cuckthefardinals (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I absolutely love Jerry Hadley, and I think he does great things with Handel, and is incredibly diverse in his lyric abilities.. However, I do have to agree that I am used to, and generally prefer some one like John Mark Ainsely or Ian Bostridge singing Handel.. Although I do say Bostridge really isn't one of my favorites. Love John Mark Ainsely though. And of course, Hadley is no where NEAR as dark as Corelli or especially Placido.. However, he is more lyric opera than oratorio. Still awesome.

Schasologe (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

From the first beginning, even not knowing who are the performers, you can hear that they do a great job. The breath control of Jerry Hadley is magnificent, seems as if he had stopped breathing at all. I saw and hear him for the first time here and I'm perplex that he really doesn't breathe anymore. A great loss! A great tenor! Don't know why, but reminds me a little of Fritz Wunderlich. Concerning the tempo: might be a little too fast for Andante, but with MM 76 even Jerry would have breathed.

JesGerLuc (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

i prefer lyric tenor voices... but maybe it's because i am a lyric tenor lol

ourfc12 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

this is a fantastic rendition. tempo is spot on, imo - too many dawdle with this aria, and his facial expressions show you why they shouldn't. it's about getting the good news out there, with alacrity.

OperaBuff1935 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

A perfect way for the tenor to present the opening recetative and ariaof Handel's great work "Messiah'. And no better tenor than the late Jerry Hadley to sing this work. To me, the voice, the timbre, the richness, the timing - just great. May Jerry Hadley's soul be at peace with God. His torments are now over. Thank you for posting this work. God bless.

chcknpie04 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I am too, and I agree, best instrument. I like this gentleman's voice, and listening to it again, it's definitely not as dark as, say, Corelli's voice, or Placido's voice.

pavarotti007 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Well, I personally like to hear all types of voices singing all types of music. I am a lover of the human voice, the greatest instrument, and like to hear it in all its capacities.

chcknpie04 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Although...this is Oratorio, not Puccini or Wagner. His timbre his darker, that's obvious. It sounds out of place in this music. If he sang Nessun Dorma or even Che Gelida Manina, he's be perfect probably.

chcknpie04 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I think you're right. I'm used to hearing people like John Mark Ainsley sing it.

pavarotti007 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I don't think there is anything "dark" about Hadley's voice. He is a lyric tenor but also an opera singer. Perhaps you are accustomed to hearing more light oratorio type singers perform this piece. (timbre) btw