Kathleen FERRIER.TV.Final Orpheus and illness.Friends remember.

[@spoffspoffington]

Absolutely grateful to have had the opportunity to have seen this

[@christophersmith551]

A record of hers turned up in East Germany in 1966. Her sister, Winifred, brought me a fan letter to translate. I visited the sender several times in East Germany. We became lifelong friends and my hosts opened my eyes to the reality of life behind the Iron Curtain. Kathleen Ferrier inevitably networked from beyond the grave. I remember her once, aged 4, in 1953, the last year of her life.

[@maxcornise-qh2jk]

I don’t ever think I’ve loved a singer-even Callas, de los Angelos-like I have for Kathleen Ferrier. No one else I’ve ever heard or seen affected my heart and soul so deeply. Flawless humanity, a voice for the ages.❤

[@agnespellier9515]

My late husband felt the same about Jalen Ferrier!❤

[@vilhelmhammershoi3871]

Best voice ever.... can't believe that there are.. of course... decades later.... bartoli's and di donato's....who cannot even begin to measure to this glorious voice! and are considered greater..... shame!

[@bobzeschin3154]

The "Orfeo" premiere was exactly 70 years ago last Friday. When my opera pals and I would play "If you could go back in time and hear one singer, who would it be?" their answers were always Caruso, Chaliapin, Flagstad, etc. My reply was always Kathleen Ferrier. When I moved to NYC in 1972, there were still many people around who'd been to her Carnegie Hall recitals. Every single time I asked one of them what they were like, their faces would light up and the first thing they always mentioned was that ravishing smile.

[@rebekkaplane708]

That is my grandmother, Bernie Hammond to the right of Kathleen at the start of the video. She was Kathleen's nurse and friend x

[@davidmuller9938]

Around 2:00 she is talking.

[@rgco.6936]

Rebekka was she related to the same Hammond family as Joan Hammond, the Australian soprano?

[@spmoran4703]

It is such a tragic death for the goddess of music. I hate cancer. I love Kathleen . I am a Contralto singer. I am in tears .

[@CurzonRoad]

Thank You!

[@MrSwifts31]

I knew one of the nurses that looked after Kath in her final illness.She asked Kath one day about a certain part of an aria. Kath said "You mean this?" and sang the part of the aria full out,and without any sign that she was ill or in pain.My friend said that it was as if the voice was a separate being that inhabited(but was part of) Kath. Only an angel could sing like this.

[@fredvanbenthem7955]

Beautiful words. Thank you.

[@feliciagomez6148]

Wow, just wow…. How wonderful and amazing to witness this 💕😩

[@felixwaterman4448]

Tearful as the result of both listening to the video and reading the comments from so varied a group of contributors. I remember (before any catch-up) setting my alarm to hear a programme about Kathleen on the World Service at 2am. I was lying on a mattress on the floor of my narrowboat. (I was building new bunk beds.) The programme ended with Brahms's "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen". Never to be forgotten. If you are near Aspatria, Cumbria, visit the church and the memorial to her first professional performance.

[@keithtanner2806]

Although not really a fan of Classical music I make an exception in the case of Kathleen Ferrier. What a voice, what a personality.

[@janetfountain655]

What a voice ......whhat a loss

[@sonomagirl4207]

My father, a working class taxi driver from the other side of the world who had never been able to go to a live opera, was in love with Kathleen Ferrier.He grieved for her death, and told the story of her heroic performance of Orfeo at Covent Garden. At times of sadness in his own life he would play her recordings and they brought him comfort. As children we knew little about music but understood from him that she was the greatest singer in the world, an opinion I have never deviated from, since.

[@horstkaechele3059]

Sonomagirl und

[@mckavitt13]

Sonomagirl A wonderfully moving comment.

[@christianguignard9980]

I do agree with you . From my old France, i only discovered her when i was Twenty years old, so in 1983 ... i instantelly fell in a sort of love towards her, a deep admiration and consideratrion ... and i only knew she died too early because of a breast cancer and so on , five years after when i began researches about her ... Many years after, and beyond any style or cultures, i also think she is the most beautiful adult singer of the world . Those as you and your sensitive father, who feel the deep of her vocal expression understand what a soul exhales through the voice . I think for some of us, she will stay the absolute woman icon even for the next generations !

[@Fritz_Maisenbacher]

@@christianguignard9980 Kathleen Ferrier is not "a voice". If she could sing like this, it was because other possibilities.

[@karenjones782]

What an extra specially beautiful ringing tone x. Magnificent x

[@ian.marais1202]

One of the greatest artists of all times. Certainly the most loved artist of all times. What a loss to the world oh but what gain to heaven. Dear Kathleen may your voice ring out for eternity in heaven. God bless you.

[@carl-gunnarhillefors7612]

The Voice of a century! Always balanced and steady! Pity she contracted with Cancer! Just to listen peacefully to all her recordings are soulhealing even for sad or troubled souls!

