What a fitting venue for such a wonderful voice. I visited there on a tour in 2018 and they let me touch all the surfaces - even the gold leaf on marble. To a blind person that is magic, particularly as there are some places where I would never bother to go as I would not be allowed to touch anything. But as for that voice, I only discovered Mr Finley recently (I'm not really into opera) but he is changing that. I can't get enough now. Thanks for sharing. Nga mihinui from Aotearoa
I just adore his rendition so much. He's so seriously unserious and vice versa (his preparing for the "hisssss" and the word itself, and the "sparkles that flash in their eyes" - this is just undescribably awesome!). I just spend all the A part smiling, almost laughing, but only because it's so adorably perfect (not even talking about the B part of course, that gives me chills). I know everyone who performs is at least a bit unsatisfied with their work, but I really cannot find anything that wouldn't just shout "GREAT!!" He's a person with such a voice, intelligence and generosity, which are the qualities I admire and he has it all. He's honestly one of the best singers (of course, in my opinion), and probably my absolute favourite baritone. Thank you again!
I'm very impressed with this interpretation. Not always been the biggest fan of Mr Finley but he has this down to a tee....excellent diction, lovely warm tone and engaging facial expression! Helped by a wonderful period orchestra! Agree with FORGE8700 regarding the quavers (8th notes) though - not very nice but I guess it's just the stylistic interpretation.
I'm an admirer of GF. I heard himgive a recital at the RNCM in Manchester a year or 15 months ago-Mahler and Schubert. His vocal freedom was something. Great confidence. Wonderful.
I'm not sure what category -- baritone, bass-baritone, or bass -- he's categorized, but in this piece, the vocal range is more that of a baritone than a base. The lowest notes are on Bb in the bass register. Regardless, Finley is an excellent singer.
@FRAGIORGIO1 Thanks for your comment. The church is the Benedictine abbey of Melk (Austria) founded during the 11th century, a major European cult place in the 16th century and largely transformed in the 18th.
A beautiful performance. Kudos to Nikolas Harnancourt, Mr Finley, and the fine musicians. What church is this magnificent pile, dear italianoperafan? Thanks for your posting, by the way, and welcome to Classical Music, friend twili9htkid. Handel always has a grace in the movement of his movement. Investigate Lully, Purcell, Vivaldi, and Bach, among other Baroque composers, whom I believe you will also enjoy. By the way, I always thought Dixieland had a Baroque quality about it.
