Don't be so picky Damo's not pretending to be Pavorotti or even David Hobson this is a popular version of Nessum Dorma- done by some other? pop star already. Yes it well open the door to classical music for those who have never been exposed to it. All the better for the real opera singers. Go Damo.
Well, I seriouselly don't know why everyone fels the need to sing nessun dorma, as if it is a must and some sort of piece that all great artists are supposed to sing. I guess this does not bother english speaking people, but he utterly murders the Italian language (and I am not Italian). Also, the ending was a messup. So my point is: Leave Nesun dorma and opera in general to opera singers unless you can really pull it off.
@apoc214 And you, my dear, are what the rest of us call an "opera snob". It's performing songs like Nesun Dorma on shows like Idol that opens up a whole new world of music to people (and kids) who wouldn't necessarily know about it. So just get over yourself. Also, this song was chosen FOR Damien. He didn't choose it. No, it's not perfect because he's not an opera singer but he gave it a smashing shot and won the comp. What have you accomplished lately?
@renilicious Why the hostility? I really like this clip. He has a great voice. He sings it really well. The english part kicks ass. The italian on the other hand, is ridiculous. And it's really a shame, because, if he did it all in english, it would have been great. Damien is great in this clip, but whoever came up with the great idea that he should learn Nessun dorma in a week should be kicked in the ass.
@renilicious Also, it's not about what I accomplished lately. I murder Nessun dorma. Puccini is turning in his grave when I sing it. :) My point is that he's capable of an even better performance, if he had another song or time to properly prepare. My beef is that it seems that people behind these shows only know one aria and that's Nessun dorma. There's a gazillion of cool arias of all kinds, but everyone from Paul Potts onward sings Nessun dorma. Let's hear something else, pls.
woulda been way better if he had have performed the entire thing in italian, takes the feel of the song away to do it in english in parts.... but very nice effort for someone thats not an opera singer
He absolutely blitzes the competition. There was never any doubt in my mind that he would win. And for any of you saying that none of the idols have careers, you are sadly mistaken. Damien released a book, and made a deal with Sony that he would be represented by them, but would write the songs with minimal contribution by Sony. Jessica mauboy, Ricki-lee, guy sebastian... Just a few examples have all had careers after idol.
Can contestants from Australian Idol really get a chance to show what they've got on the market? I mean we know a lot of them were going nowhere and went passe ever since earning some title and gone. It is really 15 minutes fame, case in point on the AI scene!
this from a man that had just migrated to Australia...we need more people like this to come here...a man of blatant honesty and talent......Damien is a huge bonus to our country and oh oh so talented......i am proud to welcome you to our golden shore...
The mere knowledge that this exists is enough to cause me significant distress. Listen to a real recording of this in the real key and then you'll get it! Education is the first step to understanding!!
To be quite honest, I think it was unkind of Mark to push Damien to sing this music. It is a show piece for the world's great operatic tenors, like Pavarotti and Placiido Domingo and it's impossible to avoid a (negative) comparison.
He did as well as possible under the circumstances, but it's not great.
this was my favourite year of idol. i was rooting for damien all the way through so it was pretty awesome when he won. i remember this rendition floored me at the time. but then again pretty much all of his performances did.
Haha commenmonster with "cock" added... simply genius. I do enjoy your name also: Thaicuntbreaker, so I take it you're well educated then? If you'd like me to submit my own video I will, naturally, I will accept the challenge in due course. Expect to hear from me. In the meantime, I suggest a trip to the library for you and perhaps running your comments past spell check before posting. Don't strain yourself however, I don't want to be held responsible for the death of both your brain cells!!
Hahaha so much anger, so little knowledge. I don't need to prove that I can do better, but really I can. There is no amount of explaining that seems to make you people get it, honestly. He's not a good singer of art music, that is a fact not an opinion. Stop arguing with facts... there is no point!
I'm a major fan of this guy, also an opera lover and this performance wasn't perfect. However, one thing all you music snobs forget is that Damien had never sung an aria in his life.this was an shortened version. Trained singers agreed, though, he held the vibrato well and pulled it of sufficiently to murder the opposition, in what was a competition afterall.. Damien has never had, and never will have, pretensions to opera. Give credit where it's due for a gallant effort, and loosen up, FFS!
Also, has it never occurred to you that millions of people who have never listened to opera could be turned on to it by something like this? Or would you rather keep it as your elitist, dying artform that no-one gives a crap about anymore because only the extensively trained can attempt it and only the rich can afford to go and see the heavily-subsidised performances? I suspect that's the case.
I don't actually agree with yourpremise - that the millions will be turned on to opera by this or similar performances. It's just not going to happen. More likely, what may happen is that 'quality art forms' will be reduced to MacDonalds mediocrity - because that's all the masses 'give a crap about' - to use your evocative phrase. (PS And I'm not a rabid follower of opera - I just have a respect for it as a great art form).
I agree and like your sentiment. Personally, I don't give much of a fig for "technically good" singers - what makes a singer, in my view, is how the lyrics are communicated. Is it honest and true to the lyrics? Yes. That makes this a good rendition, and it's not half bad technically anyway, with that NATURAL, not forced, vibrato. (Damn, I hate it when popular music singers produce false vibrato - it's so tacky.)
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i personally thought this was a very poor performance he shouldnt have touched a song as important as this. The vincero's are meant to grow in power and length, he hurried through the most momentous part of the song and that for me made it terrible...my opinion of course!!!
I think he has a great voice,,,but you re right on the fact that he DID hurried through the most momentous part of the song,,,,,,but come on! this is a difficult song! he only had a week to work on it! ooh well,,,that's my opinion,,, ;D
No one said he wasn't a nice guy, nor did they say he had a bad voice. The point has been that he did not do this aria justice... not even a little bit. Actually if anything, he did this aria an injustice. He's like the thief in the night - robbed Turandot, and all opera for that matter of some of its value!
