Ann Hallenberg, "Con l'ali di costanza", Ariodante, Handel

[tigorsf]

It's interesting: ev'ry aria in hallenberg's voice become so cool! Imagine an already cool aria like this one... I love her and I wish they record more cds and dvds with her, since I live in Brazil and I can't go to the tours

[compeld2sing]

This is a great version of Con l'ali, of course, by Ann Hallenberg, but I'm torn between this one and the one of Lorraine Hunt. both great.

[vespersinblue]

What a marvellous rendering!!!

Nevertheless, I still prefer Anne Sofie's.

[vespersinblue]

All right folks, I've changed my mind, Ann Hallenberg's rendering is at least as good as Anne Sofie von Otter's.

[violatione]

@vespersinblue Anne Sofie's is absolute perfection!!!!

[hillevifan]

She is now my favorite Ariodante! She is perfect! And such a nice person too! Her Ariodante is perfectly nuanced and superbly sung and the orchestra is wonderful too (as they were in Anna Caterina Antonnachi's solo CD)

[Gudrun74]

Indeed, the conducting has as well to be complimented (unlike Curtis` Ario).

I heard it live on Radio France and was quite surprised: Ann Hallenberg gave a very laid-back interview, partly in French, until 5 minutes before the performance!!

[hillevifan]

Yeah, and Curtis used the easier varient version of "Con l'ali" which makes it less exciting... But i did like Laura Cherici as Ginevra!

[Gudrun74]

Again, fantastic! I like this even more than her Dopo Notte. Will we ever hear it again??? Can`t believe it has been performed only 1x. Nothing against Purcell, but why does Ann Hallenberg not tour with Handel bravura arias instead/asap? I`d say she`s in her prime exaclty now.

[hillevifan]

I do agree handel is better, but Purcell is extremely entertaining as well - imagine her Dido! I'd love to hear it...

[Gudrun74]

What I know from Purcell is OK, amusing or touching (Dido) and historically interesting, but it`s not this bravura singing (like HERE), where I`d clearly prefer Ann Hallenberg in. My until-now fav Ariodante DiDonato has got a companion on her throne.

[hillevifan]

I love Joyce DiDonato more than anything, but her Ariodante isn't my favorite! I know you love her, but something just doesn't gel with me in that performance... her Handel aria CD is amazing, and her Scherza Infida is thrilling and chilling, but the bravura side of Ario isn't convincing with her. Ann is my current favorite Ario, because of the sheer richness of her voice and ability to draw out the character and fuse with the music!

[Gudrun74]

Good point. Hm it`s impossible for me to choose a fav Ario. Here in "Con l`ali", I prefer Hallenberg because of her pure, slim coloratura singing. "Preparati morire", though, goes to DiDonato. The furore in her last 2 "vedro" cannot be beaten imo.

PS: I love the fact that we have from both singers a real, 100% live recording. For me always the benchmark. And btw the highest form of art I can think of. I kneel down before both.

[stolof]

Gudrun; Ann sang several Händel arias on the tour this summer with Christophe Rousset/Les Talens Lyriques (including Dopo notte). They will make another tour in the spring of 2011 with Farinelli arias.