I know this sounds terrible for me to say, but for the life of me, I wish I could find a version of this song performed at the same tempo which Dynamo sang in the Running Man. Forget that it was in a cheesy action flick, the guy was a legit singer and I love the style he used. It really drew out the notes and let you appreciate what a great melody this piece has.
There is also a CD version for this production. But I am not sure I think the CD recordings were not made on the same day as this video version. Anyway I feel the high F-sharp is very nice and strong on the CD. I also like this version though. Gilfry's performance was jsut excellent. I think a professional singer may have multiple approaches for those challenging notes, depending on what he feels at the moment.
Don't forget that the count is angry at Figaro...if he sounds like he's yelling at "audace" it has to be an artistic choice, not a result of him struggling or screwing up.
As for the F#, I personally love the way it sounds. It sounds pretty damn easy to me. I never would have thought of him pushing it if it weren't for reading these lame Youtube comments.
But the "tu non nascesti, audace" section is not about technique at all - it`s the emotional emphasis, all the anger and umbrage. And, if my information is correct, Gilfry was born in 1959. So, if the recording was made in 1993 or `94, he is about 35 here.
He is the Count, a young one as it should be, I guess he is like 25-28 years old in the story, Gilfrey is a perfect Count. Every word is intentionally prepared, beautiful, and he is hooooooooooooooooot
@cantanteporsiempre Are you sure so young? Don't forget the scene takes place after the barber of sevilla and figaro came back to his service! I think he's older more about 30-40 years old
I think his technique has always been very sound. He doesn't have the range that Finley has though. And no one matches the absolutely beautiful timbre of Mattei.
Between Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Thomas Quasthoff, and this, that makes a grand total of three performances I've heard of this aria where the singer actually manages to sing the triplets at the end distinctly. The world is now a slightly better place.
(Of course, then he has to spoil things by trying to sing the second trill, when he can't. Oh well. Focus on the positive, focus on the positive.)
I've heard Rodney Gilfry sing much more virtuosic music than this. Maybe he got caught up in the heat of the moment and didn't concentrate enough.
If he can do the first trill well (which I think is harder than the second trill because it's a much shorter note so it takes a more developed muscular coordination to execute), he can do the second well. He just didn't here.
Trouble with the top F? It's an F sharp and I would not call that trouble....He's just making space for it. Not much sign of trouble or tension in the whole piece.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
It's an F sharp indeed, but with period instruments ans a lower pitch, it's actually like a modern F. And, yet, RG does have trouble with it. And, yes, the conducting + singing are veeeeeery boring...
It was an F# and it wasn't really a flaw. I think it was just the way he sung it. It doesn't have to be belted. Like I said before, I think it was nice that he sang it the way he did.
it's absolutely NOT TRUE that the F-sharp is hard for him to sing! i know him personally and have sung with him. it's just that the conductor wants to go on and doesn't allow a ritardando, so there was no time to 'out-sing' the phrase, what every singer would like to do on this particular part of the air!
@ArturoPVLondon There is only one note above D in this aria, and he cops out of it. As far as "not pushed" what the devil are you hearing on "audace"? He is straight up shouting. That, my friend, is the definition of pushed. I don't mean to say you're a fool, but maybe you were two years ago when you wrote that comment.
Signore Gilfry e' un brav'attore e cantante, con il pronunciazione, non e' una problema sulle note alte, perche' come cantanti dobbiamo cambiare gli aperturi delle nostre bocche e delle nostre gole, tutto dei nostri corpi infatti! Cosi..... non e' una problema che bisogna attenzione. Cosi i soprani... le parole non sono il piu' importante sulle note alte.
The recording has been made somewhere in the 90's, right ? Why, he has improved a lot since then. F.ex. in the recitativo part of Don Giovanni's and Zerlina's duet, Italian seems perfect to me.
Thanks so much for posting this; I really enjoy Gilfry as Il Conte. He's both very funny yet a dangerous rival in the Gardiner version. Just look at his face during the Vedro (x4) section. Right on target.
I'm singing this role in my college production. I'm terrified. This aria is a beast.
Judill 2 months ago
BRAVO!
tenordramaticitm2 4 months ago
I know this sounds terrible for me to say, but for the life of me, I wish I could find a version of this song performed at the same tempo which Dynamo sang in the Running Man. Forget that it was in a cheesy action flick, the guy was a legit singer and I love the style he used. It really drew out the notes and let you appreciate what a great melody this piece has.
