Gounod's birthday was actually yesterday, but in my regents frenzy I neglected to do a tribute post.
The man who brought us Faust, Romeo et Juliette, and that fabulous no-not-the-one-that-everyone-knows "Ave Maria" celebrated his 190th birthday yesterday.
I find it interesting that Richard Wagner refused to listen to Faust. I never really understood why, because that music is just so beautiful. "Salut, demeure chaste et pure" with the high C just makes me sigh every time. And how about that baritone aria! That's not too shabby either!!! Note to world: In every good opera there's a great baritone.
Romeo et Juliette which was at the Met this season is a beautifully tragic opera, but it's only to be expected (it's Romeo and Juliet!!). My favorite aria has to be Juliette's Waltz "Je veux vivre." I find it quite amazing. Some of my other favorite's are the tenor aria just before the balcony scene and Stephano's "Que fais-tu, blanche tourterelle?"
Well, thank you Gounod for all the beautiful music and enjoyment you have given us.
Happy Birthday!! =)
Happy Listening!! =)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Salut, Gounod Chaste et Pure...
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Gustavo Dudamel: Classical Music's Hair God
Here is a tribute to the wonderful, fabulous, intense, and dancing (??) conductor prodigy with hair that rocks the house down!!!!! Like Olivia says, he looks like a hair commercial.
He has such an intense conducting style. I've really never seen anything like it. You would think by the way he moves on the podium that the music is FORTISSIMO the entire time. It really shows how into the music he is, which I think is fabulous. He really becomes a part of the music and after seeing him you can't question the importance of the role of the conductor. (Trust me, some people are convinced orchestras don't need one. Psh.)
(Can't you just see it? "Garnier Fructis....")
He has this special way of communicating with an orchestra. He never says "Do it this way", but says "Let's do this." In other words, it's not HIS way, it's OUR (the orchestras and his) way. The work as a team, or as a family. He refers to the orchestra as "my best friends, my brothers and sisters." Aw!
Gutavo Dudamel is currently the principal conductor for Sweden's Gothenburg Symphony, as well as the music director of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. In 2009 he will become the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Dudamel performed for the pope in honor of His Holiness's 80th birthday in April. He was seen this season at the Metropolitan Opera conducting "Hansel and Gretel" and I really hope he comes back soon. Note to self: Opera glasses on Dudamel at all times.
I happily await a Loreal, Garnier Fructis, or Pantene commercial featuring Maestro Dudamel. Wouldn't he be perfect? *sigh* He IS perfect. Hmm, is someone developing a crush? Well, sorry everybody he's married *shrugs* to the beautiful Eloísa Maturén, who he married in 2006. (Ooohhh so close!) Why is it that I always have to mention people's personal lives...
Thus concludes my joyous tribute to the mastery of Gustavo Dudamel. May his conducting majesty reign over us for many years to come.
Happy Listening!! =)
(Thanks, Olivia!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Jan Peerce, Cecilia Bartoli, and Robert Merrill
These three super spectacular (and beastly famous) singers celebrate their birthdays this week!!!!!! Cecilia and Robert Merrill have their birthdays today, and Jan Peerce had his yesterday.
So, I go to look for Jan Peerce on youtube, and all I seem to find are songs I've never heard of. I see "If Ever I Should Leave You" and songs of that sort, but hardly any operatic arias. (Don't get me wrong, that "If Ever" is gorgeous!!!!) I come across a certain, obscure aria called *cough* "Vesti La Giubba." I also saw "Salut! Demeure chaste e pure", "Scenes from La Traviata", and the "Rigoletto Quartet". I was reminded of what a rare and wonderful voice Jan Peerce possessed. What a guy, what a guy.
To make a nice transition.... Here's a clip of Jan Peerce and Robert Merrill together!!!
Robert Merrill... How to begin to describe this unbelievable singer? Well he's funny, touching, lovable, heartbreaking, and so many other things. I have to say, I have the Traviata with him (and Joan Sutherland) and I must say I don't think I've ever heard such a beautiful baritone. You just sit there and marvel at the greatness of this one man. I can't get over it! He's just amazing.
