Derek Lee Ragin - Aria And Pasta (2)

The second part of the American countertenor Derek Lee Ragin's appearance in the Aria And Pasta - a programme hosted by former singer Beverley Bergen in which opera singers talk about their work and cook a pasta dish (or assist the chef). Produced by Passionfruit Productions in 2000... Derek Lee Ragin, of course, is well known as one of the finest American countertenors and as one half of the digitally recreated voice of the legendary castrato Farinelli (with the high notes provided by the Polish coloratura soprano Ewa Malas-Godlewska) in the 1994 movie of the same name. Here you can hear short excerpts of him singing works by Handel, Bach, Gounod, Gluck and African American spirituals.
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[@zimnaya]

Beautiful man; beautiful person; beautiful voice. Hope he never faces racism or such wicked stupidity ever again

[@baroqueandbeyond]

I haven't explored any of Derek's recordings. I'm not sure exactly why, except, I suppose, because I tend to listen to baroque recordings that are more recent. Watching this interviewed, I was quite touched by his eloquence, his dignity and charm. He reminds me very much of another countertenor that I personally admire very much...in more ways than one. God bless these great individuals.

[@pierreget4453]

I saw Derek Lee Ragin in 1994 at the Opéra-théâtre in Nancy (France) and he's got a standing ovation ! I still listen to his Vivaldi's cantatas album but I discover an absolutely charming man in these images too. I hope, he knows, some people still love his interpretations that had more feeling than those, we can hear now.

[@GreciaVillar]

Charming man. Handsome with an angel's voice from the past.

[@mradaChris]

This was wonderful to watch. Thank you for posting it.

[@olympicfreak678]

How far we've come in so little! Exactly what he said about the MET. The tenor Lawrence Brownlee starring in a live at the MEt broadcast in La Cenerentola with the Latvian mezzo Elīna Garanča!

[@eustazio]

what he says about black tenors seems very true.

[@lalagonegaga]

Oh then you simply must listen to Hasse's Cleofide which also features Emma Kirkby and Randall Wong, singers that I love just as much as Ragin. :)

[@lalagonegaga]

@amatorynumber Well, the whole world, not just America, has a very long way to go as far as tolerance and acceptance are concerned...

[@lalagonegaga]

@amatorynumber I don't know, really. It might be that he believes that African American singers do face much more prejudice than gay singers in opera. It's a very complicated issue.

[@lalagonegaga]

@tenorismo But I wasn't even reffering to his sexuality in any of my comments...............

[@lalagonegaga]

@tenorismo Excuse me? What exactly did I say to deserve such an agressive reply? I was just commenting on a previous post. I am sorry if I have pushed some buttons for you, but you should really try to be a bit less hostile.