La traviata - 'Sempre libera' (Verdi; Renée Fleming, The Royal Opera)

Find out more: www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-ev...
Renée Fleming as Violetta Valéry sings Sempre Libera (Always Free) from Verdi's opera La traviata. Violeta debates whether she loves Alfredo (Joseph Calleja) - heard here offstage - but concludes she needs to be free. Find out more at www.roh.org.uk/productions/la-...
‘A toast to the pleasures of life!’ - so sings Violetta, her new admirer Alfredo and her party guests in the opening scene of Giuseppe Verdi’s La traviata. But beneath the surface glamour of Violetta’s Parisian life run darker undercurrents: her doomed love for Alfredo and the tensions the lovers encounter when they break society’s conventions. La traviata, based on Alexandre Dumas fils’s play La Dame aux camélias, is one of Verdi’s most popular operas, combining drama, profound emotion and wonderful melodies.
Richard Eyre’s classic production conveys the indulgent social whirl of 19th-century Paris. It provides a vivid setting for Verdi’s tuneful score, which includes such favourites as Violetta’s introspective ‘Ah fors’è lui’ and ecstatic ‘Sempre libera’; the duet ‘Pura siccome un angelo’ as Giorgio Germont begs Violetta to leave Alfredo; and ‘Parigi, o cara’, in which the lovers poignantly imagine a life that will never be theirs. The role of Violetta (the ‘fallen woman’ of the title) is one of Verdi’s most complex and enduring characters.

[@RoyalBalletAndOpera]

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[@Eunlavven]

Truthhh

[@danafripp4120]

I love that we can clearly see in Renee's interpretation that Violetta has indeed been partying that night, drinking away the pain (and the fear of true love). The champagne is affecting her thought process, her emotions, as well as her movement. It justifies the almost aggressively-written coloratura fireworks in this aria all the more.

[@philomenamuinzer4805]

Yes, you are so right - her acting of that drunkenness is so vivid.

[@sff2001]

that was my thought exactly

[@robertn800]

She does look like she’s had a hard night..🥴

[@operazioneitaliano9912]

You're right, I thought the same too! Definitely a realistic interpretation🥂

[@Dr.Morticia]

Indeed. ALL of your comments, from my thoughts to your words. Viva, Renée!

[@SteveL2012]

I love Fleming breaking out into character here, and she does the funniest thing I have ever seen on the opera stage-slapping the Cupid statue on the butt, with a loud whack. Still laughing about that because it was so unexpected but totally within the character she is creating!

[@mhkuntug]

It was brilliant.

[@plekkchand]

Absolutely. The most hysterically funny thing that has ever happened on heaven or earth. Dangerously funny, one cannot see it without dying with laughter.

[@tuaolojc]

That tenor's choice in his part is amazing.

[@tjw2469]

agree

[@amazingyear9042]

tuaolojc Best I have heard👊🏻🔥 Joseph Calleja.

[@theghostofversailles9908]

Verdi wouldn’t have agreed ha that part is supposed to be the tender reminder to Violetta that she is in love. It has to be sang pretty not screamed like they are hate f*cking

[@tuaolojc]

@@theghostofversailles9908 Hey now, a little bit of hate fucking can do the soul some good sometimes.

[@silicon8533]

@@tuaolojc agreed 🤣🤣🤣

[@NinaHansen2008]

This is marvelous! And I especially enjoy how much she she throws herself into the role! She really feels the emotions she sings about. She loves to sing, and that love comes through beautifully.

[@katherinewilson1853]

I loved that about this too.

[@janetflier6192]

You are so right!

[@ioanaberbece1994]

Her singing is amazing, no surprise there BUT! Can we also take a second to admire that amazing dress she has on?

[@barbaranorthwood]

She is using broader strokes in this interpretation. This Violetta seems more streetwise than in other productions. For me, more interesting and shows her acting ability as well as her wonderful voice. A bonus. Thank you.

[@rectaprovincia_01]

Yes, I agree

[@abisaijorgevegaperez5289]

Streetwise😂😂 what an interesting choice of words for this 😂

[@corneliusbates460]

Love how she has shown that Violetta has been partying prior to this. Yes. Now this is a singing actress right here. Loooooove her

[@naesei]

Out of all of the performances I've heard of this song, Fleming's has left me in awe every time I listen to it. I don't know what it is but, it's performed by her perfectly, in my opinion. She has the joyful, independence Violetta portrays but also the deep longing for love which shows in the song. Also, Calleja's Alfredo in this performance truly takes my breath away. His emotional singing just speaks to me, especially the ending with the lines "Mysterious, exalted. Both pleasure and pain." I honestly love this rendition of "Sempre libera" more than anything else. 10/10

[@LondonLite02]

I love how she plays her a little buzzed - that's so right for Violetta at this moment

[@robwilliamson5082]

I love that gown. It’s gorgeous. Also I don’t get why people need to say that it’s a weaker performance, if you think it think it and go watch other versions you like better but don’t hate on Renée.

