Added: 1 year ago
From: marcysoprano
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  • This is awesome. I once got the "sing something right now" request in the middle of a job interview. Talk about being put on the spot.

  • Funny that these people spend so much time on this crap and no-one gives a shit how technically great you are XD Singing is about projecting your soul and no amount of school makes a person a great performer. There's a reason hardly anyone listens to Opera, it's boring and those that profess to like it are just pretending to be cultured and bette3r than everyone else but the truth is you're a bunch of blow hards.

  • @MrROTD You may believe tht's true, but I, for one, am vry mch a fan of opera. Yes, sme opera bores me, but so do mny othr things (metal rock, 2 & a Half Men, Fear Factor, almst all car racing, etc.). I crtainly don't think I'm "better than everyone else," or even better than the folks who like things that bore me. I just happen to enjoy opera. Why would you doubt that? I agree that singing is "projecting your soul" (among other things), & that school alone can't make a great performer.

  • Hysterical - too true

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  • Oh my gosh story of my life.

  • rofl, you should draft me a building right now!

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  • "A Stripper in an adult nightclub" rofl

  • I don't get it...

  • I love that you mentioned Columbus!

  • OMG, that is so funny, in a painful sort of way. I have had many similar conversations with people. Especially, "sing something for me"... okey-dokey, then. Sure, no problem. I'll just whip out my pocket orchestra and set 'em up right over here. haha.After 20 odd years in the business, while doing some sort of day job periodically to pay the bills, I can still laugh at the misconceptions about opera singers (and supposed opera singers!) Thanks for posting this. I needed a good laugh!

  • A girl in one of my gen ed classes: Oh you sing opera?! I do too! What's your favorite?

    Me: Hamlet, Madama Butterfly, Don Giovanni and most Handel, how about you?

    Girl: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! (BIG SMILE)

    Me: You dont sing opera do you....

  • I am a tenor with a bachelor degree and a masters in voice performance and I endorse this video, lol. Seriously, I have had this convo more times than I can count. Without fail, I always get requests for La Donna E Mobile and I friggin hate that aria. Although, my neighbor manages a liquor store and gives me bottles of expensive single malt scotch when I sing that aria for him. He originally thought the libretto was "I'm a big pizza guy. I like my pizza pies." I keep telling myself: free scotch

  • @JiveSteady99

    Oh my wow... Lol. Yeah, keep telling yourself free scotch man. Free liquor is always always a good thing. People are ridiculous.

  • "we could all swap dresses at the audition"

  • This is just brilliant. Everyone who isn't a serious musician should see this and realize how repetitive this conversation gets.

  • This is representative of 95% of conversations I have regarding my profession. Having had a really good laugh, I'm now feeling kinda depressed.

  • ROFL!!!! YES, this is EXACTLY how it goes - not just for voice, either... Thanks for posting this!!! I especially like "you should draft me a building right now." I might use that the next time...

  • How many sopranos does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

    Three. One to screw in the lightbulb, one to pull the ladder out from under her, and one to whisper, "I knew she couldn't sing that high . . ."

    : )

  • Marcy, you rock!

  • AND YOU STILL SUCK. Can you say stuck up, its juilliard or who cares. You can say your studies were complex but it all sounds like "boo hoo failed artist."

  • This is wonderful. I have had this conversation many times, but usually only to the point where I become rude.

  • "You should draft me a building right now."

    I love this so much.

    And I, too, HATE when people say "you should go on American Idol." People have no idea what the differences are between pop, opera, and musical theatre stylization.

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  • Other than forgetting a few (Maria Callas, for one), this was so great. I loved the statement about drafting a building! These Xtranormal videos are great.

  • hahaha....did he pol pot is one of his favorite singers?? hahaha

  • and is La Scoopenda Renee Fleming really an opera singer?

  • @belcunto

    Yes, she is, unlike your fave.

  • $150 per hour for 45minutes! i have no hope for lessons then haha

  • I resent you mentioned Natalie Dessay and Diana Damrau but no Maria Callas!

  • So true to life!!!

