Ombra Mai Fu...

...with the delightful Ms Battle
This video includes three pieces, not all by Handel.  But the first piece is Handel's amazing Ombra Mai Fu - although not written for soprano, this arrangement allows us to see her amazing capacity for breath control.  (In Trutina, the second piece, is a personal favourite, as is the third Nacht und Traume)




Now in the original key - written for contralto, this piece is shinning example that Handel's operas easily withstood the test of time.
The legendary Canadian contralto Maureen Forrester famoulsy put her stamp on this piece.  Forrester was known for her amazing work in Baroque opera, but she also worked many comic roles and partnered often with Canadian composers (including Saskatchewan's own Robert Fleming).  She loved modern rep, and was noted for her performance of the old woman in Menotti's The Medium.