[@redisthecoolestcolour]

Very Empress Sissi

[@madeleinebrandenburg401]

@@redisthecoolestcolour I actually found it very interesting as I watched Forever my Love (film about the first few years of the marriage between Empress Elisabeth and Franz Josef) a few days ago and the overture from La traviata was played in the La Scala theatre in Milan (where they went in the film). La traviata premiered a year before the wedding (1853 as opposed to 1854).

[@nevits14]

This gives me chills every time! She’s so musical and majestic

[@lindagrootboom4332]

This is one my favourite Operatic Sopranos. Renee' sings with authenticity and she carries her voice very well. She gets into the role she portrays and stays there. Strong, clean and pure soprano voice...!!!❤😘🥰

[@NicholasWingComposer]

"Love is the pulse of the whole world. Mysterious, exalted..." As is Verdi's score.

[@bcnmanhattan5022]

Not only sung beautifully but totally believable. Unusual.

[@HouseOnSunset]

She’s wearing a replica of Empress Elisabeth of Austria’s Worth gown.

[@monelleny]

Not a very exact replica, but interesting, thanks! :)

[@cristinapalermo3569]

Yes she's

[@summerbreeze9576]

I noticed this too!!

[@robertn800]

Seems like Some People like the dress more than her singing 🤔 I am tone deaf so don’t know about the notes but she sounds fine & looks better than most Opera Sopranos & after all, that’s all that matters 😉

[@giovannirastrelli9821]

@@robertn800 It’s just that the gown is based on a famous painting of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

[@poptartwaffles69]

Lyrics: Sempre libera degg'io Folleggiare di gioia in gioia Vo' che scorra il viver mio Pei sentieri del piacer Nasca il giorno o il giorno muoia Sempre lieta nei ritrovi, ah, ah A diletti sempre nuovi Dee volare il mio pensier Dee volar, dee volar, dee volare il mio pensier Dee volar, dee volar, ah Il pensier oh (Dell'universo, dell'universo intero) amore (Misterioso, misterioso altero) (Croce, croce e delizia, croce e delizia, delizia al cor) Follie! Follie! Follie Gioir Gioir! Gioir! Ah Sempre libera degg'io Folleggiare di gioia in gioia Vo' che scorra il viver mio Pei sentieri del piacer Nasca il giorno o il giorno muoia Sempre lieta ne' ritrovi, ah, ah A diletti sempre nuovi Dee volare il mio pensier Dee volar, dee volar, dee volare il mio pensier Dee volar, dee volar, ah Il pensier dee volar (Dell'universo) dee volar, ah Ah Il mio pensier dee volar (Dell'universo) dee volar, ah Ah Il pensier, il mio pensier, il mio pensier

[@soprano_lea]

she looks and sounds great in this!!!

[@herbertthiery3331]

In case you don't know, this is the song that Min Seol A sang

[@husnieecho]

Eun byol juga

[@nancyb.6572]

I still prefer min seol a's version but I don't know who sang it for her 😒

[@Rodrigo-me6nq]

Why would I want to know that? Stop spamming unrelated korean stars

[@husnieecho]

@@Rodrigo-me6nq watch Penthouse

[@Rodrigo-me6nq]

@@husnieecho I won't, because I have a life

[@nicolesrosenzweig1776]

She is incredible! Also, LOVE THAT DRESS!

[@manonowen1398]

Just incredible. Love her in La Traviata! 😊😊

[@infinity-uu9dz]

What an unparalleled Violetta Renee presented! I found myself drunk into La Traviata and couldn't stop listening for days. Renee breaks the limit of this character!

[@eunicecruz5541]

I dont know but after watching penthouse made me want to listen to this and others

[@johnyzero2000]

I don’t get all the bad comments on here she sounded pretty spectacular to me. I’ve heard bad singing and this ain’t it.

[@fannybuster]

Jealousy is an awful thing

[@danafripp4120]

Haters with little better to do with their time.

[@poopypoop8156]

There are always people who criticize just to show that they're "knowledgeable" that only they think they are. Ha! It's kind of sad. Don't even bother to mind them!

[@fidesimatupang]

Haters will hate

[@boogerrrrr]

Im late here, but I've noticed that a lot of opera videos have bad comments, and it just feels kind of toxic, which is why I normally avoid comment sections here

[@LeslieHickman]

I LOVE RANEE FLEMING THIS IS Sophia I am 12 I want to become an opera singer like her

[@stephenkaiser9780]

I hope that you become all that you wish to be. Expressing your HEART felt desires and hard work; will gain the respect of those people/organizations who may help you, along the path to your GOALS. “LIFE” is a team sport. Being a good teammate to others, rewards everyone in many ways ~~I wish you success and happiness.