[@isabellagumbys7525]

SUCH A BRAVE LADY ..NEVER FORGOTTEN..THANKYOU KATHLEEN FOR GIVING US THE JOY OF HEARING YOU SING..💗💗

[@givsum]

I listened to Kathleen when I was a small child, and I was just five when she died. I have loved her voice and her personality ever since. She sings on, in our hearts.

[@mckavitt13]

Graham Gibson I was two. But heard about her when little & then again later on... from a friend who played her singing Bach. I was immediately taken... as by a quiet storm.

[@danawinsor1380]

Oh dear, how sad. What a great talent and great lady.

[@faylee8482]

Just watched Cocteau’s Orpheus film and felt I had to listen afterwards to Ferrier’s What is Life. It was my mother’s favourite, along with O Rowan Tree, both of which we had to have at Mum’s funeral in 1998 - both generated lots of tears...such a gorgeous voice!

[@robertbovill1011]

I was in Canada at the time but remember very well being shocked to hear that beautiful Klever Kaff had tragically died. As well as an unmatched singing voice (even now), she had a lovely personality and sense of humour.

[@AnneHardingBondiJct]

Mother bought some records home from Grace Bros department store. Two were Kathleen Ferrier and one was Grace Moore. I heard Kathleen on the radio occasionally and even at a friend's patisserie where it was also "on the radio". I kept Mother's records and played them from time to time. When the Internet was invented I obtained a better copy of my record that is was, it being old and scratched. When I moved to London I realised the Kathleen Ferrier was very popular 1992, she being on the television, a biography of her life. More popular here than in Australia.

[@thecubanism]

I may tomorrow, travel 10 minutes from my home to visit Klever Kaffs birthplace , Bank terrace, Higher Walton, passing on my way the lovely memorial garden, a place I love, I can sit there and dream Kath's dreams for her. As an uneducated working class nondescript conscript, [now, that is authors' delight], I was conscripted to fight in Malaya, which I did, saw my 2 best mates killed at the side of me, came home, and had never heard of Kath, I was into Rock'n'Roll, which I still love, as I do big bands, Benny, Chick, Harry, Duke, but, my wife mentioned her to me, I must admit I had never heard of her, total ignorance for which I sincerely aplogise I cannot listen to Kath's 'What is life' from Gluck's 'Orpheo without crying my eyes out,

[@davidsimpson3715]

where is this memorial garden i was upset when i thought the tiny named sign at the crematorium was the only memorium for this lovely creature. I am happy just now to be listening to her soft heartfelt voice.

[@christianguignard9980]

When i discovered her at twenty years old, i though she represented a beautiful motherhood image. Later, i thought she would have been the perfect wife; Today, i am older than she was when came to die, and i think she would have been the best sister ever ... In fact, Kathleen was obviously an angel on our shoulders . There is no fortuity to feel simpathy with such a marvelous being, humbly we look for and we weave emotional connections with whom resembles to us, of course not because of same abilities, but about similar sensitivity. Above all, i think she comes in our life to help us, in a sensitive kinship , today as well as when she was alive on earth.

[@brentmarshall928]

Magnificent in every way. I doubt she will ever be surpassed.

[@alfching2499]

Contralto magnificence

[@TheBallet1]

Have only seen a documentary about her and was struck by the grave beauty of her voice and her face. so unusual like a rare pearl. i don't think there is anybody like her. it's a voice that makes me cry

[@leolennox4649]

I remember my parents buying her record in England. The shop assistant put the record on a turntable behind the counter and ushered us into a sound-proof booth where we heard it played. Afterwards, she asked us if we liked it and wanted to buy it, which we did.

[@simongold293]

Once in a life time voice, so beautiful,so pure' so dam awesome, loved to had stood in her shadow, i would have been so so proud,

[@moniquethomas7263]

Hauntingly beautiful voice, flawlessly delivered despite the incredible pain she experienced during those last months. There is no justice in this world. Thank you for this loving memoir.

[@lochness11]

Yes Monique----a unique voice and person. Kath had both. Never again etc.......... Thankyou for your comment.

[@boherupnielsen6355]

The sounding, the inner light that shine, unparraleled, convaying life and love. The most beutyfull contraalto voice I``ve ever heard. It is said; just by listning to her singing, is healing.... thoughtawakening.

[@janzonneveld3180]

Today I read in mij newspaper a part of her diary. I read that She died quite young. So I looked her up on KZbin. I heard her story and it moved me. Her voice was beyond magic.

[@AnneHardingBondiJct]

No you need to look her up on Wikipedia, she was a person, not just a voice. Have A Nice Day.

[@thecubanism]

I live not ten minutes from where Klever Kaff was born, I was ignorant of her until I met a musician who is still my greatest friend, he showed me the difference between music and pop music, When I first heard Gluck's 'What is Life' by Kath I cried my eyes out, as I did today, Fri, 10th Feb, 1913, this from a reformed jailbird, thanks Kath, may your personal god take you into his arms and thank you from the living here on this desolate planet.

