Dido and Æneas - Henry Purcell (Dido's Lament) + Fr lyrics

Dido and Æneas - Henry Purcell 1689
Dido : Malena Ernman (sublime performance)
Acte III
Movt. 37. Aria, "Thy hand Belinda, darkness shades me"
Movt. 38. Ground, Aria and Ritornello, "When I am laid in earth"
Movt. 39. Chorus, "With drooping wings"
Movt. 40. Epilogue, strings "All that we know the angels do above" ## Unfortunately no epilogue ##

[@AndromedaCripps]

Still coming back to this recording and still crying every time. It’s not just the stellar acting, the incredibly evocative musical choices which portray a story beyond the manuscript without sacrificing the music, it’s also the staging. I’ve always appreciated the carefully selected and beautiful portrait-like poses the three characters take on the stage, but it wasn’t until this, my 30th or so viewing, that I realized at that thought that even the lighting plays an integral role in this performance. The actors ARE a portrait- in their dramatic pose, they are brightly lit but juxtaposed by an all-encompassing black background. This is one of the most prevalent styles of Baroque painting, a technique called tenebrism, in which dramatically lit characters in the foreground pop in front of a dark black background. The music, dresses, and yes, even the AESTHETIC of the STAGING ITSELF are ALL **historically informed**. This blew my mind when I realized. I am utterly stunned again and again, at the complexity of passionate dedication put into this piece of art. It’s a little crazy to think that Purcell wrote this opera to be simple enough for a young girls school to perform, when I see a mature and emotionally deep performance such as this, that still feels miraculously as though it would not be the slightest out of place in front of Purcell and his contemporaneous audience. I really can’t express how good this is. I think this is one of those performances that you spend the rest of your life wishing you could have been there to see. Damn.

[@Occams-Razor]

This recording prompted me to buy the Blu Ray of the same production. Everything is done so well including the support actors who never look at the camera compared to Malena Ernman, and the minimalist stage and lighting.

[@adsones]

So beautifully put. I too come back to this constantly and I'm always moved by the sheer perfection achieved by all the people involved in this, because everything works sublimely. The staging and lighting are so evocative it's like a painting coming to life, like Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. I even took a screenshot of it and made it my desktop wallpaper. The perfect synchrony between the ladies' dramatic expressions/body language and Dido's voice fading as she finally succumbs and is embraced by death is so moving. And then the final act comes in and I just can't hold my tears as I'm embraced by the angelical voices of the chorus singing the most poetic/soul-fulfilling lyrics: "With drooping wings you Cupids come, And scatter roses on her tomb. Soft and gentle as her heart Keep here your watch, and never part." Virgil and Purcell, a match made in heaven.

[@aliciarealp]

De acuerdo en todo. Excelentes palabras para calificar esta hermosísima composición y puesta en escena ¡Muchas gracias!

[@psycholoog-denhaag]

Me too

[@Knonnynonny]

Thank you for that PLEASURE!!! of a reading. An uncommon grace at all times, especially in our time of such want of civility and civilization.

[@Ahsoka_Hyrule]

I just want to take a moment and applaud the two actresses playing Dido's handmaidens, they're fantastic at what they do and their performance adds so much to the scene.

[@zencoos]

Yes' yes

[@andreaellis5202]

Absolutely

[@vazioli]

YES!! absolutely!! Marvellous performance!!

[@catherinescott562]

Ahsoka Hyrule I second that - I’ve watched this a few times; they are wonderful

[@jamestrimbath]

And also dido

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

A moment of directorial genius that Dido is instantly struck blind by the poison. It makes so much sense of the opening lines of the recit, “thy hand Belinda, darkness shades me.”

[@tohokugirl8144]

And the closing of her eyes by handmaid.

[@MushishiLivi]

Purcell is underrated. The raw emotion in this is so strong. It takes a lot to bring me to tears, but this piece has no trouble doing so. You can feel absolutely everything the singers feel and it's powerful.

[@ElasticReality]

And she's just a few cents flat which makes her feel even lower than the music, like its a life raft thrown to her soul she cant reach.

[@timsmarr2781]

Vivaldi's music still better .

