This is not one of my songs! But it is an example for the Vocal Group I lead.
We were in France a few years ago, to sing with a French choir. They asked us to sing Va Pensiero with them, the classic version. Va pensiero, also known as the "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves", is a chorus from the opera Nabucco (1842) by Giuseppe Verdi. It is the song in which the Israelites in Babylonian captivity mourn over their homeland. The opera lovers among you will undoubtedly know the song.
When we came back we wanted to go on singing the song, but as we sing pop music mainly, they asked me to make music for a "nowadays" version of the song. I made three BIAB versions, a quiet modest version, a pop version and.... the one they chose. Then I sang the three vocals (we are sopranos, mezzo sopranos and altos) and sent each of them their own part. Now we sing it together. So what you hear now, is the music made by BIAB and my three vocals. My soprano is always a disaster, being an alto, but the sopranos do it better. By listening to my strained voice, they know exactly how to sing the soprano part the way it should be . This is the way I teach them to sing the harmonies.
Anne-Marie...your voice is always pretty no matter what range you sing in...I'm not familiar with the song but find the background of it very interesting...I like the intro with the strumming rock guitar and the progression of the band...I can't understand the words but can hear the lament in the lyrics...very nice and quite interesting...what did they think of this version?
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Great harmonies and this must have been a bear to mix but you did a great job on it. I don't need to understand the words to know a good song when I hear one and this is a very good song.
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I'm not sure Verdi would approve, but I think it's a fresh interpretation of an old (and often covered) song. I like it. And, to be honest, in the context of the arrangement, your alto voice doesn't sound that bad.
And I LOVE your (slight) Dutch accent when you sing an Italian song
Anne-Marie...your voice is always pretty no matter what range you sing in...I'm not familiar with the song but find the background of it very interesting...I like the intro with the strumming rock guitar and the progression of the band...I can't understand the words but can hear the lament in the lyrics...very nice and quite interesting...what did they think of this version?
Thanks Dan. My vocal group likes this verdion very much. But I wonder what Verdi would think of it.
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
Very nice you two. I don't know a thing about opera, so I'm completely unfamiliar with the song. I sure like the sound you've got out of it though. Like Mario said, it sounds like a difficult one to mix, but it sure sounds good to me. And I thought the vocals were great - I didn't notice any strain. This was neat to hear!
What a surpise to hear you sing this song with the different vocals. I didn't expect it when reading your post. Very good and entertaining too! And the way you've made this pop version of mr verdi's song deserves a round of applause! Or otherwise I'll do that on the phone one day ;-)
Great harmonies and this must have been a bear to mix but you did a great job on it. I don't need to understand the words to know a good song when I hear one and this is a very good song.
Thanks Mario. Yes the mix was quite some work
Anne-Marie
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
I'm not sure Verdi would approve, but I think it's a fresh interpretation of an old (and often covered) song. I like it. And, to be honest, in the context of the arrangement, your alto voice doesn't sound that bad.
And I LOVE your (slight) Dutch accent when you sing an Italian song
A "slight" Dutch accent... well that's quite a compliment, because I don't speak Italian at all! But I do speak some French and there are words in French and Italian that resemble each other. No, I don't think Verdi would approve of my arrangement. But thanks for your nice words B.D.
Anne-Marie
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
Rob and Anne-Marie, you are very interesting folks, and this is a cool demonstration of that. Anne-Marie, there is no way you ever sing with disastrous effects. I listened a couple times to get a better sense of the harmony. Beautiful. I bet that choir in France was quite impressed with your rendition. I was.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
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Great harmonies! I like to add rhythms & Bass to classic songs and bring them back to modern pop music, and I often make such works. You've just made it pop successfully. Wonderful! Very relaxing. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Your voices are always beautiful no matter which part you’re singing. And the band, mix, etc. are all ace.
We think this is a fine way to introduce some of the great Masters to folks who are not familiar with those classics.
Awesome!
J&B
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I like it! I don't know the original, but if I heard it, I'm sure I would prefer yours. Your arrangement sounds clever put together. Singing is mighty good.
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