I love Sumi, but i think this time, she didn`t undrstand this role, I mean, it should be funny, is not like singing clasic opera, (wich she does perfect), but this role should be hillarious, I like Natalie, or Kristin playing this role, but I still love Sumi.
Actually, Kristin Chenoweth is also a classically trained singer. She has a masters in Opera Performance. It's so obvious in her singing that she isn't just a Broadway singer. Someone who's voice is a 'typical' Broadway singer would be Lea Michele from Glee.
However, I think Sumi Jo's timbre is more pleasant to listen to. Kristin's high notes grate my ears. She is a wonderful, wonderful actress though and a very good singer.
no competition at all!! kristin is kristin (the comedic brilliant broadway singer/ opera singer,, oh well She earned a BFA degree in musical theatre and a master's degree in opera performance and also a coloratura) and sumi jo is sumi jo(the legendary opera diva, the more operatic side) they made a different approach in this song and the arrangements also are a bit different so there's no competition at all..
MY GOD! Will everyone stop comparing Kristin Chenoweth's redition to Sumi Jo's. Candide is an Operatta so opera singers and broadway singers are all fair game. Leonard Bernstien composed it for colortura voices like June Anderson, Dessay, and Chenoweth.
She sounds amazing i only perfer Kristin because of the comedy in it. She is a broadway person not as much opera other she could do it if she tried. I like the comedy and whimsical version of candide. But she DOES sound amazing....it would be hard to decide....still is though, I just prefer the comedy in it.
it terms of capturing the humorous/character aspect of the piece, kristin certainly can make an audience laugh, but for vocal quality in all ranges and tessituras, sumi takes the cake for her sheer power. this isn't to say kristin doesn't have a stunning voice, however!
@micromae Please don't mind all the comparison. Sumi Jo is a true opera diva. She is already a legend. Any kind of comparison can't make any change on her fame.
Kristin is a broadway performer, that's why she sounds the way she does. I think they all do great, in their own interpretations of the song. Kristin adds great acting and does well for how she's been trained and all these other lovely ladies add in their own operatic flare
@baahoui I like Sumi a lot...but I do love the version of Kristin Chenoweth...she's more vivid. But Sumi has the most wonderful voice ever. That's for sure.
@baahoui, no not at all! it's apples and oranges. they sing in different genres. this rendition showcases the pure, classical beauty of the song itself. sumi jo sings art; ms chenowith sings theatre. we love both!
@baahoui, no not at all! it's apples and oranges. they sing in different genres. this rendition showcases the pure, classical beauty of the song itself. sumi jo sings art; ms chenowith sings theatre. we love both!
@baahoui, no not at all! it's apples and oranges. they sing in different genres. this rendition showcases the pure, classical beauty of the song itself. sumi jo sings art; ms chenowith sings theatre. we love both!
I agree. I'm tired of comments under professional singers' performances saying they didn't understand the meaning of the song. A professional will practice a song hundreds of times before it's performed. How wouldn't they know what they're singing? Even if it's another language, they would know by the time they're performing.
Her voice sends chills down my spine (in a good way), but I felt as if she don't understand the song and thus couldn't interpret the song to through her performance.
Then please tell me what happens at the 3 and 5 minute mark? I'm very familiar with the bassoon part there, and it is not matching against Sumi. It comes back together in about 15 seconds, but it is quite off from each other in that span of time. It becomes really evident when it gets to the little canon with the oboe, not lining up properly.
i did notice that there wasnt much bassoon in that "solo" but i think that this was a fantastic performance of the allegro section her embellishments are quite good and they dont sound forced either all in all a good performance not great but pretty good thatnks for posting
Thanks. I think Sumi has an ungodly voice. Her incision and control over the notes is unparalleled. No one else (even my favorites, Kristin and Diana) has such precision in executing those embellishments. I don't believe for a second that it's her fault since she is the vocalist. What's great is that even with the phasing she still demands control over the song and persists.
Despite the (sadly) awful sound quality of this clip, that may well be the nicest, purest sounding E-flat that I've heard on this song. Now I have to go find other clips of her...
you might think that this is bad but this is so long time ago! and last year i went to her concert and she sang this. her voice was much lighter, better english pronunciation and she is 1000 better than this one.
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I've took a few weeks off and come back to this - its dreadful, no one is counting, neither the orchestra, the conductor and certainly not Sumi. Its under rehearshed and the vocals are dreadfully over imbellished... My final question is, what the hell is she wearing?
The problem isn't so much that no one's counting, but that Sumi is rushing (or has a faster idea of the vocalise) and the orchestra has a tough time catching up, but they do meet in the middle after establishing her pace (quicker the second time). A bit more rehearsal though, and it would have been solved. She's doing the standard embellishments. If there are any simpler performances, its only because those vocalists aren't capable of the flexiblity needed in that range.
She has too wide step at walking, it looks a little bit funny. Her voice is amazing. She just must change her walking manner. Why nobody didn't tell her?
Very impressing - one VERY obvious mistake is that she sings her off beat "ha ha" sequence too fast, its quite funny listening to the orchestra working very hard to keep up with her listen at 3:08 and she does it again and its worse at 5:10...
It's not a mistake, that's the way the music is written. The orchestra and the vocal line are in canon with one another. If you follow the performance with a vocal score, you'll see that she is totally rhythmically accurate in these sections.
Hey Miss Flump - your right about the Canon, I describe that as being "on the off beat," first time she is required to sing on the beat and second time its intentionally "off the beat," HOWEVER she is not hitting the off beat correctly. You don't really need to follow the score, simply count. Listen to a few other versions and compair a good one is Natalie Dessay. This stuff is not easy but youtube allows us all to be sofa critics doesn't it.
