Pace Mio Dio- Indra Thomas

[jmiller05]

Loads of wobbling, diction and enunciation suffer. Her vowels are really oddly pronounced. A lot of scooping and breaking of the line too.

Explosive B flat though.

[tremonishasmarts]

I agree with Sjambro!

[flicfan416]

I don't know. Maybe its just me, but I think she's WOBBLY. I could barely distinguish notes, it was so fudged over with vibrato.

[SonyaArgiro]

She is WOBBLY, because she is not a soprano. She is a Mezzo-soprano, just hear her low notes, then when she sings high she sounds so light. Many singers switch from mezzo-soprano to dramatic soprano, because there's more repertoire for dramatic sopranos.

[dbrel]

You probably don't all realize that Indra was in the movie "Driving Miss Daisy".. She sang the solo in the funeral scene -- when the Esther Rolle character had died... Indra had a very mature voice for her age. I do wish someone had lightened her up at some point.. I think they wanted her to be the next Leontyne and darkened her voice up a bit..

[mariloly38]

BRAVA

[opera328]

and ms maria callas rip

[ortruda2009]

Es una lirica que quiere cantar de dramatica es Horrenda todo entubado BUUUU

[ortruda2009]

Es una lirica que quiere cantar de dramatica  es Horrenda todo entubado lo unico que se escuchan son esos grititos que pretenden ser agudos BUUUUUUUUUU

[mike04091987]

wooooooooooooooooooooooow! divina! extraordinaria voz.....

[kmillard]

Really a superfluous debate over who sings this aria better, Leontyne Price or Indra Thomas. By far and away, the best versions of this aria on youtube belong to Eileen Farrell, Gwyneth Jones, and Grace Bumbry.

[BrianDonaldMcKay]

@kmillard I agree that, in general, there are many I prefer, if only because the voice is less covered, the diction clearer. Thomas has, I suspect, a heavy voice that can only function in very covered mode. I honestly cannot understand more than ... say ... 20% of what she sings. The voice is always too contained and covered for my liking.

[Nidoamor]

BRAVISSIMA BRAVSSIMA BRAVISSIMA

[bubbahenson]

Liwah...better sharp than flat???? really? i think you need some ear training..cause she is on point every breath, stress, release, she is perfectly in tone..you just have an untrained ear

[Gary2837]

@bubbahenson Thanks for setting Liwah straight!!!

[Frigg567]

recuerdo que tenía 13 años y trataba de cantar estooo

sobre todo con mi voz de soprano ligera jajajaja

Y sigo pensando lo mismo... sublime.

[jewelmarkess]

She is so wonderful. Love this interpretation of one of my favorite arias.

[andretenor]

I love Indra's rendition of the Aria

[shishirth]

I really like this unpretentious but completely in character rendition from Indra Thomas. Ably backed by the orchestra

[lucpebo]

She's amazing! I'll see her inmy city today singing Villa-Lobos and Barber.

[ilscipione]

Wonderful performance in total. Okay voice. Someone said best rendition ever heard. What? Vibrato approaches a wobble in some places, and she's young still. Overacting for sure, but more to do with school of acting most opera singers subscribe to--large gestures, too much face, almost stock in some senses. Someone made some comment about her jaw. Who cares? Physiology is super personal and technique manifests differently in every body. I like her nonetheless. Gorgeous woman, by the way.

[couturesixfour]

@ilscipione i do agree with the presence of a stock character. if that is what you meant. this is a bit extra of her. i have also heard her do sing some soprano roles that seemed a bit above her voice. i still love her though!!!

[Alexmeister25]

She has beatiful voice and dynamic perfect with piano, fortissimo and a fantastic bel canto tecnic e etc..., she is complete.

[bashi38]

She has no problem with her high notes. Don't judge bodily movements in singing. Jose Carreras has to move to his tiptoes to get to his high notes. Don't see you judging him!!!1

[tuadolcefanciulla]

I have sung this. I have listened to 15 or more sopranos, and I have never heard or seen a more beautiful rendition.

I watch this on full screen because she

is living every word of pathos in this 6 minutes. It's interesing the name Carreras pops up. He is incomparable,

not just because of the natural beauty of his voice, but because he is PRESENT in every word of every aria or song I've ever

heard him sing. Passion and intelligence

as well as voice & technique makes this

SUPERB!

[bassfanne45]

@tuadolcefanciulla Thank you for the lovely things you had to say about Carreras. I feel the same way about him. you couldn't have stated it better.

[bashi38]

Price does stand alone but let's not count Ms. Thomas out just yet. Oh, who should we compare her to if not those who came before her? She will be just as great one day if not greater. Just wait and see!!!!

[couturesixfour]

as a trained actor i can see where thomas is giving more than price, but price has stood through the years as a FORCE to be respected. i don't think any of the greats should be compared and i don't think others should have to suffer their shadowing. i love this version...she is a bit heavy in vibrato, but i like that myself. i think indra is beautiful!!! brava!!!