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I don't care if you make a cover on U2 or Britney Spears. but for FUCK sake. dont mess with masterpeice Arias like Nessun Dorma. you stupid Fuck.. this guy don't respect Music.. this is an insult. and i wanted to cut OFF my ears. if you can't sing Opera. for god sake. don't try. Opera is Opera Pop is Pop. this is stupid. and the judges and this maggot, should be ashamed, and never be allowed to enter a stage again. the risk he destroying another Aria is just to big. sad sad day
Oh please! There are a few things I have learned over the years. 1. Music isn't about respect. You can't respect a song. You can, however, respect a performer. 2. Opera singers cannot sing pop music. It just comes across as sounding arrogant. 3. Pop singers cannot sing Opera. They come across as trying too hard. 4. Opera singers are not the be all end all of singers. 5. If you think they are you are clearly mistaken.
I don't understand how people can have such bright eyes and no brains.
How is it clear that you would be mistaken for placing more respect in opera singers than pop singers? Maybe clear to you, but that is not saying a lot by the looks of things. There's no question that opera singers are better musicians and have to work harder to refine their skill. People like picture books as well as high literature, but no one would ever say the picture book writer was as good as the proper writer would they...
People should wake up, this type of "entertainment" has one purpose, and one purpose alone...to make the already wealthy even wealthier. The Damian Leith's, and Paul Pott's come in way down the list in term's of their importance, and to those of you who say that it's their chance for fame.....what chance?.
You said it son...he's not an opera singer..indeed he's barely a singer- he proves this by having to to put the mic almost into his mouth in order to be heard...and this is an aria....not a "song", but being Australian I guess you can be forgiven for not knowing this.
I am totally down with your comment, however not entirely happy about the Australian bit. I am myself an Australian singer, and I find this guy an insult to a great art form too. I'm not being pompous. I just feel that this undermines the hard work that real singers put in to be able to pull this stuff off. To further illustrate this, all you need do is point out his technique flaws. Amongst many, his diction is lousy, his vibrato is out of control (and forced) and his breath control sucks.
I'm just glad to see that there is someone else out there as ashamed of this as I am. The thing that annoys me the most is the transposition. It's a mile away from the original key.
I can't believe how narrow-minded some people are on here. There is more than one form of singing; I would like to see how many people could pull this off in a few days? Not many I bet. Most classically trained singers take years and he had to learn two songs in in 7 days.
If you're that insulted by it, why not blame the judges who chose the song for him?
It was judges choice, but he had two options. A classical singer could learn a pop song in about an hour, easily. It would never take a classical singer years to learn one aria. Perhaps a year to learn the entire role (do you even know what the role is?) Little lesson time for you; it's Calaf, the suitor interested in Turandot in the opera Turandot. It's not narrow-mindedness, it's frustration. How would you feel if you were a proper novelist and a picture book writer compared himself to you?
i agree mate, i dont see how he got a touch down, he only done better than the backup singers in the last 5-10seconds. Hes a good singer dont get me wrong but a touchdon from this performance for nessun dorma.....its a joke
Operatic pop is a subgenre of pop music that is performed in a classical operatic style. Conversely, a song, theme or motif from classical music may be stylized as pop. The term popera is used by some media editors and music reviewers.
This is a fun style called POPERA and it is what it is-Streisand did it and so did people like Aretha FRANKLIN-it makes the music accessible to the masses and may be truer to Mozarts Shikenader than we know-but they are not opera singers and should never be constued as anything but pop singers doing opera arias-I thought this fellow was only marginal Potts is better-If you put Sarah Brightman against Sumi Jo you have a pop star and an opera star both are fine entertainers
Popera is a style that encompasses pop mixed with opera... not pop singers massacring opera. Stuff like the Prayer etc are certainly popera songs, but you're missing the point. People like Leith attempting opera damage it by presenting it incorrectly to the masses who just lap it up. This guy isn't a bad singer, but like I said, he couldn't sing that role in the opera, therefore doesn't have the right to attempt one of the big arias.
Wow, what an opera snob you are - people like you kill the enjoyment of music for EVERYONE. It's true, he doesn't have the voice to carry this song as it should be, but it's a competition and it was a challenge given to him by the judges. Having said that, he did EXTREMELY well considering he's a pop singer. He hasn't damaged anything - he's not pompous enough to pass himself off as an opera singer. Now, I can recommend a doctor to you so you can get that stick removed from your rear end...
Haha do you really know a doctor who specialises in removing sticks from people's asses? I'm not going to lie, I don't think your friend is really a doctor! Why are we still arguing? I agree that he can try and do whatever he wants, but you should also agree that he failed... quite badly. I just don't think people should perform things that are so badly learnt. People would freak if someone sang something in english and couldn't pronounce most of the words properly...
doesnt have the right???? Who appointed you god of music? Anyone has the right to try and do anything they'd like to attempt-because one doesnt paint like Titian one doesnt have the right to attempt painting??? You ruined your own arguement and supported mine by saying the masses lap it up-it allows people who might never know opera to be exposed from there anything is possible...some opera albeit professional is dreadful-I sat thru a Parsifal in L A that could have made anyone hate opera
god give him a break he did a great job, not only the opra but the italian. he had my vote. hes no pual pots, but hes not an opera singer. id like to c an opera singer top of the rock charts.
Wrong again. Paul Pots is also not an opera singer. People please, let's just agree that there are specialists of every musical field. Why should they try and cut each other's grass? This guy and Paul Pots suck at opera. There is no way they could perform the entire opera, therefore they don't have the right to attempt this aria. There should be no reason to reply to this. I win!
Not a bad try for someone not classically trained to learn in a week. Sure he made mistakes but he did it better then I could ever have done. To those who have left very negative comments I ask this, could you do better?
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I honestly believe that even if a professional tenor was forcefed a bucket of shit (namely this guy's singing) before going on stage, they'd still do a better job. I can't believe how much of a hack this idiot is, and people still lap it up. Come on people open your eyes, this guy wouldn't have a clue. He is so very disconnected from the text. Stupid bastard probably has no clue what they mean.
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THIS IS THE BIGGEST PEICE OF CRAP!!!!!