[@elenikiroy]

@@timsmarr2781 oh please

[@domainofthesun4400]

@@ElasticReality brilliantly put

[@MushishiLivi]

@@timsmarr2781 Literally has nothing to do with what I said, but go off queen.

[@johannesrotter5125]

A vivid Caravaggio Painting. Outstanding Performance. OMG. No more words.

[@frankverstappen2853]

I saw the opera live in Amsterdam. So, for me it was like a Rembrandt painting.

[@yaelehrlichslushny48]

It is far the best interpretation I have ever seen. Of course, William Christie is always so good but I must admit that Malena Ernman is absolutely sublime. I studied musicology, especially early music but the life took me away from it, so that I didn't know what had happened in the last 20 years. I just discovered the dido's lament on you tube yesterday and cried... I decided to buy the DVD, as I couldn't miss it. It is no words to describe this unique performance!

[@leporello7]

I am stunned. This is not only the most credible death scene I witnessed in four decades, but overwhelmingly plausibly bound to the music and words. Could opera get any more meaningful? A giant "thank you" to Malena Ernman and the director! If I shall ever need to show someone what opera is all about and what it can achieve in its best moments, I will show them this eternally beautiful snippet.

[@franciscocamara233]

you are absolultly right.Sometimes( if not always )lyrical teather because of his musicality tends to get apart from reality.

[@claim2game027]

Perfectly stated! THIS is what opera is all about. If only there were more productions with this sensibility, artistry and good taste, we would enjoy more beautiful pieces like this, and not make some aberrations we see nowadays... Many thanks to Ernman, Christie, Deborah Warner and all those involved in this production.

[@xandercorp6175]

You may appreciate Janet Baker in this role: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epCYYa2gbK9oZrc The recording quality cannot of course compare with this modern 1080p HD video, but I consider the performance in my link to be well worth forgiveness for this flaw.

[@leporello7]

xandercorp Oh, thank you very much for that link! Janet Baker is outstanding. What projection even in the piano passage! And above all her technique she not only sings, but really transports the message.

[@xandercorp6175]

+leporello7 My pleasure, sir.

[@Ranggalih]

Perhaps the best rendition of the opera I've ever seen. This scene in particular is beauty at its peak. Malena Ernman's technique is very appropriate, her mordents, her dynamics,... and I would like to point out a moment specifically during the second climax of "remember me, but ah! forget my fate..."; which in the first climax was executed with strength, but as Dido weakens - the second one sounded more softer, delicate, yet 'tearing' in which it perfectly reflects Dido's lamentation. And could we have a moment to applaud on how well the production team was? Each frame of this particular scene resembles a painting in which its quality is equivalent to those hanged in the Louvre... Truly, a beautiful masterpiece by Purcell executed well in this particular production....

[@ericwallbruch2767]

@ranggalih-- I love what you said!! when i saw this (and immediately re-shared on facebook), one of my remarks was that the friezes before and after the aria-proper could be Caravaggio's!

[@tvaripo5038]

We all see the same my friends This is incredible 🙏🙏🙏

[@tanyadixon3479]

A vocal tapestry.

[@jasonkim5503]

This is PERFECTION. Dido has been consistently well sung by countless sopranos and mezzos, but it has never been THIS PERFECTLY SUNG AND PERFECTLY ACTED. A true lyric wonder we are witnessing here.

[@Dremons7]

My eyes will never not water seeing Dido grasping blindly at the handmaiden

[@MikolinkoJansen]

But have you heard Jeff Buckley's version

[@vazioli]

The settings, figures, shapes, colors, shadows and light remind of Rembrandt's paintings! Beautiful!

[@emilegrou]

One of the saddest, if not the saddest, song in the classical repertoire in my opinion!

[@zencoos]

Beautiful sadness

[@AndromedaCripps]

This is absolutely the best version of this aria you can find on KZbin. Emotionally, musically, and authentically, this performance is spot on and beyond exemplary. It's simply phenomenal and I get chills every time I watch it. Thanks so much for sharing this amazing music with us all.

[@zencoos]

Texadon the Blue Kitty You welcome

[@jaymiebriscoe3026]

I agree ! I come to KZbin only to hear this particular version ! I love her voice, the music, and accompaniment!

