Handel: Ombra mai fu (Serse); Christopher Lowrey, countertenor, Voices of Music 4K UHD

Hi everyone! We could *really* use your help—please vote for us, it’s free and easy :) We are nominated in 10 (!) categories, but it will only take you a minute, and it will help us so much. Just a few votes can make a huge difference! Thank you from Hanneke and David, Directors, Voices of Music SFCV Audience Choice Awards 2022-2023 linky: Categories: 2. Favorite Chamber Ensemble Voices of Music 4. Favorite Dance Soloist Kaili Chen 5. Favorite Early Music/Baroque Ensemble Voices of Music 8. Favorite Conductor Hanneke van Proosdij, Voices of Music 9. Favorite Instrumental Soloist Augusta McKay Lodge (violin) 13. Favorite Chamber Performance Voices of Music, “Musica Transalpina: Chamber Music From Italy and England“ 15. Favorite Dance Performance Voices of Music and Balam Dance Theatre, “Metamorphosis“ 16. Favorite New Music Performance Voices of Music and Balam Dance Theatre, “Metamorphosis“ 18. Favorite Early Music/Baroque Performance Voices of Music, “Holiday Concertos: Bach, Telemann, and Vivaldi“ 27. Favorite Streaming Performance or Series Voices of Music, Sundays at 10 Countertenor Christopher Lowrey sings the aria Ombra mai fù, from Handel’s opera *Serse.* 4K, Ultra HD video from the Voices of Music “Art of the Countertenor“ concert, March, 2016. Please subscribe to our channel Voices of Music FAQ Q. How can I support Voices of Music? A. Donate here: and we will make more videos like this one :) These videos cost thousands of dollars to make, and the money comes from individual donors. Q. What is Early Music performance, or historical performance? A. We play on instruments from the time of the composers, and we use the original music and playing techniques: it’s a special sound. Q. Why are there no conductors? A. Conductors weren’t invented until the 19th century; since we seek to recreate a historical performance, the music is led from the keyboard or violin, or the music is played as chamber music~or both :) Handel’s arias form one of the core repertories for singers of 18th-century music, owing not only to the quality of the compositions but also to the variety of affects and styles present in his operas, oratorios and sacred music. The aria “Ombra mai fù,” known also as “Handel’s Largo,” is one of his best-known works; somewhat surprisingly, it comes down to us through a circuitous path. The original version was composed by Cavalli in the mid-17th century, then “borrowed” by Bononcini for his 1694 production of the opera Serse, then substantially revised by Handel for his own version of Serse which premiered in London in April of 1738. Handel’s version retains the overall texture, scoring and melodic shapes of the original, but Handel reworks the vocal line and creates more interplay between the singer and the violins. *Voices of Music is creating a worldwide digital library of music videos, recordings and editions, free for anyone in the world.* To support this vital project, which will enable new generations of people all around the world to enjoy Classical music, please consider a tax-deductible donation or sponsor a recording project. With your help, anything is possible! Ombra mai fù di vegetabile, cara ed amabile, soave più. —Nicolò Minato Never was the shade from any plant more dear, more lovely, or so sweet. The Musicians and their Instruments Voices of Music performs on original instruments: hear the music played on instruments from the time of the composer. Lisa Grodin, baroque viola by Mathias Eberl, Salzburg, Austria, 1680 Kati Kyme, baroque violin by Johann Gottlob Pfretzschner, Mittenwald, 1791 Carla Moore, baroque violin by Johann Georg Thir, Vienna, Austria, 1754 Maxine Nemerovski, baroque violin by Joseph Gaffino, Paris, 1769 Elisabeth Reed, baroque cello, anonymous, 1673 Farley Pearce, violone by George Stoppani, Manchester, 1985, after Amati, 1560 David Tayler, archlute by Andreas von Holst, Munich, 2012, after Tieffenbrucker, c1610 Hanneke van Proosdij, baroque organ by Winold van der Putten, Finsterwolde, Netherlands, 2004, after early 18th-century northern German instruments Gabrielle Wunsch, baroque violin by Lorenzo Carcassi, Florence, Italy, 1765 #Handel #Countertenor