Kiri Te Kanawa - I Feel Pretty

[jaddajn1]

this is dame edna everage's favourite piece of music

[InformalDress]

lol. Trilling the r's

[lanivil0209]

8 personas son fanáticos de Karajan.

[mrantiquedealer]

Pity for her and Carreras. They ruin the whole thing!

[Judill]

Wow. What a voice on Kiri.

[LOMSam1]

bravissima

[dannymaestro]

Well, this isn´t good. Is it a parody or what? Does anybody enjoy listening to this kind of music with opera-singers with just one sound. I feel pRRRRetYYYYYYYYY... LOL

[frodo322]

@dannymaestro She's trying to do a Spanish accent, so she's exaggerating the R sound as much as she can.

[wowthungsten]

@dannymaestro I admire your talent of watching the embodiment of perfection and seeing a parody. I'm sure you could do it a lot better than these amateurs.

[ohfreundeforever]

did anyone else notice the flute playing leonore overture no. 3 in the background before they begin?

[cisumcr]

great!!!

[windstorm1000]

I like Kiri--but her voice is all wrong for this part. The entire production was a disaster and Bernstein smelled a dud. Did make a fair amount of money, but I think everyone connected with this bomb prefers to forget the experience!! I would.

[tenorschofield]

Extraoedinary performance of two "monsters of music", so much talent in a single room!!!!.Bernstein himself conducting dame Kiri Te Kanawa!!!, wow, this is sure something to remember for ever; thanks for sharing with us!!!!

[windstorm1000]

@tenorschofield So much talent??? Maybe elsewhere. What were you on when you listend to this? Was a miserable experience for all parties--and the most infamous Br'way remake ever. Bernstein took the money and ran. Moral: NEVER use opera stars for Broadway--Ezio Pinza the ONE exception. Two separate voice types--opera singers just not believble voice way, you know??

[tenorschofield]

@windstorm1000 I guess that will always prefer classical technique, even if it is ussed in the wrong repertoire, to the "Br'way" singing style or popular singing. Now I understand that there are some popular voices naturaly gifted...but that is a matter of tastes as well. I respect your opinion very much; sadly I cannot say anything about this registration story, but what I hear in this video. I am a Kiri Te Kanawa fan, and prefer her in other repertoirs. Thank you for your note.

[windstorm1000]

@tenorschofield Although I disagree about crossover singers (why do it?? Ego--me thinks so), I do respect your opinion as well. Lets put the shoe on the other foot: Would we want Patti la pone to do La Boheme?? It works both ways--let Br'way singer do what they do best--Br'way, and opera singers do what THEY do best--opera.

[tenorschofield]

@windstorm1000 Dear friend, I agree with you but in the other hand, it really depends in who the singer is.For example, if they have or not the vocal talent to engage into crossover repertoires.I really did not liked some of the Pavarotti`s pop songs, but also migth say that classical singing has everyday less and less exposition, due to the fact of crazy and stupid "ultranew stage ideas". So I understand why some lyrical singers try more logical staged shows...and better paid as well!!!

[windstorm1000]

@tenorschofield Thanks so much for the perceptive comments! & I want to apologize for the 'what were you on" in a prev. comment. Working on being more polite on YT--especially when others have opinions diff. than my own--ha, ha. Don't get me going about 'ultranew st. ideas"--ie Chereau & Co.--ha, ha--I've done treatices of this on YT--& crossed swords with others--I'm a traditionalist--why make Wotan into a businessman??? What's the point? And Brunnhilde into a street walker? Bye for now.

[Takoushjanik]

Kiri Te Kanawa is the best.

[quitscheente95]

Does he say ' Gute Nacht ' after they recorded it?

[Zuckerhasi]

she's the best :)

[institutiemuz]

Bravoooo! Bravo Kiri

[bcom11]

we miss you Lenny :(

[543693The]

wow !!!! magnifique document pour ma playlist ...

Adorable Kiri en brune ....Merci beaucoup

[couturesixfour]

yes kiri...you had better TRY and sing like a Puerto Rican!!! i am laughing in pleasure...sing baby!!! but i dare to ask, were there no puerto rican soprano to really do this...come on, but hey this is back then...what should i expect!!!!