[@mckavitt13]

tommy hall Good luck to you Tommy

[@johnhopton3436]

this Lady, for such she was . . . was THE VOICE . . . that may never be matched, it has yet to be equalled . . .

[@porthrepta]

There are tears running down my face.

[@haroldbernardberry]

Your not alone - a role model for us all

[@zcatfanxq]

I have only found her recently, and cannot stop listening now. Thank you for this so much.

[@vincentedwards2617]

so so beautiful, an angel indeed thank you for this post love and peace j vincent edwards

[@lochness11]

Yes Vincent. My Mum remembers her being on the radio regularly----just after the war. I have other Kath pieces on my YT page. Best wishes to you.

[@vincentedwards2617]

your mum knew great music and great souls love and peace vincent

[@Alan-co1hu]

she strived for perfection and achieved particularly in das lied von der erde. what a loss!

[@mckavitt13]

Alan strove for perfection. And I like your comment.

[@operacat9274]

Her 'Das lied von der erde' is heart breakingly beautiful and the definitive version.

[@Ivanhoe2]

A most moving tribute. Many thanks and Best Wishes.

[@somersetuk525]

Of all the contralto's Ive listened too and thats a few I don't think Bruno Walter, Sir.M. Sargent or Sir John Barbirolli would question her Mahler and Brahms,Gluck,Handel as the finest contralto voice on record....she was a saint with such a feeling for expression, listen to the Alto R. It's voices like hers that, gives great comfort.

[@agingbeauty]

Thank you. With all my love, as always Sheila

[@CurzonRoad]

For this wonderful, moving tribute... many thanks!

[@frederickhodder4764]

this is what I call MUSIC, THANK YOU KATHLEEN.

[@phoenix4165]

Very moving. Thank you. Nice to have you back

[@serenaluce]

Extraordinary story! Thanks for sharing.

[@713davidh42]

A moving tribute to a great singer and courageous person. Thanks for posting.

[@trannel9988]

blow the wind southerly..... a capella.... pure soul she gives as

[@christianguignard9980]

Oui, ainsi que Véronica Dune en témoigne, : et il avait raison. Par contre, il y a des êtres qui honorent le coeur même de l' Amour infini, le respect de la vie et la conscience du vivant; et donc, ne peuvent justifier la mort; Kathleen est un Ange venu nous offrir son amour absolu, et nous en avons bien besoin, dans cet enfer terrestre, où la beauté des choses est dans le regard et pas ailleurs, et dans le chant ou le grand soin, l' attention à l' autre, bref, un Vouloir.

[@lochness11]

Yes--I understand---a terrible loss---and such courage in face of adversity. She would laugh it off with, "It's my arthritis luv". Have you heard her Um Mitternacht? The third of the Ruckert songs.Spine tingling towards the end. Must be somewhere on KZbin.

[@77Opera]

Merci pour cette touchante vidéo!

[@JohnSBurrows]

Patricia Routledge doing the voice-overs magnificently. Thank you.

[@garryhumphreys3054]

Unfortunately, on the evidence of speech recordings of Ferrier herself in the BBC archives, Patricia Routledge sounds nothing like her.

[@mckavitt13]

John Burrows I disagree. Even Juliet Stevenson would've done better, tho' a lighter voice.

[@mckavitt13]

Garry Humphreys Absolutely true, alas.

[@OtherTwin]

an angel indeed

[@thecubanism]

By the way, as a passing comment, the museum in Leyland Lancs., has, at the moment. Friday the 11th, a wonderful exhibition of Kath memorabillia letters, photo's, even a dress, with a little film show tracing her career, well worth a visit, Dr David Hunt is the curator, a very knowledgeable chap,

[@ChrisJones-cb9rc]

Heartbreaking

[@화이팅-b1g]

브람스와 말러 그리고 바흐를 케슬린 페리어만큼 노래할수 있은 가수가 그녀의 작고후 아직까지 왜 나오지 않을까~? 역대의 최고의 예술가 케슬린 페리어, 그녀는 위대한 음악가로 영원히 빛날것입니다

[@stardust_memories2260]

I assume there's no film footage of her singing?

[@thecubanism]

I live no more than 15 minutes from Kaths birth place, I visit it often, and also the Kathleen Ferrier memorial garden in Higher Walton, Lancs, a great singer and a truly lovable person, it is so nice to connect with people who appreciate music, if anty of you would like a picture of Kaths birthplace or memorial gardens, bill@rigby world.com will suffice.

[@Fritz_Maisenbacher]

9:52 hear this one time, you will never get out of it

[@arturocastillo7068]

I love her voice . It hurts me to learn the way she suffered . I am spanish but I consider Kathleen as miracle for the world .

[@Bivolari]

A lovely tribute. Very moving. Thank you for uploading this.