Janet Baker - Dido & Aeneas - When I am laid in earth

[@philipboucherat113]

Everyone's said it already, this has got to be the best ever performance of this song, I've been listening to this for years and it still makes me cry. Don't understand how there can be any downvotes at all.

[@11buleria]

She brings me to tears. Glorious deep emotion

[@andrewvincenti2664]

Because the idiots are tone-deaf peasants

[@theodoravonwied5441]

It is indeed. Even a little better than the great Kirsten Flagstad's performance.

[@fobbitguy]

Jessye Norman's rendition is beautiful as well

[@orion8835]

This endless relative parroted statement of this bring definitive. Yawn. It’s not…t’s just her version. It’s clean but there are many many, many others. Every decade it’s always the same: this person is this the best at this role , this person is the best at that aria …It’s Purcell at the end of the day.

[@cripesclassworks5654]

Whenever I hear another person singing this i can appreciate their efforts as, in my heart, it is Janet Baker I am hearing.

[@jackroark6928]

beautifully said 🙂

[@whitelobster1ify]

I've been searching for this performance for 25 years. It was on a tape of music for a college class and I had long since lost the credits. I listened to every version I could find but nothing was as good. Janet Baker is truly without peer.

[@alanhadley1286]

The pathos in Dame Janet’s performance is simply heartbreaking, just incomparable. This is hers and only hers. She is the equal of Callas, Price or Nilsson and maybe better.

[@erinmatt]

The Best Dido ever. She doesn't so much sing as channel the emotion and the music. Insanely beautiful....

[@humphreyjenkins6103]

Erin Matthiessen And the channel goes straight to the heart and tears it asunder!.A controlled, dramatic and heart-stopping moment helped tremendously by a splendid (if silent) Belinda who adds a visibly broken heart to the beauty and pathos of the scene. Once in a lifetime stuff, this

[@durcheinander5554]

Exactly. This is so much more moving than vocal "virtuosity" that we often see today. I think if you're just singing instead of channelling, you're already doing it technically wrong

[@roibin123]

yes and yes and yes

[@bumbumDK]

You forgot Kirsten Flagstad.

[@RainbowDreams321]

Periodt

[@goldensilenceakagoldielove133]

Her pianissimo on the first phrase of "Remember me..." is otherworldly. 💛

[@ArchieCaine]

the most sublime artistry. I never thought such a poignant sound could come to life with such delicacy

[@DiomedesDioscuro]

No, it's just bad lyric singing.

[@bauchmann9971]

You are absolutely SICK Man and you have NO idea what a rwal piano is!!!!!

[@bauchmann9971]

Real

[@utapeter9149]

​​@@DiomedesDioscuroBAD lyric singing...?! Haven't you got ears to hear and a heart to feel...??.

[@apricotcookie4850]

One might go through life appreciating music, loving it, crying only occasionally. But then you hear Dame Janet Baker in this performance. And then you hear her Che Faro Senza Euridice. And your heart is pierced, you sob, no, actually you ugly-cry, you become only ears to listen and soul to hear. Who is she? How can she do this to us? How can joy be so inexpressibly painful? How can such beauty exist in the world? I have no answers, only that it's worth everything to have these glimpses of heaven.

[@104gramophone]

Your comments are so much better than mine. Its a shame I have not been able to find a recording of this piece

[@nadiazayman1820]

Baker's pianissimo at 2:49 pierces the heart. I imagine then entire audience bawling their eyes out during this aria.

[@wefond]

Baker will hopefully gain a whole new generation of fans. She was at her height before the age of the CD and the DVD. I'm so grateful to KZbin and those who put videos on it. Thanks so much.

[@geoffashden2]

I must have listened to this hundreds of times and it still breaks my heart. There will never be another performance that betters this!

[@adsones]

When a performance echoes Eternity. I keep coming back to this video all the time over the years. It's like a balm to the soul. A reminder that humanity can touch the hand of God through Beauty. Dame Janet Baker is insurmountable.

[@738321]

So true

[@marie-pascaleleonetti1555]

Oui.

