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

[@Miguel53de]

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.

[@kathrynstreatfield4268]

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

[@marcobiondi2399]

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

[@ralfengelberger4041]

Gerard Lesne' very shure, he lives this song

[@allischanging]

Gérard Lesne, no doubt.

[@alicekaufmann7040]

Andreas Scholl!

[@quaver1239]

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.

[@saularellano4473]

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

[@swamisalami3000]

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

[@ritahorvath8207]

. Who is Klaus Nomi ? .

[@pierreargoul4518]

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

[@agnesw8071]

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

[@cosmo-politics-of-ahimsa]

I get most cold with Andreas Scholls interpretation 🥶

[@kristinaolsson1166]

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

[@violavarisella1498]

Jakub ! Jakub ! Jakub ! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@girolamofrescobaldi7285]

Andreas Scholl

[@elenasommer9250]

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.

[@ElisabethHeinemann]

All versions are beyond words, but at least for my generation Klaus Nomi is epic... forever 🥀

[@НинаКамаева-г5э]

Gerarbd Lesne чудове виконання.

[@virginielafrench3921]

Klaus Nomi !!!!!!!

[@ritahorvath8207]

. R I D I C U L O U S .

[@SkyeID]

I couldn't agree more. When he sings it, I weep.

[@begoniaguy]

@@ritahorvath8207 It sounds like you ran out of batteries for your portable massager, I will send some express, just lay off Klaus Nomi!

[@reinaldoelias4378]

Jakub is the best!

[@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.

[@katherinemcintosh7247]

Will always love Klaus Nomi’s rendition best.

[@freiermensch6569]

Klaus Nomi will always be the best

[@ritahorvath8207]

. ja ja is' klar , ne . . . .

[@begoniaguy]

💩🤡💩🤡💩🤡💩🤡for brains!!!!! @@ritahorvath8207

[@thorsten1955]

Klaus Nomi.

[@ritahorvath8207]

. yeah , sure 😂 🤣 😂

[@begoniaguy]

💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩for brains! @@ritahorvath8207

[@user-xs6hi9tr5b]

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.

[@rosapintomachado]

São os três tão sublimes! Como escolher? Mas a ter de escolher, então voto em Orlinski

[@leerhode1021]

Tim Mead for the lightness of his voice that contrasts with the heavy instrumentation.

[@gawarecka1]

Andreas

[@aldobombardiererosas5959]

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

[@swedishsteve5363]

For me Klaus Nomi has a special place in my heart

[@mirabilia6621]

Andreas assurément !

[@andrellasfairytales6839]

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

[@kateiv1815]

Scholl

[@dolinaj1]

Whomever is your fave vocalist does not make his perf the best ever, necessarily. There are dozens of different orchestrations and interpretations of this strangely modern extrait from Henry Purcell’s masterwork. Bravissimo et merci beaucoup.

[@murraynossel114]

Andreas Scholl: Gravitas and supreme intelligence

[@brunopicaude3092]

Absence of chest voice.

[@ritahorvath8207]

. 100 % .

[@Belaugh]

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

[@michaelpost262]

Klaus Nomi!

[@ritahorvath8207]

. Don't be ridiculous . .

[@swamisalami3000]

❤❤❤

[@begoniaguy]

Hi Karen! @@ritahorvath8207

[@DingoSobachka]

@@ritahorvath8207 Rita, your comment ("Don't be ridiculous") should be addressed to you yourself. The impression is that you are 6 years old at most. Under one comment you already laughed and a smart person answered you - after which you deleted your "laugh". Drink water if you are hysterical. It's unpleasant to observe your strange reaction under every fifth comment. If you haven't heard Klaus Nomi's version, enlighten yourself - the Internet remembers everything. Good health to you, Rita!

[@ecuri1780]

Andreas Scholl wins this one as he not only sings beautifully but performs being frozen cold as well. All three are magnificent singers though!

[@ritahorvath8207]

. Scholl .

[@34Arran]

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

[@hannasnijder8947]

Orliński ❤ no doubt

[@shylockwesker5530]

Jakub Józef is the Prince of baroque

[@SkyeID]

Who sings it the best? Klaus Nomi, hands down, no question.

[@ritahorvath8207]

. 😂 🤣🤣🤣 😂

[@swamisalami3000]

Yep.

[@marialuisaabrantes7633]

Love Tim Mead's interpretation

[@NataliaDrepina]

Jakub Josef Orlinski performed this song incredibly emotionally. It really touches the soul. He has a very beautiful voice and it seems that he manages to feel every song so deeply.

[@WinrichNaujoks]

Klaus Nomi, obviously!

[@lauracompagnoni1239]

This aria has been my first chance meeting with Purcell's King Arthur and impressed me a lot for it's originality and evocative power. I wanted to listen to the whole opera and I found it amazing. So, thank you for posting these three beautiful renditions. The Orlinsky's one is very v

[@lauracompagnoni1239]

Sorry for the inconvenience, the previous message was incomplete. I wanted to say that the accompaniment of Orlinsky's version has something harsh in it, which is certainly intentional, due to the meaning of the scene, but not very refined. I'm fond of his singing for the innovative style. School performs like an amazing actor, not only a great singer and the music is powerful and accurate at the same time. Very good Tim Mead's version too. Fond greetings from Italy.

