Mary Beth Nelson | Foster: Beautiful Dreamer

Mary Beth Nelson, mezzo-soprano
Lachlan Glen, piano
The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine
New York, New York
Beautiful Dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all passed away!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea,
Mermaids are chanting the wild Lorelei;
Over the stream let vapors are borne,
Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn.
Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart,
E'en as the morn on the stream let and sea;
Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Bryan Zaros, audio & video production
www.marybethnelsonmezzo.com

[@DylanBreaksBarriers]

Brilliant Delivery of this magnificent song! Thank you so much, simply perfect!

[@carynroxburgh1184]

I was once humming this tune and my mom told me the song She is now in her heavenly home with my dear Lord

[@lindih111]

🎼🎶 Beautiful Dreamer, wake unto me, Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee; Sounds of the rude world heard in the day, Lull'd by the moonlight have all passed away! Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song, List while I woo thee with soft melody; Gone are the cares of life's busy throng Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me! Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me! Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea, Mermaids are chanting the wild Lorelei; Over the stream let vapors are borne, Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn. Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart, E'en as the morn on the stream let and sea; Then will all clouds of sorrow depart, Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me! Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me! 🎼💃🏽🎶✨

[@richm.6220]

Thank you for posting the words.

[@garycarter9859]

I love hearing classical singers singing popular music. Here is a perfect example of why.

[@JeanRobert-kh9ni]

Even in my 80;s I can.t help but remember my mother sitting at the piano teaching us not only the song but how to accompany ourself on the piano. One of the most beautiful souvenir of so many years ago. Quite a feat for her to teach us since our native tongue was French.

[@saulchase9693]

This frequently performed song has never been sung more beautifully. What a treat. Thank you!

[@jacobso223]

How come a musical genius like Foster could not even make a living at his time. He was as misfortune as Van Gough, another artistic genius.

[@kckat9840]

My 94 year old mother has long loved this song, and I have been searching for a version to share with her. This is by far, the most beautiful interpretation I've come across. What an amazing voice! Thank you for capturing the simple beauty of this classic.

[@donnakerr4997]

Mandy Barnett sings a beautiful rendition of this song also

[@LYBASHA]

I listened to the whole recital. She has a beautiful sound with lots of colors. She kept me engaged the whole time often surprising me with subtle surprises with a turn of a phrase. She is a consumate physical actress and never over or under expresses.

[@garyk.nedrow8302]

"Beautiful Dreamer" was one of the most popular songs of the mid-19th Century, and the composer, Stephen Collins Foster, was perhaps its greatest popular composer. At that time, long before records, radio, and TV, songs were composed for parlor performance and sold as sheeet music. Almost every family had at least one pianist and one vocalist, and guests often performed for entertainment. Nelson's performance of the song is probably better than any version sung at the time. I'm sure Foster would have been delighted with her interpretation. The sensitive accompaniment of Mr. Glen at the piano deserves praise as well. His touch is just right for the song and the period. Sadly, S.C. Foster never heard this song performed professionally. He composed it in 1862 and died before its publication in 1864.

[@luizeduardotronconi]

Beautiful voice!

[@JanieGolden]

Wow... What a beautiful and angel-like voice! And the pianist Lachlan Glen has the hands of angel's touch - makes the Beautiful Dreamer live among us! Thank you💖🙏🙏🙏

[@SirensHarbor]

Stephen Fosters music shines through your voice and your personality. Absolutely awesome singing and playing.

[@macmac8249]

Stephen Foster would have been proud of both the singer and the piano player. Thank you for posting this video…Mac

[@matthijsruhrup8869]

I just wiped a tear ... Bravo, absolutely gorgeous!

[@michaelhalsall5684]

One of the best versions of this song I've heard of this song. The piano playing is clear and understated and the singer's voice is technically perfect and clear.

[@johnscanlon6977]

Wonderful synergie of beautyful voice & respectful piano....a haunting classic..renenewed by you both in inspiring classical venue..Stephen Foster & musical genious you both represented brilliantly& a sound I feel he intended of its time but time immorial.Warm wishes my Grans favourite thought to me at 4 yrs old..always in my ear.56 yrs hence!! John Co. Tipperary

[@hilliefeitsma3617]

Never hearing it better. Even the pianist is great.

[@tatianaconley7996]

Best performance of this song I ever heard🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@TheGeorgeringo]

All morning I've been listening to versions of this song. This is by far my favorite. Absolutely beautiful. And thanks for sharing. :)

[@marcelndikumana2949]

I cant stop listening to this sweet voice

[@user-gu7kc5si2h]

Beautiful Dreamer 🎶🎵🎼🎼🎶🎶🎵🎵

[@ameliacullen389]

Fantastic, what a beautiful voice.❤

[@DCBARNONE89]

Hello there, thanks for sharing your gorgeous video! Good times, I like it!

