Ombra Mai Fu - G. F. Handel (Barnaby Smith)

Artistic Director and Countertenor of VOCES8, Barnaby Smith has released a solo album. This is the opening track from the CD, which is called 'Barnaby Smith: Handel', released on VOCES8 Records. Listen to the album at orcd.co/kzd2wdy/
TEXT
Frondi tenere e belle
del mio platano amato
per voi risplenda il fato.
Tuoni, lampi, e procelle
non v'oltraggino mai la cara pace,
né giunga a profanarvi austro rapace.
Ombra mai fu
di vegetabile,
cara ed amabile,
soave più.
TRANSLATION
Tender and beautiful fronds
of my beloved plane tree,
let Fate smile upon you.
May thunder, lightning, and storms
never disturb your dear peace,
nor may you by blowing winds be profaned.
Never was a shade
of any plant
dearer and more lovely,
or more sweet.

[@DWasGT]

I’m blown away by this performance. Barnaby’s voice is heavenly. It’s wonderful to heard him singing by himself.

[@CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy]

That cello line at 1:19 always gets me. Handel was a master of achieving sublime beauty from simple lines.

[@frankzepeda1235]

The sound you hear there is actually the viola though the cello player is being filmed. I've played the viola part many times, as well as the piano. It is an effective piece of harmony to capture the soul. ...

[@dennisdavis3919]

There are a multitude of performances of this chestnut out there, but what sets Mr. Smith's apart from the others, in my opinion, is his knowledgeability. He certainly has the voice, but unlike other mere singers, he has a conductor's understanding which informs his performance, just as it does the performances of voces8. PS I appreciate his inclusion of the peaceful and beautiful recitative, so often omitted by singers' KZbin recordings because it doesn't show off the voice the way the aria does. Yet without it we don't even learn what kind of tree Xerses is singing to! See? That's a conductor's perspective.

[@kapitaine4104]

After years of hearing him nourish and lead other ensembles, the time has come to hear Barnaby's consecration, in all its weightlessness, its agility and its intimacy.

[@zogzog1063]

Yes. I like the description 'weightless'. Apparently no effort on his part! Another comment used the word 'float' - also good.

[@HannaARTzink]

So exquisitely described.

[@isaiahbaggett5014]

What a lovely full tone with depth yet tenderness, especially as he floats up to the high note at 3:08 - beautifully done!

[@Jenifer.flute20]

Wow. Just splendid. His voice doesn't particularly stand out in the group setting, and I didn't know his full range, but this is fantastic. Is love to hear more from just him.

[@sebastianluetgert75]

Was für eine beeindruckende Dynamik! Tolle Stimme. Einfach nur wunderbar.

[@florenciaalbornoz2755]

Maravilloso y conmovedor. Impecable voz que emociona

[@annemawdsley3544]

Wonderful to hear Barnaby's beautiful countertenor voice on its own. I hadn't really appreciated his voice til this solo performance. Thank you so much for this as well as all the wonderful performances you bring us with VOCES8 and other performers. So important in this troubled world.

[@oscargill423]

So cool to hear Barnaby's superb high register on it's own. Splendid performance!

[@jandamskier6510]

*its - not it's

[@oscargill423]

@@jandamskier6510 This is embarrassing... normally I'm the kind of person to want to call that out. Its a humbling experience for sure.

[@markperrins3152]

Wow! I didnt know Barnaby was this good, great to hear him solo. More solo's Barny boy!

[@galinam9521]

Sublime - a voice and music to nourish the soul. Thank you Barnaby.

[@alexh4436]

Definitely my favorite performance of the best ever song about a tree.

[@dougkelley2781]

This is brilliant. I especially love that the recitative was included at the start. It’s a wonderful contrast to the lyric portion that everyone knows and loves.

[@anneoppermann8012]

What a voice! I just discovered Voces8 during Lent in 2020. Their music has carried me through theses dark days.