[@vincenzolacolla5589]

No doubts: Orlinski

[@trudulf]

Orlinski ist very very good. He actually sings extremely emotionally. You feel the pain that he wants to convey.

[@pascalmassie4706]

Andeas Scholl by far.

[@bonniemacbird]

Tim Mead. I saw him sing this at Wigmore Hall. Incredibly moving, incredibly beautiful. What a voice. What a performer.

[@anarrrche]

Too fast, too subtle, too sweet...

[@PLuMUK54]

How do you compare apples and oranges? Mead brings an emotion that is often forgotten. In his interpretation there is a feeling of terror at the start. This is so appropriate for The Spirit of Winter, suddenly woken and in the confused state we all feel when our sleep is disturbed like this. As the song progresses, the terror disappears and is replaced by anger, the hint of a threat. It is the Spirit who is cold, but he could easily turn that on us, the listener. Orliński's performance considers that he is The Spirit of Winter, an all-powerful creature of the cold. He exudes arrogance at the thought of being disturbed from sleep. His "What power..." holds a hint of menace, a "just wait until I get hold of you..." threat. His interpretation is not that of a Spirit that is cold and shivering, but of a Spirit used to spreading the cold. The quality of his voice suggests that the cold is spreading from him, and that all around will be shivering soon. Scholl gives a more traditional interpretation of the song. The cold surrounds his Spirit, but does not threaten us, the listener. There is less of a threat, and more the feeling of an ancient one pleading to be left alone. There is the hint that this is not the Spirit's time, but "be very careful when I have my full power." Three excellent interpretations of this song, but it's not possible to say that one is better than another. They are each conveying equally valid reactions by The Spirit of Winter who feels abused by the inappropriate awakening he has experienced.

[@Longtack55]

And then there is Klaus Nomi - but that's another story...

[@peterhansen5804]

Klaus Nomi - he is second to none

[@zaffranbodhi]

Thanks for sharing Nomi he is literally amazing !

[@steveegallo3384]

All Great! From "King Arthur, Act 3, Scene 1 "The Frost Scene - #20" -- Arthur and his men attack Oswald's castle but Osmond's magic defeats them. Osmond has conjured a "Magick Wood" which bars access to the castle. Merlin promises to help Arthur reach Emmeline and restore her sight with potion in a vial. Scene 2: A deep wood -- Grimbald catches Philidel as he scouts the enchanted wood for Merlin. Philidel pretends to submit but secretly casts a spell on Grimbald which renders him powerless to move. Merlin asks Philidel to guide Arthur through the wood and gives him the vial, which the spirit uses to rid Emmeline of her blindness. Emmeline is amazed at the new world before her eyes. Merlin's spells also allow Arthur and Emmeline to meet for a brief moment and some performances insert the additional duet "You say 'tis love" here. Emmeline, however will not be free until the enchanted wood is destroyed. Osmond enters, intent on seducing Emmeline for himself, having drugged his master Oswald. Osmond tries to win Emmeline over by showing her a masque acted by spirits. He conjures up a vision of "Yzeland" and "farthest Thule....." BRAVI from Acapulco

[@helenearetz7596]

Orlinski. Dès la première note.

[@Inblue-mar]

Jakub.

[@ntver7jv2b]

Jakub Jósef Orlinski!

[@Tosca68]

Among these 3 : Andreas What about Klaus Nomi, my number one version, Max Riebl and more …

[@pipelare4715]

No one can match Gérard Lesne.

[@cinephagus272]

Andreas Scholl frosts the contest

[@yolita51espinioza65]

Andreas scholl

[@morganelegaret4380]

L'AIR EST PLEIN DU FRISSON DES CHOSES QUI S'ENFUIENT...MERCI MONSIEUR MEAD..

[@didiervaidis515]

Tim Mead 's performance is the best one . Superb voice with a lot of emotion expressed.

[@libellulefonceuse5889]

Alors ils chantent merveilleusement tout les trois bien évidemment... mais j'ai quand même une petite préférence pour Andréas Scholl qui à mon goût à une sensibilité plus prononcée, par contre le dernier à quand même un sacré coffre, si je puis m'exprimer ainsi, une voix extrêmement puissante. Je donnerai 2 execo, entre Andréas et le dernier, désolée, n' est pas retenu son nom. Mais un vrai plaisir de tous les entendre. Une façon formidable de nous faire aimer l'opéra. Merci. 😊

[@leilasesmero5910]

Hard to choose, each one has a strong interpretation, wonderful voices!

[@tigranmikayelyan3963]

Tim Mead - emotional intensity well balanced through the necessary technique!

[@walfredswanson]

It is perhaps an unfair comparison, but Klaus Nomi ‘s performance was a lived experience that no one would choose, so it finds an emotional and personal depth not available to others. Klaus had a context that is fortunately rare.

