Aria (or classical song)... help me choose a new one?

[solosoprano]

So... I'll put a handful of songs I've sung at the bottom... just so you know what kind of stuff I've done in the past.

I'm taking voice again next semester, and I know this teacher lets you (or makes you) choose your own pieces. If he hasn't changed since last time, it'll be two pieces from a large work (opera, musical, oratorio, etc.), then one sacred from anywhere...as long as it's sacred.
Here are a few things I've sung in the past:

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem" (from Paulus by Mendelssohn)
"Vittoria! Mio Core"
"O Cessate Di Piagarmi"
"Sing Unto the Lord" (Handel)
"Quando Me'n Vo" (from La Boheme by Puccini)
"Give Me Jesus" (spiritual)
"He Shall Feed His Flock" (Handel's Messiah)

I was telling someone else, that Mendelssohn piece.... for whatever reason people usually aren't familiar with it, but there's youtube audio of Kirsten Flagstad singing it... just search "Jerusalem" "Mendelssohn" there.

Anyway, I can't repeat any songs, so everything has to be new. I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions. I'm most comfortable singing soprano... And I just say that because everyone wants me to sing "Habanera" for some reason. I'd take a shot at it, but not next semester lol....same with "Rejoice Greatly." I'm not a coloratura, but I might be able to pull it off one day.

I want to sing Caccini's "Ave Maria" by Denyce Graves...as the sacred, but I can't find the sheet music to HER version. I know Caccini didn't really write it though... everyone attributes it to him, so that's just what I always say. Anyway, here's a video of her singing that. (I didn't know if we could post video? I know all forums are different about stuff like that.) It's cloudy at first, but it clears up soon.

Denyce Graves-- Caccini's "Ave Maria"

 

[KimLCMS]

"Let the Bright Seriphim" is a cool piece for sop and piccolo trumpet. I can't think of the composer. I know I have a CD of Kathleen Battle and Winton Marsalas performing though....somewhere

 

[solosoprano]

"Let the Bright Seriphim" is a cool piece for sop and piccolo trumpet. I can't think of the composer. I know I have a CD of Kathleen Battle and Winton Marsalas performing though....somewhere

I think Handel wrote it.. It's from Samson, if I'm not mistaken. I'm pretty sure it's in one of these books around here. Those doggone runs with the sixteenth notes are what scare me. I might sing it just to see how it works out...IF I can find the book. I looked at "Oh, Lord, Whose Mercies Numberless," and it sounds pretty cool... not sure though. I mean, I need three songs anyway so I have a lot I could do. The last song has audio on youtube also... but it's by a countertenor. I'd never heard it before today.

 

[KimLCMS]

Whatever you choose, you'll have to post your performance so we can hear it.

 

[willard3]

Let The Bright Seraphim is by Handel...I turned pages for the accompanist at a senior recital.

I accompanied a voice major for 4 years, so I like to think I know a good bit about voice stuff. I was really happy that I was able to recognize O Cessate.

O! Had I Jubal's Lyre (from Joshua) by Handel is pretty standard and fun.

Debussy wrote some amazingly pretty and expressive songs...but the only one I've ever heard is called Beau Soir...not sure which cycle it's from.

Brahms has a really funny one called Vergebliches Standchen (my voice major called it "the vegetable song"). It's about a would-be ladies-man coming to the door of a young lady, and he's trying to talk his way inside as she pushes him away.

Amy Beach has some really nice songs as well.

If you can find another soprano, the Pie Jesu by Andrew Lloyd Webber is drop-dead beautiful.