I'm afraid we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. The colaratura sections you mention sound completely fine to me. There's no rhythmical inaccuracies or tempo discrepancies between soloist / orchestra to my ears. I have the music somewhere from my lighter soprano days, I'll have to dig it out. :-)
I love the clarity and richness of her voice in this piece, and for as much as I agree that the acting is really important here, I think that all of the emotion the acting would add (the laughter at the end aside) can be heard clearly through her voice. Also, her r's are hysterical.
i did not hear one out of tune sound from her. actually, ive NEVER heard sumi jo sing anything flat. if youre talking about "france" at the beginning, it was written to be sung differently. its a performance effect.
Can't believe some people complain about her singing!!! This is absolutely amazing. Her interpretation to music was more superb than Kristin, even without all that fancy acting. Come on, there is no comparison here. Just close your eyes and listen to the music itself.
Yes, Kristin was a good actor, but she sounded more like a broadway musical singer (maybe she is one), rather than an opera diva.
yes i think sumi jo really is amazing at manipulating the opera style. as in, i hardly hear arias sung so clearly and expressively while not at all compromising on the classical operatic nuances.
hm, how would you compare this performance to natalie dessay's renditions?
Well, I can see where you're coming from, but you have to understand that she fact that she doesn't act this song out well only takes away from the performance. As far as listening to a CD, you can still that she has less feeling. Now don't get me wrong, Sumi has a better voice for the song, but Kristen performs the piece much better, and it makes all the difference.
@micromae COMPLETELY WRONG! Sorry. Her interpretation? There was none! She sang the notes on the page and even in doing that was not feeling the tempo as it should have been felt. Yes, she was astounding because you can't sing Glitter and Be Gay on pitch and not be astounding. Kristen's musicality is was spotless. She didn't sing it broadway, she sang it with character, done countlessly at the Met. I'll close my eyes all day and hear that Sumi Jo is just singing notes.
This is Bernstein... you cant just sing the notes to this, there has to be acting and more direction to the text... also, i noticed she left off the signature laugh at the end... definitely not my favorite version of Candide. Ill give Sumi Jo a 3/5 for her effort.
The first time I saw this, was with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, Jung-Ho Pak, and Sumi Jo performing as Cunegonde. It was absolutley astounding.
Dessay delivers with those purely acrobatic arias such as Queen of the night, and the doll song, but Sumi Jo has and overall richness in the delivery of her vocals and coloratura that bring drama and life to these roles and arias.
So many opera singers, Jo included, don't quite seem to "get" the fact that the coloratura is supposed to be Cunegonde laughing hysterically. The "h" should be audible on the last three notes, as HA HA HA. The best version I've ever heard is Dawn Upshaw ... absolutely amazing, though Barbara Cook on the original cast recording really nails the spirit, though she has no technique and is obviously killing her voice.
Her english was much better than I was expecting, that isn't meant to be demeaning it's just that international singers often have a lot of difficulty. Great job Sumi-Jo!
I PERSONALLY enjoy Damrau singing this compared to all of the other versions.
I felt she encompassed both Jo and Chenoweth not to mention her own drama. Maybe a bit over the top but she definitely was spot on. This doesn't mean that I don't like either Jo or Chenoweth I just think that Damrue needs to be recognized as much as they have been.
I personally love Jo's voice in this aria, but, as with everything else she sings, I am not fond of anything above a B-flat when she sings it. I find her middle and middle-high beautiful, but her high notes sound so thin and kind of shrill to me. She is wonderful though, especially here.
Of the versions I've heard by colouratura sopranos (Dessay, Damrau...), I think Sumi Jo's English is clearer, but her acting sucks. I love her voice though for this aria! Wonderful...except the acting and somewhat retro hair...
I see that there is a lot of debate about he mixture of acting and singing each of the performers use, but without a doubt, I am most impressed with Damrau.
sumi jo has beautiful technique and amazing high notes, and granted her acting here isn't as good as chenoweth, but remember that chenoweth HAS to act it full out because if she didn't people would focus more on her vocals. cheno's high notes don't have a great sound to them, so she has to kind of work with what she's got.
now i think the vocals in this are superb and i'm sure if sumi has to act it full out she could.
I don't mean to be rude, but telling people they can't say bad things about how she sings this just because they can't hit the notes. PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT RANGES!!! Just because they don't have a high range does not mean they can't comment on things they think she could have done better.
But she pronounces the "h" sound for ALL the "ha" syllables. This is very rare among sopranos; watch Chenoweth, Dessay, and the many other versions of this aria on youtube and you'll see all of them leave out some, or even all, of the h's. You need extraordinary breath control to do what Sumi Jo does. I agree others give more theatrical performances, but hers is unique technically.
Oh, I will not deny that Jo is an amazing singer. Technically, she is the equal or superior to everyone else in the game. But watching her perform isn't as enjoyable because she focuses SO much on technique, and not on presentation. But I'll agree with you on her aspiration though; most people who play Cunegonde don't or can't manage that.
Her technique is ridiculous. Her entire range is flawless and even. For a coloratura, she has ALOT of meat in the middle-low range. Cheno is great too.
Personally, I think voice and techniques serve the ART. It's true that Sumi Jo has a beautiful voice and perfect techniques. However, this isn't her role and her performance CANNOT touch me.
I know others will disagree, but this is probably my favorite "Glitter and be Gay" on Youtube. Sumi Jo's technique is flawless, and she makes it look easy. I love Dessay and Chenoweth as well, but to me, Sumi brings an extra something to the performance.
