Who sings Vivaldi's "Armatae face et anguibus" best?

Roberta Invernizzi, Lea Desandre, Karina Gauvin, Delphine Galou, Vivica Genaux, Magdalena Kozena, Cecilia Bartoli, and Julia Lezhneva sing the aria "Armatae face et anguibus" from Vivaldi's oratorio Juditha Triumphans. Who sings it best?
P.S.- There are variances in the sound volume of each aria, due to the source material.

[@susannap26]

Julia Lejneva and Bartoli ,of course!

[@dennisdennis2688]

And bartoli always forces the visuals of her performance to this aria to make it unique

[@MiKleinman2104]

They all have and express something special. Vivaldi was such a genius that there will be zillions of magnificent variations of "Armatae face et anguibus". Around 1716 for Juditha Triumphans. No surprise that Bach was so moved when he read Vivaldi's compositions for the first time.

[@lilianagiacchetti4910]

Trovo che la Desandre sia impeccabile, un piacere sublime la sua interpretazione. D'altro canto la non perfezione accademica per favorire l'interpretazione e la furia della Bartoli, mi trasporta dentro la tragedia. Bartoli assolutamente divina.

[@MrMurlik]

Invernizzi, Bartoli. It's an incredibly difficult piece.

[@reddragonready]

Imo Bartoli..she sings it like the emotions and with those the vocal comes naturally

[@teoleonov]

The other (more recent) Julia's interpretation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6qThZ-JaaaYqac

[@evalaszlo1137]

1. Cecília

[@megenberg8]

hi! all very excellent - it's a hard choice, more dependent on personal preference. you chose singers of astounding talent - i did not know that women could sing w/ such articulated strength! Vivaldi is demanding to say the very least! Karina is the most pleasurable to my ears however if you must know, there you are! this Italian opera is amazing!

[@lifeisgood3087]

This is not an opera. This is an oratorio. Not the same. Vocal and character requirements are different, and sometimes, extremely different.

[@megenberg8]

@@lifeisgood3087 thanks, i will learn more about it.

[@lifeisgood3087]

@@megenberg8 Hope my comment did not come across as being offensive or disrespectful.

[@maddalenagadolla2897]

Desandre has clarity like no other.

[@zazamotti5682]

Julia Lezneva definitely

Karina Gauvin is The Best!

[@antoniogaeta2737]

Lea

[@javierjosejavier3256]

In my opinion, Julia Lezhneva does the best performance. The Word is harmony, balance. Her voice turns into another musical instrument, the best, in favour of that musical piece

[@emc2alvnet]

Different, amazing expressions of same beautifullness. My personal preference Karina Gauvin and Léa Desandre!,,

[@shutuba2010]

Roberta Invernizzi, Karina Gauvin and Julia Leshneva are the best for me.

[@cost0708]

Lea Desandre et Delphine Galou

[@diegofernandezmolero3414]

Julia Lezhneva

[@fuadjada4155]

Lea!

[@stevenlight5006]

Too many to mention,all women are beautiful and at times when they speak an sing .I my lyfe is worth living.

[@capezyo]

Invernizzi is the best. Excellent..

[@BenBruinsma]

Lea Desandre

[@raule.tarulla6366]

Bartoli >>>> Gauvin >> Lezhneva > Desandre = Invernizzi Con Bártoli estoy sumergido en la tragedia, inigualable interpretación, más allá de su caudal vocal y excepcional voz. Desde Buenos Aires - Argentina

[@nicotaboada]

Bartoli es una dotada, una voz que transporta, saludos también desde Argentina!

[@mariaanesti8056]

Karina Gauvin.

[@juandanielrojaspalma8468]

Lea Desandre y Cecilia Bartoli.

[@inezamakalatia677]

Karina!!!

[@azriel8549]

Roberta Invernizzi

[@danm.4991]

Even with the poor recording I have to give it to Delphine. She just has a voice made for Vivaldi. That said, Cecilia and Julia are incredible and there aren't really any stinkers in the bunch. Thanks for posting

[@Carolinaoboe]

Julia Lezhneva!!!

