A wonderful rendition of 'Bane of Virtue' by the great, unforgettable Lorraine Hunt Lieberson at Peter Sellars production of Theodora for Glyndebourne.
I count Lorraine's performance of Irene among the greatest I have seen in 40+ years of operagoing. The intensity and truthfulness are incredibly powerful
These are very appropriate lyrics for today's world. In our consumer-driven, materialistic society, "prosperity" is indeed the bane of virtue. True happiness is only found where grace and truth and love (and peace) abound.
She was fantastic and magical everytime. So committed she transcended technicalities and took ou on a journey of pure bliss. Being on stage with her was an unforgettable experience! And a lovely and caring person too. Bless her soul forever
I love Her!!! My singing teacher used to perform with her, and he often tells me about the things they did, a great woman! Since she's been gone, the sky has another star! Thaks Lorraine, for such a wonderful perfomance!
In my brief encounter with her, I saw her in live performance 8x, including 2 performances of her Dido in LesTroyens. I was never more blind sided by a talent-and was actually stunned the first time I heard her, after a life time of hearing great voices. For the next couple of years until her death and after I was obsessed with her. It has probably been 2 yrs. since I last listened to her voice, just wandered into this tonight (which I know so well)-can't listen just too unbearable
I truly believe that had she lived and sung five more years, people would have wondered why everyone was so impressed by Marilyn Horne. That is, those who hadn't already reached that conclusion! Voices like Lorraine's come once in a century; possibly longer. What a blessing that we can still hear and see her. I envy both of you, for I discovered her too late . . . Lorraine, you are greatly missed . . .
I agree with Handelfreak. I was there... I was actually there, and could actually feel the discomfort in the stalls as people shifted around in their seats. There had never been anything like that production before and there has never been anything since that remotely touches it. It was perfection. I have seen and heard it all. There is nothing left.
A truly divine voice worthy of all the beauty of Handel's musical genius. If you only have one life to live and you leave a legacy such as this singer has left us in the performance of Theodora Bane of Virtue, then you have not lived in vain. Such talent and artistic vision is truly a gift from God!
Not since Mozart's or Schubert's untimely death has humanity lost such an artist. I am proud to say that I saw her in Ashoka's Dream, something I will treasure forever.
People, don't compare. This is perfect singing. It does not get better than this. When I die, God, let me hear Lorraine singing in my mind as I might ascend to heaven.
Ah, what a divine, serene-sounding voice. Notice Dawn Upshaw back there? They both belong to that angelic school of singing that is inborn, not learned. Thanks so much.
No offense to the rest of the cast but as soon as she begins her first full song (aria) in this production there's never any doubt as to who the best singer in the house is. There's a lot of good singers out there and some great ones who hardly ever end up being recorded because they spend most of their performing time on stage but this lady was astounding. It was a huge loss when she passed on.
Fin novembre 2011 nous avons perdu la merveilleuse Montserrat Figueras (que j'ai vue 2 fois en concert en France, il y a 30 ans). Lorraine, partie si tôt, elle aussi rejoindre les anges...Heureusement ses enregistrements demeurent , moments de paradis, intemporels ! Vita brevis, ars longa !
[Recitative - Irene] O bright example of all goodness! How easy seems affliction's heavy load While thus instructed and companioned thus as 'twere with heaven conversing, we look down On the vain pomp of proud prosperity. [Air - Irene - begins 0:30] Bane of virtue, nurse of passions, Soother of vile inclinations, Such is, prosperity, thy name. True happiness is only found, where grace and truth and love abound And pure religion feeds the flame Bane of virtue ... [da capo]
Irene O bright example of all goodness! How easy seems affliction's heavy load, While thus instructed, and companion'd thus, As 'twere with Heav'n conversing, we look down On the vain pomp of proud prosperity. 15. Air Irene Bane of virtue, nurse of passions, Soother of vile inclinations, Such is, prosperity, thy name. True happiness is only found, Where grace and truth and love abound, And pure religion feeds the flame. Bane of virtue. . . da capo
Line 2 should read "soother of fine inclinations" -- not "vile". The meaning of the lyric is that prosperity (i.e. wealth) is the soother of "fine inclinations" -- that is, it leads us to more base inclinations.