Don't get me wrong--I love Sumi Jo, adn there is no doubt in my mind she is a wonderful opera singer and a performer (I practically grew up with her recordings in the house). I just don't feel musicals are particularly her forte.
i thought her diction was pretty good. i could understand all the words. her english is easier to understand than renee fleming's is when she sings english arias, in my opinion. (yes i know, renee isn't a true coloratura and she doesn't perform this, that i know of. i was just comparing diction)
I doubt you've studied a foreign language or lived abroad. We English speakers are born into globalization, and most of us have never "stood on the margins". The standard of "plain English" with which you use to prop up your own cultural centrism can be a form of cultural oppression-- just like white skin and wealth--and intolerance. Get your head out of your ass!
I'm sure every Italian/German/French person thinks the exact same thing when we sing their language. I think what you're hearing is called an accent....What do you want her to sound like? An American?
I was actually going to say her diction was excellent! There's only a few words I think sound not QUITE right. Anyone who has any kind of accent will sound different singing in English.
I agree with Peasento when saying Italians, French, Germans, KOREANS, and all other labguages probably say the same thing about songs in their native tongues which are sung by Americans or Brits.
I don't think Bernstein speaks French, which would make writing on operetta in French difficult. But it was also meant to open on Broadway, and you don't generally have supertitles on things other than operas.
the figaro operas are italian operas, one of which written by a german speaker, based on french plays, telling stories about spanish people; carmen is a french opera about spanish people; madama butterfly is an italian opera about american and japanese people; lakme is a french opera about english/indian people, etc etc. it's not the least bit uncommon.
Jo is fantstic technical singer but displayed an issue I have with some opera SINGERS... tHESE PEOPLE ARE FANTABulous musicans yet are NOT actors and you realize that when they perform something you really can understand! having SEEN cHENOWENTH perform with such abandon and spunk as MAKES IT EVEN CLEARER! But I suppose musical theater does require a bit more acting than some classical musicians can handle.
Are you kidding? There's all kinds of acting in opera -- and Candide is an OPERETTA, you realize. And there's a difference between singing this in a purely concert format and singing it within the show. Also, many actors on Broadway -- including Kristin Chenoweth -- ARE classical musicians!!!
Sumi Jo is absolutely phenomenal!! She has such ease and flexibility on top! I just love, love, love, her voice!
To mq1986: You have to keep in mind that comedy comes easier to some than it does for others. Kristen has no problem being funny. But she could also afford to act more since she had a mic.
She has superb technique, but she looks like she's just going through the motions. Her expression remains the same the entire time, save for a little bit at the end. It's a problem I find with a lot of these interpretations of the song--only Kristin Chenoweth really managed to connect the song to its humorous nature.
That dress is AWFUL! The hair too! 01:52 - what is that? She couldn't get on top of that note at 02:07 I'm not sure if I could find anything that really redeems this performance. I've heard her do better.
June and Nathalie's interpretations are a must... This is a little reading of this beautiful music... She is a "machine" without soul... And also is machine is very very little...
Having seen her live performances, I know why she doesn't sound dramatic. First of all, if you check out her recordings, she always comes in softly on the high notes then build. Secondly, she has really big volume; this recording kinda eats the effect of her real volume. If you listen carefully, you can feel the power behind her e's. No matter what, I like Sumi Jo simply because she hits every note like an instrument-Perfect control.
but i saw in saw in wikipedia that dessay tooked a acting course before she start singing...so we can "forgive" sumi for her expressivity in the aria...
i agree to but see sumi´s aria "the doll song". in the aria she is very expressive althought her serious in there...but personnaly i think that sumi is very talented at well but something is missing in this aria
Sumi is great in her way. She can hold the notes! Dessay likes to leave her personal "touch" on her singing with her vocal range. Sumi is more lighter more "serious". BUt i disagree with you. Sumi have fantastic high notes see for example 5:22 of this video. Plus, see the "Doll Song" aria of Sumi here on youtube. It´s like comparing Callas and Sutherland knowing that both are Dramatic Coloratura Sopranos! If you or everyone else like to discuss it in a more deeper way please do!
I absolutely love how she sings this song!
3211lovelaughlive 1 day ago
WOW just wow.........
richzero0 2 weeks ago
great
SHOLOMEY 2 months ago
amazing!! beautiful!! the best
Milylily4Ever 10 months ago
Wonderful! Kudos to Sumi Jo and Lenny.
Originally sung by Marion the Librarian in Candide.
rockgor 1 year ago
this is sooo good considering the language barrier.
m217mam927 1 year ago
I love Sumi, but i think this time, she didn`t undrstand this role, I mean, it should be funny, is not like singing clasic opera, (wich she does perfect), but this role should be hillarious, I like Natalie, or Kristin playing this role, but I still love Sumi.
maytelovesmetal 1 year ago
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I like Sumi a lot...but I do love the version of Kristin Chenoweth...she's more vivid. But Sumi has the most wonderful voice ever. That's for sure.
sswchan 1 year ago
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I like Sumi a lot...but I do love the version of Kristin Chenoweth...she's more vivid. But Sumi has the most wonderful voice ever. That's for sure.
sswchan 1 year ago
I like Sumi a lot...but I do love the version of Kristin Chenoweth...she's more vivid. But Sumi has the most wonderful voice ever. That's for sure.
sswchan 1 year ago
Actually, Kristin Chenoweth is also a classically trained singer. She has a masters in Opera Performance. It's so obvious in her singing that she isn't just a Broadway singer. Someone who's voice is a 'typical' Broadway singer would be Lea Michele from Glee.
