Anne Howells, Barbara Bonney-Presentation of the Rose

Anne Howells (Octavian), Barbara Bonney (Sophie) sing 'Mir ist die Ehre widerfahren' from Richard Strauss's 'Der rosenkavalier, Royal Opera House Covent Garden 1985.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Anne
• Howells
• Barbara
• Bonney
• Der
• Rosenkavalier
• Presentation
• of
• the
• Rose

[WLLover01]

Anne Howells' acting is superb and Octavian is a role in which this important element is often overlooked as the character bouces back and forth between the personages of the young Count and the "tempting" chambermaid. This performance is available on DVD with the incomperable Kiri Te Kanawa!

[silverstrand2882]

One fact about this 1985 ROH production not too many people are aware of: Octavian was sung by Agnes Baltsa, but she was contractually prevented from filming the video made of the performance. Anne Howells replaced Baltsa at very short notice to sing two of the five performances (including the 14 Feb performance when the video was filmed), and she did a great job, considering the lack of rehearsal!

[wcbtina]

Could you tell me who the conductor is for this performance? THANKS!

[silverstrand2882]

Conductor is Sir Georg Solti. Date of performance is 14 Feb 1985 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Thank you for watching

[suzanneetmoi]

I own a copy of this production and it is truly perfection! No disagreement that Barbara Bonney is the quintisential Sophie and I adore Anne Howells! Such a magnificent Octavian! And to think that she stepped in at the last minute to sing for this recording as the other singer's contract prohibited her from doing it. Don't miss Dame Kiri's tear in Act 1 when she realizes that she didn't kiss her "dear boy" good-bye. It's music like this that makes you glad you're alive!

[Jaydoggy531]

I think the brightness helps to emphasize her femininity in this scene, especially singing with another woman who's a trouser role. If their voices were too similar it wouldn't do well to distinguish their characters.

[asx5252]

This is just some of the best music ever written. And so wonderfully performed. I will have the honor of singing for Ms. Bonney this summer. Can't wait!

[thegorgeousopera]

so wonderful!!!!



[RobinB60]

The Presentation of the Rose is one of the magical moments of opera, and this performance of it is so wonderful I won't even attempt to describe it. That moment when the eyes of Octavian and Sophie meet properly for the first time takes my breath away and brings tears to my eyes.

[jraybay]

I dont go around saying I love opera but I've always had such a respect for the men and women who do this kind of art. I get nervous doing some plays in front of my school I couldnt imagine doing a large play like this and haviing to remember lyrics and act lol . This is so regal too, this is really special here, brilliant.

[alexoprano]

My God...I can´t get over this performance. Barbara Bonney is absolutly perfect...This is a piece of art. Everything...

[Roddy162]

barbara bonney, the best Sophie ever

[Wosinski]

This is one of the most spectacular recordings of anything I've ever heard. Sublime. Magical. The beauty of this performance brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

[iskenderuna]

Its as if Bonney, Howells, Solti and the whole orchestra were breathing together. They must have just all been on the same wavelength. What is also so beautiful is the tranquility they exude. Just watch their eyes, thats real close up acting. They never look as though they are watching the conductor and yet every phrase is spot on together. I am going to listen again!! Thanks!

[JeeRant]

Love, love, love!

[PinkPixie155]

So beautiful... absolutely love it :)