Songs of a Wayfarer, 1 - Sarah Connolly (Last Night of the Proms 2009)

Last Night of the Proms 2009
Royal Albert Hall, 12 September 2009

Mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly performs the song cycle Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen ("Songs of a Wayfarer"), by Gustav Mahler. This is the first movement, "Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht" ("When My Sweetheart is Married").

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: David Robertson

Category:

Music

Tags:

• sarah
• connolly
• last
• night
• of
• the
• proms
• 2009
• royal
• albert
• hall
• mahler

[antmusique]

She is absolutely fantastic indeed (in this and in all the others things I've seen her in). She deserves all the positive attention that I imagine must come with performing at such an event.

The other movements might take a while, as my connection is very slow at the moment, but keep checking back.

[rlee1976]

She and I share the same voice teacher (just started working with him) and I got a comp ticket to see the dress rehearsal of "Ariadne auf Naxos" at the Met yesterday with Sarah as Der Komponist! What a treat! Simply stunning!

[antmusique]

Lucky you! Please report back if you have the time!

[rlee1976]

Hi, AntMusique... how are you? I was thrilled to see her. I could only stay for the Prologue of Ariadne, but that's all that the Composer sings in anyway, so that was good! Surprisingly very clear and well-projected into the monstrous hall of the Met which can usually swallow up the Composer's voice in the last aria, but she forged through!

[antmusique]

Thanks for reporting back! I wish I was there.

[cantorandopera]

The slower pace you take, the more you have to be able to give to the music. And Ms. Connolly has plenty of resources to make this piece be an artistic achievement. Brava! Gorgeous voice, fabulous musicianship and an easy way with it all - you never feel the hard work that goes into making this song come alive.

[flylooper]

@SarahConnolly63

Indeed, although Mahler was not known to be one who held back on his opinions, at least privately.

My comment about baritones notwithstanding, I think you have an excellent voice, rich and full.

Quick question on the tempo: How much input do you have, as the soloist, in such a performance. Is the conductor "first among equals" in deciding tempos?

[Carolynnhall]

She is such a beautiful mezzo soprano!

Love her!

[melodiaavis]

I was lucky enough to be at the first night of Ariadne :) Sarah Connolly's beautiful voice and impeccable diction were so impressive as she portrayed the Composer's many conflicting emotions, and she was quite funny too, with great stage-presence. She got a thoroughly deserved, sustained ovation at the end of the Prologue.