West Side Story Revival - Maria (02.25.09)

[DayDreamingOutLoud]

I love this. Not quite as much as I love the original or the movie, but still. This guy has an amazing tenor belt.

[Agorante]

He looks good (if that's him in the picture). And he phrases well but I can't say I care much for the basic sound. It's a nothing voice. I know I'm unfair and cruel but after Carreras this guy is pretty weak tea.

[keenoled]

His voice. Those notes, are they even real? I can't even. *flail*

[abdramaqueen15]

His voice is gorgeous. I would love to sing with him, or at least see him live. Stunning sound.

[megan132]

vibratto is GOOD. it means your voice is HEALTHY. if you have a straight tone throughout all of your singing, your stressing your voice too much. his throat is open and the notes are coming out clear and full, and beautifully. so many guys wish to have his voice. its perfect.

[iamsteelee24]

@megan132 I'm not vocal genius, but sometimes vibrato makes me cringe. I think pure tones are so much sweeter and more authentic. If I heard him sing "Maria" without vibrato (or without so much), I would LOVE IT!!!

[thestainisgone485]

i think he's a really talented singer but not necessarily suited for the part

[henrybutler09]

Honestly this is stunning. Matt kills it. This is an amazing performance.

[tpolivar]

This guy's amazing. Period

[Helsad93]

ive personally have met men who can sing a d or even an e flat in their chest voice. hitting a B flat is nothing special. He sounds like hes underwater. enough said

[JeanVe]

@Helsad93

It's a matter of pure anatomy!

For a bariton/baritenor/low tenor or however you want to call it hitting a powerful B flat IS special!!!

[violinrox24]

the b flat sung on the "ahh" is how it was originally written, with an optional version of singing multiple "maria" multipe times and only going up to an A shortly

[RSlug789]

So Bernstein wrote the B flat in originally. i did not know that. All through the song, the "ree" in Maria is the syllable with the most emotional impact. That is why I am not comfortable with the ascent to the B flat before the "ree". It is like a premature climax. I actually hate it. Sorry, but I've played in the orchestra for this musical and know it by heart. I'm no dummy. And so I guess I'm thanking Larry Kert for not being able to hit the B flat. To me, Matt's just trying to shatter glass

[xtracheeez]

@RSlug789 I can see what you mean...but singing a high Bb on an "ah" is much more practical than an "ee"

[GruffyRachacha]

@xtracheeez Though, by that token, he could just as easily have done "Mah-heh-a" as, for example, John Barrowman does. It sounds basically the same, without taking away that punch of the high note.

[jaadde94]

so beautiful

[TheaterMarine88]

I love his voice!

[SexyHogwarts]

I think he is very good. He's singing sounds effortless and those are signs of a good singer. Also this musical is considered an opera-musical and, he's voice is very operatic which fits the character! I can't hear any other type of voice singing this without sounding forceful and like they're screaming. He does a great job and hey the boy is not bad to look at!

[RSlug789]

The song was not meant to climax on a long held out B flat. It is all showmanship, not musical taste!! I think Bernstein would cringe with the way he treats the climax of this song!!! Those that marvel at his B flat - listen to the old version. That is the correct way to sing this song! You ascend to the "A" on the "ree" and thats when I melt! I don't melt listening to this, I CRINGE!!

[BluefalconJAR]

@RSlug789 Not to be argumentative, but actually Berstein originally wrote Maria to climax on the B flat. He meant for Tony to be an operatic Tenor, but realized that it would be more marketable to make West Side Story more Pop-Musicaltheatre sounding. The Original Tony on Broadway, Larry Kert couldn't sustain the high B flat, so Berstein wrote in another line, which is the one you are referring to which climaxes on the "ree"

[alphaskank]

@RSlug789 check your facts. in the original score, bernstein wrote the B-flat, and made the part that you know from the original broadway recording an ossia, aka optional if you can't hit the b-flat. matt is brilliant, and bernstein would have been incredibly proud to hear him sing this. look up bernstein conducting jose carreras, kiri te kanawa, etc singing tonight. that's the sound he was going for.

[AnastasioFranco]

Just GREAT!!!!

