Date: Thu, 21 Sep 1995 13:23:32 EST 
      From: dboughey@MGDESTMX01.ERIN.GOV.AU 
      Subject: Vegetable Shade


     If anyone is wondering what Lisa Gerrard is singing with such passion
     during Handel's Largo on The Mirror Pool, I think this is an english
     translation of some of the lyrics:

     No, never vegetable made
     A dearer and a lovelier shade.
     And never from the sun's fierce heat
     Was more agreeable retreat.

     Its all about the hero of the opera singing in praise of a shady plane
     tree, or so the program notes of the Australian Chamber Orchestra
     concert I went to last night inform me.  The 'Ombra mai fu' from Serse
     was sung by Lorraine Hunt, a mezzo sporano.  It was presented with a
     bit less emotion than Lisa Gerrard's version, also a bit quieter in
     relation to the music (suprising considering the volume she reached
     later in the evening).

     Apparently the opera it comes from was a flop at the time (1738) and
     the music from this opening aria became popular with pianists and
     church organists in the 19th century.  There you go.

     David
     dboughey@mgdestmx01.erin.gov.au