However, I think Sumi Jo's timbre is more pleasant to listen to. Kristin's high notes grate my ears. She is a wonderful, wonderful actress though and a very good singer.
dj12120 1 year ago
no competition at all!! kristin is kristin (the comedic brilliant broadway singer/ opera singer,, oh well She earned a BFA degree in musical theatre and a master's degree in opera performance and also a coloratura) and sumi jo is sumi jo(the legendary opera diva, the more operatic side) they made a different approach in this song and the arrangements also are a bit different so there's no competition at all..
ichigo0000000000000 1 year ago
MY GOD! Will everyone stop comparing Kristin Chenoweth's redition to Sumi Jo's. Candide is an Operatta so opera singers and broadway singers are all fair game. Leonard Bernstien composed it for colortura voices like June Anderson, Dessay, and Chenoweth.
chrisscruzzz 1 year ago 2
Sumi Jo's technique is quite impressive. This is a beautifully poised interpretation.
Brahmsfourth 1 year ago
She sounds amazing i only perfer Kristin because of the comedy in it. She is a broadway person not as much opera other she could do it if she tried. I like the comedy and whimsical version of candide. But she DOES sound amazing....it would be hard to decide....still is though, I just prefer the comedy in it.
broadwayloverny10 1 year ago
it terms of capturing the humorous/character aspect of the piece, kristin certainly can make an audience laugh, but for vocal quality in all ranges and tessituras, sumi takes the cake for her sheer power. this isn't to say kristin doesn't have a stunning voice, however!
witherwings14 1 year ago
this is like my favorite interpetition of this song
nabnutsy 1 year ago
Sumi Jo is already a legend. Any kind of comparison can't make any change on her fame.
apostate11 1 year ago
@micromae Please don't mind all the comparison. Sumi Jo is a true opera diva. She is already a legend. Any kind of comparison can't make any change on her fame.
apostate11 1 year ago
Wow. Sumi Jo never stops to amaze me
reclamantul 1 year ago
Kristin is a broadway performer, that's why she sounds the way she does. I think they all do great, in their own interpretations of the song. Kristin adds great acting and does well for how she's been trained and all these other lovely ladies add in their own operatic flare
elroymanic 1 year ago
My opinion is that Kristin is much much better...
xx1625 1 year ago
My lovely Sumi! God bless her! :-)
elegie84 2 years ago
Amazing voice. I saw her sing this live in Oct 2008 and both her diction and acting were much better compared to this 1993 video.
UqbarTlon 2 years ago
grateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
hernytc 2 years ago
Is it criminal to say i prefer kristin chenoweth in this role?
baahoui 2 years ago 15
No, it's not. No one has right to blame your own taste. :)
smoothiw 2 years ago 14
@baahoui Agreed. My favorite. But I enjoy Sumi Jo too. :)
CAHop90 2 years ago
@baahoui I think this woman does a beautiful rendition, but I'm with you, Kristin blows it out the box!!!
Tritano 1 year ago
@baahoui I like Sumi a lot...but I do love the version of Kristin Chenoweth...she's more vivid. But Sumi has the most wonderful voice ever. That's for sure.
sswchan 1 year ago
@baahoui, no not at all! it's apples and oranges. they sing in different genres. this rendition showcases the pure, classical beauty of the song itself. sumi jo sings art; ms chenowith sings theatre. we love both!
eddiezono 10 months ago
@baahoui, no not at all! it's apples and oranges. they sing in different genres. this rendition showcases the pure, classical beauty of the song itself. sumi jo sings art; ms chenowith sings theatre. we love both!
eddiezono 10 months ago
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@baahoui, no not at all! it's apples and oranges. they sing in different genres. this rendition showcases the pure, classical beauty of the song itself. sumi jo sings art; ms chenowith sings theatre. we love both!
eddiezono 10 months ago
@baahoui Well, here singing is gorgeous but I don't really appreciates the libretto nor the comedy behind it.
knmusic1 4 months ago
haaaaaa amo a SUMI JO,me encanta.
kuintesa 2 years ago
Usually performers of this caliber know their shit. i know that she knows what the song is about.
TRoderick 2 years ago 4
I agree. I'm tired of comments under professional singers' performances saying they didn't understand the meaning of the song. A professional will practice a song hundreds of times before it's performed. How wouldn't they know what they're singing? Even if it's another language, they would know by the time they're performing.
If they are bad actors, simply state so! gosh.
speedingclock 2 years ago 7
I am sorry kalex,but I find your comments on Sumi Jo's ability or otherwise to speak (and understand English),patronising and slightly racist).
When I met Sumi in 1987(when she was 25) in Salzburg,where she had become a protege of Maestro Karajan she already had perfect English.
I would imagine that as the Candide aria was filmed in 1993 she would certainly understand only too well what the words were that she was singing.