No, I'm sorry but Puccini never intended this to be sung this way and listen to that horrible accent he's singing with. What horrible, horrible vowels. Who the hell would think this is good? Only a true operaticly trained singer can sing this because it takes a level of sining that this guy does not have. WHO BELTS THE FINAL NOTE IN "NESSUN DORMA" ONLY A HACK!!! Paul Potts was better than this shit-head bastard
How about you appreciate what some people do, instead of ripping into them? For a competition such as Australian Idol- you have to admit it's impressive, and outshines songs like Wiggle It. If you know, and can do so much better, why don't you show it?
I wasn't saying I don't appreciate his music... that however isn't his music. I don't need to prove anything to people on the internet, but I could do a better job, even though I'm only a 1st year classical voice student. I'm not a tenor, but the key he did it in was baritone friendly. It's a major third down from the original. As a classical singer I would never try to sing something I don't understand or can't handle. He tried this and failed sorry!
It was good without being spectacular, obviously he isn't classicly trained, but he had a real good attempt at it and did very well.
He got a touchdown because it was better than anybody else that night, if you put him up against Bocelli, Pavarotti etc, It would of been average etc.
Yes, even Damien admitted that he doesn't speak Italian and had never sung opera before - so it's not perfect in the classical sense... but he made it his style and it's perfect to me. He had one week to prepare a compulsory piece for the competition - when he usually sings rock/alternative - and it's better than others who practised much longer. He gave it his all and I loved it.
Exactly - he took on the challenge to take out the competition. I have heard Damien sing this live and he's not Pavarotti obviously (who could be?), but he makes his Nessun Dorma worthwhile by not trying to be. Half the contestants on Aus. Idol these days can't even speak or sing in English properly. Honestly, don't be fooled by how loud some singers need to belt to get noticed. Pavarotti was great because he had charisma and real feeling in his vocals, and Damien has that too.
QUESTION: If you hate damien lief, think he is crap or watever why did you
1. type in damien lief in the search engine
2. Click on this clip
3. Watch the clip
4. COMMENT IT
Yes. you must really hate him, how dare we emforce his brilliance on you wen clearly he sucks, the only way you can say he sucks if you sing the same song and then post it cuz if he is better than one individual he doesnt SUCK.
firstly, he didn't choose this song. the judges did. he did win idol in the end! stop rubbishing our idol. he is at so much better than natalie gauchie.
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dude totally, i can pronounce the words better than him! i am so tired of people with weak voices making slow, boring, quiet versions of songs that are supposed to be powerful. this is the versin of nessun dorma i would expect to hear at starbucks. check out the cliff mccormick version.
Yep. Soooo right! And by the way, did the british win the revotionary war? kidding! I know we did:-) Your video about it was brilliant. Loved the comedy. Thanks again for your comments.
what language is he singing in the first verse?!! it sounds like he's forgotten the words and is making up some combo of english and italian!! which is just massacring the the aria! 2nd why is he even singing this? it's like.. i don't know, i don't want to be mean but that's SO messed up!!! his voice is definitely, definitely great for other things but for opera? (especially Puccini, who only the very most robust singers can even think about handling) anyways...eek!!
True but he's not an opera singer, he's a pop singer, he was just throwing a little something different into the mix. Solid effort for a pop singer, I'd like to see JT match this!
Reading thru the other coments i was ashmed 2 be australian. Damien gave his all and this song wasnt his choice it was the judges and it still gave me goosepumps. Its so easy 2 knock others when you have never achieved anything personally. I think those who do have something 2 prove 2 themselves by spewing the hatefull crap on these responses. when and if you ever reach damiens level of success then have your spitefull say.
I belive he learned it in a week and i tip my hat off to anyone who sings opera it is hard add in the fact he is no opera singer he did a great job while bringing to a show thats basie in pop music!
first, aretha franklin's version is hers and beautiful, be open minded and discover new interpretations of classics. Pavarotti is Pavarotti, and so on. twit.
chris....normally i would agree,,,,new interpretations can bring a new audience...and blah, blah blah.... but i'm with costarica..maybe he should have started with something less classic,,,like a madonna song... plus, did u really need to add twit?
check out Paul Potts in the UK talent contest, a humble, non arrogant, unassuming normal guy off the street who went on to win the competiton. (check audition first)
Many musical mistakes .shit I m a singer too...OK i didnt exept to he could sing as a tenor .but god .He is not more then a karaoke singer who sings in a karaoke pub. sound is really like a joke...if u like this perform .I m sorry but you should show your ears to a doctor..should be something wrong with your ears...and also he must. he doesent hear to music even forget about technique.
That's the most stupid comment I've heard for a long time. If you mean what you're saying I think you should stop commenting on others music, cus you really don't have a clue then.
Well then if your a singer and you think you are so friggen good then lets have a video response of you singing Nessun Dorma.Firstly Damien is not a trained operatic singer second he had one week to learn the technique and the song which i might add is sung in a language he does not speak and thirdly there is not a single person on this planet who can sing Nessun Dorma like Pavarotti.If you are aware of anything this song was judges choice.
Awesome i love him
jilleemillee 3 weeks ago
This brings still tears in my eyes. He is so good. Love him, Love him, Love him!!!!
edamse 3 months ago
Wtf they destroyed Nessun Dorma. However, he does have a good voice. He just wasn't the right person to sing it.
tjtheplay 4 months ago
Don't be so picky Damo's not pretending to be Pavorotti or even David Hobson this is a popular version of Nessum Dorma- done by some other? pop star already. Yes it well open the door to classical music for those who have never been exposed to it. All the better for the real opera singers. Go Damo.
angelidol2711 6 months ago
I hope someone could do this on American Idol... HE SLAYED THIS SONG!
aric2007 8 months ago
Well, I seriouselly don't know why everyone fels the need to sing nessun dorma, as if it is a must and some sort of piece that all great artists are supposed to sing. I guess this does not bother english speaking people, but he utterly murders the Italian language (and I am not Italian). Also, the ending was a messup. So my point is: Leave Nesun dorma and opera in general to opera singers unless you can really pull it off.