[@GwenGalpin]

This is the most emotionally charged piece of music I've heard in many years. Dame Janet has marvellously clear diction and expression. Purcell writes beautifully. An unforgetable combination.

[@metteholm4833]

Purcells music IS emotionally very charged. One of the strongest of his time!

[@liyanam7888]

Love 💘

[@johnnyestalinhernandezcruz3882]

​@@metteholm4833n78

[@yvonneheald6456]

What a remarkable and monumental performance by Dame Janet of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. An unbelievable redition.

[@olivierjazz81]

This is definitely one of the deepest musical experience I've ever lived in my life..

[@vickischultz7758]

Me, too. I only knew Jessye Norman's version (I saw her live at Carnegie Hall many years ago). But I love this recording so much more. I'm not a musician, but it feels so right, so properly Baroque, etc. LOVE IT.

[@evelinepeterhans4873]

And it is only a recording. The musical experience were much deeper, if we could hear it life.

[@pierre-yvescoustere7239]

Ce chant unique de Dame Janet Baker, n'a pas d' équivalent, la grâce de l'émotion. L'ampleur , la couleur, le style , le phrasé, l'immense sincérité, nous hissent dans le royaume de la Beauté absolue, et la vraie tragédie . Merci Madame

[@Tonysmithmusic]

how good was henry purcell, such a short life, but created music which is still played 250 years later in such a moving way by janet baker. remarkable.

[@flashrobbie]

Happy 91st birthday, Dame Janet.

[@meredith218461]

The inimitable Janet Baker produced one of the most extraordinarily moving musical performances ever heard.

[@2treeman435]

one of those rare performances that consistently gives goosebumps. amazing.

[@cedricschnyder]

I completely agree... the most emotional Dido ever... my tears are always coming...

[@marie-pascaleleonetti1555]

Trop d’émotion… trop beau….

[@DavidHassell2004]

The true inheritor of the mantle of Kathleen Ferrier. Such a shame she retired so early, thank god we have her best work recorded.

[@badger19100]

She didn't retire early she died.

[@srg5405]

Dame Janet Baker retired around the age of 56. She will be 87 in August.

[@benjaminmatis9241]

the singing is simply astounding. Astounding. I am now, at last, a Janet Baker fan.

[@MrSwifts31]

Welcome to the club Benjamin,it's never too late to join! lol

[@tostigbaggett]

BENJAMIN MATIS I have been a admirer of Dame Janet for many years. I find this rendition of Dido's Lament as overwhelming now, as I did twenty years ago.

[@piustwelfth]

Dame Janet was one of the greatest mezzos of the 20th century. Her beautiful voice was matched by her stunning skill as an actor.

[@michaelcostelloe5594]

It bothers the hell out of me that she and her husband never had kids because of her dedication to her art. Surely today they would think differently?

[@cubanbach]

This IS the GREATEST performance of this aria - bar none. Her facial expressions alone - are achingly mesmerizing and full of the most solemn feelings,

[@williamstone3713]

Dame Janet's performance is beautiful beyond description; we believe that she is Dido, and her grief is almost tangible. However, not only is her singing sublime; her acting is also amazing. And her partner gives what must be the best non-singing performance in opera.

[@jurgenpalm9842]

Best Interpretation for ever

[@patrikjuhlin3833]

Not a bad weekend, hearing this for the first time…

[@andyhowlett2231]

I find it impossible to watch this and not be moved to tears. Dame Janet Baker had incredible control and it's often what she did not do that catches the attention. Credit to the superb performance of the orchestra here, they way they hold back and measure their performance is masterly.

[@elenakun9318]

Потрясающее , пронзительное исполнение

[@annetaylor-wx5dk]

I just have to keep coming back to this piece................beautiful voice, sad, just wonderful.....

[@garythomas4997]

My God. Unbelievable. She has torn my heart apart. Beautiful.

[@humphreyjenkins6103]

Gary Thomas And there's another one gone here! Erin Mattiessen's 'insanely beautiful' hits the nail on the head, I think I've worn out my recorder watching every single frame and soaking up every single divine note. A rare and emotional thing in deed.