  • ahahahhahahahhhahahaha brilliant - that was brilliant :)))

  • "what did you do, sing all day long?" Haha... heard that one a lot.

    But it's not the ignorance about classical training that bothers me (some people just aren't into it...) as much as these complete strangers "knowing" and telling you exactly what you "should" do with major aspects of career (beyond requesting songs). This was awesome... you got the presumption just right in this clip.

  • This is gold. Right here. Pure, unadulterated gold.

  • "Like the Phantom of the Opera? Or Rent?..........Not really." :D

  • This is the story of my LIFE!! Thank you for posting this. It's like the typical classical singer's conversation.

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  • marcy, you're absolutely brilliant!

  • @mollbin Wow.

    "Respect your craft."

    If you knew anything about, oh, anything relating to that conversation, you'd know she was actually incredibly gracious in dealing with someone being that ignorant and self centered. Much more so than I am being currently.

    Tool.

  • @mollbin Why is speaking in an educated fashion considered elitist? Just because you aren't familiar with the topic, doesn't mean that somone who is familiar with it is elitist or pompous. If the man in this cartoon were to start talking about Architecture, even though the singer may not know about it, would that also be pompous?

  • I agree with every second of this video, this may be the most honest depiction of my life that exists in the world today.

  • I am not a professional singer myself, but have been in choir most of my adult life and have a great many friends for whom this is their life story. Great job! Loved the part about Christmas and Easter.

  • Can someone please create one of these for those uncomfortable conversations regarding proper wedding music?

  • @WannaBinMASS I haven't found it on YouTube, but there is one on xtranormal. Just search for "Wedding consultation".

  • Can someone please create one of these for those uncomfortable conversations regarding proper wedding music?

  • This is so true down to every last detail. From taking classes in pedagogy to not spending Christmas or Easter with family because of having a church job. :)

  • ....oops ...got cut off before and had a typo. To continue and finish my thought.

    This is just as important for audiences to see and hear and makes a more complete and balanced classical singer. My 2 cents. Blessings & happy holidays to all!

  • This clip is cute, and we classically trained singers get the point. Still, there is an air of musical elitism and snobbery presented here - but I guess that's the point, unfortunately. Too bad there's not more appreciation for the complete validity of singers in each major genre of music, as long as they're truly talented. In all fairness, I've heard a number of classically trained singers with no natural vocal talent or performance presence as a foundation. This is just as vital to for audien

  • THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol This is MUCH needed. I feel like this is an exact reenactment of almost EVERY conversation I have with each person that finds out I'm a singer or hears me sing. EXHAUSTING!!!

  • This is brilliant.

    Incredible.

    Thank you so, so much!

    Hilariously true!

  • HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA­HAHAHAHAHA

  • MY LIFE. I love this. So. Much. Especially the "you are an architect? why don't you draft me up a building right now?"

    Also, shoutout to Columbus, OH!

  • Since Van Gogh was pretty much unknown during his brief lifetime ordinary people probably did. If she's good enough Marcy will have a fine career in operatic and other forms of classical singing. But if she expects the average Joe to fully appreciate her skills she should have gone on American idol.. Why would the American public suddenly "up its game" when it has been lowering that game for several generations?

  • @larrydonguy Yes, I agree with the American public's game going downhill for years. In this clip Marcy is being cornered by a guy trying to be supportive, but in fact displaying rude ignorance. Marcy does not walk up to him asking for his support. He bombards her with questions and she replies honestly. I just want to bring out the fact that Marcy is not whining here and not trying to convert the average joe. She says have a listen to my yt clips or come to my show. Sounds reasonable.

  • Okay, but it's a bit of a whine, isn't it? If you want the guy/gal on the street to recognize your abilities then go into pop music. I f you don't care whether they recognize your craft or not then study the hell out of music that the average person doesn't much care about. But don't complain. It's your choice and it comes with the territory.

  • @larrydonguy It only comes with the territory because the landscape is littered with idiots. Why should Marcy have to change? Why can't the average guy/gal on the street up their game a bit or at least be quiet and not make silly demands of artists. Did people go up to Van Gogh with "Hey dude, you're a painter, paint me a landscape, huh whatdayasay?" And btw, Marcy is not whining .... you are.