[BROADWAYaddict1313]

Matt Cavenaugh is gorgeous, and as is his voice. He is one of my favorite tony's this far in any production of West Side Story. I can feel absolutely every emotion he portray's in this performance, and it's only the audio! Chills! <3 <3

[spencerstephens12]

lol, I know that comment was posted forever ago, but I'm personally struggling with my Bb at the moment and I felt that I should attest to the truth of those words. Because i envy Mr. Cavanaugh so very much.

[singforyoursupper]

I think he does a really nice job with this song. His voice is unique, but in a good way. It was a shame his contract in WWS was not renewed--I didn't see him in it but I've seen him in other shows and I think one of the reasons why he was let go was because he was too old for the part to begin with (and frankly, I don't think Tony would spend quite so much time in the gym). A talented guy though.

[lajl88]

this was always my least favorite song in the show ... until i heard this version. his Bb makes me melt every. single. time.

[kdkevs]

That is a gorgeous Bb... I have seen this guy several times on stage now and let me tell you he has one of the most dynamic, charismatic presences and he is a hell of a singer. Thanks for a wonderful rendition of a beautiful song and thanks for posting!!

[jan21953]

Just beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. Thanks.

[nnuge5775]

matt cavenaugh is something.....very delicate and cristal i must say. after all i toured with a great company of wss in the european tour and i heard this song every night

and this matt is right there with the best of them......bravo to you matt.

daniel nugent

[jmalgier]

the Bb is nice, but why does he speak through half the song? there are many notes and rhythms that he just leaves out or changes. come on already. i realize people do that sort of thing for interpretation and dramatic affect, but it's still music. sing what Bernstein wrote and if you do it well enough, the emotion will just happen.

[uknowwho889]

there's no doubt this guy is great, but check out David Habbin, his 'Maria' is phenomenal.

[gibraltarrr]

lots of vibrato= healthy, well supported, free, on-pitch tone. Nothing wrong with that!

[linalamont2310]

i like him. hes a good tony. he makes this song proud.

[gabriellecorinne]

I like the fact he sings the Bb, but (I know it's not fair) Jose Carreras' Bb in this song is still my favorite, so... But hey Matt Cavenaugh is not that bad. Tho I'm not a fan of his last note.

[BroadwayVBtime]

@oneblazeof its true that operatic tenors to mix above their passagio (usually between about E and Ab), but there is also no vowel modification on his high Bb, which leads me to believe that even though he does have a more "classical" sound, that he did in fact carry more of his chest up to the note. He may not have completely belted it, but there is certainly a heavy amount of chest in there.

[colino72]

@BroadwayVBtime Yep, mix. Pretty well impossible to sing a Bb in full chest voice, and further, the songing in Westside Story is supposed to be closer to classical/opera, at leat for Maria and Tony. As for this guy, great voice, great high notes, but I do agree with some of the comments about his 'speak singing'.

[GuitarSussMatt]

@oneblazeof yeah its a mix but hes a real tenor and he belted that note in his chest voice

[sebastien1chartry]

Verry good performens!!

[ohmagaod]

and there's no comparing him to the tony in the movie, it's a totally different style. the movie had the classic crooner jazzy sound of the 50's and early 60's. cavenaugh clearly has a classical sound, as oneblazeof already stated.

[ohmagaod]

this guy is incredible. that Bb is wonderful, and that last note at a lovely pianissimo is breathtaking. maybe if you sing all my lectures to me i'd pay attention.

[ptgunit]

Not good. Really, not good.

[sebastien1chartry]

@ptgunit PFF

[MichaelCH2007]

I hate to bring him down, but I don't really like the way he's singing this song. In a few places he's singing it too fast.

[00rabbit7]

Vocally he's not that bad...true the vibrato is kinda annoying, but it's expected.

[anjaliss]

I loved his performance live...sorry, ya haters :)

[alistairbrammer]

What the hell are you people talking about!!?? This guy does a phenominal job with a difficult song! Hey man, if you read these things ignore these losers. It's one of the most difficult songs in MT, and you did awesomely.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

I absolutely adore singers with fast, powerful vibrato (Julia Murney and Raul Esparza, for instance).

