Posted on 03/29/2012 6:56:04 AM PDT by keypro
Indeed. Practice does make perfect. It could easily be nerves. But if they’ve rehearsed this piece enough, she should have been able to ‘keep up’ a bit better. But they clearly have an affinity for each other and I’m sure they have sung this piece perfectly at other times.
Wonderful!
Ping to a Friend..
Publius, I hope you enjoy this!
Those are all good points.
Agree totally. I have sung onstage many times and have never had more difficulty "hitting the note" as when I had to do a duet. Especially when a passage comes that requires perfect harmony. (i.e. "I've Never Been in Love Before" - Guys and Dolls)
It takes supreme concentration to tune out your partner and perform your part. It takes lots of rehearsing and you have to put yourself inside the music and strive NOT to be a spectator and appreciate your partner's efforts. Often times that is extemely difficult.
He’s definitely a Wagnerian heldentenor. It’s a rare gift. With training, he could be another Ben Heppner.
Your 3rd paragraph is very well-said. I love when God blesses us all in unlikely ways. There are always kids who seem to have it rougher than others - either they’re bullied, made fun off and have few or no friends. As they approach teen years, they withdraw, rarely attend social events, are seen as odd... As a parent of one of those kiddos, I know the story and the pain well.
But then one day, it’s as though the chrysalis is opened, and from there emerges something that makes everyone pause. It’s as if overnight, a life is renewed and there is sunshine where once there was rain. Everyone who did the teasing has been afforded an opportunity to learn a great lesson and share it.
How heartwarming that Jonathan would stand by his friend. And as Simon said, there *is* a beautiful sound coming from the two of them together.
I think *this* is Jonathan’s moment. :)
Thanks for posting. I’ve been crying like a baby since watching this. So deeply touching. I never expected something so Beautiful. Unforgettable.
wow just wow
I forgot to mention that Andrea Bocelli is without sight since he was a young boy but still climbed to the top as an opera and pop singer, and still has an humble attitude.
“The young man has some great pipes but the young lady has a problem staying on pitch.
Altogether, a stunning performance. “
Her part was to get him on stage. She played her part magnificently. Good on her.
Excellent point.
I agree, Heldentenor. He appears to be singing well within his range (probably for security’s sake), and he’s got the massive dark sound to carry Wagner.
He needs better music and some high quality coaching. A big tenor voice can be ruined by bad instruction (even at the university level). What’s the British equivalent of Juilliard?
As for the young lady, her pitch overall is not bad and when she ‘scoops’ a note she quickly corrects. She just does not have the horsepower to sing a duet with her friend . . . I know, I’m a journeyman alto myself and for years I stood right in front of our Heldentenor (who is now at Juilliard). He could drown me (and the rest of the choir) out without even trying hard . . . and it is difficult to keep your own pitch in the face of that level of sound. The concentration and relative pitch required only come with practice and experience (don’t need perfect pitch, I’ve never had it but I know it’s a curse because my husband DOES have it). She’s young (and so is he) - it will come.
The Royal Academy.
Unbelievable. He is absolutely amazing. He was shaking the whole time. That was literally a life changing moment.
You'll hear some fine duets and trios in Mozart. My favorite is Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen (lyric baritone & soprano) from Zauberflöte/ Magic Flute. (Don't worry if you don't recognize the words - it's all in Swedish. Bergman. Best movie of Magic Flute ever made. I believe it's still available.)
There's a nifty duet in the same opera by the two armored men guarding the dungeon . . . Der, welcher wandert diese Straße. Hang with it and you'll hear the tenor/soprano duet afterwards. Plus you can hear real soprano fireworks from the Queen of the Night. This is an excellent version (I have it): Von Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic
About the only place you'll hear a Heldentenor is in Wagner, and "fresh" is not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of old Richard. Mozart is the place to start - he has a much lighter touch.
Actually I prefer those, but this young man's voice is a bit outsize for that.
What you said!
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