[@paulbaker7069]

Anne - you are not the only one. Glorious singing by Barnaby and all of Voces8 during the last 2 years, Paul

[@basssinger47]

Gleiches kann ich von mir sagen. Meditation at its best.

[@Le_Trouvere]

This is bloody gorgeous. Brilliant rendition.

[@annemcleod8505]

What a treat to hear you singing by yourself!

[@marthahazevoet9309]

Unbelievably beautiful. I stop doing whatever I'm doing just to listen to this beautiful voice. Thank you.

[@AnjaHuebel1]

Beautiful, Barney! That high note knocked me over!

[@johnalexander6867]

Wonderful singing. I had no idea that he was so accomplished a solo singer - he is always beautifully blended in the voces8 pieces. Remarkable. Thanks!

[@anjasemi]

Einfach wundervoll, vollkommen ausbalanciert mit Geschmeidigkeit gesungen. Bitte mehr davon!

[@DaughterofTheKing960]

Listening to Voces8, I had NO IDEA!!!! Barnaby's SURPRISINGLY GORGEOUS VOICE, SO SUPERB... It Takes my breath away!!!! 😳🙏👏👏👏♥️♥️♥️🌈😇

[@bachopinbee5991]

Dear God, I just melted listening to this! Absolutely made my day

[@DiddlyPenguin]

An amazing voice. Beautiful piece of music

[@robinholland1136]

Beautiful rendition of a beautiful aria! And doesn't he make it look easy, too. Loved the smile on the bass player, when he hit the high note around three minutes, as I was smiling too.

[@jordanbauman8692]

Great to hear Barnaby's rendition of this piece! It was absolutely beautiful.

[@HannaARTzink]

Pure delight, thank you.

[@skaccomatto86]

The high note was simply astonishing

[@hjkaye]

Bravo Barnaby. One of the best performances of that aria I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. Thank you for sharing your gift. Goosebumps. ❤️

[@sussexsurrey]

Superb - and his album is great. I listened to him after Andreas Scholl and was surprised how close / similar they sounded. He and the Voces8 team help us all remember there is still beauty and calm in our crazy world

[@SteveL2012]

Beautiful. I have heard his fabulous voice come through at times in Voces8 performances. Nice to hear the incredible depth and purity of his tone individually.

[@mlrmlr4919]

From the beautiful breathing and quality of production I thought when I heard this at a distance that it was Scholl - I see he trained with Scholl and seems to have taken a lot from him. I love this grown-up choirboy type of countertenor, when the voice seems soft and natural, rather than the hard constricted style.

[@iancookson8439]

A wonderful counter tenor voice - thank you Barnaby.

[@timplatt1739]

Wow! Just wow! Your voice was made for Handel! I’ve always loved this aria, but now I adore it! Thank you.

[@alanoken3097]

Thank you for the Grace and Beauty you sir, and your fellow artists, bring.

[@martinpagedequercy8032]

Quelle splendeur!

[@ratkillerthe]

THIS IS WHAT WE NEEDED FROM YOU Mr. Barnaby Smith

[@evelynap9728]

Oh my God thank you Mr Smith take good care of your beautiful gifted voice sharp like a knife and soft like velvet at the same time

[@susangreener833]

Sublime. What a beautiful unforced singing voice at it's very best.

[@lyndallgreen993]

Never heard you sing on your own before - what a treat……..

[@windgarden5079]

It's so wonderful, I can't put into words

[@carloCGN]

goose bumps from the first tone to the last one. BRAVO

[@mjlara1542]

Unfortunately I can only hit the thumbs up button once. Heavenly! Thank you!

[@plumleytube]

Beauty that makes you weep

[@carykain9659]

There are no words!!! What an incredible and unique gift.

[@stephaniedickes1461]

What an amazing, wonderful countertenor voice

[@maxvanegmond4999]

Superb singing and playing. Heavenly !

[@PLTarchitect]

Wonderful, congratulations on making such a lovely sound

[@luciasona2231]

Grazie! Bellissima aria dal Serse di Haendel e bravissimo il contraltista.