But for 90% this song, Cavenaugh's vibrato sounds unnatural and forced. Like he's a bleating sheep. Don't get me wrong, he wowed me with a few notes -- But he just sounds like a poorly trained high school student for most of the song : /

Maybe it was just a bad vocal night?

[TerribleGreenBlizzrd]

I think that mixing is fine.... I mean if your trained well you can go from chest to mix to head with no break...... if a person can do that and get to a B I will call them a tenor. No matter what voice they use.

[bthallemer2009]

two words: josh young.

check out his version, incredible.

[GayBarr67]

ok to that person who claims they are a tenor ur full of crap. Im a Tenor and i can go up to a high B flat in my chest voice. If you can go to at least a G in chest ur a baritone not a tenor... some vocal major. And im more than sure that he has control over his vibrato, he is obviously classically trained. If you were a voice major u'd know in Opera tenors sometimes go to a High C in chest ( a tenor high C not soprano)

[SamSkii14]

I made a mistake**

It was actually Jimmy Bryant who did the singing voice for Richard Beymer in the movie

[SamSkii14]

this song to me .. i cant even begin to describe how much i am in love with it ... he does an okay job, to me Richard Beymer was too amazing to desrcibe singing this song, and i konw many others that could do a far better job, but he wasnt terrrible, just didnt really impress me too much

[hellomynameiscory]

@SamSkii14 richard beymer was not singing in the movie :/ sorry to bust your bubble, but the voice in the movie wa AMAZING, matt can not compare to it

[SamSkii14]

@hellomynameiscory I konw that, lol, if you look i corrected myself with Jimmy Bryant! lol, and Matt absolutely does not!

[hellomynameiscory]

he sucks, everyone just face it, he put a bad name to broadway, and i wish that he had never been on broadway, the only reason he was cast is because of his looks, heWAY overacted and i have no idea what was coming out of his mouth, it was god aweful, and i can say that because i am a performed myself.

[SarahBoBara13]

Oooh, god, he is so sexy.

[indyfan210]

God, I wish I could sing like that.

[hellomynameiscory]

you want to be a horrible singer?

[iwannabeaweasley]

I don't know; I just couldn't bring myself to love this Tony. (I also had trouble hearing him from where I was sitting, too, so that may have been a part of it.)

[bethnor]

well, in this day and age of youtube, might as well own up. let's hear it, and see if you are better.

[jondavwal]

I have to find something on tape that I have from when I was in my teens and then I'll post it. It won't be this though. I didn't sing the role until i was 21. I did sing Maria when I was 17 though.

[isyou]

@jondavwal A guy posts his incredibly revelant and his own opinion, and it gets flagged as spam? Wow.

[jondavwal]

@isyou I don't even remember what I commented. LOL. All I know is I saw this live on Broadway and he was passable but not particularly good. He also didn't last long in the role because it was beyond him and he blew his voice out. Tony is not easy to sing and only Larry Kert has done it justice IMO. Yeah, he's cute. So relevant to his singing. NOT!

[jondavwal]

@isyou Truthfully, harder than the Bb (and Larry Kert could and did hit is many times after that recording -- I actually prefer what he sings on the soundtrack, it's more dramatic) are the Gs that you need to sing over and over again on the "ri" syllable of "Maria". Gs usually lie on most tenor's break and long e vowels are particularly difficult there. At least that's what causes me the most trouble. The Bb is easy.

[slickqfoo22]

what makes me laugh is that most of the people on here talking about too much vibrato or not enough belt and what not are prob the people who have no singing talent what so ever, but think they do. SERIOUSLY, do you people not realize the talent and training it takes for a guy to hit a high Bb in a chest voice without even using a full belt? so for those complaining, either put up a vid of you singing since you think you know so much better, or shut up. plain and simple.

[cpjc08]

its actually in his headvoice. it is actually almost impossible to go beyond an A in your chest voice(when your a guy obv.). i think his vibrato is super!!

[slickqfoo22]

though i respect your opinion, i have to disagree. head voice is actually a term used primarily for women, falcetto is the term that is considered the head voice for men. and as the video shows, he does not use his falcetto. and though difficult it's not impossible to go beyond an A in your chests voice. I myself am a tenor and on a good day can hit a High E full belt in my chest voice and know many guys who can do the same. All aside, he is still very talented. happy friday!