[nichtsleezy]

Beautiful voice but often sharp.

[DIVAWON]

Beautiful voice So creamy smooth and rich!

keep posting!

[candymusic100]

I feel she is trying to hard to be price and she has more to offer if she would let it ALL out! I perfer Harken or Dimitrova more

[vocedivinax]

You guys are funny!

[benderpm]

You are indeed "sorry!" There is no comparing Price and Thomas..............perhaps with/over time Thomas will acquire what Price had during her active years as a singer?

[CincinnatiTenor]

Totally agree

[CincinnatiTenor]

I overall think that Price is Killing Thomas over this aria....Her voice is just as powerful if not more...Price has way more control over her higher notes and and Thomas has WAYYYYY to much unneeded vibrato...and NO NEVER if they were to walk in to MET opera to sing this will Thomas get it over Price..Ummm for 1 look at the freaking Reputation that Ms.Price has built...come on now man..then lady doesnt even have to sing to get a role man...hahaha PRICE is Killin Thomas..Hands Down

[bubbahenson]

I don't mean to be harsh but if Thomas and Price we to walk into the NYC Met Opera and sing this very same song, you can't tell me that Thomas would win hands down! In no way am I saying that Price isn't good. She's great but not for this song. Indra shows expression and really shows the meaning of the text wich is very important!!!! Thomas is just naturally better for this aria.

[bigdigger87]

I have to add my 2 cents to this conversation. I have to disagree with you simply because Price has way more control than Indra. Where Indra gives body acting, Price gives facial emotion. Price's acting is restrained but there is a sense of "reckless abandonment" in her interpretation. Indra's interpretation seems too safe and expected.

[couturesixfour]

@bigdigger87 ditto!

[mariasarda]

Belle voix de soprano spinto !

[jcmaldo18]

Too week...nobody sings this aria like Leontyne Price, with no discussion the best.

[androgynae]

this is an amazing video and Indra Thomas is flawless but bubbahenson...please must we we say such harsh things about the legendary Leontyne...I have seen her perform the critics have said harsh things they did the same thing to La Callas lets just appreciate these divas who have given so much to the world each in their own voice and their own divine way celebrate the differences but do not fail to hear the beauty in all of them and how they have served MUSIC for so many years

[operawhore64]

a wonderful voice.. but how about maybe a messa di voce on those top notes instead of just getting to a scream and dropping off... But a great, great voice..

[bubbahenson]

@androgynae i neverr said that Leontyne wasn't a good singer I just think that Thomas is better at this particular aria. As a voice performance major you have too look for the good in things but at the same time we look at the bad...not that we try to be harsh....its just our opinion as to how we critic the bad

[bubbahenson]

Indra Thomas is and will ALWAYS be better that Price....i'm sorry. I dont think that Price has the purity nor quailty in her voice like Thomas. Thomas has studied at one of the BEST schools in the U.S. for opera. and what about Price? I just dont think that she had the passion for music like Thomas.

[thekaliko]

I agree that you are sorry - VERY sorry with your opinion.

[bubbahenson]

Its my opinion no the less!!!!

[AudreyN]

Wait, are you talking about Leontyne Price? Because... what. Honestly, the best school doesn't mean shit if whoever you trained with doesn't know what they're doing. Don't get me wrong - I love Indra, she's an amazing woman and soprano, but I don't think she and Price are comparable.

[bigdigger87]

Now opinion or not to say had no passion for music is crazy! She only went Juilliard and sang opera from her mid twentied well into her 60's. If you watch Prices interviews you'll see the wisdom and passion she has for music.

[luisabrito11]

Absolutely fantastic !!!

[AudreyN]

This woman is absolutely amazing. I had the opportunity to work in a show with her this past May (Aida) and her tone and ease are astounding. Definitely see her live whenever possible. Also, I believe she's recording a performance of Aida in Austria to be put out on DVD.

[couturesixfour]

this touched me greatly!! and why are people sooooo critical of everyone. i am a performer and at times when i felt that my performance was not "perfect" people have come to me and said that they were moved and that they were glad to have had the moment with me. you can teach the theory and the execution of the notes, but who can teach passion!!! someone critique that!!

[musoph21]

gorgeous

[TeacherRodolfo]

You´re heavenly gifted!

Thank you for your music, for your voice.

Rodolfo Nunhez

[pampered65]

Beautiful...absolutely beautiful!!

[johngarner3]

she sounds like grace bumbry when grace was getting old

[josh9642]

I have heard her live in Aida and she was phenomenal! She is my all time favorite mezzo soprano. I was literally crying in one of her arias.

[CONTESTAR]

@josh9642: Aida is no mezzo soprano!

[josh9642]

dont care!

[tomonetruth]

?

doesn't sound like she has any trouble with the high notes to me

[Bayside100232]

This video is AWESOME! Go Indra...you're the best and I'm not just saying that because you're my godmother!

