Lascia ch'io pianga (Händel's opera Rinaldo); Voices of Music with Kirsten Blaise, soprano

Handel's signature aria from his Opera Rinaldo HWV 7 (1711),
performed on original instruments by Voices of Music, with soprano Kirsten Blaise.
Handel reworked one of his best arias from "Il trionfo del tempo" (1707) for Rinaldo, his first London opera, and the first Italian opera specifically composed for the London theatres.

Lascia ch'io pianga
mia cruda sorte,
e che sospiri la libertà.
Il duolo infranga queste ritorte
de' miei martiri sol per pietà.

Let me weep
over my cruel fate,
and sigh for freedom.
Let my sorrow break the chains
of my suffering, out of pity.

The Musicians (left to right, back to front)
Kati Kyme, baroque violin
Gabrielle Wunsch, baroque violin
Elizabeth Blumenstock, baroque violin
Maxine Nemerovski, baroque violin
Lisa Grodin, baroque viola
Farley Pearce, violone
Shirley Edith Hunt, baroque cello
David Tayler, archlute
Hanneke van Proosdij, baroque organ
And the fabulous Kirsten Blaise, soprano
Voices of Music directed by Hanneke van Proosdij & David Tayler
#Handel #HandelAria #HandelOpera

[loganfruchtman]

This peice will always hold a special place in my families heart. A year ago my nana past away peacefully and my cousin who was a former soprano sang this aria at the funeral as it was one of her favorite pieces and Handel was her favorite composer. She loved the Water Music and the Messiah as well even though we are a Jewish family. I miss her very much.

[DanielSparza]

Lascia ch'io pianga
Mia cruda sorte
E che sospiri
La libertà
E che sospiri
E che sospiri
La libertà

Il duolo infranga
Queste ritorte
De' miei martiri
Sol per pietà
De' miei martiri
Sol per pietà

[wil]

For every broken heart, for every crushed soul...there is this song. Ethereal. Ineffable. Beautiful...

[inglesconalan]

This is how Handel should be performed. The blend of instruments and voice is amazing. I normally don't like listening to sopranos but I have to say that this performance is beautiful and I could listen forever.

[sprucei]

Tears, always tears when I hear this beautiful piece of music. I first heard it in a movie my wife recommended "Farinelli", then the Cecilia Bartolli version. But this version, with the wonderful Kirsten Blaise and the Voices of Music is sublime.

[gabrielrios]

This piece always brings me a feeling of sadness and then finally peace... Tears and joy, can't explain why.

[asvegas]

Love this aria, learned it over 20 years ago & is one of my favourites — this version with the instruments and voice/interpretation together is fantastic! thank you!

[DavidRattray]

A real delight...a treat beyond words. Not a singer with accompaniment, rather one voice speaking to us in unison...

[SamSarmento]

It is unfair that I can't like this video as many times as I replay it...

[joncaju]

What I love most about this performance is how the sounds of the vocalist and the period instruments blend so beautifully, especially when I close my eyes and listen to the nuances and interplay of all the voices in this ensemble. Thank you.

[carloshamilton]

This is the most beatiful, angelical version of this aria. Her voice is pure an the orchestra blends perfect

[heathersterling-minder]

Her voice, her demeanor, her movements...so amazing. All of the musicians are splendid...thank you, thank you, thank you so very much.

[KokoMcMonkey]

I love it when an artist approaches baroque vocal music using vibrato as just ONE of the interpretive tools at their disposal.

[nopalitosms]

One of the most beautiful human voices I ever heard. The ensamble is magnificent and the music composed by Haendel is supreme. Sublime piece of art.

[Mortalsbane]

"George Frederick Handel is the greatest composer who ever lived. I would take off my hat and kneel at his grave." -Ludwig van Beethoven

[ЛюдмилаАкимкина-зь]

Красивый голос. Прекрасная акустика. Музыка времён. Слава Богу! Во.Имя Господа нашего Иисуса Христа! 🙏❤Аминь спасибо.

[daelynnicholls]

I feel - deeply inside me - that this remains the best ever Lascia ch'io pianga. That is saying something because I had thought dear Joyces's would never be surpassed. But the emotion bedded in the piece draws such depth from all "our" women AND the strings. As others have said with this - one instrument. Beautiful - play it again DeeDee

[MrBleggo]

And the lyrics are wonderful...full of melancholia
Handel!!
"Let me weep
My cruel fate,
And that I
should have freedom.
The duel infringes
within these twisted places,
in my sufferings
I pray for mercy."
Lascia ch'io pianga
Mia cruda sorte,
E che sospiri
La libertà.
Il duolo infranga
Queste ritorte,
De' miei martiri
Sol per pietà.

[urbandetlev]

Diese Arie strahlt so eine Ruhe aus.
Herrliche Musik.
In schweren Lebenslagen, Tod eines geliebten Menschen, macht es meine Seele wieder ruhig.

[kangniwang]

Wow! It's amazing how her voice blends with the strings!