apoc214 8 months ago
@apoc214 And you, my dear, are what the rest of us call an "opera snob". It's performing songs like Nesun Dorma on shows like Idol that opens up a whole new world of music to people (and kids) who wouldn't necessarily know about it. So just get over yourself. Also, this song was chosen FOR Damien. He didn't choose it. No, it's not perfect because he's not an opera singer but he gave it a smashing shot and won the comp. What have you accomplished lately?
renilicious 7 months ago 4
@renilicious Why the hostility? I really like this clip. He has a great voice. He sings it really well. The english part kicks ass. The italian on the other hand, is ridiculous. And it's really a shame, because, if he did it all in english, it would have been great. Damien is great in this clip, but whoever came up with the great idea that he should learn Nessun dorma in a week should be kicked in the ass.
apoc214 4 months ago
@renilicious Also, it's not about what I accomplished lately. I murder Nessun dorma. Puccini is turning in his grave when I sing it. :) My point is that he's capable of an even better performance, if he had another song or time to properly prepare. My beef is that it seems that people behind these shows only know one aria and that's Nessun dorma. There's a gazillion of cool arias of all kinds, but everyone from Paul Potts onward sings Nessun dorma. Let's hear something else, pls.
apoc214 4 months ago
love this so much
dogwalker4040 8 months ago
he learned the italian for this song in the week which i thought was amazing when i heard it first time
strykerau 1 year ago 2
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He butchered the song, tis was shocking. Pathetic.
BillyTheOnion 1 year ago
woulda been way better if he had have performed the entire thing in italian, takes the feel of the song away to do it in english in parts.... but very nice effort for someone thats not an opera singer
cdlund1987 1 year ago 4
This made the hairs on my neck stand up - a real tingle. Beautiful.
mmebenaut1 1 year ago 7
He can't sing opera, it's out of his range.
brotherjohn25 1 year ago 3
I mean your the best Damien.
jilleemillee 1 year ago
I've never been a fan of Idol, until i saw Damien sing, he's the only contesant to ever make me want to watch Idol. You are the beast Damien.
jilleemillee 1 year ago
He absolutely blitzes the competition. There was never any doubt in my mind that he would win. And for any of you saying that none of the idols have careers, you are sadly mistaken. Damien released a book, and made a deal with Sony that he would be represented by them, but would write the songs with minimal contribution by Sony. Jessica mauboy, Ricki-lee, guy sebastian... Just a few examples have all had careers after idol.
ClownsDoScareMe 1 year ago
This is fantastic for someone who is not an opera singer, not many singers could do as well as he has.
Zeenta 1 year ago 2
Can contestants from Australian Idol really get a chance to show what they've got on the market? I mean we know a lot of them were going nowhere and went passe ever since earning some title and gone. It is really 15 minutes fame, case in point on the AI scene!
estherteng 1 year ago
this from a man that had just migrated to Australia...we need more people like this to come here...a man of blatant honesty and talent......Damien is a huge bonus to our country and oh oh so talented......i am proud to welcome you to our golden shore...
crypticqueen 1 year ago
horse shit
j0NB0Y94 1 year ago
great (repeat) great effort.
but lacks some depth.....
Gee40areretarded 1 year ago
ma per favore...non si può proprio sentire ....terribile
mausca61 2 years ago
Uterly fantastic, loved it.
Loueyful 2 years ago 15
come on man,you should be singing opera like,what's that..you don't even now the lyrics,jesus...stay home and close the door
Mr19841504 2 years ago
This is so fucking silly. He is drowned by a rogue trombone at 1:01. Whoever arranged this was a dumbass.
manualdemise 2 years ago
I hate this so much... everytime I watch this a little bit of me dies.
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
smart thing to do would be to stop watching it.
konnen95 2 years ago 5
The mere knowledge that this exists is enough to cause me significant distress. Listen to a real recording of this in the real key and then you'll get it! Education is the first step to understanding!!
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
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what...the...hell.......
Costello426 2 years ago
Hey, did you know that this singer, Damien Leith, has a new single and album coming out?
The new single is called 'To Get To You', and its available in Australia from September 25 2009.
If you want to hear the song in full and watch the video, just put 'Damien Leith To Get To You' the You Tube search.
The new album is called 'Remember June', and it is available to buy from October 9 2009.
Its not opera, more like the Killers meets Roy Orbison! Same beautiful voice though, check it out.
tcbambridge 2 years ago
To be quite honest, I think it was unkind of Mark to push Damien to sing this music. It is a show piece for the world's great operatic tenors, like Pavarotti and Placiido Domingo and it's impossible to avoid a (negative) comparison.
He did as well as possible under the circumstances, but it's not great.
FairGo49 2 years ago
this was my favourite year of idol. i was rooting for damien all the way through so it was pretty awesome when he won. i remember this rendition floored me at the time. but then again pretty much all of his performances did.
BETTiExxREDSKULL 2 years ago 20
@BETTiExxREDSKULL haha, rooting
essendonFC4eva 3 days ago
i think this is better than paul potts first attempt
sneakytoadstool 2 years ago 3
Haha commenmonster with "cock" added... simply genius. I do enjoy your name also: Thaicuntbreaker, so I take it you're well educated then? If you'd like me to submit my own video I will, naturally, I will accept the challenge in due course. Expect to hear from me. In the meantime, I suggest a trip to the library for you and perhaps running your comments past spell check before posting. Don't strain yourself however, I don't want to be held responsible for the death of both your brain cells!!
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
Are you still banging the same old drum?? FFS, GET A LIFE!
TrillyD 2 years ago
This is awesome!!
Claralanz4 2 years ago 2
post ya own video then commentcockmonster
thaicuntbreaker 2 years ago
Have I also made another thing clear? Pop singer's aren't very good at performing art music... tell me that is sinking in.
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
Commentmonster2008 made more sense to me when it became apparent that TrillyD is a jackass.
gaius22 2 years ago
You have at least made one thing perfectly clear.... Humility is not one of your strongest qualities.
