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opilec
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« on: 23:39:50, 05-07-2007 » |
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« Last Edit: 04:56:18, 08-10-2007 by opilec »
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roslynmuse
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« Reply #1 on: 00:00:38, 06-07-2007 » |
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Sad news indeed. A very great singer - my favourite Sheherazade and one of my favourite Nuits d'ete; and some marvellous operatic recordings, not least Dialogues des Carmelites.
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pim_derks
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« Reply #2 on: 00:43:16, 06-07-2007 » |
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This is indeed very sad news. She was one of my favourite singers. At this moment, I would like to share with you a song: Francis Poulenc
La Reine de Coeurhttp://www.sendspace.com/file/4g9jfdRégine Crespin
John Wustman, piano
Recorded in 1967Such a beautiful song on such a beautiful poem: La reine de cœur
Mollement accoudée
à ses vitres de lune,
la reine vous salue
d’une fleur d'amandier.
C'est la reine de cœur.
Elle peut, s’il lui plaît,
Vous mener en secret
vers d'étranges demeures
Où il n'est plus de portes,
de salles ni de tours
et où les jeunes mortes
viennent parler d'amour.
La reine vous salue :
hâtez-vous de la suivre
dans son château de givre
aux doux vitraux de lune. It was this song that made me discover the lovely poetry of Maurice Carême.  Thank you, Régine Crespin, for all those beautiful musical moments. I will never forget them. |
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"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
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Don Basilio
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« Reply #3 on: 09:20:39, 06-07-2007 » |
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I heard/saw her once at ROH as the Prioress in Carmelites, which for some reason was sung in English. Madame Crespin's English diction was impeccable, and clear as a bell.
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To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance
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pim_derks
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« Reply #4 on: 11:57:09, 06-07-2007 » |
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I found this on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIbn56vgNLkRégine Crespin singing Soir by Gabriel Fauré, accompanied by Christian Ivaldi.  |
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"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
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Stanley Stewart
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« Reply #5 on: 15:47:01, 06-07-2007 » |
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Another pang to the heart today on hearing about the death of Regine Crespin, in a week when Beverly Sills and George Melly have also shuffled off this mortal coil.
Mortality most pertinent when I realised that it is now 46 years since I first heard Crespin sing the Marschallin at Covent Garden in 1961; a radiant presence and another performer with "that little something extra" which Ellen Terry defined as star quality. Her subsequent recordings have been truly named as Legendary; the Decca pairing of Berlioz and Ravel, Crespin and Ansermet, a combination and a form indeed.
I recall the widespread disappointment when she cancelled a Wigmore Hall recital in the late 80's as the musical scene at the time was also enhanced by Gerard Souzay's "Wiggie" recitals and, even with a much narrower range in his late years, his natural talent as a communicator remained undiminished.
I've been listening to Regine Crespin un portrait, a 3 CD set issued by EMI Classics in 1993. You simply have to sit still and listen to her interpretations. I'd forgotten about the hypnotic trance quality of her Wesendonck-Lieder in the Wagner selection. Most of all, the CD booklets all omit the glorious selection of hats she wore on the covers of the vinyl pressings. George Melly would have approved.
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martle
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« Reply #6 on: 15:54:07, 06-07-2007 » |
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That's a sweet tribute, Stanley.
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Green. Always green.
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pim_derks
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« Reply #7 on: 16:15:27, 06-07-2007 » |
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That's a sweet tribute, Stanley. Yes, it is. Wonderful to share anecdotes about great artists. |
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"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
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Stanley Stewart
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« Reply #8 on: 18:13:27, 06-07-2007 » |
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# 7 and 8. Thank you, Martle and Pim.
I was tempted to go off-thread in my posting but the 'boring old fart' syndrome, alarm bell, forewarned me.
My first reaction to seeing a youngish Regine Crespin as the Marschallin, in 1961, was her strong resemblance to the beloved actress Yvonne Arnaud: the same Gallic and insouciant charm, always underwritten by a hidden authority and intelligence. I'd seen Yvonne Arnaud in wartime films, when I was a schoolboy, and later in many drawing room comedies, "Dear Charles" being a particular favourite. In the interim, I'd also heard about her much earlier debut as a concert pianist - her first appearance at Wiesbaden, under the great Dutch conductor Mengelberg. In the UK she was also a great favourite as a raconteur and regularly appeared on TV, in the 50's, and radio; chairman Freddy Grisewood sought her frequently for "Any Questions".
During my later working years in London, I made a bid for an LP, "Yvonne Arnaud" all proceeds to the theatre of her name at Guildford. This was at the Gramophone Exchange and compulsive collectors will understand that I HAD to have this recording. Side 1 has an intro by John Barbirolli with YA playing In der nacht (Schumann) Impromptu (Lucien Wurmser) La Fileuse (Raff) with String Orch, conducted by JB. Side 2 has an intro by Freddy Grisewood with YA, Talking and Playing the Piano: Bach, Chopin, Scarlattii, Debussy and Duvernoy. Roger Hewland at Gram Exch warned that "I had expensive tastes" and eventually gave me a discount, although in pricing, I rather feel that I lost the war. The surrender and subsequent pleasure made me think of more than England!
Alas, until a technically-minded friend from London visits me at York, I haven't the foggiest notion of how to compress and download the impish features of Yvonne Arnaud, on the LP cover, which would warm many hearts on such a dull and humid day. And you'd see what I mean by the resemblance to Regine Crespin. Whew! Had to get back on thread before ducking below the parapet.
All good wishes, Stanley
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time_is_now
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« Reply #9 on: 18:24:06, 06-07-2007 » |
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How's this, Stanley?  |
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The city is a process which always veers away from the form envisaged and desired, ... whose revenge upon its architects and planners undoes every dream of mastery. It is [also] one of the sites where Dasein is assigned the impossible task of putting right what can never be put right. - Rob Lapsley
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Stanley Stewart
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« Reply #10 on: 19:27:19, 06-07-2007 » |
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t-i-n Many thanks - it's the same portrait, too.
"I think he's done it. By George he's done it!"
Ta very much, tinners Stanley
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time_is_now
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« Reply #11 on: 19:33:00, 06-07-2007 » |
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You're welcome Stanley! I just did an internet search, but I thought it must be the same one - the likeness is so clear. PS Just remembered that you mentioned Stagecoach the other week - one of my favourite films! |
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« Last Edit: 21:08:45, 06-07-2007 by time_is_now »
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The city is a process which always veers away from the form envisaged and desired, ... whose revenge upon its architects and planners undoes every dream of mastery. It is [also] one of the sites where Dasein is assigned the impossible task of putting right what can never be put right. - Rob Lapsley
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pim_derks
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« Reply #12 on: 20:07:39, 06-07-2007 » |
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Beautiful stories, Stanley. Many thanks. I'd also heard about her much earlier debut as a concert pianist - her first appearance at Wiesbaden, under the great Dutch conductor Mengelberg. Interesting. The name Wiesbaden reminds of a very obscure part of musical history. In 1932 (!) the comical opera Great Catherine (after George Bernard Shaw) was premiered in Wiesbaden. The music was written by the Polish/Dutch composer Ignace Lilien. I don't know a lot about Lilien, but I do have a CD with songs by him. Speaking of singers from the past: does anyone here remember Noémie Perugia?  |
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"People hate anything well made. It gives them a guilty conscience." John Betjeman
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