[@user-gh3it9fm4x]

Есть ещё лучшая версия этой арии, когда исполняет контртенор и сопранист Давид Хансен, певица эта уже старая на вид и у нее дрожащий голос, а мужчина певец исполняет очень хорошо

[@MikolinkoJansen]

But have you heard Jeff Buckley's version

[@londonlass1000]

My cousin had this sung at his funeral it was heart rending. Such a sad song and he died too young. This is beautifully sung.

[@mothman.3001]

To think she sang that, while lying down in a corset It’s stunning

[@zencoos]

it's her job 😉

[@musicloverlondon6070]

Was thinking the exact same thing; not the easiest circumstances in which to project your voice in a difficult aria! Wonderful performance.

[@destroybot3000]

3 things. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest vocal performances I've ever seen. This is also one of the greatest stage acting performances I've ever seen. Also, I didn't know that I could shoot tears for distance, but apparently I can.

[@woody000007]

Sublime interprétation de Malena Ernman ; Que dire qui n'a pas encore été dit ? C'est la plus belle interprétation de ce Lament, même celle de Janet Baker qui était déjà au sommet ! Tout est réussi dans cet œuvre : les deux suivantes qui souffrent avec leur Maîtresse. Les chœurs, dans leurs habits de notre époque alors que les protagonistes portent de belles robes du 17ème siècle. Grâce à superbe extrait, j'ai en plus fait la connaissance de cette admirable chanteuse qu'est Malena Ernman.

[@zencoos]

La synthèse est faite, merci.

[@kpvdnber]

Wow. Just wow. The poison makes it so much more intimate and compelling, in many ways better than the original. And this must be the greatest piece of acting I've ever seen in opera. Beautiful.

[@zencoos]

it's quite that, all agree ; )

[@walkernick86]

I totally agree. This is essentially a suicide scene. An overdose if you will, and her aria is her suicide note. Her friends want to help... alas it's too late! So poignant in these modern times!

[@helenacorreia7613]

What do you mean with "the original" ?

[@alanandrade2083]

@@helenacorreia7613 Based on the Baroque art, I think that the original was based on Dido suiciding with a self-impaled blade like how Juliet died.

[@ptat_worldz4751]

@@alanandrade2083 I thought it was jumping into fire? Idk just saying from my history ten book

[@nasduro]

Unbelievably wholesome performance by a truely dedicated artist. Such a joy to witness.

[@LennartNilsson-e5f]

Fantastic… extraordinary beautiful - and sad. But about human life…Impossible not to cry… Thank You…

[@gabrielesaudelli7154]

A vision like Caravaggio. Colors, lights... And the music of the stars.

[@cameronkelsall7085]

Her musicality is exquisite, but she also brings very fine attention to detail in the text and great enunciation. A complete performance on all levels.

[@zencoos]

I agree

[@martinfitzgerald6705]

Amazing staging, it looks like an intimate Vermeer painting, lit from the left, or possibly a painting by Rembrandt.

[@alext7268]

Not Rembrandt. Vermeer or Caravaggio.

[@vallyunchained]

Splendida, nello stile, nella tecnica, nei filati improvvisi, nella tenuta di fiato. WOW.

[@stairfall12345678900]

This is one of the only versions I can find where the singer doesn’t overuse vibrato during the final phrase. The ‘slipping away’ deaths are always more convincing than dramatic deaths for me...

[@lamiremilamila]

Extraordinaire ! Puissance émotionnelle au top. Très grande interprète !

[@ZicraVEVO]

I’d like to showcase as well the exquisite staging on this scene, very baroque too. The violent contrast of the lighting reminds me of Caravaggio’s tenebrism and the composition looks exactly like a mythological/hagiographical works’ painting. Very well done!

[@dmitryk9676]

Recitative Thy hand, Belinda, darkness shades me, On thy bosom let me rest, More I would, but Death invades me; Death is now a welcome guest. Aria When I am laid, am laid in earth, May my wrongs create No trouble, no trouble in thy breast; Remember me, but ah! forget my fate, Remember me, remember me, but ah! forget my fate.