[@diegocracker]

Amo demais Karina Gauvin

[@Amstrup77]

Lea Desandre has the absolute best performance of the suggested here. Her articulation is on point, and she dramatizes the piece really well. I think she sounds the most relaxed of all the performers, which is hard when singing this piece.

[@giuseppinadivalentino837]

Perché scegliere! Ognuna di queste artiste d'opera a la propria voce è tecnica di canto ed è giusto che sia così. Quindi non facciamo classifiche, sono tutte brave e meritano un bel, bravissime!!!

[@a.mie.533]

Julia Lezhneva - expression without overdoing it. Not too much strain and posing, just to the point. And also Karina Gauvin - very rounded, fresh and balanced. Bartoli is so agitated and so decisively humorous, that she almost scares me away ...

[@ceciliabartolilive1769]

Cecilia Bartoli, Karina Gauvin et Lea Desandre.

[@tizianogombia7294]

Roberta e Cecilia bene, molto bene. Julia potenzialmente bene. Domanda per tutte le altre: dove avete letto alcune note che avete cantato? Sicuramente non nella partitura di Vivaldi.

[@mariep.2004]

Karina Gauvin, without a doubt, because there's a NATURAL strength and emotionality pervading her performance that just isn't there in the others, as talented as the singers may be in their own right.

[@alvaroferal2]

Es fantástica.

[@Nabucco2008]

Bartoli! La fuerza del Mediterráneo

[@PMS1950]

Both Lea and Cecilia are magnificent and equally impressive, but all the singers and instrumentalists display fantastic artistry and technique.

[@aeliuscaius]

Gauvin and Galou !! Omg I love both.

[@hugohugo345]

Lea Desandre IMHO

[@shutuba2010]

Lea Desandre’s voice is weak.

[@dreamsongworld]

@@shutuba2010 not weak, softer

[@oldgundog4705]

Lea Desandre, the little bird that sings!!

[@emiliorobles3211]

The best is not here, Silvia Frigato interpretation is marvelous. She interpretates with the “fury” (never better said) that the character requires

[@capezyo]

Roberta is shurely the best. May be the fastest but well pointed notes.

[@AndrewLumsden]

Without question, Lea Desandre every time leaves the competition far behind. 👌👍👏 And second place goes to Julia Lezhnova!

[@lubayart]

Fully agree with Lea. Outofworldly quality. Second best would be Sabine Devieilhe if she did record this piece.

[@delvinfrazer4844]

1. Cecilia bartoli 2.karina gawuin

[@sabiopensanteepistemologic5109]

Todas cantan hermoso, pero mi favorita es Vivica Genaux. Tiene una voz muy potente.

[@gernoth9909]

Well. Definitely not Cecilia. While her emotional expression is very intense, her barking makes listening a complete pain. I like Roberta best.

[@yardvark100]

They are all wonderfull, but Invernizzi's trills have such diction, depth and precision that she stands apart from this group.

[@sachadeganosva7167]

Karina Gauvin then Les Desandre

[@cancino1789]

Lea Desandre. She is the one who best ends with that furious scream.

[@opusquatre]

Those contests are a nonsense.. Music is not sports, no competition.. you may have preferences, it will not mean the performer is better than the others.. Especially when you consider that their performance will depend on the musicians they play with.. Best is to appreciate the fact that each of them gives us a personal approach a different lighting.. I propose a contest "Who best listens to music ?"..

[@normwright4646]

Absolutely agree. I recently listened and appreciated three performances of "Sovente il Sole" from Andromeda Liberata by Nathalie Stutzmann, Anne-Sophie von Otter, and Cecilia Bartoli. I will not say which is "better". Each of these excellent singers contributes their own unique interpretations to the music - that's why it's called art. Our individual perceptions of their performances will be different. Where we might prefer one artist in "Sovente Il Sole" performance, we may not like the same artist's performance in "Armatae face, et anguibus".