Cecilia Bartoli- Owner of the famous "Cecilia faces." Isn't that why we love her? Well... that's not the only reason! Maybe because she is a fierce singer who can throw off coloratura like nobody's business. Her lovely mezzo has everything we look for in our "COOLEST MEZZO'S EVER." (Cecilia is, needless to say, on that list.) I grew up with her "Se Tu M'ami" album. I've heard "Caro Mio Ben" no one knows how many times. Am I complaining? No.
Happy Birthday to our birthday singers!!!!
Happy Listening!!! =)
Coming Soon:
A Tribute to Gustavo Dudamel (you know... the guy with the hair)
The Opera Exam (part one of many)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Flicka!!!!!!!!! (with some "Tristan" notes)
First off: Happy first day of June! One step closer to summer!
Second: Happy Birthday, Frederica von Stade, an original member of my "Coolest Mezzo's Ever" list.
Flicka (her loving nickname) is one of the most adorable Cherubinos, Octavians, Hansels, (to get out of the pants roles) Angelinas, Rosinas, Rusalkas (?), or mezzos ever! I look up to her so much and she's just a delightful singer! She's funny, gorgeous, and has a voice like gold. Did I mention that she's gorgeous? I love her! She's a fabulous actress also, and she's adorable!
Third: How many saw the Tristan und Isolde on PBS?? *searches crowd for hands*
Cool! Well, I watched it too! Although you all know that Wagner is not my fach, I really enjoyed the telecast! Deborah Voigt is the best, she was just amazing. The tenor was really great as well, considering the "last minute" circumstances of the performance. I have no complaints about any of the singers...
But what was with the split screen?!?!?!?!?! I didn't get it. The screen got smaller and I sometimes couldn't see what was happening! I won't go on about it...
Susan Graham was a delightful host, although I found her a little stiff (nerves?). She was very cute, even when Jimmy Levine was stroking her neck ("vocal cords"). That got a little weird. But he's a genius (they're both geniuses), what can you do?
Amazing telecast!!!!!! Go Debbie Voigt!
Happy Birthday, Flicka!
Happy Listening!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Birthday Week!
Guess whose been lazy this week? Me!!!!!!! Finals coming up (not fun) so I decided to just do all of this week's birthdays in one post.
5/26- Theresa Stratas. Such an amazing artist. Two of my favorite operas on video have her in them: La Traviata with Placido Domingo and La Boheme, of course, with Jose Carreras. She's such a fantastic actress, too. Just look at those videos! Proof of her extraordinary talents!
5/27- Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Besides being one of the best lieder singers ever, DFD is one of my favorite Conte Almavivas ever! His voice is so smooth and creamy and just delicious!
5/29- Erich Korngold. Some of the most beautiful arias I have ever heard. Marietta's Lied from Die Tote Stadt has become sort of an anthem for me. I always turn to it, happy or sad, angry or caring I always love listening to it. It either makes me cry or makes me smile until my cheeks hurt. Let's not forget two of his other GLORIOUS ARIAS that I simply CAN'T GET OVER. I love this composer.
5/30- George London. Enough said. So amazing.
5/31- Shirley Verrett. I love this woman. She is amazing.
And now I'm off to watch Tristan und Isolde on PBS.
Happy Birthday to our birthday singers!
Happy Listening!! =)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sillsiana: Happy Birthday, Bubbles.
I've tried over and over in vain to explain to people the unbreakable bond between an opera lover and opera singers. After Beverly Sills died, I was depressed and could not listen to anyone else. I couldn't talk about anything else for weeks! They were so mad at me... "YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HER!" was what they kept saying. Of course I didn't know her! My heart would have stopped if I had gone anywhere near her! Anyway, as soon as they said that I would shake my finger and try to explain to them the mutual affection and the chains that link together a listener and a singer. It's so hard to explain once you try. It's like, you do know the singer, but you don't. You feel this connection that is so powerful because they have given you so much! They have given their miraculous gift to us all and we share in the emotional experience that is opera. It's so incredible! Of course, who understands that but those who experience it? I was that way with Beverly Sills, and I suppose I still am. There will always be a bond between us two, not to mention all of her other dedicated fans!
