Who sings Purcell's 'The Cold Song (What Power Art Thou)' best?

Which performance of Purcell's "The Cold Song (What Power Art Thou)" do you prefer?

0:00 Jakub Józef Orliński
3:26 Andreas Scholl
6:36 Tim Mead

[Miguelde]

There is no best. It is not a competition. All three are amazing in their very own way of interpretation. It’s just impressive to hear this amazing song again and again. And of course, it will always been connected with Klaus Nomi.

[kathrynstreatfield]

Each to his own, but for me Orlinski raises this piece to new heights. Something about the intensity of his performance I think.

[marcobiondi]

All these interpretations honor Purcell's genius. A splendid piece.

[pierreargoul]

L' interprétation d'Andreas Scholl soutenu énergétiquement par l'orchestre est ma préférée!

[ralfengelberger]

Gerard Lesne' very shure, he lives this song

[White.Elemant]

Andreas Scholl. He was closest to sounding like he was singing submersed in freezing water. Tim Mead didn't have a chance for proper interpretation because the tempo was so effed up, if you pardon my french. Jakub Josef Orlinski had the best orchestration by far, although the strings could have been played more sharply. They need to cut into our ears like knives for this piece to come alive.

[quaver]

Loved all three for different reasons, but liked Tim Mead the most. On the other hand, liked Andreas Scholl the most. On the other hand, my heart melts at Orlinski’s singing. Oh dear.

[saularellano]

Andreas really did convey the feeling of freezing bitter cold to the point of evoking poignant pathos.

[kristinaolsson]

Orlinski - morr beautiful voice and intense feeling👏👏👏 though all three wonderful.🙏🥰

[swamisalami]

Klaus Nomi. The best version I’ve ever heard.

[Arran]

Andreas Scholl for me. You really get the sense of the cold penetrating him and squeezing the breath out of him. Orlinski’s performance is also good, but I prefer Scholl

[elenasommer]

Il n'y a pas de meilleure dans l'art. C'est la question de goût. Ils sont super tous les trois. Personnellement je préfère Scholl. Très profond. J'adore sa voix et la technique.

[Stan-jj]

Jakub Orlinski represents a different approach to this song. He sets all the notes longer getting more possibilities to " produce the effect of shivering". My vote goes to Jakub for his innovative approach, in spite of the worse quality of recording (live concert, not a studio one). However, I like Scholl and Mead very much too.

[luciesneep]

I think Klaus Nomi is the best! He died at the age of 39 in 1983, that was a great lost for opera and Purcell's songs!

[cosmo-politics-of-ahimsa]

I get most cold with Andreas Scholls interpretation 🥶

[ast]

Orlinski, closely followed by Tim Mead…but then there’s Gerard Lesne !!!

[Belaugh]

There is a difference between superb singing and chilling interpretation and understanding of the role. So always Andreas Scholl.

[agnesw]

Jakub Jozef Orlinski.I like that his voice is like fluid and there is so much emotion in it!

[aldobombardiererosas]

What a music from Purcel!! Full of tension and expression...And what great are these performaces...!!

[andrellasfairytales]

Andreas Scholl! One feels he is able to withdraw as a person and let the music flow through him from upper regions.