Sometimes I am in the pit and I have what I think is an important entrance. I get rather apprehensive. It think everyone is listening to just me.

Reality check time.

I just watched and listened to one of my favorite moments in Magic Flute, Pamina’s aria, “Ach, ich fühl’s” (Malin Hartelius). I always love the oboe entrance in the fifth measure. It just feels magical, taking it from the bassoon (although I apologize, DK, if I was too strong today!). And I love the bassoon entrance a measure before and the flute the bar after me. They seem of utmost importance to me. They are certainly fun to hear from where I am sitting.

But … well … listen to this youtube video! So much for my ever-so-important part eh? Now I’m feeling quite insignificant!

There are certainly a lot of videos of this particular aria available. Here are just a few more:

Kathleen Battle
Lucia Popp
Genia Kühmeier
Faith Esham
Dorothea Röschmann
Otilla Ipek Slowest tempo I’ve heard. Waaaaayyyyy slooowwwwww.
Juliane Banse One speedy tempo!
Judith Halász Completley sinful: clarinet has replaced oboe! Ack! How can anyone do that?

It’s really something to hear the different voices and different approaches to the work. I want the slower (but not slowest) tempo, with the voice lighter and less “present”, if you know what I mean.

I even want that if you don’t know what I mean.

I won’t comment on which of these I love and which I don’t, nor will I go into the intonation issues that appear. You can figure it out for yourself. 🙂