[@laurencefinston7036]

A beautiful rendition of this song. I'll be sure to listen to more of your videos.

[@emeseimre5252]

Just perfect.🎉❤

[@pocketrocket1995]

I grew up in Bardstown KY where they perform The Stephen Foster story every summer…… it never gets old hearing this beautiful song

[@enriquecestona8040]

Amazing voice and tonalities, Mary Beth!!!!!

[@marthienel2190]

I thought that the voice would perhaps be too strong and dramatic for such a gentle song. But its perfectly sung!! Thank you!

[@mikemcc6605]

Such a lovely woman with an incredible voice!!!

[@gerhardusvanrooyen6663]

Absolutely lovely!

[@bryanzaros5792]

Exquisite! Brava!!

[@suzannenelson3558]

💐❣️

[@mezzomacchiato]

Thank you so much!

[@derickpark1669]

이곡과 참 잘 어울리는 목소리와 해석이군요^^

[@pamelaruben4644]

Wonderful

[@JavierSanchez-tm7xo]

Impresionante. ¡Qué paz, qué belleza!

[@Indigo_Raven_Tiff]

I love the richness of a good mezzo soprano. Brava!!!

[@ramonng7054]

excellent..one of the top three best renditions I have heard, from about 20..

[@sentimentaloldme]

Beautiful performance..

[@p02281969]

Really sang beautifully. Beautiful voice.

[@martinbekaert7309]

Very beautiful !!😍

[@MyFavorite-if2wm]

Her voice is like a Bird, so cool and beautiful ❤🎉

[@marenmuter]

Stunning, thank you!

[@mizzmead8077]

Thank you still love the song many years ago.

[@vibhavadayar4719]

Amazing 🥰

[@wzq718]

OMG so Authentic & Beautiful

[@mesenteria]

Wow! Bravo!!

[@laurenmarbut4164]

love that beginning piano reminds me a lot of chopin noctune op 9 no 2 - that would be two dear songs to me in one !!🎉

[@gerhardusvanrooyen6663]

Have not changed my mind lovely as ever.

[@cooleyerandl7409]

You rock right through my heart

[@bortniansky]

Astonishingly beautfiul!

[@veggiepasta9892]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ciaoidea]

awesome! amazing performance.

[@helenavondrakenstein4969]

An angel sings

[@user-dg8cu3nk1u]

素晴らしい！！

[@freydawg56]

Great version. I had an urge to hear this song. Probably a bugs bunny episode popped in my head.

[@PaulLevinson]

Superb! Thank you!

[@beautybyadventurous9309]

This is the only song that puts my daughter to sleep instantly so you can imagine how many versions and covers I have on loop 😂 THIS IS THE BEST VERSION IVE HEARD obviously aside from Stephen foster himself

[@rabbiezekielgoldberg2497]

How did you hear Stephen Foster himself?

[@beautybyadventurous9309]

@@rabbiezekielgoldberg2497 I’m a time traveler duh

[@rabbiezekielgoldberg2497]

@@beautybyadventurous9309 So you chose to travel back to the 1800s, but not to help the good guys win the civil war?

[@beautybyadventurous9309]

@@rabbiezekielgoldberg2497 the good guys did win brotha

[@rabbiezekielgoldberg2497]

@@beautybyadventurous9309 Incorrect, mistaken, wrong. Now everyone is a slave.

[@GILSONDONIZETEORGANISTA]

MUITO LINDO, PARABENS

[@misssinisterseventy1553]

Could someone please tell me what key this is in? This version is absolutely STUNNING!

[@laurencefinston7036]

It's in D major.

[@donaldzaros8941]

A performance with expression and voice on par with Callas.

[@yoshitosatou8521]

素晴らしい歌唱です。ありがとうございます。 −−−Ｔｏｋｙｏ ｊａｐａｎ

[@richardvolbrecht2935]

Fab U Lous

[@miltonmoore2527]

"Music to soothe the savage breast, soften rocks and bend the knotted oak." William Congreve This performance ranks with the creme de la creme of the most accomplished operatic divas I have ever heard. And the recordings made by country singers George Morgan and Mandy Barnett. Deeply impressive! (I was actually searching for a recording by the late South African singer Danny Williams titled ONE STARRY NIGHT, and this recording popped up. I got lucky!)

[@trailhopper883]

👏👏

[@tuneharukawano6005]

フォスターにこの声を！！

[@augustus2011can]

Awesome rendition. This should however have been sung in a professional studio with better sound and recording equipment to do justice to her singing quality