Songs of a Wayfarer, 1 - Sarah Connolly (Last Night of the Proms 2009)

[cantorandopera]

The slower pace you take, the more you have to be able to give to the music. And Ms. Connolly has plenty of resources to make this piece be an artistic achievement. Brava! Gorgeous voice, fabulous musicianship and an easy way with it all - you never feel the hard work that goes into making this song come alive.

[flylooper]

@SarahConnolly63

Indeed, although Mahler was not known to be one who held back on his opinions, at least privately.

My comment about baritones notwithstanding, I think you have an excellent voice, rich and full.

Quick question on the tempo: How much input do you have, as the soloist, in such a performance. Is the conductor "first among equals" in deciding tempos?

[Carolynnhall]

She is such a beautiful mezzo soprano!

Love her!

[nikbelane]

Brilliant! Big fan of Gustav, and she knocked it out of the park.

[beteltree]

Sublime!

[newhotmailit]

marvellous!!!

[operacat1]

Lovely to hear/see this again! (No, I wasn't there, unfortunately, just watched it on TV!)

[Operafiend22]

A stunning performance. 5 stars!

[winselpunkt]

:))))))))))))))))))))))!!! Thank you antmusique!

[acid00ron]

thank you so much for uploading this; and in such high quality at that. Connolly's interpretation is absolutely wonderful - technique, intensity, interpretation: a 5 star performance (if there were 4 stars to hand out). I will definitely be checking back for the other Mahler songs. Thanks again!

[antmusique]

She is absolutely fantastic indeed (in this and in all the others things I've seen her in). She deserves all the positive attention that I imagine must come with performing at such an event.

The other movements might take a while, as my connection is very slow at the moment, but keep checking back.

[rlee1976]

She and I share the same voice teacher (just started working with him) and I got a comp ticket to see the dress rehearsal of "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the Met yesterday with Sarah as Der Komponist! What a treat! Simply stunning!

[antmusique]

Lucky you! Please report back if you have the time!

[rlee1976]

Hi, AntMusique... how are you? I was thrilled to see her. I could only stay for the Prologue of Ariadne, but that's all that the Composer sings in anyway, so that was good! Surprisingly very clear and well-projected into the monstrous hall of the Met which can usually swallow up the Composer's voice in the last aria, but she forged through!

[antmusique]

Thanks for reporting back! I wish I was there.

[melodiaavis]

I was lucky enough to be at the first night of Ariadne :) Sarah Connolly's beautiful voice and impeccable diction were so impressive as she portrayed the Composer's many conflicting emotions, and she was quite funny too, with great stage-presence. She got a thoroughly deserved, sustained ovation at the end of the Prologue.

[melodiaavis]

Thank you, thank you for this (and for your clip of her singing "Dido's lament").

Sarah Connolly really is absolutely fantastic in this. Such a lovely voice, and a wonderfully moving interpretation.

I had really been hoping that somebody would upload a clip of her singing the Mahler songs. Now I'm looking forward to all the other movements!