Georg Frideric Handel - Agrippina (1709) - Lament for Ottone - "Voi che udite" (Michael Chance)

"Agrippina" was one of Handel's earliest operas (composed at the very young age of 24) and one of his biggest first successes (the opera opened with a run of 27 successive nights of performance in Venice which was an extraordinarily long run at that time). Though not exactly one of Handel's better known works, I consider it a most telling example of the maestro's openly dramatic and realistic style, and one I quickly grew to admire, hence this series of my personal favorites from the work.

XIII. Aria for Ottone - "Voi che udite". The distraught hero's lament forms the center of the opera, both dramatically and musically. As an intimate moment of sorrow, it represents the culmination of the courtiers' scheme, rendering the poor man completely drained of his happiness, of which he had sung in his aria, "Coronato il crin", contrasting exquisitely with the minor lament. It also represents the best piece of music in the whole opera, especially, in the sustained minor mood of the A section, graced by strikingly suitable "cutting" string effects which turns in a matter of a few bars into a meltingly beautiful duet of the contralto voice with the oboe, culminating in a languorous cadenza, suddenly but effectively breaking the flow of the music. The B section, while less adventurous, is notable for the absolutely inspired change of the musical structure: what started as a simple exchange between the singer and the accompaniment of the harpsichord is unexpectedly abandoned for a more solemn (and thematically connected with the A section) crescendo of sound and emotion. One of Handel's best earlier laments.

The ever wonderful Michael Chance lends his musicality to this aria and evokes a perfectly poignant atmosphere that is sustained throughout the piece. Hope you'll enjoy :).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Handel
• Haendel
• Agrippina
• coloratura
• baroque
• classical

[loetje]

I so love this; Chance is the greatest in telling a story, i think. Oh WOULD you add the lyrics, please? Thank you so much for posting; this is the best i've heard, and i love the vid.

[Buddhaxe]

:' - )

[mayapapaya89]

Agrippina is a wonderful opera, just saw in Boston, its Hilarious! and the music is so so beautiful

[suffiice]

I love the colour at 2.08

[Bachsoboe]

Agrippina I havent really listened to. Based on this aria, I really should, beautiful!

[32Styx]

I totally agree with the comment by idamclopes; Chance COULD sing almost anything and make it sound even better. In fact, I don't think I would enjoy certain arias like the one in Agripina, as much as I do when he sings it. And I LOVE his Bach renditions. I have Agrippina and have enjoyed it for years.

[olialto7]

I would quite happily sit and listen to Michael Chance singing almost anything. I think he could make even something as simple as a nursery rhyme sound beautiful.