Too assume otherwise shows ignorance on YOUR part!
swiftsboy 2 years ago 3
Her voice sends chills down my spine (in a good way), but I felt as if she don't understand the song and thus couldn't interpret the song to through her performance.
nobletalent 2 years ago
ah, these lovely asian women, they put me to shame, silly little white girl. :)
she's unfathomably perfect.
lovestopanic 2 years ago
how cool were the acoustics at the end...ring around a glass :D
CatalinaDM56 2 years ago
A wonderful role for Sumi of the beautiful voice!
franceseattle 2 years ago 2
Well . . . shes Korean
kalex94 2 years ago
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Wow! She sounds like june anderson, it's a compliment!!! Yay Asians!!!!
kikay2493 2 years ago
This is supposed to be hilarious.
tirayi 2 years ago 3
sure, the rhythm's off in some places, but the voice! the voice! *sigh*
picardythirds 2 years ago
I never noticed short Sumi Jo was. she was an amazing voice. Beautiful.
sesshyssoulmate 2 years ago
Then please tell me what happens at the 3 and 5 minute mark? I'm very familiar with the bassoon part there, and it is not matching against Sumi. It comes back together in about 15 seconds, but it is quite off from each other in that span of time. It becomes really evident when it gets to the little canon with the oboe, not lining up properly.
noteDhero 2 years ago
i did notice that there wasnt much bassoon in that "solo" but i think that this was a fantastic performance of the allegro section her embellishments are quite good and they dont sound forced either all in all a good performance not great but pretty good thatnks for posting
soulwinner8378 2 years ago
Thanks. I think Sumi has an ungodly voice. Her incision and control over the notes is unparalleled. No one else (even my favorites, Kristin and Diana) has such precision in executing those embellishments. I don't believe for a second that it's her fault since she is the vocalist. What's great is that even with the phasing she still demands control over the song and persists.
noteDhero 2 years ago 3
Despite the (sadly) awful sound quality of this clip, that may well be the nicest, purest sounding E-flat that I've heard on this song. Now I have to go find other clips of her...
Nightingal518 2 years ago
What a glorious voice... no can't act... but the sound... sound!!!
Quiteashtrudel 2 years ago 2
you might think that this is bad but this is so long time ago! and last year i went to her concert and she sang this. her voice was much lighter, better english pronunciation and she is 1000 better than this one.
sumimimi0 2 years ago
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I've took a few weeks off and come back to this - its dreadful, no one is counting, neither the orchestra, the conductor and certainly not Sumi. Its under rehearshed and the vocals are dreadfully over imbellished... My final question is, what the hell is she wearing?
a8738087 2 years ago
The problem isn't so much that no one's counting, but that Sumi is rushing (or has a faster idea of the vocalise) and the orchestra has a tough time catching up, but they do meet in the middle after establishing her pace (quicker the second time). A bit more rehearsal though, and it would have been solved. She's doing the standard embellishments. If there are any simpler performances, its only because those vocalists aren't capable of the flexiblity needed in that range.
noteDhero 2 years ago
menos mal que al final le aplauden!
que poco sentido del humor gastan... Con lo difícil que es hacerlo bien...
viridianaperez 2 years ago
Y claro, con el publico que tiene frente, que se puede esperar.
acitipo 2 years ago
She has too wide step at walking, it looks a little bit funny. Her voice is amazing. She just must change her walking manner. Why nobody didn't tell her?
KatiaPushkareva 2 years ago
Fierce
icemage156 2 years ago 2
Hers is the best voice of all time
broughall1964 2 years ago 3
Ill let you all criticize the voice..but she gets an F in acting
ciaraslegsarehot 2 years ago
when doeas she get it exatly?
thepunkbros 2 years ago
Very impressing - one VERY obvious mistake is that she sings her off beat "ha ha" sequence too fast, its quite funny listening to the orchestra working very hard to keep up with her listen at 3:08 and she does it again and its worse at 5:10...
a8738087 2 years ago
It's not a mistake, that's the way the music is written. The orchestra and the vocal line are in canon with one another. If you follow the performance with a vocal score, you'll see that she is totally rhythmically accurate in these sections.
missflump 2 years ago
Hey Miss Flump - your right about the Canon, I describe that as being "on the off beat," first time she is required to sing on the beat and second time its intentionally "off the beat," HOWEVER she is not hitting the off beat correctly. You don't really need to follow the score, simply count. Listen to a few other versions and compair a good one is Natalie Dessay. This stuff is not easy but youtube allows us all to be sofa critics doesn't it.
a8738087 2 years ago
I'm afraid we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one. The colaratura sections you mention sound completely fine to me. There's no rhythmical inaccuracies or tempo discrepancies between soloist / orchestra to my ears. I have the music somewhere from my lighter soprano days, I'll have to dig it out. :-)
missflump 2 years ago
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting... What does everyone else think?
a8738087 2 years ago
I believe that would be more of the maestro's fault. The orchestra is always supposed to follow the singer.
jesparza562 2 years ago
@a8738087 It's composed in a round. Bernstein made it that way.
BwayPianist391 2 years ago
I love the clarity and richness of her voice in this piece, and for as much as I agree that the acting is really important here, I think that all of the emotion the acting would add (the laughter at the end aside) can be heard clearly through her voice. Also, her r's are hysterical.
kenpachihitsugaya 2 years ago
um no.
AerithOnBroadway 2 years ago
i did not hear one out of tune sound from her. actually, ive NEVER heard sumi jo sing anything flat. if youre talking about "france" at the beginning, it was written to be sung differently. its a performance effect.
BaconLock 2 years ago 2
She's pretty good but I still prefer Kristin . . . just my opinion :D
katclif 2 years ago 4
I live it! i saw her do it live last summer! she's just so amazing!!!!
strcts2 2 years ago
Had the chance... not my thing. Prefer good old Jazz (scat) in the hot summer months.
WiseMonke 2 years ago
Absolutely fantastic！！In this expressive piece her voice is still so delicate
bravasoprano 3 years ago
Can't believe some people complain about her singing!!! This is absolutely amazing. Her interpretation to music was more superb than Kristin, even without all that fancy acting. Come on, there is no comparison here. Just close your eyes and listen to the music itself.