Muttley64 2 years ago
greetings from a fellow Leith in the UK!
bobbyjoey131 2 years ago
Hahaha so much anger, so little knowledge. I don't need to prove that I can do better, but really I can. There is no amount of explaining that seems to make you people get it, honestly. He's not a good singer of art music, that is a fact not an opinion. Stop arguing with facts... there is no point!
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
I'm a major fan of this guy, also an opera lover and this performance wasn't perfect. However, one thing all you music snobs forget is that Damien had never sung an aria in his life.this was an shortened version. Trained singers agreed, though, he held the vibrato well and pulled it of sufficiently to murder the opposition, in what was a competition afterall.. Damien has never had, and never will have, pretensions to opera. Give credit where it's due for a gallant effort, and loosen up, FFS!
TrillyD 2 years ago 3
Also, has it never occurred to you that millions of people who have never listened to opera could be turned on to it by something like this? Or would you rather keep it as your elitist, dying artform that no-one gives a crap about anymore because only the extensively trained can attempt it and only the rich can afford to go and see the heavily-subsidised performances? I suspect that's the case.
TrillyD 2 years ago
TrillyD,
I don't actually agree with yourpremise - that the millions will be turned on to opera by this or similar performances. It's just not going to happen. More likely, what may happen is that 'quality art forms' will be reduced to MacDonalds mediocrity - because that's all the masses 'give a crap about' - to use your evocative phrase. (PS And I'm not a rabid follower of opera - I just have a respect for it as a great art form).
FairGo49 2 years ago
I agree and like your sentiment. Personally, I don't give much of a fig for "technically good" singers - what makes a singer, in my view, is how the lyrics are communicated. Is it honest and true to the lyrics? Yes. That makes this a good rendition, and it's not half bad technically anyway, with that NATURAL, not forced, vibrato. (Damn, I hate it when popular music singers produce false vibrato - it's so tacky.)
harryf200 2 years ago 4
for all yous critics,as if u could do better u dickheads!!! GO AUSSIES!
BuxomRach 2 years ago
He's incredible. He's an even more incredible singing in person!
paulwalkersgirl 2 years ago 2
I had forgotten HOW hot he was. What a little Irish hottie!
radsue 2 years ago 2
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he is not that good
I could not imagine a touch down. how?
paulkun 2 years ago
not that good? did you get to the opera house to sing? i dont think so. love ppl who criticise, all jealous
usylum 2 years ago
boring song boring singer is hitting high notes that important?
armseeker 2 years ago
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i personally thought this was a very poor performance he shouldnt have touched a song as important as this. The vincero's are meant to grow in power and length, he hurried through the most momentous part of the song and that for me made it terrible...my opinion of course!!!
sliceadice 2 years ago
I think he has a great voice,,,but you re right on the fact that he DID hurried through the most momentous part of the song,,,,,,but come on! this is a difficult song! he only had a week to work on it! ooh well,,,that's my opinion,,, ;D
blueicefairy11 2 years ago
They are not able to sing the "whole" song.
It's a competition. And he won :)
bubblesoclock 2 years ago
There is a lot of very rude people out there, he has a lovely voice and is a lovely person.
Zeenta 2 years ago 2
No one said he wasn't a nice guy, nor did they say he had a bad voice. The point has been that he did not do this aria justice... not even a little bit. Actually if anything, he did this aria an injustice. He's like the thief in the night - robbed Turandot, and all opera for that matter of some of its value!
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I don't care if you make a cover on U2 or Britney Spears. but for FUCK sake. dont mess with masterpeice Arias like Nessun Dorma. you stupid Fuck.. this guy don't respect Music.. this is an insult. and i wanted to cut OFF my ears. if you can't sing Opera. for god sake. don't try. Opera is Opera Pop is Pop. this is stupid. and the judges and this maggot, should be ashamed, and never be allowed to enter a stage again. the risk he destroying another Aria is just to big. sad sad day
awestby 2 years ago
Oh please! There are a few things I have learned over the years. 1. Music isn't about respect. You can't respect a song. You can, however, respect a performer. 2. Opera singers cannot sing pop music. It just comes across as sounding arrogant. 3. Pop singers cannot sing Opera. They come across as trying too hard. 4. Opera singers are not the be all end all of singers. 5. If you think they are you are clearly mistaken.
I don't understand how people can have such bright eyes and no brains.
PapaBrian72 2 years ago
How is it clear that you would be mistaken for placing more respect in opera singers than pop singers? Maybe clear to you, but that is not saying a lot by the looks of things. There's no question that opera singers are better musicians and have to work harder to refine their skill. People like picture books as well as high literature, but no one would ever say the picture book writer was as good as the proper writer would they...
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
Have to agree with you there, Commentmonster.
This performance pales into insignificance next to a real opera singer and although 'OK' will never be more than that.
lifestooshort28 2 years ago
People should wake up, this type of "entertainment" has one purpose, and one purpose alone...to make the already wealthy even wealthier. The Damian Leith's, and Paul Pott's come in way down the list in term's of their importance, and to those of you who say that it's their chance for fame.....what chance?.
francovance1 2 years ago
Love it
KustomAnt 2 years ago
Rubbish....an insult!!
francovance1 2 years ago
bull crap pal, he isn't an opera singer and this is as good as you can get without being an opera singer. This song showed how great his voice is.
raff23 2 years ago
You said it son...he's not an opera singer..indeed he's barely a singer- he proves this by having to to put the mic almost into his mouth in order to be heard...and this is an aria....not a "song", but being Australian I guess you can be forgiven for not knowing this.
francovance1 2 years ago
I am totally down with your comment, however not entirely happy about the Australian bit. I am myself an Australian singer, and I find this guy an insult to a great art form too. I'm not being pompous. I just feel that this undermines the hard work that real singers put in to be able to pull this stuff off. To further illustrate this, all you need do is point out his technique flaws. Amongst many, his diction is lousy, his vibrato is out of control (and forced) and his breath control sucks.