LeahWayEarth 5 months ago
Comment removed
TheCaminess 5 months ago
Absolutly perfect! Wonderfull Mozart-perform! Super!
MrSolarisboy 6 months ago
I had no idea he was American! I always confuse him with Bo Skovhus for some reason
thesir27 7 months ago
There is also a CD version for this production. But I am not sure I think the CD recordings were not made on the same day as this video version. Anyway I feel the high F-sharp is very nice and strong on the CD. I also like this version though. Gilfry's performance was jsut excellent. I think a professional singer may have multiple approaches for those challenging notes, depending on what he feels at the moment.
carloschant 7 months ago in playlist Hai già vinta la causa
@jrjorgensen2519
Vas? That's Rodney Gilfrey.
RegisPhilbinPeePee 1 year ago
The guy sounds great!
Don't forget that the count is angry at Figaro...if he sounds like he's yelling at "audace" it has to be an artistic choice, not a result of him struggling or screwing up.
As for the F#, I personally love the way it sounds. It sounds pretty damn easy to me. I never would have thought of him pushing it if it weren't for reading these lame Youtube comments.
RegisPhilbinPeePee 1 year ago
@RegisPhilbinPeePee
He's not pushing. He's Thomas Hampson (and not a pre-professional aged Hampson either.) He knows what he's doing.
jrjorgensen2519 1 year ago
thad is f***
noel1302 1 year ago
Explainer...
Pavlelalos 1 year ago
But the "tu non nascesti, audace" section is not about technique at all - it`s the emotional emphasis, all the anger and umbrage. And, if my information is correct, Gilfry was born in 1959. So, if the recording was made in 1993 or `94, he is about 35 here.
patukott 1 year ago
He is the Count, a young one as it should be, I guess he is like 25-28 years old in the story, Gilfrey is a perfect Count. Every word is intentionally prepared, beautiful, and he is hooooooooooooooooot
cantanteporsiempre 1 year ago
@cantanteporsiempre Are you sure so young? Don't forget the scene takes place after the barber of sevilla and figaro came back to his service! I think he's older more about 30-40 years old
mouthmouse 1 year ago
@mouthmouse Maybe you are right. I will check it out!! Thank you!!!
cantanteporsiempre 1 year ago
A mio avviso è una delle versioni migliori di quest'aria qui su youtube... :)
Fedez1879 1 year ago
ma dove gli trovano questi "cantanti " ?sulla strada ?
bodiloto 1 year ago
Rodney is very profesional, I think he really did it on purpose. Anyway it sounds good to me... :)
Yndorian 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Yawn!
cleanears 2 years ago
I don't know wot ur ywaning at, this is one of the best versions.
tomcane8 2 years ago 2
Who cares who sings the fricken aria! The utter brilliance of this piece is stunning not only for its era, but for its pure genius.
nicksum29 2 years ago
Rodney Gilfry ..
i love him!!
his voice is soft and preciocity_
hermit8965 2 years ago 4
I think his technique has always been very sound. He doesn't have the range that Finley has though. And no one matches the absolutely beautiful timbre of Mattei.
schmup53 2 years ago
I don`t know the chronology - but the very same YouTube shows him hitting a solid B flat. So he does have a range, after all.
patukott 2 years ago
Between Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Thomas Quasthoff, and this, that makes a grand total of three performances I've heard of this aria where the singer actually manages to sing the triplets at the end distinctly. The world is now a slightly better place.
(Of course, then he has to spoil things by trying to sing the second trill, when he can't. Oh well. Focus on the positive, focus on the positive.)
fontinau 2 years ago
I've heard Rodney Gilfry sing much more virtuosic music than this. Maybe he got caught up in the heat of the moment and didn't concentrate enough.
If he can do the first trill well (which I think is harder than the second trill because it's a much shorter note so it takes a more developed muscular coordination to execute), he can do the second well. He just didn't here.
TollerAffen 2 years ago
Comment removed
fontinau 2 years ago
great recitative for sure, but the end of the aria is laboured.
ardjoena 3 years ago
I agree. I think he sings that F# as easily and lightly as anyone
Herfinnur 3 years ago 2
Trouble with the top F? It's an F sharp and I would not call that trouble....He's just making space for it. Not much sign of trouble or tension in the whole piece.
rovingdesertfox 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
It's an F sharp indeed, but with period instruments ans a lower pitch, it's actually like a modern F. And, yet, RG does have trouble with it. And, yes, the conducting + singing are veeeeeery boring...
hocbes 3 years ago
hocbes, in what way is it boring?