Yes, Kristin was a good actor, but she sounded more like a broadway musical singer (maybe she is one), rather than an opera diva.
Sumi Jo is the winner!
micromae 3 years ago 22
yes i think sumi jo really is amazing at manipulating the opera style. as in, i hardly hear arias sung so clearly and expressively while not at all compromising on the classical operatic nuances.
hm, how would you compare this performance to natalie dessay's renditions?
idiotte 3 years ago
Well, I can see where you're coming from, but you have to understand that she fact that she doesn't act this song out well only takes away from the performance. As far as listening to a CD, you can still that she has less feeling. Now don't get me wrong, Sumi has a better voice for the song, but Kristen performs the piece much better, and it makes all the difference.
puremanliness 2 years ago
@micromae kristin is broadway
Tritano 1 year ago
@micromae COMPLETELY WRONG! Sorry. Her interpretation? There was none! She sang the notes on the page and even in doing that was not feeling the tempo as it should have been felt. Yes, she was astounding because you can't sing Glitter and Be Gay on pitch and not be astounding. Kristen's musicality is was spotless. She didn't sing it broadway, she sang it with character, done countlessly at the Met. I'll close my eyes all day and hear that Sumi Jo is just singing notes.
jerely04 11 months ago
@jerely04 You hear her phrasing say that? lol
wallish 8 months ago
This is Bernstein... you cant just sing the notes to this, there has to be acting and more direction to the text... also, i noticed she left off the signature laugh at the end... definitely not my favorite version of Candide. Ill give Sumi Jo a 3/5 for her effort.
Motetftw 3 years ago
she's absolutely WONDERFUL!!!( her mimic could get better though)
killerbunny123123 3 years ago 3
her runs are the most clearly defined among all the renditions of this song.
elfwood 3 years ago 5
The first time I saw this, was with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, Jung-Ho Pak, and Sumi Jo performing as Cunegonde. It was absolutley astounding.
This is one of my favourite vocal solos...
CapitanCardigan 3 years ago 2
Dessay delivers with those purely acrobatic arias such as Queen of the night, and the doll song, but Sumi Jo has and overall richness in the delivery of her vocals and coloratura that bring drama and life to these roles and arias.
ruffnation 3 years ago 13
i just saw her perform that three days ago! live, fifteen years after this video. oh dear.
but yes she's really really good. i like natalie dessay's renditions as well, and june anderson's!
idiotte 3 years ago
Madame Jo est tres bon chanteuse. Elle a les cheveux long et peau pale. Elle est belle!
Hokayshenao 3 years ago 3
A World class act!
Alcazar1024 3 years ago 3
So many opera singers, Jo included, don't quite seem to "get" the fact that the coloratura is supposed to be Cunegonde laughing hysterically. The "h" should be audible on the last three notes, as HA HA HA. The best version I've ever heard is Dawn Upshaw ... absolutely amazing, though Barbara Cook on the original cast recording really nails the spirit, though she has no technique and is obviously killing her voice.
elsawagner 3 years ago
I actually agree...
but I still think that Jo has an amazing voice. I didnt know that she sang this but its a pleasure to hear it.
MissLimLam 3 years ago 6
I can't find any clips of Dawn. :(
LittleLotte7793 3 years ago
Her english was much better than I was expecting, that isn't meant to be demeaning it's just that international singers often have a lot of difficulty. Great job Sumi-Jo!
eeli1 3 years ago 3
I PERSONALLY enjoy Damrau singing this compared to all of the other versions.
I felt she encompassed both Jo and Chenoweth not to mention her own drama. Maybe a bit over the top but she definitely was spot on. This doesn't mean that I don't like either Jo or Chenoweth I just think that Damrue needs to be recognized as much as they have been.
onlyatclonlara 3 years ago
I agree with you, Damrau is as good as Chenoweth and Jo. The three versions are different, but I love each one the same way
robles146 3 years ago
Beautiful woman has a beautiful voice. <3
AnanasZombie 3 years ago 3
She is VERY talented... but i have 2 agree that Kristen is not really" better" but she puts more soul and energy in it.
CammiedCSA 3 years ago
I personally love Jo's voice in this aria, but, as with everything else she sings, I am not fond of anything above a B-flat when she sings it. I find her middle and middle-high beautiful, but her high notes sound so thin and kind of shrill to me. She is wonderful though, especially here.
Iareto 3 years ago
She's so adorable and modest at the end...but she doesn't do some randomly lascivious/creepy laugh like Dessay or Damrau! waaaaa...
SsteinwayS 3 years ago
Of the versions I've heard by colouratura sopranos (Dessay, Damrau...), I think Sumi Jo's English is clearer, but her acting sucks. I love her voice though for this aria! Wonderful...except the acting and somewhat retro hair...
SsteinwayS 3 years ago
I see that there is a lot of debate about he mixture of acting and singing each of the performers use, but without a doubt, I am most impressed with Damrau.
She really summed it all up in one nice package.
onlyatclonlara 3 years ago
Apologies,
"the" mixture of acting and singing each of the performers use.
onlyatclonlara 3 years ago
Sorry, Doesnt beat Kristin.
Kristin is..unbeatable.
And the note at 2.08 is something only Cheno can do AMAZINGLY.
*Jealous*
MrsLovettt 3 years ago
FINALLY another Cheno fan!
TheChosenOne613 3 years ago
more powerful rendition than chenowith.
jamierourketen 3 years ago
sumi jo has beautiful technique and amazing high notes, and granted her acting here isn't as good as chenoweth, but remember that chenoweth HAS to act it full out because if she didn't people would focus more on her vocals. cheno's high notes don't have a great sound to them, so she has to kind of work with what she's got.
now i think the vocals in this are superb and i'm sure if sumi has to act it full out she could.
