"Ombra mai fu" (Paula Rasmussen, "Serse")

From Handel's serio-comic opera, "Serse": American mezzo-soprano Paula Rasmussen is the tyrannical Persian King, Serse, here singing his beautiful ode to his beloved plane tree. Also known as "Larghetto", and often erroneously called "Largo". Recitative and aria.

"Ombra mai fu / di vegetabile,/ cara ed amabile, / soave più." -
"Never was shade / of plant / more dear, amiable / and sweet."

With Christophe Rousset directing Les Talens Lyriques.

From Dresden Musikfestspiele, 2000.

If you like this, go buy the video and get the complete opera!

Also see "Io le diro/Tu le dirai", "Sì, la voglio e l'otterò!", "Per rendermi beato", Duetto:"Troppo oltraggi" and "Crude furie".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Serse
• Handel
• Rasmussen
• ombra
• mai
• fu
• larghetto
• largo
• Rousset
• Talens
• Lyriques
• Dresden
• Semperoper

[mambulatifa2]

Je trouve ça vraiment pas terrible comme version. Pas beaucoup d'émotion.

[mariandelochs]

@mambulatifa2

lol.

[palcika1]

I can't find the 'Troppo oltraggi' you recommend in the description. Is it deleted or what? I'd like to hear it.

[mariandelochs]

Oops, so sorry - yes, I deleted that video clip a long time ago, haven't updated the info on these other vids! Don't think I have the original clip to upload anymore. My sincere apologies!

[palcika1]

What a pity! No version is quite satisfactory on youtube....

Looks like I have to buy the dvd. :)

[mariandelochs]

The DVD is well worth the purchase price! Hope you find a good price for it. I already gave mine away to a friend, haven't repurchased another copy since.

[satsatur]

É um milagre!!!!!!!!!!

[lababoc]

BRAVO !!!!

[magpie212]

@Senecart81 A little late, but let me add my voice to this plea.

[Cissy97]

@mariandelochs

I have seen it. Truly awesome!

[Cissy97]

@CelloVoice

You are wrong. Handel wrote this aria for castrato singers AND mezzo-sopranos.

He specifically ruled out counter-tenors.

[ramirogorriti]

Me recuerda un poco a Federica Von Stade. En el timbre, en la técnica.

[vollkornflocke]

WUNDERSCHÖN !!!

[skip8619]

Adore the plane.

[HM0880]

Absolutely beautiful!  Paula has such a lovely, unique timbre-- rich yet bright. Thank you for posting. :)