We're gathered here today to remember the birthday of the immortal and utterly fantabulous Beverly Sills. Although this brilliant lady has left this world, her work will never be forgotten. We pay homage to her today, on the day of her birth. I have compiled for you some of her best performances and some of her funniest moments (in opera or otherwise). We love you, Bubbles.
The mad scene from Lucia di Lammermoor
The final scene from Roberto Devereux
"Pigoletto" from the Muppet Show
"Follie...Sempre Libera" from La Traviata
"Una voce poco fa" from Il Barbiere di Siviglia
"The Thunder of Battle" from The Daughter of the Regiment
"Sillsiana" at Hunter College. This gets my laughing (crying?) every time!!
"O luce di quest'anima" from Linda di Chamounix
"Je marche sur tous les chemins" from Manon
"Adieu, notre petite table" from Manon
Zerbinetta's aria from Ariadne auf Naxos
"Chacun le sait" from La Fille du Regiment
"Je suis Titania" from Mignon
"Da tempeste" from Guilio Cesare
The Queen of the Night aria from The Magic Flute
In an opera parody with Danny Kaye. "I come from a very classy part of Brooklyn."
The Willow Song from The Ballad of Baby Doe
and finally...
Beverly Sill's Final Performance. It never fails to bring on the waterworks. I always end up crying like a baby. It's pretty pathetic, but listen to her. Just listen to her! Listen to that marvelous voice! It's like an angel. She's simply an angel...
Happy Birthday, dear Bubbles!!
Happy Listening, from a very sentimental CaroNome... =)
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Leyla Gencer (1928-2008)
I'm sad to announce the death of the legendary soprano, Leyla Gencer, aka "La Regina." She died in Milan at the age of 79. So many opera fans adored her. She was known as "The Queen of the Pirates" because she never made commercial recordings of operas. She was also known as "La Diva Turca" and, well, you can guess why.
She was most known for her extreme emotional involvement in the opera. (Do yourself a favor and see her "Figlia impura di Bolena")The way she threw herself into a role was incredible. Her diverse repertory, from Gilda to Leonora, made her one of the greatest sopranos of her day. Perhaps any day.
La Scala has a small tribute. La Cieca, Philly Opera Fanatic, and Opera Chic both have tributes to the great diva.
RIP. Leyla Gencer. Addio.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Tributes to Lily Pons and Montserrat Caballe on Their Birthday
One soprano I simply can't live without is Montserrat Caballe. There has never been a soprano like her, she's just so beyond explanation. Her "Casta Diva" was the first one I heard and the last one I needed to hear to convince me that this was one of the most gorgeous aria's for the soprano voice. Everything about her exudes brilliance, and even though half the people who bought tickets for her performances didn't see her, the ones who did will never forget it.
Lily Pons was for so many singers (and fans) an inspiration. Beverly Sills, in her autobiography Bubbles, raves about Pons constantly and with good reason. What charm! What a voice! What a coloratura. Oh, she's so fabulous.
Happy Birthday to all!!!
Happy Listening!! =)
Monday, March 31, 2008
Be Jealous. Because I Am!!! And Other News
Hearing about anything exciting that happens at the Met makes me want to drop out of school and just live in the Met. Not a bad life. I'll make friend with the Grand Tier Restaurant people, get great food. I'll steal an usher outfit and show everyone how well I know my way around. Plus, you get paid to watch the opera! Usher!!!!!!!!!!! (Dream college job.)
If anyone would like to support me in my new life style feel free to let me know. If you knows someone who knows someone who can get me a little space where I can live in the Met, that's cool. If a friend of a friend can arrange to get me free tickets every night that would be pretty great also.
