This moving aria about a woman in flight for her life who asks for and is granted asylum from a monastery is from the opera La forza del destino by Giuseppe Verdi.
Amira Willighagen is accompanied by the Akustika Chamber Singers, compiled for this occasion by Christo Burger, as well as a string ensemble. Musical direction, arrangement and piano accompaniment are by Dr. Charl du Plessis.
The performance was given in November 2020 for Amira's 2020 "African Christmas" streaming concert. She was 16 years old at the time. The following two appraisals come from learned commenters, the first of whom is a native Italian speaker and the latter Portuguese.
I tried to make a comparison between the other versions of "the Virgin of the Angels" on Youtube. I listened to the version of Monserrat Caballè, of Mirusia with Andrè Rieu and also the version of Maria Callas. Well, I don't know if my ears are not working well, or if my judgment is influenced by my great admiration for Amira, but I know that for me Amira's version is the most beautiful, the deepest, the most engaging and the most moving. The one sung with much more heart than all the others. ❤ Amira is perfect, beautiful, focused, and completely involved with the words she sings, her notes flowing like a divine sound. The choir is also perfect, a big round of applause for the choir, very good! The final closure is wonderful! Amira's final notes arrive where neither Mirusia, nor Monserrat Caballè and nor the great Maria Callas managed to arrive. If you don't believe me, try listening to the versions sung by Mirusia, Monserrat Caballè and Maria Callas, and then compare yourself with this wonderful interpretation of Amira.
– Leandro Pancrazi
Excuse my remark, but our dear opera princess, Amira Willighagen, is no shame for today's most renowned opera ladies! Yesterday, I took the liberty, searching through YouTube, and made comparisons between the best known sopranos of today, who "dared" to sing this same aria, and, honestly, absolutely, I didn't see any difference in the interpretations of these magnificent singers, in relation to Amira's interpretation! Among them, I observed: Bárbara Frittoli; Mirusia Louwerse; and the opera lady Maria Callas. And, it is noteworthy, that these great singers, in their performances, which I researched, were in their 30s, when the shows were recorded. And, of course, they already had an extensive and great vocal experience. Thus, Amira, who in this recording was only 16 years old, is on the same level as these great singers of today! Amira Willighagen does not need to reach her 30s to prove her potential, she is already considered the "Princess of the World Opera".This was the third to the last song Amira ever sang in a public forum. In my opinion, if Amira never sang another note from today forward, she would be remembered for a thousand years as one of the greatest vocal prodigies who ever lived. God bless Amira Willighagen.
– Fábio rogerio de Souza
Update: Today, Amira's version of La Vergine Degli Angeli has risen to the rank of 3rd place on YouTube for views of all time, passing up Montserrat Caballe, Renata Tebaldi, and Maria Callas. She is expected to rank no. 1 by October 2022. Amira's is the voice people want to hear today.
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