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
Fair enough..I take back the Australian bit- I was a bit hot under the collar when I wrote it....but the rest is my honest opinion, and so it stays.
francovance1 2 years ago
I'm just glad to see that there is someone else out there as ashamed of this as I am. The thing that annoys me the most is the transposition. It's a mile away from the original key.
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
Maybe that's because he's not an opera singer?
I can't believe how narrow-minded some people are on here. There is more than one form of singing; I would like to see how many people could pull this off in a few days? Not many I bet. Most classically trained singers take years and he had to learn two songs in in 7 days.
If you're that insulted by it, why not blame the judges who chose the song for him?
bgussey 2 years ago
It was judges choice, but he had two options. A classical singer could learn a pop song in about an hour, easily. It would never take a classical singer years to learn one aria. Perhaps a year to learn the entire role (do you even know what the role is?) Little lesson time for you; it's Calaf, the suitor interested in Turandot in the opera Turandot. It's not narrow-mindedness, it's frustration. How would you feel if you were a proper novelist and a picture book writer compared himself to you?
Commentmonster2008 2 years ago
i agree mate, i dont see how he got a touch down, he only done better than the backup singers in the last 5-10seconds. Hes a good singer dont get me wrong but a touchdon from this performance for nessun dorma.....its a joke
KingBradley 2 years ago
go fuck yourself
MRIamJOB 2 years ago
HORRIBLE!!! I do love Damien, but this version is not listenable!!
Marcjonatas 2 years ago
I loved it......
JoMil09 2 years ago
sounds so much better in italian
sounds awkward in english
boru1982 3 years ago
this btw is the definition of POPERA-
Operatic pop is a subgenre of pop music that is performed in a classical operatic style. Conversely, a song, theme or motif from classical music may be stylized as pop. The term popera is used by some media editors and music reviewers.
disneydon07 3 years ago
This is a fun style called POPERA and it is what it is-Streisand did it and so did people like Aretha FRANKLIN-it makes the music accessible to the masses and may be truer to Mozarts Shikenader than we know-but they are not opera singers and should never be constued as anything but pop singers doing opera arias-I thought this fellow was only marginal Potts is better-If you put Sarah Brightman against Sumi Jo you have a pop star and an opera star both are fine entertainers
disneydon07 3 years ago
Popera is a style that encompasses pop mixed with opera... not pop singers massacring opera. Stuff like the Prayer etc are certainly popera songs, but you're missing the point. People like Leith attempting opera damage it by presenting it incorrectly to the masses who just lap it up. This guy isn't a bad singer, but like I said, he couldn't sing that role in the opera, therefore doesn't have the right to attempt one of the big arias.
Commentmonster2008 3 years ago
Wow, what an opera snob you are - people like you kill the enjoyment of music for EVERYONE. It's true, he doesn't have the voice to carry this song as it should be, but it's a competition and it was a challenge given to him by the judges. Having said that, he did EXTREMELY well considering he's a pop singer. He hasn't damaged anything - he's not pompous enough to pass himself off as an opera singer. Now, I can recommend a doctor to you so you can get that stick removed from your rear end...
renilicious 3 years ago
Haha do you really know a doctor who specialises in removing sticks from people's asses? I'm not going to lie, I don't think your friend is really a doctor! Why are we still arguing? I agree that he can try and do whatever he wants, but you should also agree that he failed... quite badly. I just don't think people should perform things that are so badly learnt. People would freak if someone sang something in english and couldn't pronounce most of the words properly...
Commentmonster2008 3 years ago
doesnt have the right???? Who appointed you god of music? Anyone has the right to try and do anything they'd like to attempt-because one doesnt paint like Titian one doesnt have the right to attempt painting??? You ruined your own arguement and supported mine by saying the masses lap it up-it allows people who might never know opera to be exposed from there anything is possible...some opera albeit professional is dreadful-I sat thru a Parsifal in L A that could have made anyone hate opera
disneydon07 3 years ago
god give him a break he did a great job, not only the opra but the italian. he had my vote. hes no pual pots, but hes not an opera singer. id like to c an opera singer top of the rock charts.
commegno42 3 years ago
Wrong again. Paul Pots is also not an opera singer. People please, let's just agree that there are specialists of every musical field. Why should they try and cut each other's grass? This guy and Paul Pots suck at opera. There is no way they could perform the entire opera, therefore they don't have the right to attempt this aria. There should be no reason to reply to this. I win!
Commentmonster2008 3 years ago
god please, teach him a little of italian...
it was horrible...
vostrosignore 3 years ago
he can't sing opera.
gabituk 3 years ago
he is great, he had to learn that in one week!!!!!
verrgs32 3 years ago
Sorry but this guy its sucks, he dont have talent to sing opera, maybe for another genero but not Opera NEVER
raciello 3 years ago
Not a bad try for someone not classically trained to learn in a week. Sure he made mistakes but he did it better then I could ever have done. To those who have left very negative comments I ask this, could you do better?
shatros 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I honestly believe that even if a professional tenor was forcefed a bucket of shit (namely this guy's singing) before going on stage, they'd still do a better job. I can't believe how much of a hack this idiot is, and people still lap it up. Come on people open your eyes, this guy wouldn't have a clue. He is so very disconnected from the text. Stupid bastard probably has no clue what they mean.
Commentmonster2008 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
THIS IS THE BIGGEST PEICE OF CRAP!!!!!
No, I'm sorry but Puccini never intended this to be sung this way and listen to that horrible accent he's singing with. What horrible, horrible vowels. Who the hell would think this is good? Only a true operaticly trained singer can sing this because it takes a level of sining that this guy does not have. WHO BELTS THE FINAL NOTE IN "NESSUN DORMA" ONLY A HACK!!! Paul Potts was better than this shit-head bastard
phantomnumber20 3 years ago
How about you appreciate what some people do, instead of ripping into them? For a competition such as Australian Idol- you have to admit it's impressive, and outshines songs like Wiggle It. If you know, and can do so much better, why don't you show it?
mllecharlo 3 years ago 4
I wasn't saying I don't appreciate his music... that however isn't his music. I don't need to prove anything to people on the internet, but I could do a better job, even though I'm only a 1st year classical voice student. I'm not a tenor, but the key he did it in was baritone friendly. It's a major third down from the original. As a classical singer I would never try to sing something I don't understand or can't handle. He tried this and failed sorry!
