Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sings "Let the Bright Seraphim" - Handel

[@christineklinger]

Beautiful song i love how she sings the song. I remember hearing and seeing her perform the song at The Royal Wedding of 1981. Beautiful tribute to Our Lord and Savior thanks for sharing the video.

[@saxamaphoneguy1]

She has such perfect control over her voice. It's incredible how she seems to just easily maneuver around her entire range. A+ Kiri, you'll always be at the top of my list :-)

[@kgarmaker123]

One of my favorite singers.. I love this woman, her voice, her technique.. She is IT

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

kgarmaker123 Yes, she is!

[@squishmallow2260]

What a magnificent voice. I read today in the BBC Music magazine that she has performed in public for the last time. Too bad, but we all get to that point in our lives when you have to step aside. Her performances will be missed.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Ron Sayles Dame Kiri and Renee Fleming are the best!

[@christineklinger]

I remember watching her singing Let The Bright Sepherhim at the 1981 British royal wedding. She has a very beautiful voice thanks for sharing the video.

[@MrAndredekock]

Beautifully sung and such a good example of Dame Kiri at the pinnacle of her career. Bravissima!

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Andre de Kock you are so absolutely right!👍

[@shenorhali]

I love all your songs Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and this one is superb as well.

[@Tenortalker]

How little her voice has changed over the years. Without doubt the most distinctively beautiful soprano voice of her generation. There was an innate musicality to her singing and she knew how to stick to the repertoire that she sang best.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Tenortalker my sentiments exactly!

[@barrydelisle8655]

Such a gift from New Zealand

[@MissPickletoes]

She gives me goosebumps....what pure joy to listen to her!

[@edmondbeatty9309]

True to form and always formidable and beloved by her followers.

[@musicmatters1114]

Kiri Te Kanawa was offered the role of the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro after an audition of which the conductor, Colin Davis, said, "I couldn't believe my ears. I've taken thousands of auditions, but it was such a fantastically beautiful voice."

[@RichardWyland-s7b]

Such a gorgeous voice on this masterpiece !

[@SingTiffany]

This is gorgeous!

[@peterwylliejohnston]

A glorious remembrance of what we used to be able to enjoy in Melbourne.

[@kangadillo]

I am close to fainting. This is sublime.

[@Eleanor-2022]

Her character shines through her beautiful voice. A perfect entity. Love her much. ❤🎉

[@orlandos2000]

That trumpet had a hell of a time keeping up with the amazing Te Kanawa Lol amazing

[@eduardo4134]

Belissima musica, belíssima voz, belíssima Kiri !!

[@AllenJones-w3p]

One of the greatest operatic arias of all time sung by one of the greatest operatic sopranos of all time.

[@Tigermuc]

Even a more mature voice of Kiri than at the Royal Wedding when she became worldfamous with this aria!

[@katalinpk5587]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you!!

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Katalin PK My sentiments exactly!

[@suzanneetmoi]

Lovely, as usual. Brava, Dame Kiri,Brava!!

[@Corinthian44]

I love Kiri, a lovely lady , a beautiful voice , and singing Handel , what could go wrong ?

[@saxamaphoneguy1]

You are so right. Kiri and Placido are so in a league of their own, perfect voices.

[@michaelmiller1215]

Stunning performance

[@hudsonbailey674]

Dame Tiri Te Kanawa electrifies not only the audience but G.F. Handel himself. The finest singers of 18th Century holds no extra candle next to Te Kanawa. Keep the fire burning, Dame Tiri Te Kanawa, our Hour's but spent and we need a legacy in science, politic and ART!

[@davidhall8874]

I watched one 30 second clip and now everybody on KZbin is singing this same song!

[@kangadillo]

What a miracle to be able to do that. I could just faint! Sheer beauty!

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

heaventree ofstars Speaking of fainting, I faint if I try to sing anything above high F (and that's just IN THE SHOWER.) When I sing in church (from the pews of course) I take a million deep breaths before I open my mouth.

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

heaventree ofstars I hope you enjoyed my "fainting" comment... I can play the organ though, it "sings" ten times better than I do.

[@rezamlontok2409]

I love Kiri very2 Much

[@gemolibre]

I love Haendel, it's a magical music. And I love KZbin too !

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Handel was the best composer ever (besides RVW).

[@barrydelisle8655]

What a beautiful lady and song

[@annataylor671]

Fabulous Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

[@theblueangel28]

thats my Lady!!!

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

DEFINITELY! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@nichtsleezy]

WAY TO GO, KIRI!!! JUst beautiful!!!!

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Abcdefghijklmnop I agree.

