedans quand j'étais petite et tu continues a faire vivre mon reve !! BRAVO

[maxfieldparrish2003]

Gives me goosebumps!

[moew99]

This is soooo amaaazing! This fis''' at the end is totally stunishing! I was moved to tears! Dessay is defenetly the best soprano for this role, just fantatsic singing and acting!!! BRAVO MADAME DESSAY!!

[phanphuc]

This has to be the best Ophelie Dessay ever sang, way better than both her studio recordings and that one DVD with Keenlyside.

[skylark100]

Every superlative I can think of is inadequate to describe this performance. Brilliant, breathtaking, stunning -- I'm speechless!

[jvinikour]

Phenomenal on all levels! I also heard Annick Massis perform this role beautifully in Geneva last year.

[jipega]

Amazing ! She sings and acts perfectly ! Herhigh note at the end makes me shiver. She is definitely "La Dessay"...The best soprano

[helenton]

This is pure art and beauty. She lives what she sings in such a way you just don't know what to enjoy: her wonderful and perfect voice or the way she acts so perfectly. It's surely one of the most amazing things I've ever heard and seen. Thank you so much MUEZZAB for such a wondeful gift; you made my day.

[smoothiw]

What a wonderful!

[operaguyny]

It's called "Les Oiseaux dans la charmille"

[operaguyny]

to DandP: She has recorded up to an A-flat above High C. See her recording of Mozart Concert Arias, and her rendition of the Doll from Tales of Hoffman, of which there is a video here on youtube. See the one set in the insane asylum, it's one of the most amazing things I've EVER heard and seen.

[DandP]

holy shit i don't think i've ever heard such a high note sang that way. amazing. does anybody know what her range is?

[coryisasleep]

OMGGGG Of all the times she's sung this, I have never heard her end with this ending!!!!! Brilliant.

[operatube]

stunning performance! dessay's best role!! THIS is for her! not lucia, not amina, not zerbinetta (IMHO).

[nectenorboi09]

Okay, this is absolutely incredible, one of the most subtle and moving performances I've seen in a long time. Yes, you can hear the nodes forming during some of her highest notes, but in this context it just adds to the excitement. Brava!

[xafnndapp]

Really, with this clip and the other one from the same scene, same opera and different production, she OWNS this page like no other soprano (notwithstanding the great recordings of Callas, Sutherland, Sills and all the others)

[VerdianoBR]

This scene, in my opinion, is very underestimated, because some people tend to think it is a long display of coloratura. Instead, Dessay proves it is a real masterpiece which uses the most difficult and deepest singing to express madness, sadness and death. When this music is sung by a sensitive actress like Dessay, it's unforgettable! ;-)

[MUEZZAB]

No wonder that I cried when I was in the audience of this production. You could not hear a fly... It was so opressive...

Natalie made me cry, really, but my friends as well, who are not opera addicts as I am. I remember one turning to me and saying that she had tears and could not imagine that to happen... I am quite proud to have brought to them that incredible sensation opera can give !

And I agree with you, Adam's "Pâle et blode" melody is a masterpiece...

[MUEZZAB]

OMG Oups! Sorry THOMAS' "Pâle et blonde" ! (why was I thinking of Adam???)

[gypsycafe]

I am eternally jealous of you! To see that performance must have been.... I can't think of a feeling. I think I would go crazy if I was their. You are very lucky to have experienced that.