For dalriada.

[bindeweede]

Or anyone who likes to wallow a bit in sentimental opera of the highest quality. I stumbled across the big love duet from "Madame Butterfly" a little earlier, and it knocked me sideways. The fabulous soprano is Ying Huang.

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[dalriada]

Mmmmm! Lovely.....

Thanks Bindeweede! O0

[Graham Lappin]

Call me an old cynic but isn't Madam Butterfly about an American who goes to another country, causes scandal and then leaves behind death and destruction? Hope this does not ruin the moment >:D

[dalriada]

Call me an old cynic but isn't Madam Butterfly about an American who goes to another country, causes scandal and then leaves behind death and destruction? Hope this does not ruin the moment >:D


Not at all! That nice synopsis of my marriage just reminds me of how nice it is to be divorced.... >:D


Un bel dì...

[bindeweede]

Not at all! That nice synopsis of my marriage just reminds me of how nice it is to be divorced.... >:D


Un bel dì...

Well, as you've mentioned it. Very touching.

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She is waiting for Pinkerton to return.


One fine day, we will see
Arising a strand of smoke
Over the far horizon on the sea
And then the ship appears
And then the ship is white
It enters into the port, it rumbles its salute.

[bindeweede]

I just wondered if anyone watched "La Bohème" on BBC2 today - Netrebko and Villazon. I enjoyed most of it.

Here is a concert clip - I think he fancies himself a bit, but she is gorgeous. But his very last note is actually what Puccini wrote, I believe, rather than what Pavarotti did, going up to the top C or whatever - I have no perfect pitch here - in my recording. Although it is totally glorious, of course.

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As here....

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[panama]

I caught a bit of it. Wonderful.

Everyone on top form.

[chaggle]

I just wondered if anyone watched "La Bohème" on BBC2 today - Netrebko and Villazon. I enjoyed most of it.

Here is a concert clip - I think he fancies himself a bit, but she is gorgeous. But his very last note is actually what Puccini wrote, I believe, rather than what Pavarotti did, going up to the top C or whatever - I have no perfect pitch here - in my recording. Although it is totally glorious, of course.


Yes, Pavarotti does a C whereas the other geezer does the E below. Enjoyed them both. Note to self, must listen to more classical stuff.

[bindeweede]

From the sublime to the sad. I wonder if members have heard of Florence Foster Jenkins.



From her recordings, it is apparent that Jenkins had little sense of pitch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_%28music%29) and rhythm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm) and was barely capable of sustaining a note (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Note). Her accompanist can be heard making adjustments to compensate for her tempo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempo) variations and rhythmic mistakes. Her dubious diction, especially in foreign language songs, is also noteworthy. Nonetheless, she became tremendously popular in her unconventional way. Her audiences apparently loved her for the amusement she provided rather than her musical ability. Critics often described her work in a backhanded way that may have served to pique public curiosity.


Despite her patent lack of ability, Jenkins was firmly convinced of her greatness. She compared herself favorably to the renowned sopranos Frieda Hempel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frieda_Hempel) and Luisa Tetrazzini (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luisa_Tetrazzini), and dismissed the laughter which often came from the audience during her performances as coming from her rivals consumed by "professional jealousy." She was aware of her critics, however, saying "People may say I can't sing, but no one can ever say I didn't sing."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Foster_Jenkins

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You feel sorry, really. But I do wonder what sort of delusion, if that is the right word, she suffered from. Was it more that people simply wanted to laugh at her aged lack of talent?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Lord Muck oGentry]

From the sublime to the sad. I wonder if members have heard of Florence Foster Jenkins.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Foster_Jenkins

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You feel sorry, really. But I do wonder what sort of delusion, if that is the right word, she suffered from. Was it more that people simply wanted to laugh at her aged lack of talent?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

They're channelling her now, apparently:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfKz-sF8KUY

Mind you, I suspect that she was taking the piss quite as much as they are...

[cjr23]

Call me an old cynic but isn't Madam Butterfly about an American who goes to another country, causes scandal and then leaves behind death and destruction? Hope this does not ruin the moment >:D

I married one of them (an American who did that)! Actually so did - oh I see... :) And yes, I heartily second dalraida's comment. I must buy Dalraida lunch one day so we can whitter about these experiences.Assuming I can ever afford a Mcdonald's cheeseburger for two again that is!

cj x

[bindeweede]

Two more great voices, and it's not the classic Björling/Merrill recording.

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Perhaps a bit on the leisurely side, and not sure about the Italian/Bulgarian French accents, but who cares.

[bindeweede]

Yes, Pavarotti does a C whereas the other geezer does the E below. Enjoyed them both. Note to self, must listen to more classical stuff.

If you happen to be a "top C" man, have you heard
Juan Diego Flórez


Just the nine!

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[chaggle]

Such heights will never be achieved by a mere baritone like me.:'(

[bindeweede]

Such heights will never be achieved by a mere baritone like me.:'(

Nor me. When I sang in choirs, the F above Middle C was about the highest I could manage.

Now then. "Vissi d'arte" - the great aria from "Tosca". I've never been fond of the Callas mouth-full-of-cotton-wool hystrionics. Stumbled across the effort by
Galina Vishnevskaya

Perhaps not the only way, but rather impressive, I thought.

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My hearing is not great these days, but did I detect an edit towards the end? Who cares? Nobody is likely to read this anyway.

[bindeweede]

Here's another gorgeous piece - the
"Flower duet" from Lakme


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[bindeweede]

Yes, Pavarotti does a C whereas the other geezer does the E below. Enjoyed them both. Note to self, must listen to more classical stuff.

Two more great voices, and the recording almost as old as I am. Tebaldi and Björling, both going for the top. And I love the, "Brace yourself, Rodney" 39 secs in.

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[bindeweede]

I found this earlier on YouTube. Ecstasy. If anyone wants to listen, click up to the 720p. Still not great, but OK, considering the original recording was made in 1969.

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[bindeweede]

If that last post is not an orgasm in music, I don't know what is.

But I'm not posting any more music clips. Here are some nice pictures of Salzburg.

(With a totally blissful duet in the background.)

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[bindeweede]

If that last post is not an orgasm in music, I don't know what is.

But I'm not posting any more music clips. Here are some nice pictures of Salzburg.

(With a totally blissful duet in the background.)

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So I bought the 2 CD set. That lovely duet is not typical, but it is a powerful opera.

In the finale, Paul (the tenor) strangles Marietta (the soprano). But, he sings "the big tune" again at the very end, so that is OK.

Opera? Well.......

[panama]

No particular reason for posting this but it is the most marvellous performance. If it doesn't move you call an undertaker.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky271W94VHA

[bindeweede]

Oh, yes. Stunning. I wonder when it was recorded. Late eighties?

Just been through this thread. Sad that a couple of vids are no longer available, but I still think YouTube is a wonderful resource.

[dalriada]

Ohhh that was Good..