  • This is so good! Funny and a bit sad.

  • @marcysoprano Thank you Thank you!

  • I don't hear any blame here at all. What are you talking about?

  • you forgot to blame capitalism...

  • "I have not spent Christmas or Easter with my family since 1999." "That's nice.

    rofl

  • THIS IS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST CLIPS I HAVE SEEN IN A VERY LONG TIME. THANK YOU THANK YOU.

  • @SayNewYou Absolutely hysterical. After having pop opera fans call me every name in the book , it's refreshing to see this!

  • Oh God...it's like you've been following me for the last ten years! "You can actually study music in college?"

    Brilliant.

  • I just got someone in the hospital where I work part time to ask me to sing for them right on the spot. I honestly do not like when people do that. It's like asking a doctor you met at a party to give you a free diagnosis for some nagging ailment. People just don't understand how much work many singiners who studied voice had to put in while in college or in a conservatory.

  • It's about time that Josh Groban's name gets mispronounced like Pavarotti's

  • *pause* Not really...but, okay.

    This is freaking hilarious!

  • Miley Cyrus is my favorite opera singer.

  • I love this!! Thanks!!

  • freakin hilarious! loved every second of it :)

  • OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its our lives!!!! I love this vid. we can all identify with it. everyone should see this so they never ask us to "just sing me a high note" ever again. thanks for this vid. Im sending it to everyone i know.

  • More of this dialogue is real than non-music people would realize.

  • This is my every day life!!! It hits the nail right on the head. Especially the whole "Oh you sing... you should be on American Idol" and the "Sing something now, sing something right now". Oh the life of a vocal performance major!!

  • EXTREMELY FUNNY and COMPLETELY true...it's like a nuclear physicist being told by layperson, "Yeah, I like physics...my favorite physicist is Bill Nye the Science Guy"....lol!

  • I can't stop watching this. It's so perceptive and true! In fact, I'm taking notes on how to respond with equal patience and grace to those who love "opera singers" like Susan Boyle and Andrea Bocelli. Marcy, sing a song from Lulu now! Just Lulu's Lied?

  • I love this video more than anything right now. "Draft me a building right now." Best line ever!

  • I feel guilty. The Prayer is one of my favorite songs.

    **hangs head in shame**

  • @Ardalla555 don't feel bad. It's a pretty song, to be sure. I even humor people and sing on cue on occasion, lol--I just try to give them a little insight on what they're asking;)

  • LOL @ Susan Boyle!

  • "I have not spent Xmas or Easter with my family since 1999.."

    "That's nice."

  • @Ardalla555 I have to say, this was by far my favorite line, haha

  • Oh my crap... it's like every single conversation I've ever had with somebody who hears me sing. Somebody once asked me, what you studied music? That must be easy. I said, "Yeah, so easy that I've been in my undergrad for 6 years."

  • thank you so much for posting this...i can't tell you how many times people have asked me to 'just sing something"

  • Shout-out to Columbus, Ohio! Woo!

  • @culturedandchic my last gig really WAS in Columbus! I only speak the truth, lol.

  • This is probably the funniest (and truthful) thing that I have ever seen. I can't believe how many times I have had the exact same conversations in this video. Hilarious.!!!!

  • How sad that he asks have you ever heard of "Dessay etc.". Embarrassing to opera. How about, "have you ever heard of Callas, Caruso, Tebaldi, Ponselle, Ruffo etc"? SAD!

  • @MrCafiero: Seriously??? Good singing is not exclusive to the past. It is your OPINION that is sad.

  • @ncvscody When singing digresses because of lack of proper training. And thus art digresses, there is a problem. Perhaps you don't hear the difference, but there sure is a HUGE difference in the quality of the singing of the past and know. And there is a reason for that. It is destroying opera.

  • Don't let ANYONE "should" on you!

  • i love this. my favorite part is the "you should sing something RIGHT NOW...." I always tell people that if you met a dentist in the supermarket you wouldn't say "OH AWESOME cause I have this toothache right here, would you mind just looking at it for me?"