Commentmonster2008 3 years ago
chill's
raider311 3 years ago
It was good without being spectacular, obviously he isn't classicly trained, but he had a real good attempt at it and did very well.
He got a touchdown because it was better than anybody else that night, if you
ftp44 3 years ago
It was good without being spectacular, obviously he isn't classicly trained, but he had a real good attempt at it and did very well.
He got a touchdown because it was better than anybody else that night, if you put him up against Bocelli, Pavarotti etc, It would of been average etc.
But a good attempth
ftp44 3 years ago
i love the look on his face at the end.
xx
SxcSinny 3 years ago 2
hello cousin wat a brilliant performance cudnt of done it better. An t-ádh leat x x x
Wiggles207 3 years ago 2
maybe they should get Britney spears to sing this
jimbobreloaded 3 years ago
I think a meteor would hit the planet (maybe should) the day that happens. What a massive bimbo whore.
underfoil 3 years ago
Yes, even Damien admitted that he doesn't speak Italian and had never sung opera before - so it's not perfect in the classical sense... but he made it his style and it's perfect to me. He had one week to prepare a compulsory piece for the competition - when he usually sings rock/alternative - and it's better than others who practised much longer. He gave it his all and I loved it.
I say, BRAVO DAMIEN!!
You rocked the house!!!
serendipityI 3 years ago 5
Exactly - he took on the challenge to take out the competition. I have heard Damien sing this live and he's not Pavarotti obviously (who could be?), but he makes his Nessun Dorma worthwhile by not trying to be. Half the contestants on Aus. Idol these days can't even speak or sing in English properly. Honestly, don't be fooled by how loud some singers need to belt to get noticed. Pavarotti was great because he had charisma and real feeling in his vocals, and Damien has that too.
marieeiris 3 years ago
Damien won didn't he, Anthony Callea didn't so who do you think works it better.
bunnchyy 3 years ago
lol that's some truistic reasoning if i ever saw it
riordan32 3 years ago
he just cant work it like anthony callea can
kaizenyorii 3 years ago
this is better than pauls version
sneakytoadstool 3 years ago
QUESTION: If you hate damien lief, think he is crap or watever why did you
1. type in damien lief in the search engine
2. Click on this clip
3. Watch the clip
4. COMMENT IT
Yes. you must really hate him, how dare we emforce his brilliance on you wen clearly he sucks, the only way you can say he sucks if you sing the same song and then post it cuz if he is better than one individual he doesnt SUCK.
haha soz
xx
SxcSinny 3 years ago 3
cause i think i typed in Damien Leith .
renegade694u 3 years ago
Because someone told me to have a look at it.
charlesprinceofswing 3 years ago
Regardless of the voice...I think if you want to take on a song in a different language, you should perfect the words in that language.
squeeezable 3 years ago
I hope they don't have youtube in heaven, Pavarotti would turn in his grave.
koyw 3 years ago 2
firstly, he didn't choose this song. the judges did. he did win idol in the end! stop rubbishing our idol. he is at so much better than natalie gauchie.
tatiana113 3 years ago
What are they screaming about, he is rubbish..at least on that great peice of opera
charlesprinceofswing 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
dude totally, i can pronounce the words better than him! i am so tired of people with weak voices making slow, boring, quiet versions of songs that are supposed to be powerful. this is the versin of nessun dorma i would expect to hear at starbucks. check out the cliff mccormick version.
dougerber 3 years ago
Yep. Soooo right! And by the way, did the british win the revotionary war? kidding! I know we did:-) Your video about it was brilliant. Loved the comedy. Thanks again for your comments.
charlesprinceofswing 3 years ago
awesome!!
UnseenFilmZ 3 years ago
what language is he singing in the first verse?!! it sounds like he's forgotten the words and is making up some combo of english and italian!! which is just massacring the the aria! 2nd why is he even singing this? it's like.. i don't know, i don't want to be mean but that's SO messed up!!! his voice is definitely, definitely great for other things but for opera? (especially Puccini, who only the very most robust singers can even think about handling) anyways...eek!!
kiwihaley 3 years ago
Oh god, he's fucking killing the classic...
siegestor 3 years ago
and the studio burnt to the ground too
jalidav1 3 years ago
i want to cry.......a murder has taken place. the guy should be shot
jalidav1 3 years ago
whats the english translation- i cant make it all out.
thanks
STILLNEEDANAME 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This is my boyfriend Giovanni Grewing Dubon Barillas in the video, I took his pictures in the intimacy...Go and see it's called GAYGUATEMALTECO!
repunial 3 years ago
i think he has the voice of an angel,and i luv the look on his face at the end
bunnchyy 3 years ago
what a majestic opus.
what a admissible singer.
what a show in bad style.
and a screaming audience with posters...
That doesn´t fit at all. It´s like eating fries at the Queen.
Nevertheless, he´s okay and the notes are unconceivable.
Uruguay1987 4 years ago
first half really stupid and avarege but the ending was great!
diefelo1 4 years ago
Very good Irish tenor voice. But not "big" enough for this song. Not that he mangled it. It's a pleasant performance. But where's the fire in him?
Cinders29 4 years ago
True but he's not an opera singer, he's a pop singer, he was just throwing a little something different into the mix. Solid effort for a pop singer, I'd like to see JT match this!
duffmanbegins 4 years ago
Hes okay for Australian idol I suppose.
YNitro44 4 years ago
It's hard to enjoy any other version of Nessun Dorma once you've heard Pavarotti sing it.
But decent version nonetheless.