[@eberlinpascal2837]

C'est sublime !! L'art de madame Baker et la musique de Purcell nous transpercent le cœur.

[@darchir2079]

Here Janet Baker transcends the worldly in to the realm of the Divine.

[@jmiller05]

The greatest Dido. This is one of the greatest vocal expositions of tragedy (alongside Callas's Norma/Medea).

[@vickischultz7758]

+jmiller05 I'd only READ about it, and now hearing it, I almost fell off my chair. Beautifully stylistic, stylistically beautiful, stunning. I'm a Callas fan too. I respect so much artists like Dame Janet, who endeavored to render the composer's intent. I find this beautiful, sculpted, and haunting.

[@Operacrazed]

I agree. Though both these artists were at polar positions, I always have in my mind that Janet Baker was the English Callas.

[@maryvick5569]

@@Operacrazed Opera plots

[@b1i2l336]

63 thumbs down? Those people must be deaf, dumb, and blind!!! This is a life changing performance.

[@williamhicks2299]

@Voracious ReaderHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I like you.

[@pierre-yvescoustere7239]

Dame Janet Baker, au timbre rare, au Chant d'une qualité exceptionnelle , élégance et raffinement dans une sincérité déchirante, une immense artiste lyrique qui transcende les partitions. Inoubliable.

[@pierre-yvescoustere7239]

J'ajoute: Indissociable de sa voix, Dame J. Baker, maitresse du temps , de l'espace, dans cet aria crépusculaire, la grâce lumineuse de son désespoir dans sa gestuelle hiératique, lui confèrent une dimension métaphysique impressionnante, dont on ne sort pas indemne.

[@pmouyren]

On ne fera jamais mieux . De Monteverdi a Mahler elle est inaprochable

[@SIREN1990]

I’m a 28 year old who has an open music interest but my god.. nothing has ever moved me like this before

[@michaelcostelloe5594]

Haunting

[@yonahaber111]

Janet baker one of the most beautiful voices ever.

[@CommodusSPQR]

It's impossible to watch & listen to this without being affected by it. Dame Janet Baker is an absolute godess.

[@edwardbaker632]

Heart-breaking. What characterisation. What superb silent support from the other person - she adds to the complete whole. Cried - again.

[@MichealBurnett5]

Nothing more to say...! 😭😭😭😭😭😳🎊🎉🍀🇮🇪🙏

[@skzion2]

Boy, this is a scorching performance: brilliantly acted and sung. Phrases that were quietly sung the first time were transformed near her death with a final power.

[@MilesLinklater]

Janet Baker was truly a unique and flawless artist.

[@wallempd]

Miles Linklater still alive

[@MilesLinklater]

certainly still alive, I only used the past tense because she no longer performs.

[@alanmundy127]

Antonio Pappano, music director at the Royal Opera House, did a series of programmes about the voice in opera. In sopranos he included this and one could clearly see the tears coming to his eyes as he spoke about this. He said (and I paraphrase) one could speak of the technicalities but ultimately it was the sheer emotion that made it perfection. This was written more than 300 years ago and yet it speaks to us still today. One suspects that little of what is written today will still be heard when we are long gone.

[@David-td9fe]

may my wrongs create no trouble

[@mariashouse5492]

Probably so, though I appreciate a variety of styles. Classical and musical theatre are my first loves.

[@jaredoaks]

I cry every time. Her physicality is so beautiful as well.

[@ESilva-gw9ig]

Unsurpassed. One of the most beautiful voices ever in a outstanding interpretation of one of the most beautiful arias ever written.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

E. Silva Purcell like Debussy had that special gift so very emotive. Arnold Bourdon Amaral

[@dbrel]

Every time I watch another version of this aria, I come back to this one. Janet is just the example for everyone else to follow. I can't think of anyone who can approach the quality she brings to this performance.

