I'm veering away from my established format a bit. This week, rather than using two recordings of the same song, I'm using two settings of the same text, by different composers with very different results. Mozart and Schubert both set a text by Metastasio about Dido pleading with her lover to not leave her.

Mensch: Mozart

Diva: Schubert

The Mozart has the message of, "No, don't go away! I'm to sweet and docile, you couldn't possibly walk away from all this luxurious E flat major!" The Schubert is terse and dramatic - - Dido is basically saying, "Where the f-ck do you think you're going."

As an added bonus, both recordings are by Diana Damrau.