[@beagle4u]

nothing can compare! i hope/pray she see this post. i've youtubed many, but You can't compare. Fab exib!

[@harmoniamusicae]

whatever envious people may say: she is perfect here

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Harmoniamusicae you are so right!

[@damekirilover]

You're welcome. I just love and adore her too much.......

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Dame Kiri Lover So do I.

[@bandchickusus]

kiri te kanawa is one of my favorites, but have you heard edita gruberova sing the same piece? AMAZING!

[@damekirilover]

Some people are just vicious...and narrow minded. But never mind, just enjoy wonderful singing by Dame Kiri, please!

[@craigbloomfield8546]

We are all consumers here and, in some cases, familiar with what this aria SHOULD sound like. I love KTK and have been a fan for decades, but if it sucks, it sucks and this SUCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKS to epicly cringing proportions. Being candid doesn't mean we're vicious.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Dame Kiri Lover, I hate the dissy comments from those people! *Dame Kiri and Renee are the best* and it makes me 😢😭cry😢😭 when people say awful things about them! It would be great if you could remove the nasty comments.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

@@craigbloomfield8546 what suckkkkkkkkks is comments such as yours!!!!!!!😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦😦

[@tomkelly4336]

@@craigbloomfield8546 I remember my first recital with Kiri, Doretta's aria from La Rondine which I think is how you spell it but I digress when she sang the the middle high notes it sounded like she had inhaled all the air in Symphony Hall. Despite your criticism I think her fantastic. Regardless each is entitled to his or her own opinion. Tom

[@franciscogonsalez]

Kiri is GREAT, I love her! Does anyone if this show is on DVD? please I need to know it!!! thanks a lot for this very wonderfull video Frank

[@LizN90]

Look at the other youtube versions of this. She always breathes there. She doesn't breathe in the middle of the runs like some of the other singers do.

[@joaosousaoficial2562]

Maravilhosa❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ImpossiblyLost]

creamy perfection. if you want to learn how to sing and you have the ear and aptitude this is the voice to find within you. so full of meaning-- meaningful desire for these Cherubim to touch their immortal harps. God is comming at the invitation of Queen Kiri. Voice of the century, along with Domingo's. Last comment. Version on the record is smoother, complete and less heavy

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Jane Heimbichner Kiri and Renee. The best.

[@normaportal]

Magnífica!!!

[@nicoberg1454]

the level of comments is, in this particular case, astonishingly, not to say affrontingly vicious. She may not be in her prime anymore, but to "do" this aria, as she does, is no little feat.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Nico Berg you are so absolutely right! The people who dis Kiri need to made to *sing difficult arias* as punishment.

[@CrystalFlames]

I want her voice. This is a pretty kick-butt song.

[@ImpossiblyLost]

thank you sax man

[@hudsonbailey674]

When I said "The finest singers of 18th Century hold no candle ..." I was wondering who were those divae then?

[@lasalleman]

Where the bright Seraphim in burning row Their loud uplifted angel-trumpets blow, And the Cherubic host in thousand choirs Touch their immortal harps of golden wires, Hymns devout and holy psalms Singing everlastingly: And keep in tune with Heaven, till God ere long To His celestial concert us unite, To live with Him, and sing in endless morn of light. From: At a Solemn Music by John Milton

[@dougronald561]

She sang this at Charles & Diana’s royal wedding!

[@joaosousaoficial2562]

Brava Dame Kiri ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rezamlontok2409]

Biggest retired opera Singer…Kissed YouKiri From; Heart of KTK

[@swanningaround]

That was at the last night of the proms in about 1991, wasn't it? She sang Rule Britannia and was dressed in the New Zealand flag, as per this video.

[@xander7ful]

@flowersings Yes, she's a bit sharp, which is better than being flat. You probably mean a key or two lower and I agree.

[@blackleatherrain]

Wow, the tempo's really just a couple hairs under hectic, isn't it? Yet, she handles it like it's a child play. She'a obviously enjoying herself.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Black Leather Rain you are so right!

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

DamebKiri Te Kanawa and Renee Fleming are the best!

[@CassieKutev]

She's actually a full-lyric soprano.

[@silverkitty2503]

she is really a full on mezzo ..

[@baritonebynight]

Its funny how the only people who care about voice typing are non singers.

[@CassieKutev]

@@baritonebynight A have a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance. 😂

[@oceans80]

@orthohawk Dame Kiri and Dame Joan are not British citizensis (to my knowledge), but their home countries are members of the Commonwealth that allow their citizens to accept British titles. Canada is also a member of the Commonwealth, but does not allow this, so you will never see a Dame Meesha Brueggergossman, or say, a Dame Celine Dion. I doubt the US allows it citizens to accept such honours from other countries either.

