I have to admit that I was completely unfamiliar with this remarkable singer until several weeks ago. The natural beauty of her instrument combined with her natural delivery is spellbinding. Eula Beal had a relatively short lived career, opting to spend her energies raising her family. One can only imagine what her contributions would have been had she continued. Luckily, there are recordings and the footage from the television program Concert Magic. Listen for yourselves!
Schubert's Erlkönig
Singing Erbarme dich/ Have Mercy, Lord from Bach's St. Matthew Passion with Yehudi Menuhin playing the violin solos.
The great Ukrainian bass Mark Reizen sings Tchaikovsky's "Sred' shumnovo bala" ("Amidst the din of the ball"), Op.38, No.3 (text by Aleksei Tolstoi)at 79!
In the midst of the noisy ball, amid the anxious bustle of life, I caught sight of you, your face, an enigma.
Only your eyes gazed sadly. Your divine voice Sounded like pipes from afar, Like the dancing waves of the sea.
Your delicate form entranced me, and your pensiveness, your sad yet merry laughter, has permeated my heart since then.
And in the lonely hours of the night, when I do lie down to rest, I see your pensive eyes, hear your merry laugh...
And wistfully drifting into mysterious reveries, I wonder if I love you, but it seems that I do!
It seems only natural to follow Ninon Vallin with George Thill, who is considered by many to be the greatest French tenor of the twentieth century. He was singing at the same time as Vallin in France. Thill began his studies in Paris and later went to Naples for further training. He returned to Paris and made his Paris Opéra debut in 1924. He would dominate the scene for the next two decades singing over fifty leading roles.
A rare artist! An extremely versatile singer--she sang opera, mélodie and Lieder (in French.) Her secure technique and superb musicianship made her one of the most sought after singers of her generation. Debussy said her voice shimmered like silver. He chose her for the première of his "Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé." In addition to Debussy, Ninon Vallin collaborated with a number of important composers, including Albert Roussel, Reynaldo Hahn, Xavier Leroux, Louis Beyot, Marguerite Béclard D’Harcourt and Joaquín Nin.
Here she sings L'Heure Exquise by Reynaldo Hahn
The white moon shines in the woods. From each branch springs a voice beneath the arbor. Oh my beloved…
Like a deep mirror the pond reflects the silhouette of the black willow where the wind weeps. Let us dream! It is the hour…
A vast and tender calm seems to descend from a sky made iridescent by the moon. It is the exquisite hour!
Since Febrauary is Black History month, I thought it fitting to start with the great American bass-baritone, actor, lawyer, social activist and athelete, Paul Robeson.
Robeson was a twentieth century Renaissance man. His talent, intellect and political activism made him one of the most powerful figures of his time and American history.
"All men all brothers because of their music."
"No pretty songs, no pretty songs, gentlemen. Time for some full citizenship."
Mephistopheles' Song in Auerbach's Cellar (Song of the Flea) Pesnya Mefistofelya o blokhe by Mussorgsky 1879 1879 It is based on Faust: The First Part of the Tragedy (1808) by Goethe, translated by Strugovshchikov
English translation:
There once was a king who had a large flea whom he loved not a bit less than his very own son. He called his tailor and the tailor came directly; "Here - make clothing for this knight, and cut him trousers too!"
In silk and satin was the flea now made up; he had ribbons on his clothing, and he had also a cross there, and had soon become a minister and had a large star. Then his siblings became great lords and ladies of the court as well.
And the lords and ladies of the court were greatly plagued; the queen and her ladies-in-waiting were pricked and bitten, and they dared not flick or scratch them away. But we flick and crush them as soon as one bites!
Here is another example of the rare and beautiful instrument of this remarkable man.
I've decided to begin a new tradition. For the month of February, I'm going to start a series of posts called "Singer of the Day." Each day will feature a great singer from the past. So stay tuned. It may be someone completely familiar to you music mavens, but it may also be someone who has fallen off your radar for some reason. Or these may be artists who you are not at all familiar with. I hope the choices will interest you.
Welcome to SongLiedMélodie. This blog was created to provide a place to discuss the music and texts of vocal performances of various styles and languages. All materials found here are for educational purposes only. For the time being, the topics are organized according to geographic locations. The first topic was The Music of Spain and South America. The Links and Labels below should be helpful in finding what you are looking for. Enjoy.
