It's wonderful to see how standard 'classical' vocal repertoire is being given a fresh interpretation by some of today's best selling artists. Apart from Barbara Streisand's delightful version of Debussy's 'Beau Soir' and Alison Moyet's compelling rendering of 'Dido's Lament', another very recent release that's worthy of mention is Sting's album,'If On A Winter's Night...'

It's an imaginative and eclectic selection of fifteen seasonal songs appropriately including 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' - Sting's version of Schubert's 'Die Leiermann' from 'Winterreise' and the album also features favourites like Balulalow, Gabriel's Message and Michael Preatorius' carol 'Er Ist Ein Ros'.

His version of Purcell's 'Now Winter Comes Slowly' - from 'The Fairy Queen'  has a subtle ground bass (basso ostinato)  very similar to the famous one in the aria 'When I Am Laid In Earth' (Dido's Lament) - clever and inventive stuff!

More info from amazon.com

Sing something new today!

If you'd like to try out singing some of the songs from this article yourself, you'll find the following accompaniment mp3s at YourAccompanist.com:

Dido's Lament, Purcell
Balulalow, Warlock
Gabriel's Message, Traditional Basque Carol
Beau Soir, Debussy
Die Leiermann from Schubert's 'Winterreise'