"Crude furie" (Paula Rasmussen, "Serse")

From Handel's serio-comic opera, "Serse": American mezzo-soprano Paula Rasmussen is wonderfully fiery here as the volatile, plane tree-loving ("Ombra mai fu"-singing) Persian tyrant. Here, the King releases his- rage on learning that Romilda, the woman whom he desires and expects to become his queen, has already married her true love, Arsamene (Serse's brother), with the help of General Ariodate (Italian bass Marcello Lippi) through a misunderstanding by Ariodate. Watch out for the explosive middle! Recitative and aria.

"Crude furie degl'orridi abissi aspergetemi d'atro veleno
Crolli il mondo, e 'l sole s'eclissi
a quest'ira che spira il mio seno!"
--
"You savage Furies from the hideous abysses
inspire me with your venom!
Let the world turn to ash and the sun be eclipsed
by my anger, till my heart bursts with fury!"

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 "Ombra mai fu".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Serse
• Handel
• Ariodate
• Rasmussen
• Lippi
• Rousset
• Talens
• Lyriques
• crude
• furie
• Dresden
• Semperoper

[nathanmduszny]

where can I buy the DvD?????

[mariandelochs]

@nathanmduszny

Hello! One site that says it's backordered, but usually ships in 2 - 3 weeks is ArchivMusic, w w w . arkivmusic .c o m / classical/album.jsp ? album_id=109259. [remove extra spaces between the certain letters - YT doesn't allow URLs in posts.] Other online sites say either unavailable (amazon) or backordered since Jan, 2011 (cduniverse). A Google search may help - and I've not checked eBay yet. Good luck!

[antmusique]

Wow, we have no shortage of mezzos who sing this aria wonderfully! She's really good. I'm sorry to read she gave up singing.

[mariandelochs]

@antmusique Not totally gave up singing, as it happens. Just gave up the exhausting, living-out-of-a-suitcase, waking-up-in-a-different-city-­every-few-days lifestyle of the modern opera singer. Even through law school, she would give occasional concerts and recitals, but she surely is much missed on the operatic stage! Good thing her Serse performance at Dresden was released on DVD!

[karz12]

y is Xerxes being sung by a woman?

[mariandelochs]

Yes, Xerxes (Serse) is sung here by American mezzo-soprano Paula Rasmussen. The role was originally written for a castrato, and is often sung by mezzo-sopranos today -- since, well, there are no more castrati around these days.

[horseyak]

Until that happens ( or maybe even if it does) I think this is the best interpretation of that aria on this site. Even with the expertise of someone like Joyce Di Donato et al, every female mezzo voice I've heard here sounds too "hooty". Paula has the technique and the sound you actually want to listen to.

That said, I still think Sarah Connelly could sing the shit out of this.

[magpie212]

Here's how I really feel about Rasmussen's "retirement" -- NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Stephen King: "When you find something at which you are talented, you do it (whatever it is) until your fingers bleed or your eyes are ready to fall out of your head. Even when no one is listening (or reading, or watching), every outing is a bravura performance, because you as the creator are happy. Perhaps even ecstatic." That's why I can't believe she's really given it up. I will never stop hoping to see her back

[magpie212]

It's SOOOOO tantalizing to imagine what Rasmussen might do if she were to "resurface," But truth be told, most of it would not make its way to DVD. Let us rejoice that this did -- a stunning Serse, a sumptuous production, and a strong cast all around. It sure sets the bar high for any future production. If this turns out to be Rasmussen's legacy, a person could do worse. That being said, Paula, I hope you're listening. Stay tuned for a word from Steven King.

[stokleyb]

Oh my!! As the audience applauds (too soon before orchestra ends) ***wiping misty eyes as goose bumps subside*** Deep rich mezzo flies thru the coloratura with grace and ease.

[Cissy97]

@magpie212 I saw on her CV on web that she DID sung Carmen.

Pity that not too many of her performances got recorded.

Not even Didonato or Garanca owns such a round, full and sweet timbre as does Paula. And she is tons prettier than Didonato, both in lady or trouser roles.

[magpie212]

@Cissy97 I just listened to Ludwig's Carmen. You are so right. How I would love to hear Rasmussen sing that. Nobody like her out there. She IS sadly missed.

[Cissy97]

I certainly would wish they could release a CD version of this terrific live performance!

Apart from Paula, the most beautiful Serse ever both vocally and visually, other members of the cast are equally wonderful.

Hallenberg was then in her vocal prime, Piau and Bayrakdarian immaculately beautiful int heir performances, and Bardon owning a most mellifluous contralto voice!

[Cissy97]

@horseyak

Well, Connelly did a good job, but not as good as Malafronte or Rasmussen here.

Didonato certainly 'overdoes' the aria with her hooty sounds.

What makes Rasmussen so sadly missed is that she actually is reminiscent of the great mezzo soprano Christa Ludwig with her full and sweet timbre!

[magpie212]

@jibbyjane What is the matter with your eyes? Anger is written all over every move she makes! Not to mention her face and vocals. I think there was a bit of a directorial lapse when they have her walk (no run) behind the tree, but other than that this is FABULOUS! I love the way she menaces when she takes the torch. And the explosion? What a concept! Great singing, acting, and directing. Love every minute of this video!

[magpie212]

Brilliant on so many levels! The explosion only underscores the vocal fireworks. I never get tired of watching this. Ultimate entertainment. 

[Cissy97]

@ramirogorriti

Terrific voice, for sure.

There are many top rate Mezzos around these days (Genaux, didonato, Garanca, Connolly), but still, Paula Rasmussen stands out.