[@davidthomson5526]

This is the absolute pinnacle of performances. Dame Janet is the ONLY Dido. Purcell has reached into the future and wrote this wonderful aria just for Janet. I am truly privileged to know Dame Janet, and although I wasn't able to see her live on stage this video has kept her magic alive. Her technique and passion for the music and composer and the idea to remain true to the music shows true artistic integrity and ability. For those who love Dame Janet and Miss Price then the Verdi Requiem is priceless.

[@fionamalloch4843]

There's only one word - 'sublime'

[@artdanks4846]

Still my #1 performance of this aria after all these years! No one comes close to Dame Janet, vocally, musically, and dramatically on this aria. Such control and technique!

[@peterthornton103]

The intensity of emotion that Dame Janet evokes from this heart-rending aria is truly a grace beyond the reach of art. I admire and even love some other performances of this aria, but no other Dido brings me to tears.

[@edenlowry]

How beautifully expressed, thank you.

[@PhillipLWilcher]

Heartbreakingly beautiful! I met her briefly many years ago. She wore purple and was very elegant, even regal. I think I fell in love...

[@tullochgorum6323]

Definitive. I was lucky enough to see some of her performances of opera and lieder. She had it all - charm, grace, beauty, true acting ability, a profound understanding of the music, and of course that wonderful, translucent voice.

[@voltaire1377]

the collaboration of the best English composer ever and the greatest singer of this country gives us this miracle we ear here..

[@michaelhughes8896]

What a great artist. She takes a simple melody and creates such emotion and suffering. "Remember me" with its hushed, white tone is just phenomenal. Brava, to the Great Dame Janet Baker! Thank you with the fondest ALOHA!

[@1932moffo]

No one can deliver noble suffering like Dame Janet !

[@738321]

There is definitely a special quality attached to Janet Baker's rendition here, something really really emotional that you cannot find in many other interpretations that are exquisite but not as moving and which certainly don't bring you to tears (which is something we don't experience very often to be honest !). Let's celebrate this great singer, and all the others, and thank life for having given us Purcell, such a genius. I believe the true genius of mankind lies in its ability to produce music and to sing from the heart and soul.

[@jjdecani]

Man, that's beautiful. To think my mum played the piano with her when they were kids in Grimsby. Always staggers me, that.

[@Freeasabird1979]

And that's how it's done! I so love these old recordings.They are exceptional.Thanks!

[@johndawson4983]

When I sang in Cambridge Operatic Society's production of Dido and Aeneas, I was merely a lowly slave, fanning Dido with a peacock fan. The woman playing Dido sang this so movingly that I had tears streaming down my face, and was quite unable to sing the following chorus. Thank you, Janet Baker, for this wonderful interpretation.

[@elizabethc.souzabetinha6995]

For me, Janet Baker is the one who interprets with the purest emotion, she is divine!

[@jedavilav1]

Dame Baker, extraordinary allways!

[@Pickhandle]

PubliusVirgilius himself would be profoundly moved by this incomparable, transcendent, heart-wrenching performance. Breathtaking. What a woman (a real woman, so feminine and beautiful) Janet Baker is - a true Great. Long may she endure!

[@loverflicko]

Oh, my God! What a sadness... and what a beauty! Incredibly sublime... heavently sublime. A hundred tears in my eyes... and a thousand in my heart...

[@williamgiddings9636]

This is the most heart wrenching performance of this aria that I've ever seen.... 😭😭😭😭😭

[@nancyrevzen7798]

just simply the best

[@iyadkanaan5991]

Janet Baker . we'll always remember you!!!

[@donaldgrove2249]

Time stands still during this performance.

[@SteveL2012]

Incomparably beautiful artistry plus simply gorgeous singing. When I was at university I heard a recording of JB singing the Verdi Requiem with Leontyne Price and had to rush to the music store to buy any CD I could find with JB on it. What a great resource KZbin is for young singers to have these historic performances on demand. What a great luxury to find them now!

[@arnoldamaral7406]

SteveL2012 It's a treasure indeed. When used properly my friend. Arnold Bourdon Amaral

[@JeanWaters]

Never bettered. Great artist for a truly great aria.Simply wonderful.

