CDA: Felicity Lott

I was saddened to read in The NY Times this morning that English soprano Felicity Lott had died at the age of 79. I was especially sad that I never got to hear her in person. She had a clean, clear voice and refined musical intelligence that was perfect for the Mozart, Strauss, and song repertoire. She had an early affinity for the French language and was particularly effective in French songs. Coincidentally I just watched a DVD of her performing Poulenc's one-woman opera La Voix Humaine, recorded for the first time in the voice and piano version. The pianist was her good friend, college classmate, and longtime collaborator Graham Johnson. Any New Yorkers reading this, I encourage you to get the DVD from the public library. If you have a library card. If you have a DVD player.

Here's a clip of Lott in her signature role, the Marschallin in Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier. She's the lady in the dark velvet gown with the hat. Her singing is luminous without being gooey. I love a little gooey now and then but NOT in the trio from Rosenkavalier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RD9pO-zbfpXKc&v=9pO-zbfpXKc

I'll close with Lott singing Poulenc's priceless song "Les chemins de l'amour." She takes it a bit faster one often hears (I bet the Jessye Norman recording is twice as long) and her general vibe is breezy and warm rather than one-eye-wet-one-eye-dry. I think Poulenc would have been thrilled with her spirit. Maybe they're doing this song together in the great beyond!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDbFPNjOPs_WE&v=bFPNjOPs_WE