The nominations have been sent in, the votes have been cast and now the countdown begins!
The song at number 10 in the Top Ten countdown is You Are My Heart’s Delight, from the Lehar album, Love Was A Dream. This song is my personal favourite so I was thrilled to see it in the Top Ten although it would have been great to see it receive a few more votes. Let’s take a look at Alfie singing it in the original German, Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz, at Proms in the Park, September 2012 (thanks to Linda Wellington for sharing):
This was my first Alfie concert and I can still remember the goosebumps!
Anyone familiar with Alfie Boe’s story knows that You Are My Heart’s Delight is a personal favourite for him and his father, Alfred. As well as singing it for his first D’oyly Carte audition, Alfie spent many a Sunday lunchtime in the Boe household listening to Alf senior’s music and Alfie says that Richard Tauber was one of his father’s favourite singers. Tauber became particularly well known for singing the song; indeed it comes from a 1929 operetta, The Land of Smiles, written for his voice by Franz Lehar. The video below showcases an audio version by Tauber:
One of the reasons I love this song so much is knowing that it has a personal connection for Alfie; however, I loved it before I read the book and the reason is that the music suits his voice so well. I’m not the only one who feels that way, as a glance at the Top Ten will tell you but Cathy Haley sums it up thus:
You are my heart’s delight. I love his performance of this song at the BBC Proms. Of course, everyone knows it was one of his father’s favourites and I’m sure the song is very sentimental for Alfie. I believe that there is a part someday in play or movie for Alfie playing Richard Tauber ( although he looks nothing like him) because his voice is so suited to the operettas from that time period and to similar songs.
If you don’t yet have Love Was A Dream, click on the image below to order:
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xx