[tggold]

You're....wrong. Men most certainly have chest voice, head voice, falsetto and mixed voice. Head voice, to most, is a connected system so it has depth, wheras falsetto is disconnected, giving it the shallow feel and color change from the chest/mixed/head. The Bb here sounds like a light mix to me, it clearly has chest in it but I've heard better from the greats (and I don't honestly believe that the Bb in this needs to be super dramatic).

I prefer this Bb to the awkward belty Bbs of others

[viniciusbfonseca]

well said

[BroadwayVBtime]

hello. Im a voice major and a tenor

while i agree many of these people dont know much about singing, some of the points they are making are correct. His vibrato is out of control due to breath support issues. Also, it is absolutely correct to go for high notes (for most tenors, anything above F-ish) in a mixed voice. Its called covering, and is what made many of the great tenors famous. Regardless, Cavenaugh does a decent job with this, not my favorite, but a good classical/broadway style mix

[gabsylv]

@slickqfoo22 haha I agree 100%. But critics don't need to have talent, like linguists don't need to speak a foreign language. But they will always be buzzing around.

BTW his hIgh Bb is terrific. And he is also very good looking!!!!!

[cheech6971]

@slickqfoo22 Amen!!!!

[ErnieFairchild1]

@slickqfoo22 Certainly not to take away from this guys talent cuz I think he sounds great, but I'm pretty sure it would be HARDER to hit a Bb on a full belt rather than the mix voice that he seems to be using here. Again, not to take away from his obvious immense talent, but I've never had any formal training training and I can hit a Bb using my mix, but full belt is another story lol. Regardless, although his style may not suit everyone, he's rockin!

[logantenorino]

@slickqfoo22 @slickqfoo22 i disagree. once he gets above about an e, he's in pure head/mix belt. that's not chest voice at all. and honestly, i don't object to his use of vibrato throughout the majority of the song, but on the high b-flat, it gets a little wonky in my opinion. mine certainly isn't perfect (if I rerecorded it, i would do it a whole lot less classically), but i like it nonetheless

[powerfulpowerzz]

TOO MUCH VIBRATO almost unpleasant to hear and he dosent project enuf.. .sorry i just prefer larry kert's version

[tggold]

I think his voice is gorgeous. I don't know what all the vibrato haters are after. Such consistent vibrato is rare (and beautiful) especially coming from this generation of broadway belters. I was a little nervous when he was coming down from the Bb but he totally nailed it. I'm jealous.

[TheMaestroBrad]

@tggold How long do you think this Matt Cavenaugh fellow has been singing this song? I would wager quite a while. Every tenor in Musical Theatre has to have this in their repertoire. He had to have gone into the audition expecting that they'd want to hear a few bars. While he does sing this quite well (I'll give you that), yes, the rest of his performance vocally and dramatically was quite flaccid. Sadly, everywhere you go, it's all about "the look" these days. He's just eye candy.

[gabsylv]

@TheMaestroBrad ...no, not JUST eye candy. That's FAR FAR too harsh...

[lullabyangel101]

he sounds like an old man with all that vibrato...at least he's cute though? haha

[jenksHSM]

I would kill to hit that Bflat!!!!! AGH! But he is incredible!!

[ABdancin12]

i saw it yesterday and he blew me away

[crazykidzsab]

omg he cant act at all. i thought he was awful, attractive to look at but here are so many other people in nyc so much better then him.

[ilovesinging1202]

dear god!

he is probably the best singer I have ever heard. I just saw him as Tony he was superb(: I was so blown away. His acting, his dancing, and his angelic voice just simpily perfect.

[hermanandmaxwell]

this is the most beautiful song ever written.

[scottybeland]

Ughhhhh that B flat... it's fantastic lol.

[mayberrygirl1]

I saw this show earlier in March, and it was absolutely AMAZING! The singing, dancing, and acting is all great. My first broadway experience was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Go see it now!!

[rshaw3188]

LOVELY VOICE!

[chex432]

I think Matt makes a stunning Tony, but sometimes his vibrato gets a tad irritating. I think if he hit a few notes without it, when he then did use it, it would have more effect...if anyone gets what I mean?? But he is still awesome <3

[murrayhall89]

yess!!!! its overused!!! it should only be used in long notes at the end!!!

