Webster Booth was one of Britain's finest oratorio singers of his generation and was known for the clarity of his diction and runs, and for his excellent musicianship. He recorded for HMV for over 20 years, and was Sir Malcolm Sargent's personal choice as soloist at his 60th birthday concert in 1955.
I agree with you guzel1952. In his day Webster Booth was one of the foremost oratorio singers in the United Kingdom. I suppose he is underrated today because most people think all he ever did was sing light duets with Anne Ziegler on the variety circuit. He told me that oratorio singing meant more to him than any other branch of his singing career.
A wonderful recording of this gorgeous Handel aria - not the "authentic" version that we expect today, but peerlessly well sung, and today's singers could learn much about technique, phrasing and sheer style from Booth and some of his contemporaries. They were working singers, with rock solid credentials, who treated their material with grace and respect. I have to say also that I can't detect anything out of tune but then he recorded this "live" with the orchestra. A great singer.
Thank you for posting this, it brings back wonderful memories of my time in the Joseph J. Klein Vocal Studios. This aria and "Sound an Alarm" were our workout arias in the studio. Mr. Klein would use these extremely challenging arias to help us learn how to manage our voices. Beautiful song! Beautiful singing!!
Thank you for your comment. I certainly agree with what you say. I believe I do have "All in an April Evening" by the Glasgow Orpheus Choir in my record collection. I'll look it out and post it as soon as I can.
Could somebody maybe please make a playlist of what they would consider to be the FINEST, FINEST selections from Handel's many operas?? (Obviously, such a selection would include this wonderful piece!) If you do so, please send me a message, but it would really be great, as right now, I don't have the time to dig through the operas myself!
Thank you for your comment. Personally I have never heard Webster Booth singing out of tune or with excessive rubato, but you are entitled to your opinion. I'd be interested to hear the piece as sung by Daniell Reuss.
@saltburner2 My moviemaker is not working, but I have uploaded the recit as an audio file on Booth-Ziegler Yahoo Group on Blogspot. I can't add a link here, but if you put in a search you should be able to find it.
Webster Booth and Heddle Nash were both incomparable in this repertoire. Perhaps Heddle sang with more warmth, and Webster with more clarity. But we don't have to choose, as we can enjoy both!
Hm, made me listening closer. I think Booth is wonderful, and wish I could sing this aria as well as he did. (that said, about 2:09 and 2:26 he's just a little under on a couple notes (being super-nit-picky, here ;)))