[@Belaugh]

In case listeners here do not know, the much lauded Klaus Nomi performance was made when he was dying of Aids. The costume and white face were to hide the symptoms and lesions.

[@lucileartaud1762]

J'avoue beaucoup aimer l'interprétation d'Orlinsky mais Andreas est ici le maître,incontestablement.Merco à vous messieurs d'honorer le génie de Purcell

[@ast131255]

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

[@florenceb.759]

Orlinski !

[@dawsiful]

Scholl!

[@elenamalakhova9713]

Огромная благодарность за возможность такого сравнительного анализа этих ярких исполнителей этой партии! Для меня, ниболее драматичныи и оригинальным показалось исполнение Якубом Жозефом Орлински.

[@ryszardmirski8557]

JJO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......... genialne wykonanie!!!.... Scholl... GENIALNY... Tim Mead... Genialny!... NIE UMIEM WSKAZAĆ NAJLEPSZEGO!... ONI TRZEJ SĄ GENIALNI!!!

[@d.m.2315]

Andreas Scholl's interpretation makes you feel the cold of the grave...

[@anarrrche]

He has too warm colour of voice.

[@kasha703]

I like the tempo of Mead's version, but in terms of raw emotion, it's Orliński for me.

[@newwavepop]

I am far from an expert in Opera and i would not presume to come in here and tell people that are whom the best interpretation is by, i will just say that i know the song through Klaus Nomi and i have listened to many people do the song but Klaus is the only version where i FEEL it.

[@plagueass]

THIS!!!

[@malgorzatajagiello2663]

Jakub

[@MrMarcvus]

Tim Mead, definitely he has the tone and the correct pronunciation!

[@michaelrg3836]

Scholl is the original. Everyone else follows

[@anarrrche]

Orlinski feels pain...

[@pascalmassie4706]

I love them all. but I have a preference for Tim Mead.

[@antoniolaurenzano4718]

the winner is Orlinski!!!

[@Longtack55]

Nomi is my nomination, for his dramatic presentation adds to the intensity.

[@GermanGreetings]

I can`t rank these fantastic interpretations - each is a universe... many roads lead to Rome.

[@ronnienorvi8631]

Klaus NOMI who else? Stupide question they are each other fabulous ! Even JJO Boosts the power

[@SittingComfortably]

I've just been in the biggest rabbit hole listening to versions of this. Most, however aurally nice, I wrote off because it was impossible to make out any words. All these 3 were pretty comprehensible. Purely on personal taste, I'd probably go Scholl.

[@user-xs6hi9tr5b]

Studio recordings: Scholl and Mead. Live concert recording: Orlinski. Hence the difference in the quality of sound... My 3 favourite countertenors...

[@ryszardmaczynski8072]

Orliński!!!

[@user-zo4dk6ny8d]

Андеас Шолль - великолепен! От образа,созданного им, мурашки.Плюс высочайшая культура исполнения.

[@NataliaPanova-su8wp]

Jakub Józef Orliński

[@danielx555]

One of the things I love about this piece is the character and the theatrics. A straight-up performance of the sheet music would be beautiful, but this piece requires some frailty and wavering in order to be in character.

[@giuseppecacopardo4823]

Gérard Lesne

[@Gabcinela]

Tim Mead and his performance of Purcell - it's famous!

[@brunoarturomendozavicente3775]

Where is Klaus Nomi?

[@tempusfugitwhippets]

@@ritahorvath8207 yes but this song is universaly known via the interpretation of Klaus Nomi. And he was a "well educated singer", he studied at the Deutsche Oper.

[@ritahorvath8207]

Er war Statist an der deutschen Oper. Er genoss eine Gesangsausbildung in Berlin die sicher nicht besonders fundiert war.

[@AlexanderHannibal-hj1po]

Um Emotionen herüber zu bringen bedarf es nicht nur einer guten Ausbildung, sondern Talent und das hat man oder nicht. Und Klaus Nomi beherrschte sein Talent und faszinierte durch seine Erscheinung, die er trefflich einzusetzen vermochte. Das was beim Zuhörer ankommt ist dann wichtiger als ein möglichst sauber vorgetragenes Stück...@@ritahorvath8207

[@RaulRomerobarnacunyc]

Jakub Josef Orlinski

[@cokitacokita1441]

Pienso q esta canción es muy compleja, y que no solo es el contratenor, sino la simbiosis con su orquesta de cámara, porque cada canción , independientemente de la interpretación suena diferente. También influye la calidad de la grabación. Todo son muy buenos, esto es cuestión de matices. Scholl tiene la mejor grabación global, pero orlinsky el alma

[@patrickloiseleur]

All three are great opera singers, but I have to confess that Klaus Nomi's version remains very special to me. And to many other apparently :)

[@Rhaas66]

Orlinski.

[@iridesibilla6161]

Ognuno di loro da una interpretazione personale di questo splendido brano. Bellissime! Impossibile fare una classifica.

[@nylonbleu583]

The best is klaus nomi in concert......

[@veroniqueforthomme2994]

Andreas Scholl incontestablement !