Gruberova - Candide

[aifar]

i think the only problem here is that she is not good with the English and that make it sound funny anyway she is the best coloratura!!!

[SPTN58]

You go, gurl!

[dkoraytuncel]

that is really bad:((

[shennyspears]

es la unica que ha podido iterpretar ese papel.....whhooooo

hasta el dia de hoy.... andie canto esa composicion como ella

sin ningun error!!

secaaaa!!

idolaaaa!!

[FarinelliNBG]

Please Please Please don´t get me wrong. I really really like Ms. Gruberova. Got almost every record of her. But there is something about her and this aria that I don´t like. I can´t point my finger on it, but I don´t like it. Really don´t... Wish I could tell why. Guess it´s simply not her cup of tea. Great Singer, one of the greatest ever, but not in this aria. Sorry :(

[simonidamiletic]

brava e spiritosa! Scusate ma chi dice che

l'ha cantata male è ingiusto. Strepitosa!

[11777766]

Too bad you've never heard Barbara Cook's singing this aria in the original Bernstein show. It's the standard by which all these later songsters should be judged. Viva Ms. Cook!

[mefeetbecold]

I'm sorry. I've watched about ten versions and nothing, absolutely NOTHING compares to Kristen Chenowith. Nothing! She is the best hands down.

[carrotjuse]

Chenowith is certainly marvelous and the reigning queen of Broadway. Nobody on Broadway can match her coloratura and I never tire of watching and hearing her Glitter And Be Gay. However, she plays a great deal of the role for broad comedy. I'm unsure if Bernstein would approve. Others do it differently, but equally well, without that approach. I enjoy hearing Sumi Jo and Natalie Dessay.

[spn1007]

Don't forget Diana Damrau! But as much as I love Kristen and others, I agree with 11777..... that Barabar Cook is still the gold standard!

[ausguy73]

dreadful

[HeliPilot1180]

to me she looks like a singin owl...

[assimilation]

@HeliPilot1180 I had to laugh and I know exactly what you mean!

[jaxonbaby]

Just ridiculous! She is looking like a clown, to say the least ! Don't Compare her with Ms.Sutherland!! That one has CLASS ! This is a cheap copy not knowing even the english language....and those mushy, unclear Runs .Minus 10

[w7md]

I love Mme. Gruberova's lyrical interpretation. Bernstein snatched Cunegonde out of Strauss, Jr's pocket and placed her in mid 20th century opera. There is certainly a place for a Fledermaus-like interpretation of Cunegonde sung in 19th century Romantic Operetta style. Lovely...

[pavadomingo]

Very funny!

[henrifrombarcelona]

I do beleieve madame Gruberova doesn'y spreak enough good english to put the right words on the music, the voice is too creamy and eastern to be considered as possible for that music. She is a good performer but her voice is not phonogenic enough to give for example what madame Dessay or Anderson do give to this aria. Has Anna Moffo recorded this aria???? because she was the perfect mix between english and italian.

[iriisblue]

Some of the worst intonation I've ever heard. Sloppy, mushy runs. And people complain about Sutherland's diction? She also has no idea what's she doing. The staccati are musical laughter; she makes them pouty and flat. The endless mugging and frittering about. The trademark scoop to the high note. This is awful.

[etinlacente]

ahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!­!!!!

[dsl3x]

haha i hate reading the comments first but i always do...and it causes me to judge it the same way that the other people do...but you know what...i actually like this. she did a nice job.,..i realy like her cry...i mean of course everytime i watch this i compare it cheno BUT i understand everyone isnt gonna throw themselves across the stage like she does. but i do like the way this lady cried with the bassoon solo...it was very comical haha. go head!!

[louvet66]

Edita était magnifique dans Gilda avec Luciano, mais là vraiment:Elle n'est pas faite pour cet air-là! L'interprétation n'est pas juste: on dirait une poularde qui se trémousse. PARDON Edita!

[ktpj]

Is this concert in Madrid 1999 available on CD, DVD, or VHS? Thanks in advance for any helpful information provided. Gruberova bashers needn't waste their time.

[coloraturafan]

No, this was an internal video done for the Madrid Opera archives. To my knowledge it has never been released commercially in any format.

[FoxyGrandpa]

Insider trading - how scandalous!

[Satirike]

Hmm, Gruberova's timbre is Damrau-like!

[Iareto]

Then I guess Damrau's timbre is actually Gruberova-ish considering how Edita came first.  I actually don't like Damrau, especially in this aria, Queen of the Night and Konstanze. Edita's way better.

