Andreas Scholl - Empio, Dirò, Tu Sei

German countertenor Andreas Scholl singing Empio, Dirò, Tu Sei from George Frideric Handel's 1724 opera Giulio Cesare In Egitto (HWV 17). The title role which we hear Scholl in was originaly composed for the castrato superstar Senesino. Production at the Royal Danish Theater, Copenhagen was filmed in March 2005 with Concerto Copenhagen conduced by Lars Ulrik Mortensen.

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• andreas
• scholl
• countertenor
• counter
• tenor
• alto
• contralto
• falsetto
• falsettist
• coloratura
• georg
• friedrich
• händel
• haendel
• baroque
• opera
• seria
• julius
• caesar
• in
• egypt

[LyricSuite78]

Dreafull. The modern setting, the futile attempt at capturing the "eroic" quality people on those days ascribed to the voice of the castrati (something which was probably akin to the way high pitched voices are used in modern rock and metal music), which sounds like a grotesque mockery at the hands of those countertenors or sopranos. Paul H. Lang, Handel's greatest biographer, even recommends the use of male voices rather then to try to resurrect a dead ideal, incompatible with our culture.

[lalagonegaga]

@LyricSuite78 I cannot help it but disagree with you on many different levels. If the modern audiences accept such a practice as musically satisfying and dramatically appealing, I see no signs of "incompatibility with our culture". Also, calling a performance such as this a "grotesque mockery" is a bit too far fetched. I'm afraid and I will have to very warmly advise you to desist from commenting on the videos I upload before tone done your obvious hatred.

[CubbyNH]

Bravo! Bravo Scholl!!!!!!!!!!

I also have to say, I love Tuva but she's soooo pretty, I dont know about her in a males role.

[rehtlh]

I wasn't even aware that the human voice was capable of this... wow.

[molealto]

I have no doubt that if Handel had heard Herr Scholl, he would have made as much use of him as he possibly could have.  I could definitely imagine him as secondo uomo to Senesino.

[revolutionsetude]

@pr21pr21pr21

Senesino...

but he is also a great singer!!!

[dark999crow]

I very love Andreas Scholl. But I HATE ugly modern! It's real disgusting...

[DieSonneSinkt]

LOL too hammy...

[DiVeronica]

I LOVE THIS production. Scholl owns it!

[CarlitosDessay]

Bravo! I'm so getting the DVD!