Libera - Semele (Ben Crawley)

[chocchipcookiegirl]

I prefer his voice to Tom's (don't kill me!)

[jualkyn]

@chocchipcookiegirl Don't worry. They are both my favourites so far but this boy does take the cake for me. He does vibrators, ACTUAL vibratos that none of the other boys seem to quite able to get. His voice is so beautiful

[Fanzize]

Beautifull voice

[ifuliki]

He had a truly magnificent voice did Ben. There is a load of info on Google

Aled

[Amunhotep4th]

I would never have in my wildest dreams hearing a treble singing this aria and I must admit it is done exceptionally well indeed :-)

[chrisjames147]

Ben is an exceptional talent. I was very pleased to see him credited on the Peace album for composing Touch the Sky, a wonderful ode to childhood. His work still serves Libera in good measure, thank you Ben.

[1974USM]

Hm, perhaps I'm doing the other soloists (who were / are very good or even excellent as well) injustice, but the niveau Ben C. had was singular at Libera. It had never been reached before nor has it been since then.

I've been singing for nearly 20 years now in many choirs since I was 7 years old and I've heard many other choirs, but I think nothing has impressed me more.

I know of no other version of Semele by Libera (besides this on Luminosa). Has it ever been performed again by someone else?

[Ravensbread]

Thanks you for this beautiful offering, DarthYoungling. It is nice to know that Ben is still with LIBERA.

[thethinker133]

.....wow. 0_0 epic. very epic.

[flicfan416]

Ben Crawley was, and is, in my opinion, head and shoulders above every other Libera soloist. This precise recording is perhaps the greatest testament to his stellar intonation, thrilling range, and instantly recognizable vibrato.

If I had to list off other soloists who come close, I would have to say Steven Geraghty, who to this date has the highest recorded notes in Libera history, and Liam Connery, who I will never forget once ended "Libera" with a D6 when I saw them live.

[biyeon0735]

I mean the "live performance of Ben", not only this song. I know he was in a few concert but I've never found any one of'em uploaded.

[picardythirds]

@biyeon0735

there's a few - for example, the version of sanctus (II) with all the lights and a very young tom cully standing next to big ben.

Alas, Big ben is from an era of few live concerts (except for asia tours)

Also, there is a live version of verespera with Aled Jones singing the lead part where ben is in the choir.

For solos - I think from the Japan videos there are a few studio performances.

[biyeon0735]

big Ben is my most favorite soloist and I love Adam Harris, Steve Geragthy, and Tom Cully too :-). by the way, Ben had sung longer than others as a soloist, but why can't find his live video anywhere?

[DarthYoungling]

@biyeon0735 live video of this song? There are a few concerts he participated in floating around.

[paranoidalsun]

tom is a legend

[mickxy]

All the time people are posting wonderful new videos to go with the beautiful Libera songs. Thanks for enriching my life.

[jdheather1]

Whoops! Robert Prizeman I meant.

 My apologies!!

[jdheather1]

Ben was and is and (thanks the recordings and YouTube) will ALWAYS be- for the next hundred years - an astounding little performer. But Philip Prizeman is perfectly aware that boys' voices WILL change. All these boys will no doubt develop into exceptional tenors or basses. All we can do is just stand in awe of their abilities at this moment. Timeless and truly really deeply beautiful. Well done Ben and thank you and Philip for all the work you have done to give us such exceptional music!

[chrisjames147]

I think and Libera fans will agree, voices like Ben Crawley, Michael Horncastle, Tom Cully, Edward Day, Liam Connery and now Stefan Leadbeater inspire us to listen. Each of these brings a unique quality to the sound of the group. I can only say I look forward to watching the new talent develop, we are blessed.

[mathildaderwent]

another beautiful solo from ben crawley. so very very talented it makes me want to cry. i will always love this voice it hurts. i know you never stop singing ben crawley

[Beatlesfanforever100]

I love Ben Crawley so much! His voice is a legend...

[asachildtobecome]

A clear, chilike sound, pure and anassuming, singing Hayden creation. An opera about Zeus' adventures and misadventures. Semele is being comforted by simple words. The voice and the repetition of the same words are beautifully intertwined. After hurting her, he offers the most precious gifts. "Trees crowinding into a shade" for her to sit under. Eyes to notice what is seen, so what is seen flourished when admired. gifts of beauty all around . Simply open your hands cuplike with gratitude.

[gandaniningning]

i love big ben he's so nice gorgeous and so tall!!i met him on libera's concert here in manila and even get to take a photo with them and shook his hand(also steven's!!!)!it's so nice of him and steven to support the kids!

[kawaiigurl1231]

omg... u are sooo lucky!! i missed the concert that they had here in cebu... i could have seen them.... sooo sad... anyway, was tom cully present in the manila concert? tnx

[gandaniningning]

he was there ofcourse even tho he ddn't do any solos it's ok he's all grown up and very nice=D

[cravincookies]

o yea i love big ben to hes the best quarterback EVER!

[bencarlogallevo]

HOW MANY BENs DO THEY HAVE? WHY DID THEY NOT CALL ME? HEHEHE LOL...YEY, MY NAME IS BEN TOO!!!

[wenglishsal]

Oh what a joy... I have just listened to Andreas Scholl's version of this and I think both are fantastic, but this one for purity is better...

The beautiful harmonies provided by the whole of the Libera choir, enhance Ben's voice and bring out all the subtle tones of this wonderful piece and are stunning...

Well sung Libera, and I must commend Ben on his wonderful solo... :0)x

[xawakentheflamex]

This is a great song, I'm so glad I stumbled upon it. Ben's voice in this song, like so many of his solos, is great. The clarity with which he sings is nothing to be taken lightly. Love the part at 3:42

[hiroshi2020]

This song is so beautiful! I could listen to it all day!

[aeternaimmortalis95]

wow, I've never heard this song until today, and it's awsome. big ben had an incomparable voice...

LOL 2:01 .

[Divadelbosque]

Cuando los angeles cantan pasa esto

Tere Covarrubias

[israelaholic]

very beautiful---but a kind of funny picture (0:42), ben looks as if he is very out of it .

[RedPanda91]

That's not Ben, that's Michael Horncastle, but I see what you mean!

[GabrielleSuperiour]

Yeah, it's a little out of place..it SHOULD be Ben..oh well! I suppose DarthYoungling had as hard of time finding pictures of Ben as I did! :P

[DarthYoungling]

Yea, I had a very hard time. Most of his pictures are tiny, and wouldn't look right if I put them in.

[StorminMormin91]

If I could, I would hug you right now. Forgive me, but this brings tears to my eyes...you dont know how long I have searched for this song!

Absolutely pure and beautiful! None can compare!

[flicfan416]

By far the best vocal performance ever recorded by Libera.

[nomuamada]

Every time I hear them their voices are exquisite~!

[ladylightning]

Ben Crawley definitely deserves the Title of one of the legendary soloists of Libera. (: props to him :D

[shadowfaxw]

that's Michael.

[expostfactum]

Joe Platt had an amazing voice too. He is probably the one singing backup. Too bad he never got the recognition he deserved.

[SDG1750]

.......heavenly :D :D :D i think Ben is/was my favorite Libera chorister.

[titussenlair]

Superbe interprétation, délicious melody...Thanks for sharing !

[JenseninBrizo]

Beautiful voice and tune.

[KibaKibble]

Simply Beautiful