Jon Vickers is much superior in this role. John Elliott Gardner should stick to 18thc music, he much too weak (with his period instrument band) for Berlioz - Davis and Dutoit have much more the measure of this complex composer. The sound is appalling so I guess that does not help much. Sorry to be so negative, just my opinion and clearly not shared by everyone else!
This is from Paris during the Berlioz year in 2003 (I think) . They did this opera everywhere: in Paris, Amsterdam, Leipzig, Mannheim, and someplace else I think. I heard it everywhere but in Leipzig. Graham und Kunde sound a lot better here, than they did live. A lovely artist, Ms. Graham did not have enough voice to sing this role in such a big house and Kunde sounded very thin and wobbly all evening. But this here is rather nice. gardiner was great.
Just a quick note: the tenor's name is Gregory Kunde, not Kundehe. This piece, and this performance, is one of the highlights of all opera duets. Mesmerizing, subtle, voices entwined just as much as the lovers' bodies. So much passion expressed with restraint. It's great to see French subtitles with a French-language song.
Hi ruizdechavez: I'm not sure if you understood my Italian. But I agree fully with you that the performance of Susan and Gregory is the most perfect I heard since yet. Their voices combine most perfectly and non of them tries to dominate. Though Gregory could force his voice, he dosn't, but uses on the full breath a fine piano on the air-column. That is the art of singing. Seems you have really a good taste and understanding for what means "good" singing.
Yes gundhari, I undestood your italian. I just confirm what you were saying. Yo hablo español, Je parle français aussi, but I am terrible with italian. I love reading and listening Italian but is difficult to write. When I visit Italy I feel like I am at home. I am a mexican and you will surprise of how the mexicans and italians are alike. We both like the good singing. Cheers!!!
Si discute ancora quale sia il più bel duetto d'amore. Se più persone conoscessero Berlioz non avrebbero più dubbi: è la "nuit d'ivresse"! Solo meraviglia che quello di Alagna e Gheorghiu è visto più di 15.000 volte? Roberto è bravo ma in questo caso non si adatta sembre all'Angela che l'ultima è molsto sublime ma lui talvolta troppo forte. Qui Gregory si adatta perfettamente . Troppo bello questo duetto! Una memorabile performance.
I like more this interpretation, than those performed by Alagna and other version with Placido Domingo and Tatiana Troyanos, because those tenors sing with too strong voice. This aria requires a sweet and soft voice like somebody full of love. Gregory Kundehe makes an extraordinary performance and the voice of Susan Graham is not surpassed by the volume. Is a perfect equilibrium
Ecstasy embodied in music.
Jan96106 1 month ago
Jon Vickers is much superior in this role. John Elliott Gardner should stick to 18thc music, he much too weak (with his period instrument band) for Berlioz - Davis and Dutoit have much more the measure of this complex composer. The sound is appalling so I guess that does not help much. Sorry to be so negative, just my opinion and clearly not shared by everyone else!
TheVaughan5 10 months ago
@TheVaughan5
I attended 5 performances of this production in 2003.
I can tell you that the effect was remarkable in the theater and all this does not appear in this YouTube rendition.
For the work of Gardiner, it is great because it show the beautifully colored Berlioz's orchestra.
The work of this musician has been completely perverted by the wagnerian-germanist dominant way in the late 19th and 20th century.
The model of Berlioz, is Gluck and not Wagner!
StCorentin 8 months ago
Barzun says the french transl of Berlioz ' friend is inept . I guess it doesnt matter the syllables & accents sound gorgeous here.
lovesGenet 1 year ago
magnifica la musica de berlioz!
anselgoya 1 year ago
This recording is a little distorted. The original DVD is much clearer and more balanced. IMO these two blow Alagna & Gheorghiu out of the water.
evolve749 1 year ago
Argh! Why did you cut the end off? It punctuates the duet, as well as the entire 4th act.
evolve749 1 year ago
This is from Paris during the Berlioz year in 2003 (I think) . They did this opera everywhere: in Paris, Amsterdam, Leipzig, Mannheim, and someplace else I think. I heard it everywhere but in Leipzig. Graham und Kunde sound a lot better here, than they did live. A lovely artist, Ms. Graham did not have enough voice to sing this role in such a big house and Kunde sounded very thin and wobbly all evening. But this here is rather nice. gardiner was great.
assindiastignani 1 year ago
Just a quick note: the tenor's name is Gregory Kunde, not Kundehe. This piece, and this performance, is one of the highlights of all opera duets. Mesmerizing, subtle, voices entwined just as much as the lovers' bodies. So much passion expressed with restraint. It's great to see French subtitles with a French-language song.
AccessGuy11 1 year ago 4
merveilleux de tendresse et de sensualité,un vrai plaisir,merci
papidou1934 2 years ago
merci Jeanne***********10
josette1955 2 years ago
Un des plus beaux duos de de l'histoire de l'opéra. et bien difficile.
joanabanyeres 2 years ago
Hi ruizdechavez: I'm not sure if you understood my Italian. But I agree fully with you that the performance of Susan and Gregory is the most perfect I heard since yet. Their voices combine most perfectly and non of them tries to dominate. Though Gregory could force his voice, he dosn't, but uses on the full breath a fine piano on the air-column. That is the art of singing. Seems you have really a good taste and understanding for what means "good" singing.
gundhari 2 years ago
Yes gundhari, I undestood your italian. I just confirm what you were saying. Yo hablo español, Je parle français aussi, but I am terrible with italian. I love reading and listening Italian but is difficult to write. When I visit Italy I feel like I am at home. I am a mexican and you will surprise of how the mexicans and italians are alike. We both like the good singing. Cheers!!!
ruizdechavez 2 years ago
Si discute ancora quale sia il più bel duetto d'amore. Se più persone conoscessero Berlioz non avrebbero più dubbi: è la "nuit d'ivresse"! Solo meraviglia che quello di Alagna e Gheorghiu è visto più di 15.000 volte? Roberto è bravo ma in questo caso non si adatta sembre all'Angela che l'ultima è molsto sublime ma lui talvolta troppo forte. Qui Gregory si adatta perfettamente . Troppo bello questo duetto! Una memorabile performance.
gundhari 2 years ago
I like more this interpretation, than those performed by Alagna and other version with Placido Domingo and Tatiana Troyanos, because those tenors sing with too strong voice. This aria requires a sweet and soft voice like somebody full of love. Gregory Kundehe makes an extraordinary performance and the voice of Susan Graham is not surpassed by the volume. Is a perfect equilibrium
ruizdechavez 2 years ago
Nuit d'ivresse et d'extase infinie !
Blonde Phoebé, grands astres de sa cour,
Versez sur nous votre lueur bénie;
Fleur des cieux, souriez à l'immortel amour !
Blackaeneas 3 years ago