Renée Fleming sings "Ain't it a pretty night" from Susannah 

The best American arias have a freeness about them that is simply marvelous when they are well sung, as here. American opera is vastly underrated IMHO.

This has got to be one of the most beautiful performances of one of the most beautiful American arias ever written. I feel so lucky to seen her portrayal of Susannah at The Met with Samuel Ramey as Blitch and Jerry Hadley (RIP) as "Little Bat". .. Truly, a night to remember.

In college my best friend played Susannah and I played Little Bat. Two weeks ago she died at the age of 33. This aria will always mean so much to me!

I'm English and I think that America has so many operatic gems! Many music people I know have never even heard of susannah, I think that it is such a shame as it is a gorgeous opera!

Who in the HELL are two people who didn't like this?! This is absolutely divine. A lesson in expressive singing and poetic intention. Bravissima.

Stunning. I remember the first time I heard her sing this. I can't hold back the chills or the tears. That voice is proof enough for me that there is a God...and that He has got impeccable taste.

A fascinating American Opera aria and Fleming sings it with sublime commitment and vocal beauty. Her voice was at its richest, creamiest and most luscious shape!

This performance NEVER EVER gets old. This is what a true singing actress can do with a piece like this...sends me to a whole other level of the firmament when I hear her.

She's more than an extraordinary voice. Her beautiful expressive face elevates every performance.

What a gift

What an OUTSTANDING performance by Renee Fleming of a great and difficult scena!!! Thank you VERY much for sharing this with us!!!!!

Goodness gracious, what a stunning performance! RIP Carlisle Floyd.

I love this aria. It makes me always want to go home, back to East Tennessee. But the end of this aria is so sad. It makes me cry every time.

Wauw... this is lovely... she has such a magnificent voice.

Totally awesome! My daughter just had a private lesson with her at Eastman School.

What an artist. And, my! What a technique. Rare.

Exquisite. The dynamic range she displays-all perfectly executed-is unprecedented. ❤

O my.....*tears*....thus is beautiful ...So much passion and expression and control

I just love her!

Thinking of Carlisle Floyd born 6/11/1926.

Renee Fleming is simply the greatest soprano in the world, if not the greatest female singer period.

Absolutely gorgeous!

Gorgeous. It always makes me tear up.

Absolutely exquisite.

So gorgeous!

Wow.

Ohhh. Simply glorious.

glorious.

one of my favorite songs

Now, part 2 of our journey into opera. This is Susanah's song from Act 1. I played the part of oder Ott at the Mulebarn Theater in Tarkio, MO back in 1970.

Exquisite.

heaven

Thanks for posting!

Such an important document!

Wonderful rendition and impassioned conducting by a guy who looks like my old friend Steven Mercurio...? Bravi tutti grazie 🙏. SF.

MARAVILLOSA

She's never sounded better to me. Perfectly grounded and full sound. I see what she meant about singing pregnant.

RIP Carlisle Floyd

@suzanneetmoi Right, I talked to my teacher about it. He doesn't know whether I'm going Lyric Mezzo or some sort of je ne sais quoi Soprano, in that I have high notes too. He said that it was too big too though so good advice! Thanks.

@suzanneetmoi Thanks-- I appreciate the advice. :)

3:25

What year is this performance from?

What year is this?

@illavynvelendril The top in this aria is too high for a lyric mezzo- don't confuse "color" of a voice with range. Ms.Fleming has a dark timbre to her voice, but she is not a mezzo, rather, a full lyric. And no one without years of good solid vocal training should ever attempt singing Susannah- and by that I mean at least grad school level, with a good voice teacher working with you. There are a lot of nice pieces within your range, so don't risk ruining your voice, please.

I'd like opinions please! Does anyone think a very young, fairly high mezzo soprano could plausibly sing this well?? Thanks!

Wonderful. But no one finds in this aria the colours that Caterina Di Tonno finds.

yes, glorious voice. Opening passages though---the lower primo passaggio- audible breaks - sounded like yodelling.

Love Renee but her approve sounds too "old" for the young Susannah.

I think Ms. Fleming thought that this was written by Wagner instead of Floyd.... incredible, powerful voice, and completely misses the actual music here.