This is a video of two of the best singers this world has seen - soprano Montserrat Caballé and mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne. They are singing a song from Jacques Offenbach's opera Les Contes d'Hoffman (The Tales of Hoffman) called "Belle Nuit" (Beautiful Night). This type of song is called a barcarole, a type of song that was created by Venetian gondoliers (men who rowed long boats such as the one seen below). The gentle rocking of the gondolier is reflected in the underlying 6/8 tempo of barcaroles.
When I listen to this song, I cannot help but rock back and forth in time to the music. Listen to it and imagine yourself on a godola floating through Venice. Also imagine yourself imitating this melody on an instrument or with your voice.
I have actually sang this song before, and I can totally relate to the rocking back and forth motion that you mention in here. The voices of those women makes my heart melt and it totally fits this song. Very beautiful pick and relation to it Dana!
ReplyDeleteI love this song! We actually did this song in our Opera Scenes class and we had a few people (myself included) hold onto pieces of very long blue fabric and create a river effect, it was such a beautiful scene. Water has such a calming effect on the mind that to put it into song is even better! I loved hearing it with possibly the two best singers the world has seen. Very nice post Dana!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite songs, it really soothes me and makes me feel calm, and I loved the image you evoked with the men in gondoliers on the water.
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