She was the rock on which music flourished in Britain from the 1950s to 1980s.
Dame Janet Baker, still going strong, is 90 today.
Other singers related that when they arrived on the first morning of rehearsal, she would know all their parts by heart.
She set the standard.
Listen here to Dame Janet Baker in the Lebrecht Interview.
We’ve been given to understand that tonight’s Lebrecht…
Pablo Casals conducts a gloriously old-fashioned 1971 performance…
From the last Lebrecht Album of the Week…
Message received: January 24th marks the 50th anniversary…
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Happy Birthday, Dame Janet! One of my all-time heroines, a beautiful practitioner of the art.
May there be many more. Many happy returns to one of the most wonderful artists those of us who had the joy of hearing that extraordinary voice will never forget.
She was spot-on in Das Klagende Lied with Gennadi.
Happy Birthday, Dame Janet! Like many people, I guess, the first recording I heard of this wonderful singer, was as The Angel in the Elgar/Barbirolli The Dream of Gerontius. I have collected many of her recordings since then. Thank you for all you have given us.
She is sublime. There’s a part on the John Bridcut documentary where Joyce Didonato is listening to one of her recordings (Berlioz I think) and trying to work out how she does it. In the end she just says “and…….she enters paradise”. Wonderful.
Happy Birthday Dame Janet and thank you for all the pleasure you have given us.
A wonderful artist and lady.
She is a divinity in my private pantheon. Her Rückert-Lieder with Barbirolli is really the quintessence of the singer’s art. Happy 90th!!
A great lady. Such a support to so many musicians. Happy birthday from Adrian Brown with love
One of the greats. HIP be damned: I love her Handel.
The ultimate professional and a real superstar long before the term was glibly used.
Singers can learn so much from watching her admirable platform deportment sadly not taught in any music conservatoire ‘factory’ these days…
We rarely see such professionalism and musicianship from current pro singers anymore.
Just look at the way they behave at The Proms this year…
Happy Birthday to Dame Janet and here’s wishing her many, many more.
There is Nothing Like this Dame!
This great lady has inspired me for decades. With her voice, Ich habe Genug.
Heard DJB a number of times. One I was particularly thrilled by, a Dream of Gerontious at Halle in Manchester about 1980 ish. Her voiced soared where it needed to and sang subtlety when that dynamic was needed. Beautiful,
beautiful memories. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Happy Birthday Dame Janet. A voice full-throated and mellow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYh2T9cWYc4
Her unforgettable phrasing in “Sabbath Morning at Sea”, from Elgar’s SEA PICTURES :
“He shall assist me to look higher….HE SHALL ASSIST ME TO LOOK HIGHER .”
A great artist to celebrate! Among my favorite recordings are Berlioz and her Phadrea in Rameau’s Hippolyte.
And there was also the “Phaedra” cantata that Britten wrote for Janet Baker in 1975. It was his last vocal composition.
Dame Janet, I love you with all my heart and soul. You will live forever…
Happy Birthday Dame Janet!
https://basiaconfuoco.com/2022/07/19/dying-with-dame-janet-baker/
Happy Happy Birthday Dame Janet, my mentor, idol and resource in all things singing. What a titan and what humility. May you have a wonderful day xx
What one can add? An extraordinary singer, musician, and human being. Embodying professionalism, perfectionism, inspiration, and the noblest class. One of a kind.
Dame Janet, here’s wishing you the best possible health and many joys in your well-deserved retirement. Grateful music lovers will never forget you.
“Top Bird”
Many, many thanks for so much.
90? I can’t believe it! I was a huge fan in my youth, right from the early Saga days, and then, not long out of the RAM, I had the enormous privilege of being asked by you to write, for you, a song cycle (‘The Wife of Winter’). What a thrill, and honour, especially as you weren’t so keen on performing ‘contemporary’ music. I think you probably made it sound a much better piece than it was and I always wished I could have written something better, though Britten was very kind about it when you premiered it at Aldeburgh.
You were most kind to me, you probably wouldn’t remember now, when I was… well… broke! Sorry, you asked me never to mention it!
A consumate artist, wonderful voice, wonderful person. Those Mahler songs still bring tears… David
A very Happy Birthday to you Dame Janet Baker; listening to your linked interview was an absolute joy. I can’t think of ANYBODY else who had such a sense of purpose in life!
A Birthday Greeting – better late than never, my card to you was returned address insufficient. I have adored your voice and cherish the letter sent in 2019 following the documentary, Remember to keep that promise that you will receive me at St Peter;s Gate! Peace be to you.
I worshipped you as a music student in your Barber Institute Handel operas – your Alcestis in Admeto is imprinted in my soul. I became a mezzo and always had you be as my ideal model. My partner ( also 90) also loves your voice and met you in Melbourne many years ago. The musical world is richer for your wonderful contribution.
Sue Cooke and Dr Malcolm Holmes in Melbourne, Australia