Is anyone listening to Dido and Aeneas on Radio 3 at the moment?

[IorekByrnison]

?

Or is it more like this?

I was just mulling over this thread earlier today and was thinking how there was something really special and touching about the pre-EM Revival recordings of Handel, Bach, Gluck etc (following on from that lovely link of Dame Janet singing Dido's Lament). So not only do I see Kathleen Ferrier posted here, but I realise to my consternation that despite being an amateurish and somewhat piping 1st sop, I have Kathleen's Contralto barnet (naturally, not Amami setting-lotioned into submission).
Is there anything more meltingly sad than that recording of her singing Che Faro, not long before she died? And that lush treacly accompaniment to her recording of Ombra Mai Fu?

Oh, it's just a side parted wavy bob jura, don't panic
But most certainly not swishy.

Oh my goodness I had no idea there were so many classical buffs here on mumsnet. Can't say I like the Emma Kirkby version. My favourite is Janet Baker - I just hate the straight thin tone of EK.

Know the opera only too well as I played Dido at Uni! Nice to be queen for a few nights!

I couldn't agree more Marina. There is something so satisfying about hearing a real singer like Janet Baker or Kathleen Ferrier doing this repertoire with real guts and heart when you are used to perky early music singers with quasi-folk timbres. And you're right, there is something strangely touching about the rich sound of modern instruments wallowing around in these extravagantly slow performances.

Have you ever read Richard Taruskin on the subject of authenticity in Early Music? He argues very entertainingly and convincingly how and why "authentic" performance practice in Early Music has far more to do with modern taste than any real insight into historical performance practices.

I like Janet Baker more and more. A while ago I had to learn Schumann Frauenliebe und -leben and listened to loads of recordings including one of hers from 1966. It was by no means the most polished of the recordings, but it was by far the most moving. When I got to Susser Freund I was bawling within about two bars.

PS I love Kathleen's barnet in that photo. Janet's might be a bridge too far though.

Mucha I am very jealous of you playing Dido. Are you still a singer now?

Yes I am, but I lapsed for a while (having kids did that!). I am getting the technique back again and doing a small bit of performing and trying to work out where to go with it. Have to say I miss it dreadfully and constantly kick myself for not keeping it up.

The voice naturally has to have vibrato in it, which is why I cannot understand this straight tone singing. With good technique you can learn how to straighten the voice correctly, but there is always a vibrancy to it. I just feel like screaming at these early music 'singers', use your resonances and stop gripping your voice!!

I ADORE frauenliebe und leben btw. I have a recording of Anne sofie von otter singing it which is just divine. One of my favourite mezzos right now is Angelika Kirchschlager though. Such an amazing voice and beautiful natural acting.

Now here is some real singing to make you weep.

And this

How exciting. I often wish there was a singers' version of mumsnet where we could all discuss the problems we're having with our lower passaggios or whatever.

For some reason to do with DP's fiendish meddling I can't get any sound out of the computer but will listen to that youtube clip when he comes back.

Oh there are a lot of forums out there I think. I don't use them myself. I spend too much time on the computer as it is!

Yes I suppose there must be. I didn't really have any concept of forums before mumsnet. At least not as places one might actually want to spend time on.

fora surely

I still don't get it

sorry

Hehe, very good! I love Gluck - not sung nearly enough. I have Cecilia Bartoli singing some arias by Gluck which are just divine. I have had a love affair with her voice since I was 18 but it's funny how people either love her or loathe her.

Ah, Fora. I see. I am outpedanted!

Is this turning into a Diss David Munrow thread by any chance?
I will admit to enjoying a lot of Emma Kirkby's singing, but she has a lot to answer for when you contemplate hideous aural experiences such as The Musicians of Swanne Alley, one of whose recordings is the only CD I have ever binned rather than sending to the charity shoppe . She can do it - a lot of singers just can't, I quite agree.
I really should have a look at Richard Taruskin, thanks for that Iorek . Am surrounded by music books at work and ought to read more of them .
Anne Sofie von Otter is one of my favourite singers . Lovely person too, by all accounts. It would be so good to see more voices like hers and Angelika Kirschlager's emerging on the British scene.

I have mixed feelings about Cecilia. Her coloratura is usually stunning and often there is a beautiful sort of vulnerable quality in her voice, but at other times she sounds like she's trying to lay an egg.

Ah, Cecilia! We have a big problem in our house, I love her, dh runs out of the room screaming...
Cali, I hope that some day we'll all hear you sing Che Faro (and watch harpsi in Spem in Alium first)
Mucha and good luck with building your career up again.

I think you and dh might have been separated at birth Iorek
He is more of a Dawn Upshaw/EK sort of person
I wait til he goes out and then put on CB's preposterously entertaining Arie Antiche and yodel along