[elkatemendelaopera]

Perfect! Just perfect! Love her, Brava Gruberova!

[SENAFOREVER]

Coloraturafan I send you a virtual frenchkiss.

[rubenmsk]

no matter what they say dessay's version is the best, a love gruberova but i think she is a bel canto singer!!!

[operamagnus]

I agree with you in that Dessay's version is the best, but i strongly disagree with Gruberova being a bel canto singer - her style does not fit that repertoire.

[leoperarm]

Actually, she sang many bel canto roles and even recorded them, as she went older.

[operamagnus]

I am well aware of that, but she never did fit the repertoire at all. Her mannerisms makes her highly unfit for the bel canto period, as it requires a much cleaner way of singing, without the sliding and such.

[gabsanju]

Sorry, bue DAMRAU is the best!

[Iareto]

Hardly. Damraus is so screechy.

[LordCriton]

Quite an eccentric performance...

I think, maybe, she should have a better translator for the lyric...

[XPRT10R]

Shahrdad  you are right! Barbara Cook's original version is still unequalled!

[Singerx4xeva]

lol nice faces

[hwhap13]

Well well well... She was 53 when she sang this, so you should all take that into consideration.

Right, she's not the best in this tune but she sang it damn good! BRAVA

[piatolla]

einfach die Beste!

[subchefetenores]

This a good performance, but you guys have to watch a Portuguese Soprano called Ana Paula Russo. That´s the BEST EVER. Just Look and then talk to me. Ana Paula Russo is her name and. She Rocks.

[nicevidbro]

not that good. careless performance. careless voice here. i love her in other performances of course.

[Shahrdad]

Barbara Cook's original version is still unequalled!

[LuisTavinho]

I think she is the BEST!

1-Edita Gruberova!

2-Natalie Dessay!

3-June Anderson!

I really don't like Chenoweth's version!

It's so poor, so weak!*

GRUBEROVA, you are the BEST!*

[izzymadness]

Divertente da morire

[rsalvosa]

1. Damrau

2. Chenoweth

3. Dessay

4. Gruberova

[bach16]

1.Damrau

2.Dessay

3.Chenoweth

4.Gruberova

[hillevifan]

Take Chenoweth out and replace it with a better singer and I agree with you!

[urgrad03]

Chenoweth? Okaaaaaay.

[jboygb]

Not my favorite Gruberova performance, but still a class act. I love you Edita!! What a beautiful voice!!!

[HtownHunk]

Definitely not one of my faves, sorry. I hate June Anderson's performance, even if that's how it's SUPPOSED to sound. This is better, but has the same feeling for me. She really does well after 5:00 though, especically the downward trill around 5:07. Truly a master, this just isn't her piece. I have never heard a better "Una Voce Poco Fa", though, than hers--especially at the end.

[blkmichaux]

I love her Una Voce Poco Fa ending!

[nicevidbro]

to me this is my second favorite version.

-Dessay

-Gruberova

-Damrau

[marioj34]

oula oula here you are quite difficult... The execution is exemplary, certainly, the style is.... particular as often at gruberova but it is quite simply perfect technically. now sschimel does not like june anderson.... héhé that it will hear it on scene and it will tell me news of them!

[MorganaWalkyria]

me maté de risa al finalXDXDXD

Cmo q lo vi medio forzado...pero = me cagué de risa

me gustan más las versiones de Natalie Dessay(en cuanto a la actuación, = en lo vocal sigue siendo buena, pero no como antes) y de Diana Damrau.

Kisses

[sschimel]

Horrible. I've seen this performed by Sumi Jo, Maureen McGovern, Kristin Chenoweth, June Anderson (whom I abhor), and myriad others, and this the worst performance of it I've ever heard.

[Iareto]

Lol. Well, if you don't like June Anderson than we already disagree. I don't like the other three you mentioned and I love Edita (though this is, admittedly, not a great aria for her). Have you heard Dawn Upshaw do this piece? I actually really enjoy hers.

[petezpan]

she makes me laugh so much!! how can you say she does not act!? it's so classy!! pure humour!

[levantissimo]

Oh my God, is is sooo terrible, her interpretation ist the most boring one among all interpretations in the whole world, shame on you, Gruberova! I meen the way she sings, not her voive or technic.

[crystalisation]

Beautiful voice, perfect technique, poor English, boring interpretation, no sense of humour. She's performing TOO HARD to make me laugh.

