Famous opera arias sometimes disappoint us. The reason is usually the content of the lyrics. The tune is so beautiful that I thought the lyrics were like that too, but in reality they are often boring. Handel’s aria ‘Nostalgic Shade of a Tree’ is like this.
“My beloved tree, the sycamore tree, beautiful and abundant leaves. Even in the harsh fate of nature, you always shine. Thunder, lightning, and storms cannot threaten your peace. You are able to overcome even the fierce wind. There is always a warm and pleasant feeling here. “There will never be shade from a tree like this.”
source. unsplash When I listen to this wonderful aria, I feel like I should fondly reminisce about an old lover under the shade of a tree I missed, reflect on the joys and sorrows of life, or agonize over the profundity of death. However, it is actually ‘Ombra Mai Fu’. The literal translation is, “There is never such a shade.” It’s just a song praising trees.
But it is not something to be regretful about. The arias of the Baroque era were usually simple in composition for the sake of imprinting effect, but instead put a high value on the singer’s technique. The content of the lyrics was not a very important virtue.
The name ‘Largo’ is the nickname of this song. As you all know, the musical symbol largo is ‘very slow’. In other words, the typical Largo style aria is ‘Nostalgic Shade of a Tree’. The second movement of Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No. 1 is called Andante Cantabile (slowly singing), Albinoni’s Adagio for strings and organ is called Adagio (slowly), and the third movement of Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2 is called a nocturne. It’s like abbreviating it.
The main character is Serse (519-465 BC). Also known as Xerxes, he is a real person in history and was the king of Persia, but the story is fictional. Serse meets Romilda, the priest’s daughter, whom he meets by chance in the palace yard, and falls in love with her at first sight. However, she is in love with Serce’s younger sister, Arsamene. In an ironic twist of fate, Romilda’s younger sister, Atalanta, also has a crush on Arsamene. Another person, Amastre. She is a princess of the Kingdom of Tatar who is betrothed to King Serce. This is the story of Romilda and Arsamene eventually marrying through the king’s generous concession after many twists and turns in this complex relationship.
Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) / Source. German Wikipedia This is an opera created by Handel in 1738, when he was 53 years old, in order to win the favor of King George I of England. However, it failed at the box office. The reason is excessive greed. The comical elements and tragic atmosphere were combined so awkwardly that it was confusing and made the audience sick of it.
Although it has been performed often since the 1980s, it is still very rare, and it is no exaggeration to say that only this aria shines.
French alto singer Nathalie Stutzmann (1965~ ) sings it by far. From Suresnes, outside Paris. At the age of 23, he made his name known to the world by winning a contest to discover new singers hosted by BMG.
French alto singer and conductor Nathalie Stützman ©Jeff Fusco -The Philadelphia Orchestra / Source. Nathalie Stutzmann Homepage In a reality where there are many mezzo-sopranos but true altos are very rare, Stutzmann is truly like a star. The presence of Stützman, a car that has not had a towering alto since Marian Anderson (1897-1993, USA) and Kathleen Ferrier (1912-1953, England), is reassuring. The word Alto comes from the Latin word Altus. It has the meaning of ‘deep/noble/sublime’. Stützman’s song feels like it’s getting closer to the true nature of this alto.
A German critic described her sound as ‘bittersüß’, which is an optimal term. Meaning ‘bittersweet’ or ‘painfully beautiful.’
What Stützman especially appealed to the public was his collaboration with a baroque chamber orchestra called ‘Orfeo 55’, which he formed in 2009. She performed a conducting and singing performance. Unfortunately, Orfeo 55 was disbanded in 2019. This is because of her decision to strengthen her stance with the sole intention of leading. He currently serves as principal conductor of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra in Norway.
Stützmann conducting ©Rand Lines – Atlanta Symphony Orchestra / Source. Nathalie Stutzmann Home Page
Album cover of Handel’s opera ‘Shadow Hero’ recorded by Stützman with ‘Orfeo 55’ / Source. YouTube Capture Kang Seong-gon, music columnist⸱former KBS announcer
[나탈리 스튀츠망과 오르페오 55 – 헨델 ‘Ombra Mai Fu’]
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