[ddeeaannnnaa89]

oh em gee...this is brilliant. its perfect! i need to see it live!!

[punkjoes]

funny, i am new to West Side Story, but my 1957 recording is staying securely on my iPod after hearing this guy.

loved the comparison though, i appreciate the original so much more now.

[agbab616]

his voice is gorgeous! i don't understand why everyone ALWAYS bashes vibrato. full out belting is NOT the way to sing this song. This music is supposed to have a more classical feel.I don't know what brought on this new musical theatre preference for belters, but people have to understand that belting does not always lend itself to songs like this.

[Shai71]

Soundtrack issued on DVD earlier this week. Saw it this week too. He is truly amazing.

[WildQueenie]

I think his voice fits the part extremely well. I mean, in both WSS and R&J, he's softened into a relative pansy by the start of the show, so I don't think a meefy Tony really makes sense. I love the lightness of his voice, with the ability to pump out heart-stoppingly strong B flats. =] Plus, I don't care what anyone says, his vibrato makes me swoon!

[OhGodWhatABitch4]

Matt was absolutely fabulous. Some people I went with disliked him but I was completely impressed. I like his almost operatic sound in his voice.

[mpersico]

The attempt was a breath of fresh air - a more natural, full-of-awe rendition. He's just not the right voice. Needs to be less reedy.

[UberWackyAmerican]

can no one appreciate good technique? just because he isn't belting it out that makes him bad? yes the vibrato is a bit much, but that could also be audio. is it a crime that he wants his vocal chords for the rest of his life? much of young Broadway sings unhealthily which is why their careers are so short lived.

[StarlitMasquerade]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You should post this around to other videos that are bashing Matt. And it is so true. I wish people would realize that, but they can't look past the original. What I think most people overlook is that this revival was conceived, developed, and direscted by one of the original collaborators of West Side, Arthru Laurents. So he knows what he's doing to HIS OWN SHOW.

[SouthPacific005]

The amount of vibrato he is using is driving me crazy...TOO MUCH.

[DandelionDani]

i saw his standby.....he was AMAZING!!!

[fiendishlypop]

sounds kinda light and wimpy but its pretty!

[crazykidzsab]

he was awful, cody was awful, maria was fine, dont understand why they had fly her in from argentina, dancing was great, leads sucked, except karen olivia, she was the standout.

[Cricketboy1200]

not the best tenor ive ever heard, BUT he hit tht Bb to perfection

[punkrokr526]

really? its a Bb? i thought it was an A?

[BroadwayVBtime]

In the original recording, Larry Kert only goes up to an A, because he could not sing the Bb, so Bernstein wrote an optional line below it.

[loverofbroadway]

I thought overall the show was fantanstic., but he's just not good. I seriously laughed when he said one of his death lines at the end because it was so over acted. Cody Green and Karen Olivo were the real stand-outs. He sings this well, but he's distracting to watch when he sings this cauz he does weird and over-exaggerated hand motions.

[chex432]

It seems that producers across the pond have the same problems in casting Tony(s). Dan Koek (Current UK Tour Tony) has the most amazing tenor voice I have ever heard, he is sensational and sings everybody else off the stage. BUT he really struggles with his acting and there is hardly ever any expression on his face. :/

I must admit though, he STILL kicks ass because his vocals are so flawless.

[gillylover06]

i personaly dont think he is right for this role however he delivers this song better than anyone i have ever heard.

[imadethefoot]

I'm sorry but he was not good in WSS...i don't think it was entirely his fault though. Arthur Laurents is a crap ass director...the whole production sucked balls

[Selendomono]

i must say i like his "maria" and the Bb was perfectly placed but i think other than this song (which your supposed to sound like a sissy for) he really was too.... light.....

[krissyxmissy]

I saw him in WSS a couple weeks ago and I thought he was a fantastic Tony!! He sounds better LIVE! You can't judge his performance as Tony based on this one recording of "Maria"

[SuperStar2999]

I'm just saying he is NOT a leading man. I saw him in Grey Gardens and he was great in that...this is not good.

