Leontyne Price - Marilyn Horne - Madama Butterfly

[vocalissimo1]

It's funny how Horne's voice sounds rather colourless alongside the juicy sound of Price.

[deannasopran]

sooooo gorgeous, but really not even a look at eachother!!!!! Yes, they are very musical, and they sing with such commitment to there technique, and these voices are stunning, but its nice communicate on a different level as well...

[n1cc1t]

Back then the singers acted with their voices. I can listen to a recording of Leontyne and know exactly what she is feeling. I don't think singers today have that ability. There are some very pretty voices today, but not necessarily unique or interesting. They have to act. I would not care to hear recordings of some of today's singers. I am not saying that they are bad in anyway, just boring. I would love to see a great actress combined with great vocal acting ability.

[FoggyRoad81]

@n1cc1t 100% agree. Acting with the VOICE is the art that is lost ( but for a few exceptions, Latania Moore is one). It doesnt matter how you look, how you move its about the emotions the voice communicates. She took drama very seriously.

[jmuslvr]

When the audience recognizes the opening bars of the duet, listen to the murmur of excitement and anticipation from them. And Leontyne and Marilyn certainly fulfill their expectations. What a magnificent performance! Brava! Brava!

[cleoharvey]

There appears to be a lot of criticism of this, especially of Leontyne, which shocks me. Leontyne was never a great actress but her gorgeous voice trumps most of the supposed "divas" of today. We have great voices in Opera today but they do not touch the "one of a kind" voices of these ladies. So, let's sit back and listen to true greatness of an era that seems to be bygone.

[brimosi]

@cleoharvey I completely agree with you. People that are actual music educators and study music (myself included) all accredit Leontyne as being one the best soprano's who ever walked this planet. Leontyne in her prime years still is untouchable. The way she hit's those high C's with absolute clarity and power is just crazy! So all you people who have something to say....LET ME SEE YOU DO IT! Oh....I THOUGHT SO!

[cantanteporsiempre]

nono, Price is not Butterfly, it sounds like a 40 years old Butterfly, living with Yamadori, all bitter!!! lol

[franz0woyzeck]

@cantanteporsiempre HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[uniqueattack]

Price seems so cold all the time...must everything be sung like Aida? come on girl show us some warmth to match that voice!

[trinte33]

Gorgeous singing, ladies!!!

[vkaminsky]

For those being a bit critical, this is one of several encores after a rather daunting concert. I was in the audience, and let me assure you, no one was less than wild about the duet.

[trevjr]

wow, this is art!

[g4000g4000]

this is art.

[VinylToVideo]

I really enjoyed her in the "Butterfly" recording she made with Tucker but not as much here.

[jmahlon]

There are some absolutely gorgeous moments, and they by far outweigh any less than perfect moments.

[oloferne84]

Leontyne i love you...but this...uhmmm

[bellacantatrice]

These were two great artists, but this duet does not show either of them off to advantage.

[jimthewriter]

I love the wave of excitement from the audience when they first recognize the introduction music for the duet.

[jimthewriter]

Wonderful! Brava! Brava!

[SirLarkin1]

An incredible beautiful performance and uniquely placed and arranged.

[lojundolo]

Two first range singers, but this duet is not for them, I think.

It sounds very strange when Suzuki voice's colour is brighter than Butterfly's.

But at last, glory to these two great artists.

I can not see artists like them around me, in these days.

[soprano2k]

I think you mean first RATE and bear in mind that this is a CONCERT and not a STAGED PERFORMANCE. Also, the "brightness" you speak of in Horne's voice is probably due more to voice placement than to vocal quality. At any rate, I think the voices are well-suited.

[lojundolo]

Hi soprano2k, thank-you for your words, I meant FIRST RATE, but I don't speak English very well, as you can read, I'm from Italy.

It's true, when Mrs.Horne sings as a woman character, she uses a brighter colour of voice, a higher placement of voice; but in duet with Price, this brighter voice is TOO bright. Her only and unique Puccini is Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica with Scotto and Maazel, i think.

[liedersanger1]

What do you think LP says in Marilyn's ear at the end? "That was the best...

" How right!