VivaLaMerman 3 years ago 2
Her technique is SOOOO good. Its crazy. You can actually visually see how well she navigates her passagio.
orca1142 3 years ago 5
The voice !!!
swojnicz 3 years ago
Besides her beautiful voice, her English diction is excellent.
maryjivinjane 3 years ago 3
anyone who can hit those notes can say bad things. anyone else who can't, dont talk.
DarkakaBri 3 years ago
I don't mean to be rude, but telling people they can't say bad things about how she sings this just because they can't hit the notes. PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT RANGES!!! Just because they don't have a high range does not mean they can't comment on things they think she could have done better.
rosethorn36 3 years ago 2
Ms Jo is a competent singer.
But here she is amplified and not a little. Not to mention that her extreme high notes are thin and bodiless and her low ones dim.
Her acting is not exceptional but we mustn't forget this is a recital, not a performance
idraote 3 years ago
I just listened to Natalie Dessay sing this and I loved it. I prefer Jo , a more substantial voice and cleaner execution.
63Attila 4 years ago
Who is better, Sumi Jo or Hei-Kyung Hong???
thesillycunt 4 years ago
You only wish you could look like that at 45...
orazio111 4 years ago 2
She doesn't even smile when she does the laughing coloratura. And acting is half the game in opera.
mq1986 4 years ago
But she pronounces the "h" sound for ALL the "ha" syllables. This is very rare among sopranos; watch Chenoweth, Dessay, and the many other versions of this aria on youtube and you'll see all of them leave out some, or even all, of the h's. You need extraordinary breath control to do what Sumi Jo does. I agree others give more theatrical performances, but hers is unique technically.
ivyshoots 3 years ago
Oh, I will not deny that Jo is an amazing singer. Technically, she is the equal or superior to everyone else in the game. But watching her perform isn't as enjoyable because she focuses SO much on technique, and not on presentation. But I'll agree with you on her aspiration though; most people who play Cunegonde don't or can't manage that.
mq1986 3 years ago
The music must line up with her as the soloist, not the other way around. If they don't follow her, it's not her fault.
musiqmarquis 4 years ago
Chenoweth wins in every way ):
BandofPants 4 years ago
i disagree, Jo's technique is way better than Chenoweth, about the acting i can't tell much of both.
elom17764 3 years ago 2
Technique is important in a recital or concert setting, but Kristin Chenoweth's performance would be more interesting to watch.
mharden13 3 years ago
That depends of what you like, it would be great to watch an awesome singing and perfect acting, but if i had to choose i'd rather awesome singing.
elom17764 3 years ago 2
Her technique is ridiculous. Her entire range is flawless and even. For a coloratura, she has ALOT of meat in the middle-low range. Cheno is great too.
fuzmiq 4 years ago
What an excellent Japanese soprano!!! Brava!
misspeckpeck 4 years ago
She's not Japanese but Korean.
smoothiw 4 years ago
LOLOLOLOLOL
DoinItClassy 4 years ago
Personally, I think voice and techniques serve the ART. It's true that Sumi Jo has a beautiful voice and perfect techniques. However, this isn't her role and her performance CANNOT touch me.
crystalisation 4 years ago 2
Her uber-high notes are amazing.
orca1142 4 years ago
I know others will disagree, but this is probably my favorite "Glitter and be Gay" on Youtube. Sumi Jo's technique is flawless, and she makes it look easy. I love Dessay and Chenoweth as well, but to me, Sumi brings an extra something to the performance.
MaestraWashu 4 years ago
Technically, I agree with you. But some part of her acting doesn't really draw me to the performance as much as others.
girlwithcurls90 4 years ago
Don't get me wrong--I love Sumi Jo, adn there is no doubt in my mind she is a wonderful opera singer and a performer (I practically grew up with her recordings in the house). I just don't feel musicals are particularly her forte.
genshitenson 4 years ago
Brava! Extraordinaria Sumi. Una voz de oro.
Larga vida a la Reina!
RunRunita 4 years ago
I love her!! ♥!!
Ichichan0326 4 years ago
Her diction is not good at all - aside from the problems of this over digitized clip. Technique over interpretation is always a bad move.
multimill 4 years ago
i thought her diction was pretty good. i could understand all the words. her english is easier to understand than renee fleming's is when she sings english arias, in my opinion. (yes i know, renee isn't a true coloratura and she doesn't perform this, that i know of. i was just comparing diction)
tiernan87 4 years ago
Hm, I'd like to hear European singers sing in Korean, then let's hear the opinions of the Korean audience about their diction
gabsylv 4 years ago
.....but this song was written in English, in case you hadn't realised.
multimill 4 years ago
I doubt you've studied a foreign language or lived abroad. We English speakers are born into globalization, and most of us have never "stood on the margins". The standard of "plain English" with which you use to prop up your own cultural centrism can be a form of cultural oppression-- just like white skin and wealth--and intolerance. Get your head out of your ass!
gabsylv 4 years ago
*yawns*
multimill 4 years ago
good, you really *read* it! ^^
gabsylv 4 years ago
get off the cross honey
multimill 4 years ago
I'm sure every Italian/German/French person thinks the exact same thing when we sing their language. I think what you're hearing is called an accent....What do you want her to sound like? An American?
