iestyn davies fans

an appreciation blog for the British countertenor. it’s pronounced YES-tin. (header and avatar images by Pablo Strong)

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[its-iestyn]

losing my mind slightly at two of my favorite (classical) people cuddling all over each other in the English Concert's Rodelinda

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IESTYN DAVIES as DIDYMUS in Handel's Theodora Teatro de Real, 2024 with Julia Bullock and Joyce DiDonato

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so uhhhhh it’s totally valid of me to disappear from This Blue Hellsite for months and then just pop up to announce that I’ve got a new crush, right

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British countertenor Iestyn Davies (born 1979) sings ‘Erbarme Dich, mein Gott’ from J. S. Bach’s St Matthew Passion BWV244.

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Speaking of underrated love duets

“No, no, ch'io non apprezzo” from Agrippina by Händel, sung by Iestyn Davies and Elsa Benoit

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English National Opera, Handel's Rodelinda, 2014 dir. Richard Jones

*wheezes* so uhhhhh does anyone have any video leads on this production?

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WARNINGS: stage blood, some off-stage violence, uber angst.

'Voi chi udite il mio lamento' from Handel's Agrippina, performed by Iestyn Davies // Bayerrische Staatsoper, 2019

I just had to. I can’t get over this. HELP.

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Arias for Unolfo, Handel's Rodelinda Performed by Iestyn Davies; The Met Opera, 2011

[0:00] Sono i colpi della sorte per un alma invitta e forte aspri, si, ma non mortali. Ma se poi gli avventa amore, quanto è più nobile il core, più le piaghe son fatali. [For a strong, brave heart, the blows of fate are harsh, yes, but they are not fatal. But when love enters into it, then the nobler the heart the deadlier the wounds.] [3:50] Fra tempeste funeste a quest'alma foriera di calma gia spunta una stella. E disgombra ogn'ombra di pene la fè del suo bene, che splende più bella. [Through the terrible tempest that batters his heart shines a portent of peace. A guidine star appears. And that star, which dispels every cloud of sorrow, is the faith of his beloved, and it shines ever more brightly.]

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A 110% Shameless Iestyn Davies Appreciation Post

Feat. Glyndebourne's Saul (2015) and Bayerische Staatsoper's Agrippina (2019)

BONUS to prove he's actually very chill and can smile:

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Iestyn Davies by Pablo Strong

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Milan and the surrounding countryside, early 18th century. Bertarido, king of Lombardy and Milan, has been attacked and deposed by Grimoaldo, an ally of his estranged brother, Gundeberto. Gundeberto was killed in the battle and Bertarido vanished, leaving his queen, Rodelinda, and a young son, Flavio, in the power of the victorious ally, Grimoaldo. As a reward for defeating Bertarido, Grimoaldo was promised the hand of Bertarido’s sister, Eduige—which would grant him a legitimate claim to the throne at Milan. Eduige and Grimoaldo fell in love, but she would not marry him while mourning two brothers—one dead, one presumed so. From abroad Bertarido has sent word of his own death, intending to return to Milan in disguise, rescue his wife and son, and escape to an anonymous life far from the vagaries of politics and the burden of government. The news of his death has devastated both Rodelinda and Eduige. Grimoaldo, intent on gaining the throne, weighs his options, counseled by two advisers—Garibaldo, his closest aide, and Unulfo, a member of Bertarido’s cabinet who maintains intimate ties with the royal family and is the only person who knows that Bertarido still lives. - MetOpera.org ; full opera synopsis here.

Bonus (for @agarthanguide because it's her quote) :

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Staatsoper Bayerische, 2019 - Agrippina The Fall of Ottone - Iestyn Davies

Bonus:

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Iestyn Davies as Ottone in the Met’s Agrippina.

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Iestyn Davies (& Fretwork) recording ‘If’.

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More bloodied Iestyn

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gpoy boys, gpoy