[@baroqueandbeyond]

You’re welcome to start your own KZbin channel to upload videos with the contests you propose.

[@opusquatre]

@@baroqueandbeyond Eh eh ! There's enough pollution on KZbin, so I won't..

[@monacothiago]

I agree, but at the same time I enjoy the opportunity of listening right away to many master rendings!

[@rheinhartsilvento2576]

They aren't "contests". It's not very hard to understand that the point of videos such as this is to offer listeners the opportunity to compare many different artists singing the same piece if music. In one video. So you don't have to jump around looking for various uploads. Nobody's expecting you - in particular, or anyone else - in general, to give out cash prizes. Just because one prefers certain artists doesn't mean one doesn't want to hear others, or has to find them bad. Relax.

[@benbar-lev6685]

Genaux wow- just no words absolutely astounding and her lower register is mind blowing!!!!

[@MultiDanielrj]

Bartoli, because she rediscovered the song

[@hansdekorver7365]

Rediscovered ? I remember Elly Ameling for instance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZTPoKOQmd-KgZI

[@RealHogweed]

How so? Hasn’t the juditha been well regarded well before bartoli?

[@tjdreamer5]

Vivica Genaux is the best!!!

[@ВячеславПермяков-х8ъ]

Лия

[@ГеннадийИконников-ъ9е]

Вивальди победил время и пространство.

[@fink78]

It has to be Roberta clear runs, great tempo

[@mugcarnivore2493]

Karina Gauvin or Lea Desandre

[@misaelgalleguillos7623]

Teresa Berganza

[@ГеннадийИконников-ъ9е]

Как жаль что не видео интересно наблюдать за артикуляцией и эмоцией но все равно празндник в натуре.

[@albo1506]

Once again Bartoli. What a voice.

[@vKarl71]

For a full experience of any of these performances one would need to SEE them, preferably in context of the oratorio. Here's an exciting video of Desandre (in an odd setting): kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ-aomVnd9eXjpI

[@hansdekorver7365]

And from 2021 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXLYkIyEr66oZrs

[@gyorgykerenyi7062]

Baráth Emőke: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4CUkJKoqcyNZs0

[@Freawulf]

Indeed! Impeccable, compelling rendition!

[@viktormikes4249]

Magdalena has the best passion, the vocal precision goes aside with feeling that her interpretation is almost touching the grounds of the Earth

[@giulianademedici691]

Karina Gauvin! She Is the One, as for me, tgatgets an amazing balance between vocal precision in coloratura ( in which Invernizzi Is eccellente too)and the furious raging this aria requires.(in expressing which Bartoli is very good, but excedingly good....).And Gauvin's breath control Is wonderful

[@giulianademedici691]

Sorry for mistakes in writing english words...

[@leandropm1]

My personal taste, the best is Lea Desandre

[@Zanaidefr]

Invernizzi wins hands down

[@jannabadalian]

Agree; the best coloratura and the most musical.

[@joaomaxconceicaodeoliveira1680]

Roberta Invernizzi.

[@CthutqHelfrjd]

Юлия Лежнева!!!

[@dsdsmitty2]

I'm probably going out on a limb here but Karina Gauvin seemed to deliver the clearest version - not too fast not too slow. Followed closely by Vivica Genaux.

[@cpdeska9478]

Gauvin=Desandre>Bartoli=Lezhneva 😂

[@KurtGuntherRichter]

Elly Ameling!

[@jack2848]

roberta invernizzi the best

[@suic86]

All interpretations are great, but I like Gauvin's and Invernizzi's interpretations the most. You could add Silvia Frigato (see here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpXCY3dvh8ySis0).

[@chevallanglois5829]

Bartoli could have sunk the Ottoman fleet.

[@podkowalesna]

Roberta Invernizzi

[@mex4youmediodecomunicacion595]

Lea Desandre

[@alvaroferal2]

Karina Gauvin.