[@brightgrantson7]

Wynton Marsalis and Kathleen did a much angelic performance

[@orthohawk]

@swanningaround: Actually, "Dame Kathleen" is not possible. The others have that title to indicate they have recieved the accolade of knighthood (in the Order of the British Empire), "Dame" being the female equivalent of "Sir" (as in Sir Neville Marriner, et al). Miss Battle is not a British citizen so very unlikely to ever be knighted.

[@KenLongTortoise]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiri_Te_Kanawa

[@richardmoon1852]

Thansk

[@mountainsong100]

A comment on pitch. I believe that A 440 was not the normal pitch of Handel's day.. but about A 435 which would have pitched this pice a little lower and a bit easier for the coloratura range. As Dame Joan said in an interview, it's hard to sing in the upper range and enunciate words...true... but preserve the vowel sound.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Earle Goodwin very interesting info, thank you!

[@stenesk]

I am of the humble opinion that "Quarry" suits this performance rather well - whereas in "Concert Hall" mode Te Kanawa's voice suffers a deluge.

[@olympicfreak678]

I'm guessing she'll be singing it next year at the royal wedding? =)

[@AsksOneThing]

@bassfanne45 I think the problem here is that the trumpet player is not of the same calibre as the singer. The trumpeter is more than adequate, but Kiri is superlative. Yes, I did notice a few places where his playing took away from the magic. Of course. I'm fresh off listening to Gruberova/Marsalis, so my ears are spoiled to pretty much every other combination!

[@hudsonbailey674]

TO: It's Not Easy Easy Being Handsome, I daren't to read more than two of your poison pen missives but were your adolescent priorities lifted to adulthood as well you were an Arts Major or Maestro, you might offer a constructive, mature critique from which everyone could learn. Dame Te Kanawa as well might heed in the spirit it was intended.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

You are so right, Hudson! I hope "Handsome" gets the message.

[@ImpossiblyLost]

If she had just left it up to Miss Battle, then she might not have been knighted "Dame Kiri te Kanawa, which came shortly after singing Seraphim at the behest of the Queen, for the royal wedding --now would she. Nuff said.

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Jane Heimbichner I fervently agree.

[@LizN90]

Where is she breathing wrong? I don't hear it.

[@LizN90]

Weak breath control? Kiri? Umm...no. She has phenomenal control. I will agree that this is not her very best performance of this aria, but not weak breath control.

[@Roheryn100]

@D JB Would love to have heard you tell Davis,Solti, et all that she wasn’t a virtuoso.

[@jhernandez16]

Is that neck tension normal for a classical singer?

[@bosiewilder4945]

No.

[@ImpossiblyLost]

uuhkay. tell ya what. you sing it for me, Sir romarius, as well as Battle, and I'll take back everything I ever would have ever said about 'cha. Who's dull? Flemming, Battle, KTK? I don't think so.

[@flowersings]

Beautiful!! Although, I would have preferred it a step or two lower.

[@casualjules1]

0:48

[@swanningaround]

Impossibly. I think she would have made it to dame still. Mind you the likes of Dame Julie (Andrews), Dame Shirley (Bassey), Dame Joan (Sutherland), Dame Elisabeth (Schwarzkopf) and Dame Kiri (Te Kanawa) don't really need these silly titles. Their great talent speaks for itself. Maybe there should also be Dame Kathleen (Battle). However, I don't think she needs this title either. She is up there with the stars also.

[@OscarGraumusico]

Me encanta esta voz y esta mujer, pero no es su repertorio le pasa como a la Fleming resbalan las agilidades....

[@LaDivinaLover]

@missconstue1980. I know right!

[@margretdougherty5175]

she isperfection in. every song or aria. she sings

Kiri Te Kanawa laulaa tämän hyvin. Mutta kyllä Kathleen Battle on ylivertainen tämän sävellyksen laulajana.

[@christiangueho5253]

Dommage que l'orchestre ne soit pas tout à fait à la hauteur de la soliste.

[@hudsonbailey674]

Hey, "Sir It's Not Easy Being Handsome" what is your level of Arts Education to criticize Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's waltz, as so to speak, with a most ambitious work like "Samson"? You've obviously, missed the audience's response. Dame 'electrified' them. My dad studied at both the Saint Cecilia's Music College in Rome and Peabody U. in Baltimore thus his training and moreso manners would've noted his critique constructively and not rudely. In Te Kanawa's case, there was nothing to correct. Dame got an 'A' and were a "+" so in order then a better negotiation with orchestra --- they started on too high a note? So, "Handsome" brains before beauty is an anyday commandment. Oh well, you'll grow and an inner beauty will hopefully emerge. Thank you for reading this.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

You are so right about Dame Kiri, Hudson! She's the best (along with Renee Fleming. It's a tie). Hey, we've corresponded before. You made some beautiful comments about the hymn tune FOREST GREEN, if I remember correctly. I can't get enough of Forest Green.