What prompted this ramble? Well, hearing about the fabulous tribute to Franco Zefferelli is one thing. The 347th performance of Boheme is another. Oh wait, they're the same thing. A star studded event that cut right in the middle of the performance, after the famous and illustrious Act II. Some of the guests were (just to name a few) Rosalind Elias, Richard Stilwell, Lucine Amara, Eva Marton, Leona Mitchell and Justino Diaz. Nice. I was there in spirit of course, but it's not the same. Oh yeah, I heard the actual performance was good, too. Just if you were wondering.
In totally unrelated and random news:
So I have two major crushes in the opera world. It's bad, because they're both married. There's also the age thing. Whatever. Brad Pitt is old(er), too. =P So anyway, my two major crushes are:
Juan Diego Florez. You don't even know. No, you really don't know. Julia Trappe is lucky she got there first. So, JDF is staring in Rigoletto in Peru right now. I'm temporarily moving my home from the Met to Peru. Opera Chic has a couple of videos showing the ever amazing Juan Diego in the ever amazing role of the Duke of Mantua. *sigh* Dear Peter Gelb, give this man a Rigoletto. I seem to be ordering Peter Gelb around a lot lately. Still, Juan Diego deserves it.
Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Married before I got there. Oh, well. It started with the Onegin last season where my friend and I dubbed him "white haired guy." For a while that's all we talked about and our other friends thought we were nuts. Well, she got over him. Umm... me? Not so much. He's still one of the best barihunks in the business and the NY Times knows how to tell it to you straight. He's just fabulous. Really, really fabulous. (P.S. In the first video of him I really wish they didn't make him wear a wig... oh well)Quick Recap:
I'm dropping out of school and living at the Met (it's a secret of course). I'm then taking a vacation to Peru and seeing JDF in Rigoletto. I'm stealing some one's job as an usher at the Met. Oh, and I also told you me two secret (not really, it was quite obvious) operatic crushes.
Get it?
Got it?
Good.
Happy Listening!! =)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Anthony Minghella 1954-2008
I saw on the Met website "In Memoriam: Anthony Minghella 1954-2008" and I thought it couldn't possibly be THE Anthony Minghella. Not the one who directed the amazing Madama Butterfly? No... How could that be?
Sadly, it's true. The indisputably talented and admired director died today of a brain hemorrhage after surgery for tonsil cancer, says the New York Times. It's so tragic because 54 is so young to die.
My only consolation is that he made such beautiful art while he was here. From "The English Patient" to "Truly Madly Deeply" to Madama Butterfly everything he did was effecting and beautiful. The production of Madama Butterfly was enough to bring me to tears. The whole stage was like a canvas and Anthony Minghella just spread beautiful paint all over it. Whether it was the wall of flower petals or the little puppet people every aspect was graceful and (allow me to use it again) beautiful!
Anthony Minghella
1954-2008
Rest in Peace
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Pav tribute FINALLY
I neglected to mention yesterday that their will be a tribute to Pavarotti in the form of a free concert of Verdi's Requiem. On September 18th (pre-season!) James Levine will conduct the Met Orchestra along with Barbara Frittoli, Olga Borodina, Marcello Giordani, and James Morris to remember the anniversary of Pavarotti's death. A few weeks late, but whose counting? It's free!
Also, the Met announced which HD transmissions it's putting onto DVD. From the 2006-2007 season the only other one is The First Emperor. From this season we can look forward to Hansel and Gretel, Peter Grimes, Manon Lescaut, Macbeth, and La Boheme all on DVD! Because we really need another Boheme for our collections.
