It is widely known that Regine Crespin is the awesome interpreter of Berlioz and this video gives firm proof of that. "Le Spectre de la Rose" is taken into her very private world; alone, sad, bitter, yet sweet.

I was moved most deeply by the German for I have never heard it sung by a more human interpreter. It lacks the stiffness I usually associate with lieder. It is free and expressive, and still inward. Schumann's "Mondnacht" is simply superb musically, liguistically, and dramatically. Crespin gives glances to the camera that are so charming and cute, you want reach out and kiss her with a big hug. The bonus with Poulenc and Duval is so important that it should be a separate video in and of itself. What Art! What Heart!

I don't suspect we shall see another "happy in her own skin" interpreter like Crespin; a real artist is a rare thing opera and recital these days. It is stunning, artful, individual, creative, light hearted, meaningful, fun and very French!