Ambroise Thomas - Mignon - "Je suis Titania" (Ruth Welting)

Though Thomas' works remain largely unknown to the modern listener, two works of his have received several recordings: "Mignon" and "Hamlet". Or, to be more precise, arias from these two operas are quite often featured on recitals. "Mignon" features several such features: the heroine's charming gavotte, the tenor's lyric aria and the present except, a bravura polonaise aria for the antiheroine, the self-centered actress Philine.

Narratively, the aria follows Philine as she continues to play Titania in front of her admirers. Basically, the aria just details what it is to be Titania, "the daughter of air". The first section that could be considered the main theme as it returns several times throughout the piece (though never in full, mostly in the orchestration). Philine just states that "I am Titania". After a repeat of the main theme and several coloratura section, a particularly lively section with its almost running doted line wonderfully represents the troops of fairies that surrounds Titania. A contrasting andante section finds Philine imagining the woods where Titania floats in the fields of flowers. Quite imaginatively, Thomas uses a surprisingly funny musical background (just listen to 2:06 - 2:11, the melody is played with effectively) to remind the listener of Philine's rather lightweight personality. After a long wordless coloratura cadenza with orchestra, Philine is left alone to show off all that she's got: ideally, this section should be playful as Philine bubbles her way through an array of coloratura jumps, though the section's difficulty makes some renditions rather too heavy or strained.

As I've mentioned before the piece has never been unpopular and has been recorded by many artists: Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Natalie Dessay, June Anderson, Janine Micheau, Elizabeth Parcells to name just a few well-known names. But I find myself especially drawn to the portrayal given on the second full recording of the work by Ruth Welting. She offers an all-around best rendition, in my opinion: she's youthful, she's not afraid of heights or to go down the staff, her coloratura technique is brilliant, she even has that incredible smile in her voice that makes the aria become alive. Anyway, enjoy :)!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Thomas
• Ruth
• Welting
• coloratura
• classical

[Glenmed]

Yes, the lightness and fun in this makes it so enjoyable - but those alone can be an embarrassment without suficient coloratura technique, which Ms. Welting has. Must read up on Ruth Welting.

[LindoroRossini]

I would really advise you to go to coloraturafan's channel, there are several videos of Welting's performances, including an absolutely wonderful performance of the Lesson Scene from "La fille du regiment" and a particularly gentle rendition of Amina's opening cavatina.

[neLLykOOk911]

To repeat (verbatim) that guy at the end - Oh My God!

[SqueakyIri]

In our day and age, we love darker, more dramatic sounds better than these lighter/brighter ones. However, I feel this sound communicates many more nuances in emotion. Wish we would go back to this. Very reminiscent of old-time singers like Ms. Peters, Galli-Curci, etc.

[xav71176]

There just isn't any soprano nowadays with this timbre, fast vibrato and these trills (OMG these trills !). Fact.

[Erismena]

Très belle interprétation de ce remarquable air d'Ambroise Thomas... Français de qualité.

Et c'est très en style opéra-comique comme on ne trouve plus maintenant.

Bravo et merci pour l'extrait.

[edcpaz]

This is from the only complete recording of Mignon. Ruth knocks the pants off "Je Suis Titania" and the entire role of Philline for that matter. Marilyn Horne was Mignon in this recording. Ruth is one of the few who insisted on singing in the written key, thus one of the few colorturas to sing the enire role of Lucia in F. She had a magnificent voice and a personality to match. She diied of cancer at age 49 in 1999.

[marlyharris]

Whenever I send links of Welting to a music critic friend, he's always amazed at how wonderful a singer she is. She's one of those artists who never makes me nervous wondering whether she'll sing the music properly. Many singers have great instruments but lack style and finesse. Welting has it all.

[7inga7]

Definitely the best rendition of this anywhere!

[7inga7]

What a voice!

[1Hannah730]

gorgeous voice and amazing f above top c.

=]]

[1Hannah730]

look up the 12 year old julie andrews version of it

=D

amazing...