Favorite aria this month

My video bar is not working. My favorite aria this month is the new one I'm working on. It gets stuck in my head constantly, so it must be a goodie! It's quite a challenge, and I'm up for it. However, it will probably be a while before I can focus all my attention on it considering I have three auditions for grad school approaching. If you're interested, follow the link. Oh, and by the way, Happy New Year to all.

O Luce di Quest Anima

Photo of Edita Gruberova as Linda di Chamonix, www.gruberova.com

Depuis le jour, from "Louise" by Charpentier

(Translation of this month's favorite aria, be it a good two weeks late in posting.)

Since the day
I gave myself,
my fate seems all in flower.
I seem to be dreaming
beneath a fairy sky,
my soul still enraptured
by that first kiss!
What a wonderful life!
My dream was not a dream!
Oh, I am so happy!
Love spreads its wings above me!
In the garden of my heart
a new joy sings!
Everything vibrates,
everything rejoices in my triumph!

About me it is all smiles,
light and happiness!;
And I tremble deliciously
at the delightful memory
of the first day of love!
What a glorious life!
Oh, how happy I am! too happy!...
And I tremble deliciously
at the delightful memory
of the first day of Love!

Sung by Renee Fleming, of course. Her beautiful performance ALMOST takes one's attention away from her hideous outfit.

Glitter and Be Gay

My favorite aria this month is from "Candide" by Bernstein... but the aria isn't necessarily my favorite aria.  Specifically, I'm enthralled by this performance of soprano Anna Christy from the 2007 production at La Scala in Milan.  I love stage director Robert Carsen's imitation of Marilyn Monroe's "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend."  Clever beyond clever- and so fitting for the character!  Christy's performance is something else to be marveled at.  Her singing is close to flawless, and she is classy, sexy, and charming, unlike many Counegondes I've seen bounce around the stage, mugging to the audience.  I hope you enjoy this performance as much as I do... follow the link to six minutes of pure enjoyment!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chofHEQNgTM