Mezzo sings a gigantic 72-note Handel phrase **in one breath**

2 August 2019, 13:40 | Updated: 2 August 2019, 13:41

One of the most fiendishly virtuosic lines in Baroque opera, without a single breath...

Handel’s opera Alcina is (typically for Frideric) filled with beautiful, melodious and virtuosic arias. One character, Bradamante, has a powerful, rage-filled aria – and in typical Handel style, it's full of long, spiky runs (the second phrase in the aria has 72 notes!).

Star mezzo Daniela Mack was singing this incredible work with Washington National Opera at the time she posted on her Facebook page explaining conductor Jane Glover challenged her to sing the epic line without a breath. And, you know, when a conductor asks you to do something, you've got to do it. 

And just because it's amazing, this is Swedish mezzo Kristina Hammarström with the complete, breathless aria onstage.