BEVERLY SILLS "O Beau Pays" from Les Huguenots by Meyerbeer, 1969 Studio Recording

"O Beau Pays" from Les Huguenots by Meyerebeer
Sir Charles Mackerras conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Recorded at EMI Studios London, May 22-27, 1969.
Taken from the Angel Records 1985 Digital Remaster of Sills' "scenes and Arias From French Opera" LP.
This is La Sills at her best singing the French repertoire in grand style!

[@williamcharlton-perkins9383]

One of Sills' very best records. She and Mackerras were wonderful together

[@laurenstich1049]

My all-time favorite album from my all-time favorite opera singer, Beverly Sills. The quality/tone of her voice was exquisite -- as near perfection could be. This particular aria is unreal. What a unique gift Ms Sills shared with the world. I still miss her terribly (I was fortunate to see her in all of her appearances at the NYC Opera from 1970 to about 1977 or so. Always a treat and grateful for that), and although I still own this album and others (most notably the Italian album with mostly Bellini and Donizetti), it is incredible to hear these clean recordings on KZbin.

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

Unsurpassable performance!

[@celticears]

The recording that made me fall in love with Beverly Sills. I was unaware before hearing this that a human voice was remotely capable of singing at such a miraculous level.

[@christophecesar4761]

Thank you SOOOO MUCH! I have this on a quite bad LP and the only CD printage I know omit the cabaletta. So I found the whole aria with good sound 😀

[@markbeck8384]

Really phenomenal. I know this is a showstopper, whoever can manage it; but Beverley Sills had that extra warmth, femineity that went the extra mile, plus she was a fine actress. I wonder if this will be surpassed.

[@petelovesbevsills]

I doubt it especially as we now live in the 'Chipped Glass and Cracked Pottery Age' of singing. The 'Diamond Encrusted Rhodium Age' of singing will never be equalled in anyone's lifetime again.

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

@@petelovesbevsills Never!

[@artdanks4846]

An amazing performance, as was always the case with Sills! Somehow I missed ever hearing this recording until today, thanks to your post! For the last 50 years all I was aware of for this aria was Sutherland's recording, which also is phenomenal! So I'm very GLAD that Sills also recorded this! (I also, just today, discovered that Caballe recorded it as well. I loved it too, though of course it was quite different since she was technically not a coloratura. But still did a terrific job of this aria!) I LOVE being able to compare/contrast different artists! All 3 are so phenomenal, and yet of course VERY different voices, which just adds to the listeners pleasure! Thank you for posting this!!!

[@wotan10950]

This was recorded when Sills was at her absolute zenith. Every note is accurate, the legato and phrasing is perfect. But it is so overdecorated, I thought I’d have a diabetic attack! Nonetheless, it is recordings from these years that cement her legacy as one of the truly great singers, not just a celebrity.

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

Turn-of-the(XX)century divas used to over-decorate this and other arias and nobody objected to that. In this case, over-ornamentation is part of Beverly's personal style.

[@marcmitchel25]

​@@edwardamosbrandwein3583 I consider her unsurpassed in this, though there are contenders.

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

@@marcmitchel25 I agree