[@emmarodes6601]

Queen when I'm like 30 my friends are gonna be like "oh you haven't heard of Sophia??? The best opera singer like ever???" and I'm gonna be like girl I am the ORIGINAL STAN don't even come for me #1 sophia fan club

[@pugh.joseph]

*RENEE

[@JuanCarlos-bo9rd]

renee Fleming is one of the best sopranos who sung this aria .... !⚘⚘⚘

[@maried6456]

That dress... to die for

[@frankrguez4003]

My favorite and only Violeta, there is no comparison. A hug and thank you for this aria Renne!

[@mythreepark]

The Penthouse Bring me Here!

[@shreyasanilnath1314]

Omg same!!!!

[@ramisarayhan2178]

Min seol ah sang it😗

[@galatea___]

Same. Min Seol Ah had such a tragic destiny 😭

[@roshbanlopez3023]

Also EUNBYEOL

[@Sasha77]

Her part is 2:20

[@TheFossilSisters]

She's amazing!

[@hudsonbailey674]

Diva Fleming is afire with rich talent and passion.

[@taoranzhang4996]

truly outstanding performance.

[@paoloboriosi]

Her voice equals her beauty.

[@arlettephilbois2625]

Quelle voix sublime merci pour ce bel enchantement...

[@michaelmiller1215]

Bravo! Terrific interpretation. How could people disliked this?

[@alexandregarden6260]

Because it’s crap and she is a rather poor singer

[@aifutureknowledge]

This music and singing makes me chill

[@vinlpaul3]

Wonderful, focused tone and consistent legato. Bravo all around!!!

[@LODSANDRE]

Beautiful singer and great voice. A DIVA!! Thank you.

[@Daria-ii5wd]

펜트하우스 보고 왔습니다

[@mooniex825]

Penthouse and my love for Opera & Classical music brought me here

[@patrickmcdaniel8123]

Either Renee Fleming is a great stage actress or this is a case of typecasting. Renee? Seriously, i think she did a great job with this, she made the character come to life! She is a joy to watch.

[@emiliamalpica-iruegas3718]

I’ve always watched this channel for their ballet clips, and I just discovered there’s also opera 😂😍 I feel dumb for not thinking that “royal opera house” would have actual opera! Anyways , great work as always I’m just madly in love !

[@user-ne4oz4mk3o]

Рене Флеминг не только певица с блестящей техникой, но и с редким драматическим даром. Абсолютное эстетическое удовольствие эта Виолетта.

[@stevebainbridge310]

I just saw that in the story of Rene, (KZbin)one of the critics says that this is the aria that he thinks set her very high in the rankings of sopranos.

[@user-zv3tm5vn3s]

beautiful

[@user-eu8kq3pu3e]

민설아 입시곡

[@cristinlara5179]

Simplemente hermoso.

[@moffiekop]

My favourite of this aria is by Dame Joan Sutherland, but this performance is phenomenal especially with the added acting. Absolutely amazing, all round performance.

[@allenjones3130]

Great vocal work by Ms. Fleming!

[@piercyfamily]

Brings home to me how much I am missing the Royal Opera House.... cannot wait until the webcast (7pm UK - Friday 8th May)

[@aidacaceres4476]

Unique! Unique! incomparable!

[@zenchan332]

AMAZING MIRACLE

[@timothycassel9798]

One of the great opera parts sung by one of the greatest sopranos of our age.

[@cristinaradu2279]

Woow!! Fabulous ❤️

[@reyastilla5197]

I love that you added subtitle to this

[@defaultwrestler]

As someone who knows nothing about opera, I have to say the tenor's part sounds perfect to me. I mean PERFECT. As if this is exactly what it should sound like.

[@jordanmichaelterry39]

One of the best performances of all time

[@samosullivan1744]

She’s my favourite Violetta!

[@rockyminodar4662]

min seo la's audition piece right??

[@herbertthiery3331]

Yup

[@ryandixon9971]

There will never be another one like her

[@giuliasampietro7710]

Una voce d ‘Angelo 👏🏻

[@annasahlstrom6109]

I love her voice! I always love her passion and her technique is so insanely good.

[@piquete48]

Así es la Violeta...complicada y sensual a más no poder !!!Bravo !!!!!

[@minatozakisgf3438]

One of my fav

[@brokennotdead6739]

The gift of voice. Thank you God

[@MariMorti]

It is exactly how I thought La Dame aux Camelias was 💔

[@sukiyakking9138]

She’s amazing as always.

[@melmoreno25]

Que coisa mais linda...choro do início ao fim.

[@NicholasWingComposer]

Perfection.

[@esterbruno8604]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX-xhIeEebigZrs THIS is perfection!

[@renepariente7675]

René Pariente: Magnifique soprano.

