--- and he keeps his eyes completely shut the whole time, living the loss of sight every second of this piece -- and what a haunting piece. This clip shows why no other tenor I ever saw affected me as deeply as this artist. I have to add this piece, too, shows why the Saint-Saens treatment of this story, fine as it is, will never reach me as deeply as Handel's.
I had the privilege of being in the audience at the Ambassador Auditorium for this incredible recital. I had heard him in several operatic roles, including Peter Grimes-- but to hear this voice in recital was something extraordinary.
I heard Vickers sing this aria in recital. It was powerful beyond belief, vocally and dramatically. This recording brings back one of the great performances I've heard in my life. Vickers was (and is) a force of nature.
He was sublime in this role when it was staged at Covent Garden - but then he was sublime in everything he did. Wonderful, wonderful Jon. Thank you so much for posting this.
Thank you so much for posting this! I was at the Ambassador Auditorium that night - the most remarkable recital I've ever witnessed. Confused the heck out of the little old ladies in the audience, but it was such a gift, from the stage to us. Never been a voice like his and I don't expect to hear one again. Mille grazie!!
Jon is describing himself inwardly full of darkness. He is singing of the pain of one who has killed his meaning in life. He has ruined himself not someone else. He does not blame Delilah. He makes the aria into a self indictment which it is.
Loved the Peter Grimes too-I live in Suffolk and know the sea here and the atmosphere-he totally has it, as well as having the most amazing heldentenor voice I've ever heard..
A real signature piece for this great singer. Much better recorded sound here than on the COVENT GARDEN live performance from 1960 that is or was available. Thanks for the posting.