And I don't think he has trouble with that F; it's only a tiny and accidental flaw.
erunilmo 2 years ago
It was an F# and it wasn't really a flaw. I think it was just the way he sung it. It doesn't have to be belted. Like I said before, I think it was nice that he sang it the way he did.
tomcane8 2 years ago 2
An amazing part from cerainly one of the best opera productions ever. You have to have the original!
momentimusicali 3 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
We feel that the top F is hard for him ( we can look that at 4:33
mouthmouse 3 years ago
it's absolutely NOT TRUE that the F-sharp is hard for him to sing! i know him personally and have sung with him. it's just that the conductor wants to go on and doesn't allow a ritardando, so there was no time to 'out-sing' the phrase, what every singer would like to do on this particular part of the air!
brunosilvershadow 2 years ago 2
I said that I felt that, but I heard him in other arias with high notes and he was very good with those notes.
I love his accent because it's a mix of refinement and preciosity
mouthmouse 2 years ago 2
I actually prefer it the way he did it. I don't like it that much when people just belt it.
tomcane8 2 years ago 2
My God, this is amazing. I love everything about it. I love Gardiner, I love Gilfry, and I love Mozart. :-)
LetItBe920 3 years ago 16
hilarious! i luved it. good job. (added 2 favs)
lol youre a genius. thats hilarious and even true. XD Gb
MGSimm0ns 3 years ago
Insomma...E' abbastanza bravo. Peccato per la pronuncia un po' scarsa. Comunque resta un bravo conte.
BassoAntico 3 years ago
Why the hell are he wearing that wig?
Those wigs didn't suite the nobility of men, well not in his posission. Well well.... Not everybody are in to late 18th century mode.
KarlAmade 3 years ago
I think this is one of the best baritones ever ... high notes are not easy? ... pronunciation problematic?.......
Every consonant forward, clear coloratura, not pushed ... what you guys are looking for?
ArturoPVLondon 3 years ago 21
@ArturoPVLondon There is only one note above D in this aria, and he cops out of it. As far as "not pushed" what the devil are you hearing on "audace"? He is straight up shouting. That, my friend, is the definition of pushed. I don't mean to say you're a fool, but maybe you were two years ago when you wrote that comment.
BaronScahpia 1 year ago
WHOA chord at 1:04. At least one lone violinist had the guts... poor Gardiner.
lohengrin0380 3 years ago
Signore Gilfry e' un brav'attore e cantante, con il pronunciazione, non e' una problema sulle note alte, perche' come cantanti dobbiamo cambiare gli aperturi delle nostre bocche e delle nostre gole, tutto dei nostri corpi infatti! Cosi..... non e' una problema che bisogna attenzione. Cosi i soprani... le parole non sono il piu' importante sulle note alte.
Javaking9000 3 years ago 3
Ebbene, l'ideale sarebbe guardare la pronuncia anche sulle note alte, ma credo che capisco benissimo quel che vuoi dire:)
patukott 3 years ago
This is great!
I own both, the CD recording and the DVD
fer1179 3 years ago 3
It would be interesting to see a fresher version of this one:)
patukott 3 years ago
Devo ammettere che, pur non piacendomi Rodney, che il Conte Rodney Gilfry lo fa bene. Credo che sia la sua parte.
34fgsfgsdtu48w7qtaqt 3 years ago 2
Credo di sí:)
patukott 3 years ago 2
Very good actor and good singer.
The problem is always Italian pronuntiation, and a not so firm voice in the high notes.
arlong76 4 years ago
The recording has been made somewhere in the 90's, right ? Why, he has improved a lot since then. F.ex. in the recitativo part of Don Giovanni's and Zerlina's duet, Italian seems perfect to me.
patukott 4 years ago
Have you the recording of the recitativo? So I can listen to it and see if Italian is good or not. I am Italian.
arlong76 3 years ago
While I'm at it: what kind of 'aristocratic device' is he picking up from the chair at 03:25?
jandejongh 4 years ago
Thanks so much for posting this; I really enjoy Gilfry as Il Conte. He's both very funny yet a dangerous rival in the Gardiner version. Just look at his face during the Vedro (x4) section. Right on target.
jandejongh 4 years ago 2