[tiptoegirl98]

Um... you need to listen to this!!!!!

[crazykidzsab]

he sucked in grey gardens. he is just terrible..

[tiptoegirl98]

OMG guys. This show hasn't even been playing for a month yet! You have to give it some time!!! Every musical stinks it's first month, it's just the way of Broadway. And this musical hasn't even reached it's first month yet! It's SOOO good if you actually listen to the whole thing and Matt Cavenaugh is the PERFECT Tony- great actor, cute, and he has EVERYTHING to be Tony. I'm sure that if you look at this in a week or two, it will be much better!

[SuperStar2999]

He sucks...why couldn't they get someone with a REAL voice for this??? I know like 10 people who could sing it better...he IS hot though.

[kris7krazy]

really? i think he's fabulous--especially for not even getting to see what he's physically doing, you can hear the passion and emotion in his voice, and he still retains this innocent sound. i can't believe anyone would think he sucks!

[tiptoegirl98]

I totally agree!!!

[MatthewwMatthew]

He's very Tony. His voice is a new fresher take on the role, which is what Laurents wanted. He wanted a modern day take on the show and that's what Matt has. Brilliant actor too.

[pinkape132]

LMAO, Matthew. I was reading this comment and agreeing with everything it said and then I realized it was YOU! :-)

[MatthewwMatthew]

I love you.

[tiptoegirl98]

Ok.... so when I heard the first minute of this I was like.... this ok.... and then I heard 1:08!!! OMG! Matt Cavenaugh is so amazing. Of course this is a pretty hard song but I thought he did pretty well.

[imaphan89]

his vibrato is making all of his notes sharp......that sucks cause otherwise it would have been good. he's playing around too much with the rhythm too, please make it traditional! its west side story, for goodness sakes!

[tggold]

I think Matt may be one of my favorite Tenors on broadway (mainly since he's a true tenor and not just screaming notes). His mix voice is pretty awesome, and the Bb was epic.

Unfortunately, too pretty for the part in almost every way. (Who would have thought that could be held against you?!)

Whatever, I still love him!

[theminutepast]

I enjoyed his voice. Wish Sondheim had written better lyrics, though.

[MatthewwMatthew]

I think they're fine.

[mrelectric40]

horrible choice for tony

[me148]

beautiful.

clear, clean, light, natural

It's not Jose carreras, but at least he can act

[bwaylover818]

holy crap that was a high note

and it came from nowhere!

[Durnty]

it sounds like he's trying to force vibrato into every note rather than using any sort of technique and allowing it to come naturally

[Davelandia]

I knew when I heard Matt was being considered for the role that it would be a great choice and I was right. Still, I hadn't yet pushed the "buy your ticket" button - till I heard this tonight. OHMYGOD is right. I've got my ticket now!!! Thanks!

[cdmsinger]

that Bb was absolutely gorgeous.

[RANGERSRULE13]

great voice

[beyondthestars1985]

So he's gorgeous, and his voice reminds me of Patti Lupone's... very simliar vibrato

[lightscameraactionx3]

this is insane. and I love it.

[JakeStorm]

Right look. Sounds too much like Chip Ziehn but with a runaway vibrato. Should have been the Baker in the next revival of ITW.

[BEVERYCUMMINS]

I think Leonard Bernstein would not like this . To me that's the sad part . I do want to see the show anyway , Anybody know who the understudy is? Nothing is perfect.

[ManhattanSonata]

Words cannot describe this... I need to see this show.

[cdmsinger]

i couldn't agree with you more.

[NobodysangelA08]

saw it a week ago. it is absolutely phenomenal. the choreography is incredible. karen olivo as anita is unbelievable. and maria is fantastic. casting was great, right down to the supporting sharks and jets. cody green as riff is absolutely unbelievable.

i honestly thought that matt being cast as tony was one of the weaker choices, but it's not even that bad. he has a nice voice, but there was something lacking about his performace.

the rest was unbelievalbe though. i definitely recommend it!

[Selendomono]

definently not my favorite tony. seems a little too pretty to be an ex gang member (that last MAAAAA in the middle part was like... wow) but hey hes kinda cute :P

[alfieism]

oh. my. god.