[BlessedBeGod]

Gee, the New York Times reads FR.

[BlessedBeGod]

You’re mentioned in the New York Times!

[don-o]

ping

[freema]

ATTENTION NY TIMES: SURRENDER TIM MCGIRK

[randita]

ping

[randita]

I think Philip Hensher was a bit snobbish (although I do agree with him to a certain degree - there are lots of really EXCELLENT amateur tenors in all corners of the world --every bit as good or better than Potts.).

Zuckerman hit the nail on the head in his statement in the last paragraph of this article:

“People in that audience probably never ever had heard someone open their mouth and sing an aria,” said Eugenia Zukerman, a flutist and director of the Vail Valley Music Festival. “Could they also have been responding to, ‘Finally we’re hearing something that has meaning, something really special,’ instead of what’s being churned out to them?” The audience, she said, “got it right away.”

Venues like iTunes has opened the vista of classical music to a much wider audience. I wonder how many downloads of "Nessun Dorma" iTunes had after people heard Potts sing it. Millions, I'm sure.

[metmom]

“He may not be the greatest opera singer. But we who don’t know dip about opera like him and can’t wait to see him perform. We know what uplifts us and makes us feel good. Go away, snobs.”

Talk about snobs. It's that pot/kettle thing.

[OKIEDOC]

Just as the jihad terrorist are killing any kind of compassion for the Arab world maybe the Know It All Snobs in New Jerk City are killing Opera by giving it a bad name.

There is a class distinction between snobs and those who just appreciate hearing something they like.

[highlander_UW]

The comment seems to suggest that some opera fans are snobs...I suspect this is true. The NYT seems to believe that all opera fans are snobs and therefore should be offended. Apparently the NYTs doesn’t like opera.

[doug from upland]

PLEASE GO TO THIS MOCKING HILLARY THREAD AND MAKE A COMMENT.....too bad the Slimes didn't mention this

[doug from upland]

Here is the YouTube thread with almost 5 million hits. Perhaps some FReepers can make some comments. Come on, be nice. http://youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

[Hot Tabasco]

“Mr. Potts is the sort of bog-standard tenor to be found in any amateur opera company in any corner of the country,” wrote Philip Hensher in The Independent of London. “His tuning was all over the place; his voice sounded strained and uncontrolled; his phrasing was stubby and lumpy; he made a constipated approximation only of the fluid sound of the Italianate tenor....”

This snobbery is reminiscent of Harry Chapin's "Mr. Tanner"

[Pharmboy]

This is rich! The Times quotes DFU—but about OPERA and not Shrillery! Un-effin-believable...

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Hey! I like opera. I don't call people snobs, I'd be talking about myself.

Growing up down-home we'd listen in. Minnie Pearl was great to listen to. I can't get it on the radio out here in California though. Maybe I've become less sophisticated, I don't know.

[doug from upland]

I’m waiting for the NY TIMES to leak some highly classified opera secrets that get those involved in opera killed.

[mewzilla]

By the standards of music critics who ply their trade in opera houses and concert halls, it wasn’t a particularly earth-shaking performance.

Up theirs. Mr. Potts made a joyful noise and I enjoyed it!

[infidel29]

Compare what Mr. Potts did, whether you're an "opera snob" or think it was just an average bloke with a dream who kicked butt to THIS

Apparently Britain has talent and America doesn't.

[RonDog]

Gee, the New York Times reads FR!

Way to go DOUG from UPLAND!!!

[Hardastarboard]

Opera started out as a yard sport for Italian lunatics in the 15th Century.

[doug from upland]

FreeRepublic -— your go to source for the Clinton scandals and opera.

[mylife]

Ya done us proud Dougie