[@ernshaw78]

This is a brilliant woman, she can properly and authentically re-animate these works.

[@daankoster4265]

Truely amazing...so very very emotional. Dido's Lament is obviously well known, but the choir that follows it is brilliant as well. What a performance!!

[@aci1970]

I actually prefer the choir in this aria. And by "I prefer" I mean ❤×1000000+1 instead of ❤×1000000

[@cmelodynick]

Remember Purcell. A life sadly cut short. What could he have written if he had lived longer. Remember Henry Purcell.

[@zencoos]

nick cmelody Probably two or three masterpieces like this one ; )

[@error.418]

Who?

[@alioffe4321]

A tragic loss for the world of music. Much like Bellini

[@FergusJohnston]

What are you talking about? He wrote TONS!

[@FergusJohnston]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Henry_Purcell

[@jeffhenigarprisonchap2287]

IMO this goes beyond acting. I'm feeling the vibe that these actresses have experienced death in their families and are catharthisizing themselves onstage. It doesn't vibe like acting to me. IMO this is why we're feeling it so heavy. Still an amazing performance. I felt it in my soul.

[@citronellasch.1647]

Stunning...no more words needed. Every particular emotional moment is getting into my heart. Such a wonderful performance in stage! Artists like her may bei able to touch your soul just in black clothes on an empty stage! The greatest moment in opera I've eher seen! Thank you from the depth of my heart!

[@saranaushin2599]

“When I am laid in earth May my wrongs create No trouble in thy breast; Remember me, but ah, forget my fate.”

[@emmanuelisidorebocco681]

Sara Naushin

[@twdl]

1:09

[@megancastleauthor]

Incredible blend of both emotion and vocals. Wow! Bravo!!!!!!! What a grand performance!

[@ElasticReality]

And acting! I mean, wow. I was little stunned, I didn't know they were planning on letting someone actually die on stage tonight. Management will be getting a very stern call.

[@KingBuddha84]

Art. This woman’s voice is art.

[@keepthefaith6171]

I cant be the only one who is crying...

[@xenabellebeest]

No, you're not.

[@Sensei4500]

Just remember...

[@musikora5281]

Every time I hear it.

[@rotutube]

Nope

[@Nudacarol]

Not

[@dqthegreatist]

This is absolutely marvellous!! It's actually one of the few Classical pieces that really moved me personally and got me soaked in tears!! The word paintings on "laid on earth" and "remember me" are absolutely gorgeous!! Thank you so much of the upload!!!

[@zencoos]

You welcome, with pleasure

[@Dremons7]

"Remember me, but oh, forget my fate"

[@iagus100]

Every time I end up in tears as if I were dying myself.

[@iliyakhramov4381]

Greatness. Acting is very strong, terrifyingly emotional, full out, matching words and music and emotions and actions. Extremely well done.

[@AndreasWolfBass]

Malena!!! Come on.... This is overwhelming. Beautiful. Amazing. Really. Wow. Judith played along so well. I am sure they where really taken away by the emotions. I am stunned. Thank you guys.

[@iliyakhramov4381]

Drama, Art, wow. Glorious and powerful theater and opera.

[@tomfuller5585]

I have no idea what's going on, but I'm sitting here in tears!

[@oriolpicasriera3344]

I have seen the version of Didonato and now I have seen Ernman's version ... I have no words. It is the most complete and current scene of a death I've seen... The scenic interpretation and sung are terribly sincere, extraordinarily beautiful, but without sweetening it. The opera is still a complete show.

[@fish-d6488]

i know skill in performance does not always translate to strong morality, but its hard not to imagine that malena ernman's supreme empathy on stage, dedication to her craft, and flair for the dramatic didnt seriously influence the incredible person greta thunberg has become. what a family. goddamn

[@ray2636]

I'm a senior in highschool and learning Dido's lament for my Choir Nationals solo submission piece!! Wish me luck it's such a beautiful piece and I wanna do it justice 💜

[@Marie-ClaireBAure]

Un moment de grâce pure. La scène évoque une toile du Caravage et l'interprétation est magnifique. Merci ! ✨💗

[@onlinesinginglesson]

Wow.the acting of the one behind adds soooo much!!! Lead singer- Brava. Super hard especially that she sung "ahhhh forgeeeeeet" instead of "ahhhhhh" , "forget". 👏👏👏

[@idilbursa2939]

this is the first time I watched this... I had tears in my eyes, it's magnificent really

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

THAT is vocal acting, right there!

