'Spente Le Stelle' ('The stars have gone out') is one of my all time favorite songs. Both its lyrics and music are very dramatic, and this is a challenge for most singers, musicians, coreographers, stylists, translators....and viewers.
The lyrics are in italian, and cover rhymes mentioning an empty/ hopeless night, dull stars, pale moonlight, a broken/ deceived heart, cries of love and pain. The original performer - a young french soprano, Emma Shapplin; this song has become completely identified with her.
Any young soprano, anywhere in the world, east or west, finds it a vocal challenge and an honor to undertake the performance of this song. Emma Shapplin was and is my favorite. (I wrote in the past about her great duet with the greek singer Dalares , at the concert in Herodion; see my post from June 11, 2009).
Besides Emma, I like the italian Gessica La Verde ; beautiful voice, solid orchestra (Rondo Italiano), good choir behind her, a violin player near her.
The israeli Limor Shapira offers a modern, jazzy version; tiny orchestra (piano, drums, contrabass, sometimes accordeon), no choir, rather unconventional outfit (sleeveless little black dress and high red boots). Not bad, but not the real thing. I like, though, how she moves on the stage. Worth watching .
Once in a while, I check Youtube for new additions, new versions of the song. I prefer the 'live' ones with full performance of singer, orchestra, choir, special fog effects, dramatic outfit.
Well, the search is often disappointing.
The song was released around the year 2000 (in 1997 precisely). The original clip ,is also the most powerful, fascinating one; the lover here hasn't just betrayed and disappeared, he looks ...dead...lying on the sofa, around which the whole clip is centered. She's in despair. Quite a masterpiece!