Monteverdi Monday (with Haim Hair)

Eyebags pointed out that last week was Haïm Week at France Musique. To ensure that "Haïm Hair" remains a thing, I am posting this Warner Classics promo video for her recording of Monteverdi's Orfeo.

(Incidentally, I finally heard Haim the Band—they're not bad, but they're no Emmauelle!!)

Gratuitous Friday – Malin Hartelius is Eurydice

Sometimes we may forget that Gluck's opera is called Orfeo et Eurydice. In spite of being dead for most of the opera, Orfeo's wife does get some nice stuff to sing, including this scena, which she sings right before she dies–for the second time.

(This "death" photo of Malin Hartelius is from Cosi fan Tutte. Thanks to Earworm, from whom I nicked the screen cap. 

Of course, Fiordiligi isn’t supposed to die in that opera, not even once. And we can’t be entirely sure she is dead, since in a later revival, Alfonso is the one who gets the pellet with the poison.)

But I digress. Here is MH along with Laurence Equilbey and her Insula Orchestra, recorded in Paris in November 2013: 

P.S. Dear Blog Buddies: I'm sorry, but I had to reactivate the word verification feature for comments. As soon as I lifted it, two posts got slammed with spam (see the outliers in the "What's Everyone Reading?" column over there on the right.) I mean, that Schubert post was nice, but can I seriously believe that it was legitimately viewed 430 times in the past seven days?

The Orfeo/Orphee Comparo Edition (Part 1)

Franco Fagioli

So I keep listening to the new Orfeo broadcast, and I keep trying to figure out who Franco Fagioli reminds me of. While I was thinking, I decided to post the Act 3 duet, so we can all hear how well his voice blends with Malin Hartelius. What a lovely combo!

After a few listens, I realized that Fagioli kind of reminds me of Marilyn Horne. Wait, I know that sounds weird, but when he goes into his awesome chest voice...well, here is MH with Pilar Lorengar for comparison:

And just for good measure and because I was listening to all the different recordings I have, here are Richard Croft and Mireille Delunsch singing the French version. Have I mentioned that I think Richard Croft is a musical god?

And finally, Berlioz must have his say, too. So here are Anne Sofie von Otter and Barbara Hendricks:

Monteverdi Monday – Simon Keenlyside is Orfeo

Here is a young-ish Simon Keenlyside in a beautiful (if slightly strange) production of L'Orfeo, choreographed and directed by Trisha Brown and conducted by Rene Jacobs in 1998. The singing is lovely, the dancing is lively, and you gotta admire all the singing while leaping about. 

                                                                Orfeo is happy 'cause he just married Eurydice.

                                                                We are happy 'cause he is singing & dancing!