Joyce DiDonato - Otello's Willow Song - Rossini

I told a friend that when her new CD will be available, and when I would have purchased it, I would upload a single aria, my favorite. Well, I think "Assisa appiè d'un salice", Desdemona's beautiful aria from Rossini's Otello, just won my heart. Gosh, I think it's one of my favorite Joyce's recordings ever.

But I didn't want to do a video with a bunch of pictures, as I usually do. So I chose some video excerpts from her past performances, and try something unusual (for once ^^). Hope you'll enjoy it! This aria is so hauntigly beautiful...

And guys, you HAVE to buy this CD! I mean, her "Furore" was good, but this one... wow. I'm just uploading a single aria to show you what jewels it contains (and because it's the best of all this album, imo, far from her Armida's arias) ... And it's not that expensive, compared to other recordings. And it's Joyce :)

English libretto:
Seated beneath a willow tree,
immersed in grief,
Isaura moaned, her breast
pierced with love's sharpest pain;
and through the swaying branches
the breeze echoed her lament.

The crystal streamlets
mingled the murmuring
of their ripples
with her heartbroken sighs;
and through the swaying branches
the breeze echoed her lament.

"Willow, delight of lovers,
prepare a pitying shade,
forgetful of my misfortunes,
for my mournful grave,
and let the breeze no longer echo
the sound of my lament."

Oh no!... I made a mistake!... That was not
the sad ending of the song. Listen...

But weary at last of sighing
sorrowful and weeping,
she died, that unhappy maid,
beside the willow tree.
Died!... How sad! the ingrate...

Alas! I cannor continue
for weeping. Leave me, but first receive
a last kiss from the lips of your friends.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• joyce
• didonato
• assisa
• appiè
• d'un
• salice
• otello
• rossini
• colbran

[podkivanok]

Really very impressive.

[thecelticspirit]

The singing? Definitely. She's amazing.

[podkivanok]

The video is also very creative. You have got a good idea!

[thecelticspirit]

Thanx :) I didn't exactely know what I wanted to do at first, and I wasn't so confident about the result, but I'm quite satisfied eventually. I'm happy you enjoyed it ^^

[DessayBestSinger]

et cet air est absolument magnifique! j'achèterai le CD! ^^

[jhvorotin]

adding it to my favorites!

Une idée originale et pour ça, chapeau!

[SuperCrismadrid]

Es impresionante,estoy muy emocionada.Una voz de angel acompañada de una música divina ,maravillosa Joyce no tengo palabras suficientes que puedan hacer justícia a tu voz y tu arte.¡Brava!

[LohengrinT]

I have heard this aria with Tsetsilia Boobytoli as well and I wasnt impressed at all besides the coloratura mastery - only Marilyn Horne has satisfied me in this and in her early years...thank God Podles will sing this role

[LohengrinT]

This is more than exquisite - magnificent - truly exceptionally beautiful

I usually don't like anyone singing this unique masterpiece

[Operadreamer11]

Beautiful indeed. One lovely aria to sing. Now I have 2 ..or 3 favorites for this aria.

[mezzinoKessedjian]

Bravo pour cette magnifique vidéo!!!! Et bon, je l'avoue, Joyce me fait fondre...

[Solalyse]

Magnifique! Et quelle maitrise de windows movie maker ;) Merci beaucoup la celtique!

[canariasesmusica]

She is unique!!! Love her voice and her charming!!!