Lorraine Hunt Lieberson - Handel - Theodora - Bane of virtue

A wonderful rendition of 'Bane of Virtue' by the great, unforgettable Lorraine Hunt Lieberson at Peter Sellars production of Theodora for Glyndebourne.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lorraine
• Hunt
• Lieberson
• Theodora
• Bane
• of
• Virtue
• Handel
• Opera
• Oratorio

[piustwelfth]

These are very appropriate lyrics for today's world. In our consumer-driven, materialistic society, "prosperity" is indeed the bane of virtue. True happiness is only found where grace and truth and love (and peace) abound.

[Handelfreak]

I love it how in the dacapo she is singing directly to the audience of Glyndeborne. I would have thrown my diamond earings up on the stage after that performance.

[parsifal75007]

Where are you Lorraine ? With the angels !

[Zyghnwyr]

Superb technique, faultless musicianship, and great Handelian style. Above all, she sings from the heart. What a great, great artist.

[janiemobrien]

I agree with Handelfreak. I was there... I was actually there, and could actually feel the discomfort in the stalls as people shifted around in their seats. There had never been anything like that production before and there has never been anything since that remotely touches it. It was perfection. I have seen and heard it all. There is nothing left.

[heyboy08]

@sfkcbf "I am able to control my enthusiasm, however, for Sellars."

Um. If anything, he did a fantastic job of stripping away any excess and letting Lorraine's performance--and Lorraine's profound power and grace, Handel's transcendent music, and the rejuvenating content (like a breath of fresh air) of the libretto--be the focal point. I think in this beautifully spare production in particular, he didn't make his presence the focal point at all. Lay off Peter. This is a virtuous production.

[heyboy08]

this is pure bliss. pure pure pure. i make the same facial gestures and body movements the singers do when listening to lorraine perform his aria. Ah!

[piustwelfth]

Line 2 should read "soother of fine inclinations" -- not "vile". The meaning of the lyric is that prosperity (i.e. wealth) is the soother of "fine inclinations" -- that is, it leads us to more base inclinations.

[sfkcbf]

The timelessly great genius of Handel combined with the beautiful voice of Lorraine. I am able to control my enthusiasm, however, for Sellars.

[tlrox]

[Recitative - Irene] O bright example of all goodness! How easy seems affliction's heavy load While thus instructed and companioned thus as 'twere with heaven conversing, we look down On the vain pomp of proud prosperity. [Air - Irene - begins 0:30] Bane of virtue, nurse of passions, Soother of vile inclinations, Such is, prosperity, thy name. True happiness is only found, where grace and truth and love abound And pure religion feeds the flame Bane of virtue ... [da capo]