Peasento 4 years ago
No thank you, plain English will suffice.
multimill 4 years ago
I was actually going to say her diction was excellent! There's only a few words I think sound not QUITE right. Anyone who has any kind of accent will sound different singing in English.
I agree with Peasento when saying Italians, French, Germans, KOREANS, and all other labguages probably say the same thing about songs in their native tongues which are sung by Americans or Brits.
Norina1982 4 years ago
Ironically Candide is a French story made into an English musical. I wonder i it isn't in sung French.
jin0008 4 years ago
I don't think Bernstein speaks French, which would make writing on operetta in French difficult. But it was also meant to open on Broadway, and you don't generally have supertitles on things other than operas.
But this is just a guess, I don't actually know.
Loismustdie26 4 years ago
Thats true, on the whole I prefer the book to the opera anyway. the comedy is more evident there anyway.
jin0008 4 years ago
the figaro operas are italian operas, one of which written by a german speaker, based on french plays, telling stories about spanish people; carmen is a french opera about spanish people; madama butterfly is an italian opera about american and japanese people; lakme is a french opera about english/indian people, etc etc. it's not the least bit uncommon.
chevrox 3 years ago
Jo is fantstic technical singer but displayed an issue I have with some opera SINGERS... tHESE PEOPLE ARE FANTABulous musicans yet are NOT actors and you realize that when they perform something you really can understand! having SEEN cHENOWENTH perform with such abandon and spunk as MAKES IT EVEN CLEARER! But I suppose musical theater does require a bit more acting than some classical musicians can handle.
Babs22h 4 years ago
Are you kidding? There's all kinds of acting in opera -- and Candide is an OPERETTA, you realize. And there's a difference between singing this in a purely concert format and singing it within the show. Also, many actors on Broadway -- including Kristin Chenoweth -- ARE classical musicians!!!
UtoPiaWilliams 4 years ago
nice ....
but for me Damrau is the best in terms of voice and acting ....
imewiro 4 years ago
Sumi Jo is absolutely phenomenal!! She has such ease and flexibility on top! I just love, love, love, her voice!
To mq1986: You have to keep in mind that comedy comes easier to some than it does for others. Kristen has no problem being funny. But she could also afford to act more since she had a mic.
UtoPiaWilliams 4 years ago
beaytiful sound... i think is she rehearses a bit more , perform more a few times . Her acting will come more naturally.
piccaluteti 4 years ago
She has superb technique, but she looks like she's just going through the motions. Her expression remains the same the entire time, save for a little bit at the end. It's a problem I find with a lot of these interpretations of the song--only Kristin Chenoweth really managed to connect the song to its humorous nature.
mq1986 4 years ago 2
What a Dummy!!!!
willthrillws 4 years ago
I agree; she's no Nessay.
cheri2011 4 years ago
Her colaratura technique is very much more advanced than Dessay's.
kngiht84 4 years ago
very good but no interpretation at all.
nicevidbro 4 years ago
That dress is AWFUL! The hair too! 01:52 - what is that? She couldn't get on top of that note at 02:07 I'm not sure if I could find anything that really redeems this performance. I've heard her do better.
ChelliChan 4 years ago
It was only the technical problem with the clip's quality.
kngiht84 4 years ago
Sumi Jo-Simply the BEST!
Gordrees 4 years ago
good lord.. her vibrato is like a machine gun hahahaha
amazing :D
gamenick923 4 years ago
Brava, brava!!!!!!! Sumi Jo, the Asian diva!
popetto88 4 years ago
I think she sings her ass off in this clip...very well done!
fiesco7 4 years ago
June and Nathalie's interpretations are a must... This is a little reading of this beautiful music... She is a "machine" without soul... And also is machine is very very little...
gohar002 4 years ago
SUmi Jo Is great I love her.. She sounds better on the recording though..
broadwaybaby05 4 years ago
Brilliant in a very demanding song. It seems almost easy!
dolcevoce 4 years ago
Having seen her live performances, I know why she doesn't sound dramatic. First of all, if you check out her recordings, she always comes in softly on the high notes then build. Secondly, she has really big volume; this recording kinda eats the effect of her real volume. If you listen carefully, you can feel the power behind her e's. No matter what, I like Sumi Jo simply because she hits every note like an instrument-Perfect control.
koreasp21 4 years ago
She has no personality. Incredible voice though
prettyxxpoison 4 years ago
but i saw in saw in wikipedia that dessay tooked a acting course before she start singing...so we can "forgive" sumi for her expressivity in the aria...
Tiagoerg 4 years ago
I Agree, i like Natalie Dessay's version more than Sumi Jo's...
Shes talented but she needs to be more expresive.
Sumi Jo's voice is amazing but she bores me to death...
StephenSanma 4 years ago
i agree to but see sumi´s aria "the doll song". in the aria she is very expressive althought her serious in there...but personnaly i think that sumi is very talented at well but something is missing in this aria
Tiagoerg 4 years ago
How is Sumi Jo also a lyric coloratura like Natalie Dessay when Dessay has much clearer high notes? Please somebody help me.
orca1142 4 years ago
Sumi is great in her way. She can hold the notes! Dessay likes to leave her personal "touch" on her singing with her vocal range. Sumi is more lighter more "serious". BUt i disagree with you. Sumi have fantastic high notes see for example 5:22 of this video. Plus, see the "Doll Song" aria of Sumi here on youtube. It´s like comparing Callas and Sutherland knowing that both are Dramatic Coloratura Sopranos! If you or everyone else like to discuss it in a more deeper way please do!
Tiagoerg 4 years ago
To me, Sumi just sounds like a dramtic coloratura instead.
orca1142 4 years ago