CabronDioz 4 years ago
he'd better learn the proper words first before he can touch the song...
marioveltman 4 years ago
He sounds abit weak at the higher notes... @.@, but very nice!!!!!! A very refreshing change from all the covered classical singers. =)
polotemy 4 years ago
well to you all that dont think this song is good i would pay to see him sing this to me he excelled every expectation i had of him.
he should be very proud what he did with this song i agree he has a voice of an angel and i wish him well
doveangels 4 years ago
Not a opera singer at all but a lovely voice.
Eldadnya 4 years ago
nada de otro mundo,es mas ,canta en un tono muy bajo,no me gusta,le falta potencia,que cante mas fuerte,es como si tuviera miedo de desafinarse
nelsonfrazier 4 years ago
Man, this guy has a great voice. I might suggest he lean away from opera... he could kill the ladies with some traditional love songs...
msk779 4 years ago
he's the australian IDOL winner. he was just showing what his voice is capable of
5tyl15m0 4 years ago
Reading thru the other coments i was ashmed 2 be australian. Damien gave his all and this song wasnt his choice it was the judges and it still gave me goosepumps. Its so easy 2 knock others when you have never achieved anything personally. I think those who do have something 2 prove 2 themselves by spewing the hatefull crap on these responses. when and if you ever reach damiens level of success then have your spitefull say.
adelle70 4 years ago
wow, for a non-opera singer that was actually not too bad.
i was enjoying this video until mark holden came on to it. eugh.
gillebro 4 years ago
Damien, kamu nggak cocok nyanyi opera, deh.
gds76 4 years ago
what a "@%&!¿?=
quetraesputo 4 years ago
This is lowered a minor 3rd... that's cheating!!!
cbrown6660 4 years ago
He can sing anything and still sound fantastic Opera singers can only sing Opera.
Zeenta 4 years ago
all...they can sing whatever ..they just have better technique and they don't hurt themselves!
WGJ06 4 years ago
what a crock of shit
theskilled99 4 years ago
i feel sorry for ppl who insult him..
u guys are jokes..
its obvious that the song was 'given' to him..
he dint choose it..
plus the word tenor means 'to hold'..
and obviously he can hold his voice at a fairly high pitch..
eliterammer 4 years ago
Of course added the fact that it isnt his usual style, he had to learn italian and the entire song in a few days. Damo is a legend!
Logikally 4 years ago 2
I belive he learned it in a week and i tip my hat off to anyone who sings opera it is hard add in the fact he is no opera singer he did a great job while bringing to a show thats basie in pop music!
Sazzita 4 years ago
Pretty good for somebody who only had a few days to learn it. I enjoyed it anyway.
vanjane 4 years ago 2
This is "supposed to be" an operatic aria,,,,far beyond non singers,,,like this.
Ivanhoe2 4 years ago
first, aretha franklin's version is hers and beautiful, be open minded and discover new interpretations of classics. Pavarotti is Pavarotti, and so on. twit.
and yes, the choir did suck.
chris0655 4 years ago
chris....normally i would agree,,,,new interpretations can bring a new audience...and blah, blah blah.... but i'm with costarica..maybe he should have started with something less classic,,,like a madonna song... plus, did u really need to add twit?
no1special24 4 years ago
you pick this song and you better damn well be able to deliver....never do this again...but i heard the backstreet boys are auditioning
CostaRicaAdventures 4 years ago
I like he singing, nice voice, smoth tone, but it is not ophera it is nessun dorma turned into pop song.
RodrigoSisdeli 4 years ago
What, do they find their contestants chasing after roos? This is embarrassing at the very best. LMAO
Brandy414 4 years ago 2
WTF is this shit?
luckyvet 4 years ago
Oh dear, that was awful, he butchered one of the most beautiful songs of all time.
JasonSorsac 4 years ago 4
Full agree. He took a dump on Pavorotti's head.
BEHOLDBOJANGLES 4 years ago
that would be funny to watch.
hendrixslash 4 years ago
check out Paul Potts in the UK talent contest, a humble, non arrogant, unassuming normal guy off the street who went on to win the competiton. (check audition first)
This is weak and rubbish in comparison!
takewhole 4 years ago
That makes me teary everytime I see it. So beautiful!
nymphbelle 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I hope he die soon... that beautiful song must be singed by a good opera singer... not by a moron...
malfoyo 4 years ago
this man destroyed the song and the choir was maybe the worst i've ever heard.
aretha franklin also destroyed this song when she sang it.
come on guys, this is opera, not pop.
notindisguise 4 years ago 3
He does have the voice of an angel and he is gorgeous looking.
Zeenta 4 years ago
I don't care what your comments are, but I just LOVE it. Voice of an angel.
jollysydneysider 4 years ago
Kyle Sanchez said he'd never heard of it. What a dickwad.
jollywollydotcom 4 years ago
my ears are not toillet
assurbas 4 years ago
Many musical mistakes .shit I m a singer too...OK i didnt exept to he could sing as a tenor .but god .He is not more then a karaoke singer who sings in a karaoke pub. sound is really like a joke...if u like this perform .I m sorry but you should show your ears to a doctor..should be something wrong with your ears...and also he must. he doesent hear to music even forget about technique.
hehetheking 4 years ago
That's the most stupid comment I've heard for a long time. If you mean what you're saying I think you should stop commenting on others music, cus you really don't have a clue then.
Flamoz 4 years ago
i doubt that you are a singer, and if you are you are not worthy to even lick damien's boots
gstum1 4 years ago
Well then if your a singer and you think you are so friggen good then lets have a video response of you singing Nessun Dorma.Firstly Damien is not a trained operatic singer second he had one week to learn the technique and the song which i might add is sung in a language he does not speak and thirdly there is not a single person on this planet who can sing Nessun Dorma like Pavarotti.If you are aware of anything this song was judges choice.
Dilclo 4 years ago
shame you cat spell, or speak. Wow i bet you cant sing either, wonder how you breathe? Dont care just curious
10rix1 4 years ago
oh dear.
saspaddy 4 years ago
very very well done for doing it only with one week notice!!
cooljob9 4 years ago