[sdsutton]

just beautiful

[Rapicienta]

Muy buena!, me imagino que el repertorio alemán le quedaría igual de lindo!

[musoph21]

that Bflat at 336 was beautiful and rich

[JoyceLicorish]

Sorry cant touch Angela Brown. She is good but does not posess her crispness or effortless power.

[2muzikiluv]

She is ing from her breast amazing..lol. Im in love AHH!

[Heraopera]

She is indeed not bad...but for me not a Leonora of Forza! The voice sounds more young and more for Ballo...but I agree she is better than many who are today singing at the big operas...The high register is not huge enough this is why she have to be pacient with her voice..ALL THE BEST MRS. INDRA!

[0mental0stimpy0]

go indra... I lived next to you in Rome, GA when you were getting your undergraduate at Shorter College. You were great then, and you are great now.

[KenyonCT]

She is from Atlanta, and studied (s) with Bill Schumann at AVA and Elizabeth Colson in Atlanta...

[tdavidray]

I'm not 'trying' to be a critic, but did anyone else notice that she was sharp a few times; a result of overshooting the higher notes? Also, the first note....she sang two DIFFERENT notes there, and I don't think it was because she was taking an "artistic liberty".

Overall, she has great potential. I thought alot of her acting was out of character, but she has alot of promise.

[nichtsleezy]

Yes, I heard the sharpness also. She sharped several times.

[Pavareras]

Invan la pace is "PIANISSIMO" and not "FORTISSIMO"........;Shouting "maledizione"...why? you have anough voice.

[couturesixfour]

is that the dynamic written for "Invan la pace" or is that just how it's normally done? i don't know a lot about opera, but i do read music a little and i'm a singer, mainly theatre though. i like this performance. but whoever the person was that said she was better than Price is crazy!!

[mm9913]

Amen.

[operasoiree]

you are AMAZING.

[gransasso101]

I hate when people say "promising"... I mean this woman has been singing for many years already. When is she stop being promising? It gets on my nerves. The soprano has her S... together! BEtter than MOST singers hired at the met singing her rep. Better than Angela Brown, Guleghina and Rodvanovsky. Way better!

[godivapaw]

@gransasso101 I agree with you!!

[Jogab37]

Linda voz!!!!!

[josh9642]

Saw her perform the lead in Aida here in San Diego recently, and she is SMOKING!!! there was a unanimous decision amongst the opera goers that she was definitely the star of the night

[classyteacherdiva]

Very promising. I love her interpretation. Beautiful voce. A true bel canto singer indeed. I will follow her progress closely. Thanks for posting this. You critics leave her alone ok?

[vitellia]

She clearly got a great Verdian voice but sings constantly sharp. And I agree that her diction isn't as clear, but maybe it's because of the recording quality?

[Liwah]

Better sharp than flat.

[UrsulanChild]

Let the people say: "AMEN!"

[Liwah]

:-)

[mahsef]

OK, she has a nice enough voice, but the vibrato is already slow and she doesn't seem to know about what she is singing. And the Italian is terrible. You know this is an Italian opera, so shouln't it sound Italian??

How can anyone compare this to Grace Bubmbry's "Pace", where the Italian is so perfect!!! Who coached her on this? Not good, not good at all!!!

[holylei]

She voice is sooooooo Great,

I am looking forward to see her perform tonight!

[Ebonysoprano]

Oh my God! That was so beautiful. Does anyone have more on her? I know Liz Colson muat be proud. Brava!

[mm9913]

Thomas is a promising soprano slowly making her mark, mostly regional opera companies and major symphonies including Boston, she has essayed Bess with great results. She is obviously on her way.

[amanasro]

I am such a big fan of Ms Thomas!!! When I heard her sing at a NATS regional in 1990, I knew that she would be an opera STAR!!!! you go INDRA!!! I am sure Dr. Ramsir is very proud of you. Hugs and much more success. Sincerely, Tony barneman PS I am glad that your dream came true!!!

[courtjesting]

She's quite good!

[amanasro]

She is gifted!!!!

[osvaldito55]

Never heard this singer before. She is very involved with the character, imbuing each word and phrase with great meaning. Verdi would have loved this rendition of one of his greatest arias for soprano.

[courtneybaritone01]

I want someone to post her Ritorna Vincitor! That is some good singing! This- not so much. I'd love to see that again... she is a FABULOUS Aida! She should be Singing in America MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marctheprof]

I have never heard Indra... Wow! Simply amazing.

[blkmichaux]

Me either! She is AWESOME!

[jayrock30]

wow i cant beilive she and i went to the same high school she went wen it wasnt so bad tho..lol(joking)but 1 thing that is was and always will be the wowan that started her 112 and countless others careers is truly a great woman teacher mother and role model she helped me find my voice and indras too so yall give it up for MRS.Mildred faucette i love you from ur fave baritone of 07 JAHMIR