[primu2002]

she's OLD! STOP TO SING! I small when listen her now!!!!!

[kngiht84]

Go and study more English please, you are making no sense at all.

[Hupjeflupje]

Edita's English is near perfect. She's playing an "immigrant" her!!! She faking the bad English accent'. Obviously she's so convincing......

[kngiht84]

No you got me wrong, I was bashing against a stupid comment, not Edita's. Of course, her enunciation is very good. :-D

[coloraturafan]

Oh come on, you have to be kidding me. Gruberova is an institution. To say, "she is old ... stop singing" is totally out of line. You don't like it, fine don't bother us with rude comments.

[primu2002]

Yes in fact i sayed STOP TO SING!

When she was young, she's very good but not beacuse of this i must say: She's good now...

I'm not rude honest or maybe "candide". eheheh

[qyzuf]

@coloraturafan i diasgree. Have you seen her latest lucreia performances? even institutions age and should eventually quit

[zitto60]

@primu2002 Tu invece sei un scemo! Cessa di scrivere dei commenti!! STOP!

[Dymension]

My favorite interpretation is the City Opera production with Erie Mills:  she is phenomenal!

[mitchellivers]

I agree. Erie Mills is the best interpretation of the song other than Barbara Cook's. Her line reading of "purchased as they were at such an...AWFUL cost" is perfect.

[Dymension]

Or how about "Can the purest diamond purify... my name?"

[OhSungTaek]

I like her so much!

[mariavelasco]

Suprema!!!

[ezayitas]

Love this singer!

[Planktonkun]

Ok she's not the best one to sing that song, but she is the GREAT GRUBEROVA and that's not so bad!

and she is really amazing!!! she deserves congratulations!

[vanzofaust]

Brava Grubeova. But one has to hear Barbara Cook sing this in a recording of the original Broadway cast. Ms Cook sang Cunégonde every day of the week,plus matinées on Wed. and Sat.

[basbaryton]

The main problem I have with this clip is not the English (even though she could have needed a language coach) but rather the musical interpretation. The tempi were good (for once being Bernstein's music played by someone besides him himself). She makes it too light. She "plays" with it too much. At the same time as it is to be a comedy aria, it's also serious. She missed that to my opinion. But I don't want to be all negative, because that's certainly not my intention. It was good!

[Hupjeflupje]

FYI: her poor English is played!! It's a character (like an Eastern-European immigrant...).

You may or not like Edita's interpretation, but fact is she's the only one capable of playing with her voice like this: it takes enourmous vocal and breath control.

[davideo321]

Neither too-heavy Anderson, too-metallic Gruberova nor too-shrill Dessay outstrips Dawn Upshaw on aptness of timbre or accuracy of musical interpretation, and NOBODY beat Barbara Cook on the OBC for interpretive rights of originatorship, period.

[Dondinin]

the great Diva is human! lot of humour

[garconfrancais01]

omg..your right her english does sound rather retarted when she speaks

[garconfrancais01]

wow...her voice sounds amazing with this aria and especially at her age! its so young and youthful sounding...i wonder what it would have sounded like if she would have been the age of dessay.

[sour7lemon]

I can't stand how she pronounces the english, ESPECIALLY the speaking portion. it's like a retard speaking english. Her singing is very good.

[tklogan11809]

neither Dessay or Gruberova can beat June Anderson in this, and Anderson was Bernstein's favorite.

[operadude32]

I don't think that we should talk about BEATING another soprano - they are totally different voices, interpretations and techniques. Let's enjoy them for their differences!

[heisallbad]

thank you! I have known Ms Gruberova since the beginning days in Vienna. She is a great singer and a lovely human being. This piece may not be the best vehicle for her...but the naysayers should try to sing it! :-)

[bkmustang07]

she has the coloratura notes but i never like the scooping sound she had

[ypofero86]

She can't beat Dessay?! If you should take a recording of both at the same age she would beat Dessay by a long shot, and I don't think Dessay's voice is going to stay as long as Gruberova's (54 here!). Have a look at Gruberova singing Rosina, then you'll see Dessay will never attain the level of technical skills Gruberova has. She's amazing!!! Brava!

[borias12]

I totally agree with your words!!! :-)

[millenniumpop]

She's awesome, but I don't think she can beat Dessay in this aria.

[BeauTenor]

wow...how odd to see her singing in english...and in something comic like this.

[deviafan1]

OMG! she really gets into it! FUN!