Handel: Semele, HWV 58 "Where'er you walk" - SumiJo

[tuxguys]

Not a huge bel canto fan, although I know this particular aria like the back of my hand... Also not familiar with this singer, but what a perfect instrument she has for this idiom, and what gorgeous choices in melodic ornamentation she has made.

Breathtaking.

[sukiyen]

5 dislikes mm yes ok . this is beautiful just beautiful

[HoraacioAabeledo]

just a detail ... Scholl's version is in G major, not D. So you're right in saying it's a tone and a half lower than Sumi's.

[codonauta]

In my opinion Handel is the best composer of vocal melodies of all History of the music. No one reaches him in that.

[carlosLor]

@codonauta one of the best, of course

[jutescrim]

I am not sure if she has a good voice or not. I would however like to hear this opus played instrumentally. The tune is so good it doesn't, in my view, need vocal accompaniment

[ramron333]

u should listen to rick wakeman version on piano completely unforgetable

[riccard789]

Secondo me quest'aria va ornata pochissimo.. e non come fa lei...

[sukiyen]

my word this is a fine song la

[LoverofLiszt]

She sing this incredibly beutiful, but I still prefer Scholls version.

[MasterDonut]

made my night

[golucky11]

singing it for solo fest. great song.

[alejandra379]

sooo beautiful...

[siberianlocust]

This is a beautiful recording.

[JonGerta123]

I don't care if it's a man or woman singing, but this song is notorious for leaving a singer out on a limb, and girl is stranded. Is she singing on her air? Her vibrato sounds very fast and unsupported.

[miajun]

Wow, definately she sang beautifully. I know Sumi Jo is one of the most excellent soprano in these days. However....

Even though I am not an expert, I feel like it is not Handel's style. Her pronunciation especially bothers me. And her way of singing is better fit with romantic opera. How do you guys think?

[classictomatosoup]

I think the reason her diction is mediocre is because she is from Korea? I think?

I think that her voice is suitable for this piece, because it does call for a lighter voice (which Sumi Jo has).

[Inarose22]

Wonderful in every way. Thank you!

Woulnd't it be boring if all good tunes were gender-specific!?

[tricky778]

Aled Jones (the little choirboy that made "Walking in the air" famous) did a fantastic recording of this. Real precision singing.

[SexyTigerSinger]

BEAUTIFUL!

[EmilyGreene1984]

Exactly, as long as the lyrics don't suggest that it is for a certain character to sing (like a woman trying to sing Papageno's aria from Die Zauberflote or a man singing Air de Bijoux) - then there is no harm. And I did enjoy singing this - I'm personally a big fan of Baroque opera. I hope in future, I will be able to perform it more as its not performed often in the operatic reportory.

[EmilyGreene1984]

I have not heard Sumi's version before, only Leontyne Price and, my personal favourite (female) interpretation, Julianne Baird. Its true that this aria was written for the leading male role in "Semele", but there is no harm for a woman to perform it once in a while. I myself have sung it for a spring recital.

[civileso]

Absolutely no harm.. I mean if Bryn Terfel is allowed to sing an aria (Ombra mai fu) written for Caffarelli (a soprano-castrato!!!), then why can't Sumi Jo sing an aria written for a tenor voice? I'm sure you enjoyed singing this one, it is such a charming aria.

[sukiyen]

maybe your all deaf

[sukiyen]

god what are you all saying this is beautiful in every way

[iansturm]

This is for tenors, not souprettes!

[civileso]

True.. You can hear the John Aler version I uploaded as well..

[evanco]

Thanks, but it rather lissen to my copy of the Anthony-Rolfe-Johnson Version.

[civileso]

Go ahead... you don't have to listen to what I uploaded.. by the way, are you the same person as iansturm or just butting in the conversation?

[drdre333]

She's not a soubrette at all... a light-lyric coloratura to be more exact.

It doesn't stop singers from singing this popular aria though... Bryn Terfel, and others outside of the fach have sung and/or recorded this aria.

[civileso]

This or any other aria.. Sure they don't sing it when it is staged, but why not on a recital or an album? People get on my nerves when they think they can put everything in cans and label them. Then they call it classic music. That's why there is so few of us listening to classic music now. Everything is a taboo, no-no..

[drdre333]

This new YouTube commenting is screwing me up, I hope I'm responding to the right comment. I was responding to iansturm's comment about how the aria wasn't for "soubrettes". I don't find offense in differently fached singers singing these standard (asexual), popular arias. "Ombra mai fu" is another popular example.

[civileso]

Yep, you are right.. There is no gender indication and they are singing these in recitals or albums, not in staged productions.. It is perfectly alright to me. Actually I was agreeing with you and getting pissed at ianstrum and/or evanco (I believe they are the same person).

[gracesnotes]

Just read your comment that you made 5 months ago....I AGREE with YOU. I too am fed up with limited concepts for 'classical' expression. Music is flexible-and can be re-interpreted and expanded as each 'artist' brings a unique voice and maybe a fresh outlook. Some people are full of "constipated rules".. ya know what I mean?

[civileso]

Let them sing what they like to sing, who cares if she is a cloratura soprano or he is a countertenor? God gave the voice and the free will.. Rest is up to the singer and the listener can choose what to listen to.

[Irishharper]

Simply Beautiful