[@ТатьянаЮревич-х7о]

I also enjoy the Lea Desandre's performing!! She's brilliant!!!

[@ГеннадийИконников-ъ9е]

Мне тоже так кажется.

[@nastushalitvin]

Desandre and Lezhneva did the best.

[@djumastudio3099]

Julia Lezhneva

[@inoxydable2001]

Heureusement qu'il peut y avoir beaucoup d'interprétations différentes ! L'idée d'en faire un concours me semble bizarre. La question devrait être : quelle interprétation préférez-vous aujourd'hui ?

[@tibitibi7227]

Lea Desandre!!!

[@johnbuick5494]

LEA ♥

[@robertfitzpatrick4208]

Lea Desandre is the most convincing in her mastery of the music, particularly in her fortissimo attack but also in the lower register.

[@francescotranquilli]

Didn't anyone mention the awesome performance of Léa Desandre? I can't believe it.

[@monacothiago]

Beautiful interpretation!!

[@t0929973195]

I love her voice...

[@antonisz1826]

Love her!!!

[@crhu319]

Me neither. Lea is brilliant at this. Of course these are all wonderful.

[@oldgundog4705]

And Lea's ability to perform is first rate!

[@dagmarkuster1120]

For me definitely Julia Leshneva sings the best. 👏👏👏

[@pablosalazar9927]

Lea Desandre

[@deedeeboone2063]

Julia Lezhneva, absolutely fabulous!!

[@DOBEAGAIN]

Lea Desandre

[@christophercurdo4384]

ALL are AMAZING!!! If forced to choose I will say Lea Desandre.

[@AndrewLumsden]

You shouldn't need to be forced!

[@barbaragoncalves2368]

Lea Desandre most beautiful performance, Cecilia Bartoli most powerful.

[@mateusolvr7963]

Yeah! The Voice of Cecília Bartoli is harder than Lea Desandre voice, but the voice of Lea is higher

[@beag4961]

Lea Desandre

[@isaballaserrano4991]

All are awesome here but if I have to choose would be Lea D. Or Julia! BARTOLI should not be here in this list cause she is already DIVINA! ❤💯

[@Iatraviata69]

Lea Desandre

[@johnbuick5494]

Definitely LEA!!!!

[@teoleonov]

The most recent of Julia Lezhneva: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKqQha1tgriXl7M

[@darkvoid132]

Im playing bass in a metal band.I watch and hear carefully the video many many times.All these ladies are marvelous,with such beautiful voices and techniques.But if i had to choose s singer, without doubt i would choose Karina Gauvin or Cecilia Bartolli cause i think they are the most emotional and most furious.When i heard them i told myself.Damm!They are ready to cut off Holofernes head.

[@kyrie0033]

Armatae face the aria is sung after Holofernes's head has already been severed. Vagans is the head of the army, he discovers the body of Holofernes without a head, and sings this aria where he calls the goddesses of revenge (Furie).

[@TheReturnoftheNative]

I've never heard this song until now but what fun listening to it numerous times in a row. I really appreciate your channel. Thanks for sharing your passions!

[@baroqueandbeyond]

You are truly welcome!

[@ignacioguillermotoledanoma9892]

Léa Desandre!!!

[@gracchus42]

Emoke Barath ... superbe !

[@reddragonready]

I feel her acting is just that "acting"..not convincing..like putting on faces rather than feeling it. The singing in contrast is not demonstrating much fury..just speed

[@gerhardvockensperger1129]

Die unterschiedlichen Aufnahmequalitäten lassen eine genaue Beurteilung einfach nicht zu. Alle geben zweifelsohne ihr Bestes. Meine Favoritin ist Les Desandre mit ihrem grandiosen Ensemble Jupiter. Sie vermag am besten das „Furioso“ (Furioso (italienisch; rasend, wütend, wahnsinnig) zum Ausdruck zu bringen. Leider steht Cäcilia Bartoli trotz immenser Dramatik aufgrund ihrer Stimmästhetik an letzter Stelle.