[OperaPhantom1909]

The most worthy musical dvd ever, very, very nice

[lohphat]

Compared with the overdubbed movie version from 1961 -- this take is perfection. The tempo and interpretation are magical.

[Carolynnhall]

She is delightful here. A wonderful performance!

[zeena61]

Beautiful singing by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, one of the most loved sopranos of the past century!

Bernstein's conducting style was unique!

[rocknrollangel21]

tres fantastique!!!!

[seripsolrac]

Uma pérola de ouro para a posteridade.

[lpvcrcd]

Very very nice .. Any time Dame Kiri commands a stage we know it will be entertaining Thanks for post!

[LordMgls]

I love this...

[Elrumel]

that's how you conduct. amazing.

[ilnvita]

loool 0:23 , itchy back!

[PenzancePete]

She was called queen cat because of her continuous smug expression and sense of superiority. "Walthamstowe was/is one of a number of what may seem surprising venues that recording companies use for recording. St. George's church in Tooting is another. .

[PenzancePete]

Opera singers sing opera for a living. Stage musical singers sing stage musicals for a living. Carreras and Ke Tanawa are superb in Mozart but in musicals....oh dear.

[swanningaround]

Penzance. Did the "queen cat" refer to her wearing of a fur coat? Also, I always thought of Walthamstowe as being "down market". My daughter lived there as came in for quite a bit of racial abuse.

[saxamaphoneguy1]

Well in early musicals like WSS there really wasn't much of a difference. For instance, is Porgy and Bess and opera? operetta? musical? it's really up to the listener. Bernstein himself picked this cast for his "operatic" recording. I think they are fantastic with this. He actually wanted Placido Domingo over Carreras, which I agree with, but he was unavailable.

[windstorm1000]

@saxamaphoneguy1 Well, actually you are only partially right--B. was stuck with Carreras---Neil Shicoff--another opera tenor-- was committed. Troyonas sounds like a drag queen (no offense). Carreras? No comment. Kiri? voice beautiful--but not for Maria. Moral: Opera singers in Broadway never work--Ezio Pinza the ONE exception.

[saab900se]

And that ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls is why opera singers should never, ever be let anywhere near light music.

[swanningaround]

saab. This is what opera singers do for a living. There are all sorts of musicals from WSS, to the Magic Flute, the Mikado. the Merry Widow and Showboat. Not all are "heavy opera" like "Siegfried".

[tggold]

@saab900se Why? I think it sounded great. I think people aren't used to hearing healthy voices and people, in general, reject what they don't understand.

I wish more singers would engage in "crossover" work. There's really not a difference between the genres, just a time period thing. Both are singing and acting, perhaps Music Theater a bit more dancing. Some people like hearing people that don't scream or wobble.

[leomulder]

She doesn't say "I feel gay". And later she doesn't say "today" for the rhyme, but "tonight". Did they chang the lyric?

[swanningaround]

leo. You are right! Well spotted. She says "I feel bright" and then rhymes it with "tonight" instead of "I feel gay" to rhyme with "today". They did change it. How pathetic is that?

[leomulder]

Exacly! Avoiding the ambiguity of the term nowadays? lol.

[maltese48]

They didn't change it. She once says I feel gay to match with day, then she says bright to match with night. I heard that song many times.

[swanningaround]

I have to confess. I did some research. "Bright" and "tonight" are the original lyrics. I did think that that the word "gay" came in somewhere, but was wrong. The lyrics are correct as sung by Kiri.

[leomulder]

Really? That's new to me. Did you find when and why somebody changed it for "gay" and "today"?

Thank you!

[swanningaround]

Hi leo. I have found the answer. The original lyric said "happy and witty and bright" to rhyme with "tonight". The setting in the film was changed to the day time for the film. The producers changed the lyrics to "happy and witty and gay" to rhyme with "today". This is what Natalie Wood (with Marni Nixon's voice) sang in the movie. Therefore both the "bright" and "gay" versions are official and correct. On the West Side Story site, they are called "lyric1" and "lyric2".