[@orochet]

¡Madre mía! ¡Las veces que he llorado viendo esta interpretación!

[@caliostra]

😚😚😚😚😍😍

[@blekkmark]

I am speechless. Pure art, beautiful; timeless ...

[@sophiabright8371]

Her voice is pure crystalline bliss!

[@kastrafior1487]

L'opéra en feu ! Sublime et magnétique performance. Les deux choristes sont merveilleuses et de grandes tragédiennes, elles contribuent à un très haut niveau à cette scène où correspondent miraculeusement ligne vocale, jeu théâtral, musique, direction, interprétation et jusqu'aux sublimes costumes et éclairages. Malena Ernman (qui est la maman de Greta Thunberg) est phénoménale. L'opéra en feu !

[@zencoos]

Absolument

[@dqthegreatist]

I greatly adore how Ms. Ernman interpret this masterpiece as well! Thank you for the performance!

[@evanjones9602]

If any of you have seen the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, that lament is in it. And that is quite a tear jerking rendition.

[@jazzman1626]

I was just looking for the music but this whole performance by everybody involved, including the lighting and anyone else involved in the production, is absolutely exquisite! Thank you so much for uploading it.

[@zencoos]

I agree, you welcome

[@adsones]

Continuous shivers down my spine. This has to be the ultimate rendition to this aria, which is something I never thought I would say, considering I'm deeply intimate with the Dame Janet Baker one (saw first in Pina Bausch's Café Müller). I am SPEECHLESS. Besides the fact she made this aria her own (the acting, the tone, the voice slowly fadind away when death fatally overpowers her), the presentation is drop dead gorgeous. Almost like a painting. Tremendous and superb from start to finish. And my god, the silent support from the other ladies on stage almost put me into tears. Thank you very much for this!

[@zencoos]

Adson Rocha With my pleasure

[@zencoos]

Adson Rocha y en a qui ne comprennent rien à rien.. l'expression de douleur et de profonde tristesse sur le visage en gros plan de l'actrice muette en arrière plan.. et la cantatrice qui parvient à garder un super jeu d'acteur tout en délivrant une sublime performance vocale! .. ils croient que c'est facile peut-être!? 😄

[@catherinescott562]

Adson Rocha this is excellent; Dame Janet Baker’s version, without as modern recording equipment is superb as well

[@eliskaprochy4679]

Adson Rocha Thank you for expressing my own experience of this - I couldn’t describe it in better words

[@musicadebodayeventos3478]

I am in tears. How much talent! Ms Ernman is soberb

[@shanneek4545]

Beautiful! I just learned about this in in my Music Appreciation class, I can't get enough of it!!

[@fabianyefe2099]

Esto es el todo! Me parece muy difícil que esta interpretación en vivo pueda ser superada por un sinfín de cosas: la escenografía, la iluminación, el vestuario, el coro, la puesta en escena, la música pero por sobre todo la voz de ella. Impresionante! No puedo dejar de escuchar esto todo el tiempo! Me parece que la palabra en español que mejor podría interpretar esto sería: SUBLIME!

[@queenofunderland]

It is one of the production that makes me crying. Especially by thepart of dido's end of aria and cupid's scene.

[@deltadawnize]

Brings tears to my eyes. Absolutely moving!

[@zaszlosj]

каждый раз смотрю и чувства переполняют сердце. Браво!

[@catherineb.7461]

To even consider that Malena is Greta Thunberg is her mother is quite interesting. What a small world!

[@Wilantonjakov]

a bad omen.

[@DaviSilva-oc7iv]

Wait what? Wasn't expecting for that.

[@njlillycline]

Brings me to tears every time

[@psycholoog-denhaag]

Me too

[@lunaadora43]

Oh my god such beauty

[@walkernick86]

So emotional! I love the modern twist on this. This is essentially a suicide scene. An overdose if you will, and her aria is her suicide note. Her friends want to help, but alas it is too late! So poignant and relatable in these modern times!