[@LornaKellyZim]

One of the most moving and heartfelt, beautifully controlled and artistic performances on KZbin. Thank you so much for posting..

[@beppobrem6298]

The most touching interpretation of Dido‘s lament ever

[@BellaFirenze]

We will never hear another voice like hers.

[@baguasrr]

Good Lord, what a voice

[@paulom9737]

My goodness....best version and interpretation of this little gem I have ever heard ❤️ Dame Janet Baker is absolutely 💯 Sublime!!!!!!

[@ricfulton]

Imho the most profound and beautiful performance of this incredible aria

[@tanyadixon3479]

One of the finest mezzo-sopranoes ever recorded.❤

[@PoleyUK]

This is the most beautiful performance of Dido's Lament I have ever seen, very powerful, fantastic voice...!

[@TheEvaCarlson]

Absolutely wonderful and breathtaking !!

[@thomaswill2]

Such a beautiful soul. She brings so much life and meaning into the music. Insanely beautiful.

[@thesceptic1018]

The control, the range, oh my God

No one does it like Dame Janet!!!

[@GwenGalpin]

This is the most emotionally charged piece of music I've heard in many years. Dame Janet has marvellously clear diction and expression.

[@mangasky7]

A voice supreme. Many great sopranos have sung this aria, but THIS is the definitive version.

[@patjohnstone3517]

The most beautiful interpretation of "When I am Laid in Earth" sung by Janet Baker.

[@RobbyFindlay]

This never fails to move me to the emotional vibrations coursing through me 😮. Incredible

[@hongifongdonger]

...there are 47 very deaf and soulless people out there...sad ,listen again all of you and weep with the rest of us...

[@Kalogeropoulos777]

This is monumental singing!

[@herrbrucvald6376]

Absolutely sublime. The superb integrity of the Belinda must be remarked on also. This is everything that the looming central fact of death means to all of us. If only England had developed a native opera tradition along w Italy/France. Janet Baker = divine

[@johnpeate4544]

Doesn’t need a native opera tradition. Try Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius and The Apostles. Listen to Janet Baker as the angel.

[@skorbitdusha]

There are many good performances of this, but none beats this one. There is a wonderful Leontyne Price version, as well. I mention this because, unlike most of the singers, Price and Baker sing Remember Me piano and forte: Price the first Remember Me is forte, the second piano. Baker is the reverse. Both make sense, but in the long run I think Baker is right. The second Remember Me is an agonizing cry. What an aria!

[@pianodoir]

You are absolutely right about that second forte

[@TonyBittner1]

And that agonising cry is when the tears I'd been struggling to hold burst out uncontrollably... Amazing performance!

[@georgesboissonnade3010]

Je partage exactement ce constat… Elle arrondit le premier Remember me en le contenant en bouche dans une maîtrise absolue et puis, et puis elle lie tout ce mouvement dans une seule rivière colorée qui nous plonge dans sa noyade absolue jusqu’aux larmes. Chaque fois !

[@e.conboy4286]

This outstanding performance still gives me chill bumps! Sitting on the edge of my seat, always!

[@Barbapippo]

Here's the difference between a very good singer and a great Artist

[@nathanmills5186]

YES!!! Thank you!!!

[@mariashouse5492]

I quite agree.💜

[@kmmbs1]

Sublime - no other singer comes anywhere near to Janet Baker’s ability to wring the heart, bringing tears….

[@all1rog]

This music, so beautifully sung, always brings tears to my eyes.

[@gillianfarley8575]

Heartbreakingly beautiful, the most wonderful voice.

[@louiecastle]

still the definitive version. Thank you forever Dame Janet.

[@robertcouturier]

I must have seen and heard most of the available interpretations of this most moving aria and Dame Janet Baker seems to me, by far, the most compelling, moving and ravishing Dido. Even the costumes are beautiful.

[@JuicyLuXy]

Yes, this is the greatest performance of this aria, it is divine.

[@Quirkylady]

this woman has the most amazing voice ... i love her

[@lvsiii]

The tears... they come no matter how many times I watch this. Unbelievable!