[leomulder]

Dear Swanningaround,

I'm very surprised with your research: you really got it! Now it is very well explained. :)

Thank you!

Leonardo.

[paddy9465]

Years ago I had the good fortune to meet her. She was on tour and came to my city. She came gliding into the store where I was working, looking AMAZING in a full-length mink coat. I helped her pick out some gift items for her family. She was so sweet! I had one of her CDs, so I played it over the store speakers as she shopped. As soon as the music began she just smiled and gave me a little wink. Without ever calling attention to her identity, she new I recognized her. It was GREAT!!!

[rozenfelds84]

GRANDIOSE!!!!

[garconfrancais01]

i dont like kiri singing this...it doesnt sound the best...i like battle's better.

[cowzcanflyandmoo]

yeah, I have the recording of this and Kiri was okay ;x

[aasjb4ever]

louise is my cousin!

[saxamaphoneguy1]

I love how Kiri has such a huge variety of repertoire, she's not an opera snob, it's amazing, she's such a great person besides being such a hugely incredible singer. Also, i love the french horn playing scratching his back with his horn... haha not quite what it was made for :-P

[lijluvr356]

@saxamaphoneguy1 What do you mean that's not what they're made for?!

[saxamaphoneguy1]

@lijluvr356 haha no! But sometimes I do use my cello bow as a back scratch... so I guess it's ok! :-)

[lijluvr356]

@saxamaphoneguy1 XD

[LeoInterHyenaem]

@saxamaphoneguy1 Opera snob? Why shouldn't she be? Show me a reason good enough to force a world class Opera singer demean to, say, hiphop or that - I don't know what that disgrace is called - the styleless shouting so popular with young rednecks? Just as well, queens could make it their job to pose behind Red Light windows, enticing the (male) populace.

[Selendomono]

this is the only song in the show that i think isnt very good with an operatic voice. and dont tell me that WWS is an opera because it is not.

[kngiht84]

What's WWS ?

[Selendomono]

Lol sry i must have misstyped. i meant WSS (west side story)

[skitzo429]

Those are some pretty raunchy sounding unisons in the sidekick chorus haha

[MichelleLaJeunes]

What the hell do you know, skitzo

[skitzo429]

im a musician, with a sense of pitch, thats all one needs to know to hear that.

[MichelleLaJeunes]

Oh ok mr.skitzo, and I suppose you have a much more qualified ear than Berstein. Get over trashing people who have achieved more than you in what I'm sure is NOT your business. And if it is, I suggest practicing your faulty pitch, and not spending your time opening that amateur mouth of yours about legendary composers.

[MichelleLaJeunes]

Bernstein*

[swanningaround]

Who could not love Kiri? Her charisma is evident. Everyone seems to like her. I also love the three ladies backing this performance. Everyone is sooo talented in this ensemble.

[Jem0024]

this is a rare find, this video. i saw this once, and i never thought this'd be here on youtube. straight to my favorites it went! :]

[phantom4087]

Actually, he loved Te Kanawa, but hated Carreras.

[swanningaround]

Rubbish! Who could hate Jose? Certainly not Leni! Kiri and Jose are wonderful and charasmatic people. Their encounter with Leni is a national treasure.

[phantom4087]

Actually, there was footage from the WSS recording sessions. He was really pissed off at Carreras most of the time.

[bkis07]

Does anybody know the name of the trumpet player at 0:40 (in the middle)?

[33blueberries]

One of the most expensive wobbles I've ever heard. Brava.

[Iareto]

I'm assuming you mean Carreras?

[33blueberries]

Hehe, well, I meant te Kanawa, but perhaps we are both correct? ;)

[jonnybottle]

Why is she singing with a Greek accent?

[bluejade6]

gahh its jsut soo old sounding! Maria is a young girl for crying out loud!

[cuddlebear51]

She can feel pretty but she's ugly and her voice sucks!

