The opera from which this aria comes "Atalanta" was written for a British royal wedding - that of the prince of Wales' wedding to princess Augusta - he was the heir to the British throne but never made it as he died before his father did and his son succeeded as George III -fast forward to 1981 and Kiri sang a Handel aria for the prince of Wales and princess Diana for their wedding in St Paul's and Diana tragically deceased as well. Synchronicity or what?
What a lovely voice and presence. There was so much Strauss and Mozart during her time, in which she shone like an emerald . But I dream she had sung this role. And Louise. Thais.
Although I adored Kiri, with her heavenly voice, she seems to be reading from the dictionary. She was far better in the polite passions of Mozart and light-Strauss. She didn’t seem to understand the emotions of Verdi or Puccini at all.
I only have to hear again how magnificent her voice is, and how technically perfect she sings to remind myself why I named my cat Kiri!!! (My little Kiri is 19 years old and ironically has very little to say in the vocal department - even her purr is a mere vibration)! But I so love my Kiris❤❤❤❤❤
In quelle trine morbide… nell’alcova dorata v’è un silenzio gelido, mortal, v è un silenzio, un freddo che m’agghiaccia! Ed io che m’ero avvezza a una carezza voluttuosa di labbra ardenti e d’infuocate braccia… or ho tutt’altra cosa! O mia dimora umile, tu mi ritorni innanzi gaia, isolata, bianca come un sogno gentile di pace e d’amor!
I haven't heard a modern soprano (post 1970) besides Margaret Price that sings this with as much musicality and warmth of tone and stylistically on the money as Kiri in this performance.