[@ImpossiblyLost]

OK , wish I did.

[@AriD2385]

Te Kanawa's performance is great...the trumpet not so much, though.

[@harenrussel]

April 2020.. Corona virus pandemic... Eff off covid 19...

[@ImpossiblyLost]

I got it! You. Me. It would soound baby. And we'll fire that orchestra. I am a lovely lyric, non LOL

[@SarahCloud9Ska]

@xander7ful Seeing as how she's not a coloratura soprano, that is normal for someone with a lyric voice such as hers to be sharp because of the placement of the voice into the mask... (Believe me, I have the same problem. :-/ )

[@TheAleph74]

Love Kiri but this is not her forte. The 1985 version is better though.

[@MrFpam]

Wrong! But I suppose you have to fin d something critical to say!

[@ManilaSayang]

why does she breathe after "trumpets"? that passage should be sung continuusly without breathing....

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Abolish, The trumpet YOU are blowing is off-key and dissonant!

[@Applejack70]

The tempo was rushed and that did not give the singer a proper chance to interpret the piece appropriately and as she would have wished, I'm sure. I sang this in the cathederal choir years ago and listening to this was much disappointed by the result. Why on earth do so many conductors have to do things so fast and spoil everything?

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Applejack70 Yes, slow down, marstros.

[@forestgreenorgangeek3473]

Oops. I meant MAESTROS, not MARSTROS.

[@JannieOr]

I adore Dame KTK, but, yikes! this was not good at all. Her voice is exquisite regardless.

[@jamesrichards3183]

take a listen to 20yo patricia janeckova's version of this on you tube. move over, dame kiri, there's a new gal in town.

[@Beadle_Bamford]

In your dreams...

[@Roheryn100]

WHO ????????????

[@AllenJones-w3p]

Tragically, Ms. Janeckova died of cancer last year. Her reading of "Let The Bright Seraphim " is electrifying.

[@dougbarker3019]

A lovely voice but this aria is beyond her.

[@theblueangel28]

she more than mastered this aria for a few decades prior to this, where her age is certainly affecting her

[@DavidoffGustav]

@@theblueangel28 exactly watch the royal wedding.

[@missconstrue1980]

She's singing sharp half the time. Just sayin'.

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

S. Landucci, your comment is *sharply unfair.* Just *saying*

[@ManilaSayang]

As I pointed out previously, Kiri takes a breath after "trumpets", which is quite inappropriate. Edita Gruberova never does that -- she can sing a phrase for almost a minute without breathing in.

[@baritonebynight]

You sounds like a little child who thinks they can sing. You are in no way in a position to give advice to Dame Kiri Kanawa. How many times have you sung roles on stage?

[@craigbloomfield8546]

You're unkind. LOL For coloratura Gruberova and Te Kanawa are in different galaxies. Impossible to compare.... :)

[@ManilaSayang]

I think I know why she chose to sing this song very fast..... she has difficulty holding her breath....

[@getorganizednotpianoized239]

Abolish, I have difficulty holding my tongue when reading crummy comments like yours!

[@ManilaSayang]

You don't seem to take my comment seriously. Don't you notice that Ms. Kanawa breathes (inhales) anywhere in the passage she feels like it, without regard to the meaning of the phrase? You can't do that in serious music (maybe in pop). There are only certain points in an aria where you can breathe, and if you cannot do so, then woe to you.....

[@danielhughes441]

Disappointed with the lack of ornamentation

[@ManilaSayang]

The truth hurts, doesn't it, frigidhymen?

[@Knappa22]

No top note at the end = fail.

[@gordywestmids]

Knappa22 What's your voice like at 49?

[@Knappa22]

+gordywestmids Good point! I'll let you know when I get there :D

[@harenrussel]

and you are???

[@harenrussel]

with all due respect I suggest you stick to your harmonium and welsh pipes (:

[@DavidoffGustav]

I heard her live at 3 times.. she had one of the most beautiful voices I ever heard.. and was amazingly friendly when I met her in Chicago.. it was like visiting with your best friends mom.

[@tjw2469]

She sounds flat here, if compared to orchestra

[@ManilaSayang]

Her trill from 1:34-1:40 is not clean. I am absolutely dissatisfied.

[@Beadle_Bamford]

Who cares if you are?