[@domainofthesun4400]

indeed :-(

[@Dremons7]

It's always been a suicide. Dido kills herself over the grief of losing Aeneas. It's not an overdose, it's poison, but yes, seeing how she quickly goes blind from its effects is chilling

[@umrasangus]

I came here to hear the bassline because someone mentioned it, so I closed my eyes and started hearing/analyzing the piece but I ended up crying. This is raw.

[@zoefang4563]

I need to watch a stunning masterpiece like this in person!!! Definitely one of my favorite operas

[@fabiancancellara1]

The lighting in this scene... Wow

[@tenorschofield]

Marvelous!!!,superb voice and wonderful singing, all with a deep extraordinary interpretation sentiment...BRAVISSIMA!!!

[@sigutestonyte8679]

Wonderful Malena Emmman!

[@Joggelschorsch]

That's frickin live... awesome that they went all in on forte for the first "remember me"

[@ameliawright6947]

Heartwrenchingly beautiful.

[@Jazzcaz15]

Wow! That’s the best rendition I have heard of that since Janet Baker sang it. Perfect!

[@robinavalyn9513]

So amazing! Have become obsessed with this piece...

[@MusyaGriboedova]

Исполнение и постановка потрясающие. Поражает ум и сердце

[@aliciaprince619]

Everyone on this set was stunning !

[@nhtn91]

This is the best version i've heard... so glad i took music 101 back in college hahahha

[@zencoos]

The best or nothing ; )

[@isabs8616]

Stage Director Deborah Warner , musical director William Christie for " l'Orchestre Les Arts Florisants " , choir " Les Arts Florissants "

[@Sarah-oj7bh]

The repetition of the climax gave me goosebumps.

[@zencoos]

🙂👍

[@citronellasch.1647]

Wonderful performance. Most beautiful scene i've ever seen. ❤

[@psycholoog-denhaag]

Mine too

[@glennewell2436]

Astonishing performance. Wish I had seen it live - what a treasured memory!

[@kastrafior1487]

L'opéra en feu ! Sublime et magnétique.

[@corvuscorone7735]

Nice. Perfect singing and great acting.

[@maliamonique]

my teacher in school showed our class this video in middle school. After some time has gone by I now see it in a much more mature and meaningful light than I had before. Bravo 👏

[@richardhaugnes4083]

Etter å ha hørt et hundretalls versjoner av nettopp denne vidunderlige arien,så vil jeg fremheve denne versjonen som det mest fantastiske jeg har hørt. TAKK tilMalene Emman og orkester. Tårene formelig fløt.

[@fredobatista4367]

A very sentimental and poetic set of aria and choruses.💚✨

[@barbaranorthwood]

Yes, it is a sublime performance. Thank you very much.

[@msandreyevskikh]

this is the best performance I've seen. thank you so much, thank you!

[@zencoos]

You welcome

[@mengkaotseng8105]

haunting ! thx so much for this posting mxncb

[@zencoos]

You welcome

[@PaulusLXXX]

EXCELENTE!!! MAGNIFICA!! EXTRAORDINARIA INTERPRETACIÓN!! realmente difícil de ser superada. Muchas gracias por compartir.

[@PlatPaysQuiEstLemien]

I wept beautiful voice incredible acting I so much would like to see THIS production with Malena

[@margaritisskg]

Incredible singing, acting and direction! The best ! bravo!

[@jeanmauricedennery4868]

Beatyful!I have une larme a l'œil chaque fois que je l'ecoute!

[@zencoos]

Jean Maurice Dennery you have so raison ; )

[@poliaw6202]

Merci à Mme Ernman et à M. Christie! Exquis souvenirs de la salle Favart...

[@svukicmusic3854]

Heartbreaking - as it should be.

[@donnaharrison1992]

Great performance. I love her red dress

[@nattie-k8380]

It’s just unbelievable how certain and beautiful she is...

[@ChocolateCurls317]

This song is so beautiful.

[@zencoos]

You re Beautiful too