An aria for a lazy Sunday

On a lazy Sunday, I often listen to opera. I am doing this right now and I thought I would share it with my readership. This is from Handel's Giulio Cesare. A rather modern take by Danielle de Niese, who plays/sings Cleopatra. I am always a bit skeptical about Danielle de Niese's often pop star-like  mannerism when she sings. I mentioned it the very first time I blogged about her. I know she has also been very much criticized for it. On the other hand, opera will not survive if it remains stiff and formal. And I grew rather found of Danielle de Niese. She may not be the greatest soprano ever, but she has plenty of charm and confidence. And for some reason, her rather carefree attitude reminds me of a pleasant Sunday or a pleasant weekend of far niente. I know, I trivialize the great Handel. But this performance is a delight, all the same.

Barock

I once said on Facebook: "There is rock in baroque" to a friend who was into both. Which is very true, and a new great unknown line immortalised on Vraie Fiction. About two years ago, I illustrated this principle with a piece from Rameau that the same friend had uploaded.I wanted to illustrate it again, and I was wondering with what piece of baroque music. And then it struck me: why not more Handel, to remember he composed more than The Messiah? So here is Da Tempeste, from Giulio Cesare, interpreted by, well, Danielle de Niese. I hesitated a lot to have this one, because I find very irritating the way de Niese moves on stage. As in: she moves too much and like a pop star. Someone should remind her sometimes that she is a soprano, not some two bit pop singer.But I forgive her because of her enthusiasm about Handel's music (listen to what she says about it here). Anyway, am I the only one to hear the rock beat? This is pure barock.