[imani21]

and you are pretty? lmao.. loooser

[misslizzybennet]

The music may be operatic but the show just doesn't work well in an operatic setting to me. When it's done as an opera, it loses its connection to real life. And West Side Story is nothing without its connection to real life.

However, I do realize that this is supposed to a CONCERT tribute to the, and nothing more than that. There's a reason Len didn't go out and find actors. All he was looking for were the best voices possible who could do the score justice, and the score alone.

[swanningaround]

Kiri is a genius. The great Lenni acknowledges it too.

[freedom509rwk]

He hated her.

[LizN90]

Ummm...not.

[freedom509rwk]

Yes he did. He didn't like this cast at all.

[kanonkula]

what a stupid thing to say, you obviously haven`t watched the whole recording

[freedom509rwk]

I have read and seen interviews with Bernstein- and he didn't like this cast.

[nut1873]

bravo!

[broadwaydestined]

As beautifully sung and well done as this is, it doesn't match WSS. She doesn't sound like a young girl in love. It's just not right.

[MaestraWashu]

Yes, but what you have to understand is that this particular recording of WSS is MEANT to be operatic.

[swanningaround]

mark. That's because WSS is an opera.

[swanningaround]

Kiri has never described herself as a "diva". She called them "divers". Kiri always has a self effacing sense of humor. This comes across on these videos, and why Lenni clearly loves her.

[PenzancePete]

You've obviously never worked with the "queen cat" as backstage staff at Covent Garden refer to her. The sight of her swanning in to Walthamstowe town hall wearing a fur coat for a recording session was one to behold (Solti always gave his "pets" a fur coat.

[lennibernstein]

Oh I love them: Lenni and Kiri! WONDERFUL!!!

[owlclarke]

You can see her feeling the music! BEautifully sung, and obviously she would never play this role on stage!

[frustrado]

Maybe you are right. Thanks for your comment. :)

[evelynwong852]

marknyc5, I agree with you.

It's one thing to justifiably commend her for her singing, another thing to blindly laud every single one of her performances. She is truly a diva but she is out of her depth as Maria.

[MPearl8]

Why don't you post a video of yourself singing this song? You're acting like you can do better than Ms. Te Kanawa and you knew better than Mr. Bernstein. What ya THINGK? Jezz?

[evelynwong852]

You would be quite irrational to challenge any critic in the same way. I am by no means arrogant, nor do I suppose I have talent to match hers, and you would be stretching it very far to read that into my words. I think that bespeaks your rash character and lack of judgment. There will inevitably be some who disagree with my comment on her performance as Maria, and they are perfectly entitled to their personal opinion, but at least they are not at fault of being blind as you most certainly are.

[elizabethvonslussen]

How can you talk of depth of the character she sings? Kiri sings the song and does not act the role. What a silly comment. I think her singing is very good, but listen also to her rendition of SOMEWHERE and there, you can talk about depth.

[frustrado]

They are recording the sound, cuold be different if were acting on a scenary? (excuse my bad English)

[Eyatn]

No, sorry. Copyright issue. It has been released on a DVD.

[TheLadyofthewest]

@Amethyst888 why don`t you buy

[nessie96]

Love Kiri...the tempo was lovely...glad that Bernstein played it the way it was meant to be performed.

[kngiht84]

I wish she could just sing (dictation) like she talked

[Stevesueng]

The song requires a Puerto Rican accent.

From Wikipedia: In 1984, Bernstein decided to re-record the musical, conducting his own music for the first time. Generally known as the "operatic version" of West Side Story, it stars Kiri Te Kanawa as Maria, José Carreras as Tony, Tatiana Troyanos as Anita, Kurt Ollman as Riff, and Marilyn Horne as the offstage voice who sings "Somewhere". It won a Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album in 1985 and the recording process was filmed as a documentary.

[Eyatn]

Speaking of accent, José Carreras didn't quiet manage to overcome his Spanish one and in my opinion he was not the best choice to do Tony.

[nessie96]

I have to agree with you on that one.

[nclysander]

He was actually Bernstein's 3rd choice, and knew it too! They didn't get along all that well, I hear.

[swanningaround]

Who would the first and second be? Pavarotti and Domingo?