[@ngochavu6082]

Sempre libera degg'io Folleggiare di gioia in gioia Vo' che scorra il viver mio Pei sentieri del piacer Nasca il giorno o il giorno muoia Sempre lieta nei ritrovi, ah, ah A diletti sempre nuovi Dee volare il mio pensier Dee volar, dee volar, dee volare il mio pensier Dee volar, dee volar, ah Il pensier oh (Dell'universo, dell'universo intero) amore (Misterioso, misterioso altero) (Croce, croce e delizia, croce e delizia, delizia al cor) Follie! Follie! Follie Gioir Gioir! Gioir! Ah Sempre libera degg'io Folleggiare di gioia in gioia Vo' che scorra il viver mio Pei sentieri del piacer Nasca il giorno o il giorno muoia Sempre lieta ne' ritrovi, ah, ah A diletti sempre nuovi Dee volare il mio pensier Dee volar, dee volar, dee volare il mio pensier Dee volar, dee volar, ah Il pensier dee volar (Dell'universo) dee volar, ah Ah Il mio pensier dee volar (Dell'universo) dee volar, ah Ah Il pensier, il mio pensier, il mio pensier Ah

[@cfiszbin]

Wow sublime coloraturas focused and healthy voice

[@peachieepink]

She's very amazing,i love it😍😍😍😍

[@miguelangelvalenciagarcia6721]

¡What a beautiful voice!

[@valeriewilliams865]

Fantastic voice

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

Maravillosa Aria

[@zottv1500]

I love this oprea way to much but I don’t care can’t wait to see it in person

[@ribuha]

А Мне очень понравилось. Рене Флеминг бесподобна. Именно эта сцена моя самая любимая .Я верю ( как сказал бы Станислвский))))))

[@annalirycsoprano]

Gorgeous!❤️❤️❤️

[@ezclean7022]

Wowwwwwww

[@chessbabe8860]

Love conveyed!

[@miguelagh2000]

Preciosa interpretación

[@constancelevy6785]

Gorgeous beyond words! Pure ecstasy! Should be rendered illegal!

[@matzek.9119]

Wonderful. Fleming was awesome!

[@JoseMunoz-kg6xj]

Fleming and CALLEJA great

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

Una delicia volverla a escuchar

[@Galastel]

There's another version of La Traviata with Renee Fleming: the one with Villazon as Alfredo. She sings much better there. Don't know if it's age, or she just had a bad day when this recording was done. Probably the latter, as I've seen her in the Rosencavalier last week, and she was sublime.

[@danielng7795]

Galastel Its not a bad day for her. She herself said that this aria is not suitable for her voice (as in she struggles with the coloratura written) .

[@knoxrod]

I actually like it more without the E-flat, I think this one sounds more fierce and triumphant which I love

[@ernestochamorro9465]

I agree with your comment, but could you imagine , on top of being marvelous as it is, with an E-flat at the end, OMG, it would be ideal! 😀

[@summermcpherson8209]

Are you kidding me?! This version sounds weak and boring without the E flat. That's why I like Maria Callas's version better with her spot on E flat because it sounds WAY more fierce and triumphant than this version. But still, Renee did a good job though.

[@chocolatesouljah]

@@summermcpherson8209 I've seen Ms. Fleming in person and liked her very much was starting by the size of her voice. Her voice seems sizable here but not true to the role. It feels more like a notch on her list rather than and accomplishment.

[@summermcpherson8209]

Chocolate Souljah where did u see her?? I want to know where you saw her soon!

[@reala1276]

amazing tenor

[@nomomaga7866]

It's Joseph Calleja from Malta, love his voice

[@amazingyear9042]

He’s Outstanding!

[@manuelrodriguezcamus2427]

gracias !!!

[@renepariente7675]

René Pariente: Voix magnifique pour cet air qui l'est aussi.

[@mlulucaeleuterio]

Maravilhoso! 👏🏼

[@Valdaemonium]

Sublime ❤

[@PedroSouza-zy3xx]

very nice this opera

[@cynthiachase3427]

thanks!

[@lioneldemello9707]

Que la Fleming es muy agradable y muy buena, no se puede discutir; que nos deja sin el agudo final, y por tanto esperándolo tampoco se puede discutir!😭🤦‍♂️

[@davidjaraba5936]

y como esperas que de el mi bemol con semejante voz grande. El mi bemol lo dan más que nada las sopranos de coloratura. Fleming siendo lírica le queda bastante difícil. y siendo así no me espero un mi bémol

[@user-ku8wf3ny2h]

Браво!!!

[@kimmartin4897]

There must be something in the water across the pond they really produce the most fabulous singers, of which Renee Fleming is definitely one!

[@janetflier6192]

Renée is an AMERICAN!

[@rafaelcortesnavarro504]

Bravo!

[@glaydeldeborja]

The best🔥🔥