Happy Listening!!! =)
PS. I really need to know if any one listening to Saturday's matinee broadcast heard the obnoxious[ly loud] "brava"s during curtain calls. Please some one tell me!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Pippo 1921-2008
It has been confirmed by numerous sources that the great and legendary tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano died earlier today. He had suffered for a long time and while this news is not completely unexpected it is still heart breaking. He truly was legendary and loved by so many opera fans.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Friends and Performers Remember Jerry Hadley Through Music
A concert tribute to the late tenor Jerry Hadley, featuring international opera artists and friends Elizabeth Futral, Frederica von Stade , Richard Leech, Thomas Hampson, Samuel Ramey, and other special guests will be presented on Friday, January 25, 2008 , in the Foellinger Great Hall of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. in Urbana , Illinois.
The concert is a joint production of the University of Illinois School of Music, Hadley's alma mater, and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, where the singer made his debut in the UI Opera production of Mozart's The Magic Flute in 1974. An exhibit covering the tenor's 32-year career will also be on display in the center lobby the evening of the concert. This performance will be broadcast live on 98.7 WFMT Chicago and streaming live at www.WFMT.com at 7:30 p.m. on January 25. In addition, there will be a 30-minute special feature (7-7:30pm) to precede the concert as well as an intermission feature. Conceived by Jerold Siena, professor of voice, and co-directed by Jerold Siena and Eduardo Diazmuñoz, the January 25th evening will include songs and arias, ranging from musical theater to Verdi; Maestro Eduardo Diazmuñoz, director of the UI Opera Program, will conduct. The culmination of the concert celebration of the singer's life in music will be a joint performance by the UI Chamber Choir, Oratorio Choir, and Concert Choir , directed by Fred Stoltzfus; the UI Symphony Orchestra, and special guest artists in a grand finale presentation of “Let Our Garden Grow” from Bernstein's Candide .
“It is a fitting tribute to the life and career of Jerry Hadley that so many of the world's most famous singers will join us here at the University of Illinois where Jerry sang as a student several of the roles that made him famous,” Siena said in an interview in November. “Hadley was one of our own and truly one of the finest singing actors on the operatic stage. This concert will be a tribute to his artistry in both sight and sound.” Tickets to the Jerry Hadley Memorial Concert are free and are available through the Krannert Center Box Office beginning at 10 a.m. on January 4, 2008 (limit of four tickets, per patron, per day).
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Have a VERDI Happy Birthday!!!
In honor of, you guessed it, Giussepe Verdi's birthday I am going to give to all of you a few of my personal favorite selections from his many wonderful operas.
First up is Joan Sutherland as Violetta in La Traviata
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jaYN47O26k4
Then we have the Brindisi from La Traviata featuring Carlo Bergonzi and Joan Sutherland
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ew1Lx7zgCFU
And here we have the famous "Va, Pensiero" from Nabucco at the Arena di Verona
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MJg2VU6nAyw
And even though Edita Gruberova looks "other worldly" Luciano Pavarotti still rocks the socks off of this quartet from Rigoletto
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DYRZOEzoOgQ
And of course, the "La Donna e Mobile" with the master
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xCFEk6Y8TmM
"Ah si ben mio-Di quella pira" from Il Trovatore as sung by Carlo Bergonzi (because Pavarotti can't dominate all Verdi roles!! Oh... wait... too late!!!!)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=w_Qut3jL0pY
One of my favorite Amelia's (but not looking her best) is Katia Ricciarelli! Here alongside Placido Domingo in "Teco io sto" from Ballo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qG2xkZCuZFw
The glorious Eva Marton singing "Ritorna Vincitor" from Aida
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lgdb0dVG0yU
The famous yell during Renata Scotto's Luisa Miller
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CEjuvY92nWw
The "Lacrimosa" from Verdi's Requiem
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qUTDer_huv8
The finale of Falstaff
http://youtube.com/watch?v=igCZGOO0u-E
"Gia nella notte" from Otello with Renee Fleming and Placido Domingo (of course)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ez4-O2BCmSA
And finally, a little parody from our friend Vera Galupe Borszh
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yJtP4AOBc3g
I'm sorry this is so long, Verdi just wrote too many operas!!!!!!
Happy Listening!