[@MrMarioman107]

So beautiful Barney-thanks for sharing your talent!

[@emoore0613]

So cute!

[@janmarsh5643]

Stunning. I was deeply touched hearing this beautiful song.

[@samueljimenez1]

Wow. Beautiful performance

[@TheONETITWONDER]

Utterly beautiful, Barnaby. Thank you

[@Just_Sara]

As a layperson, I have to say, though this sound is unexpected, it's really gorgeous.

[@MyMovie67]

Tout simplement sublime ♥️

[@user-vf4fj3ll9b]

Bravo, Barnaby! An amazing discovery for me! Delightful! Thank you very much!

[@lenanielsen5903]

Absolutely wonderful🍃thank's🍃

[@vitex1211]

Super!! number one! complimenti Barnaby!

[@careydwilson]

Excellent control

[@jaybest1787]

So I'm not a largo fan but my gosh, this was beautiful. Handel remains, for me, the greatest classical musician of all time

[@glynnwright1699]

As I recall, an opinion that you share with Beethoven.

[@littlesongbird2307]

How beautiful! Thank you for sharing your gift.

[@oscarmsfilho]

Amazing!! Beatifull!!

[@elzbietajedrysik2605]

Fantastic , so sublime ..... . Congratulations 👏.Thank You .

[@shirleycook6402]

Fantastic Barnaby!! Possibly this was one of the positive outcomes of Covid!! More of your amazingness please!!

[@paixiao7]

Straight to favorites! Fabulous!

[@robertwolz478]

👏🏼❤️Fantastically beautiful!

[@contrappunto_]

Stunning 😲

[@annemills4280]

Quite heavenly and uplifting - thank you

[@lolapkh]

Fantastic performance, simply wonderful. Thank you so much for posting this! Xx

[@tonyc1861]

Just beautiful!

[@rosiewhite4742]

Wow. Just beautiful.

[@humanedane]

impeccable Musicality

[@StanManMusic]

Wow!! Incredible

[@suellensimons-peters1597]

So beautiful! Thank you!

[@punchwilliamson8383]

Wonderful to hear the solo if the man that guides the Voces 8 . Wonderful. Best from Laramie, Wyoming.

[@valeriegirard1665]

Magnifique!!!!!

[@sabineschett6277]

Vielen Dank so schön ❣️

[@ruthboundy4429]

Just wonderful!

[@Bullard6311]

Beautiful performance! Moved to tears!

[@sabineschett6277]

So schön

[@roybooth7904]

Like everyone else says, nice to hear Mr Smith singing solo, and what a lovely, unforced voice it is (who can abide a hooting countertenor?). As with much of Voces8, he is singing for beauty, and one might imagine a more projected or teasing performance on the operatic stage. But who cares? What beauty!

[@momentsoftruth7712]

Stunning.

[@gholmes182]

Truly beautiful rendition. Sumptuous

[@artursorba1465]

Brīnišķīgi ! Hello from Latvia. Magnificent !

[@ThePerpetualLearner]

Beautiful!

[@stevenfrykman7128]

Magnificent!

[@stephencuttle5639]

Stunningly beautiful

[@christelschmidt6950]

Was für eine unglaublich schöne Stimme.

[@williamstachour4019]

Absolute perfection!

[@philbird7445]

Wow! This is beautiful

[@m0bob]

Beautiful.

[@thoscar02]

Beyond sublime and, as someone else has already commented, to hear the recitative leading up to it, makes this, for me, a very special performance indeed.

[@WarinPartita6]

Wonderful and exquisite voice. Big thanks for sharing. ❤😂❤❤❤

[@WigbertTraxler]

WOW!! So incredibly beautifully sung!! Bravo!!

[@frankmontillon]

Wonderfull!!

[@Nathalie0409]

Amazing!!!

[@francisdenis8804]

Merveilleux !

[@edithdouma6902]

Congratulations! So beautiful !

[@alsionbell1]

So pure.

[@AloeAntinousAquila55]

pure and gorgeous 💖✨