    Hah! Priceless.

  • who is the one fuck-off that disliked this? any music major can tell you this is EXACTLY how the conversation usually goes.

  • @Biffy2008 Make that five now.

  • @Biffy2008

    they obviously were the people who thought Josh Groban was an opera singer... x)

  • Josh Groban and Susan Boyle are my favorite opera singers!!

  • ROFLMFAO! Wow, you nailed it there. Only thing I might have added was the horrified response, "You accept PAY to sing in church?" Thanks for the belly laughs! (Well-supported, natch.)

  • This video makes me so happy! I JUST got the whole "wait..people are paid in church? seriously?!" talk over thanksgiving break...

    "Not really...but ok"

  • oh god. yes, i've dealt with these. as a male tenor\alto\soprano soloist, there's always some naive one in the crowd. reminds me of sarah palin in politics.

  • I HATE getting those "you're a soprano, sing me something high! Oh, what do you mean you can't do it right now?" comments. Now I know what to say! Most entertaining :)

  • classic. love this!!!!!!! You captured this constant conversation so perfectly. LOL !!!!!!!

    When the guy says "babysitter" I crack up.

  • My friend posted this on Facebook... and... so true! If I had a dollar for every time somebody asked me to sing on the spot...

  • Have you seen the organist version of this? "Wedding Consultation" it's just as accurate.

  • @mondonudes Yes! My church choir director showed me this after I showed him my video and I just died. It was amazing!

  • Absolutely CLASSIC! And spot on. As a baritone, I always love when people ask me to sing Nessun Dorma for them, or, better yet, "that Andrea Bocelli song." And I love the "draft me a building" line!!! I'm gonna use that bit next time I have this exchange with someone. Too funny. Thanks for making me smile about something that usually makes me want to put hot pokers in my eyes.

  • Oh geeze, Paul Potts......

  • at least the architect did not say Prince Poppycock

  • This video is going Westminster viral...

  • Hahaha this is wonderful!! Oh how familiar this conversation is.

  • this is WONDERFUL. as a music student, i am constantly explaining what i do and why it is important.

  • BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ....fact.

  • this is amazing.

  • Thanks so much for this! My favorite was the constant request for you to sing, like we're side show acts or something! And then you ask him to draw a blue print for a house, LOVE IT! Awesome. Love, a fellow soprano

  • Do you know why this cartoon is BLOCKED in the U.K?

    Thank You.

  • @HeraklioneArts Try the xtranormal website! If you search for 'You should take voice lessons' a link should pop up! It won't let me post the link here!

  • @marcysoprano Hi Marcy. I was trying to post a link on the Classical Crossover website in Britain, but I can't seem to find a search feature on Xtranormal. If you have time could you plz post an unblocked link there.  I think they would really enjoy this.

  • @Ardalla555 I can't post a link here, but if you go the xtranormal site and search "you should take voice lessons" it should come up!

  • @marcysoprano Thanks for the reply Marcy. Xtranormal doesn't have a search function as yet (though they say it is coming). I tried posting the link from your YT page on the CC website, but it is still a YT clip, and, as such, it is blocked in the UK.

    Do you have any way to play this without YT? If so, you might post it on the Classical-Crossover site for the UK audience to enjoy. My post there -- which is blocked -- is in the Forum; the thread is 'What are you listening to now'.

  • @Ardalla555 I just sent a friend request to you so I can send it to you as a link, I don't know what forum you're talking about! OR, if you go to my personal website, I'm about to post it there in under the "personal" tab below the youtube link!

  • @marcysoprano Thanks Marcy. I put the link on the C-C website.

    classical-crossover.co.uk

    I posted the link to your homepage there also. Administrator is Nicola Jarvis. The site is worth a look if you are a C-C fan.

  • genius!

  • Marcy, I'm an entertainment journalist & comic book historian who also acts and I have conversations like this ALL THE TIME, sometimes with my parents. I get asked about stuff not connect to what I do. And instead of "You should sing at the Met", I'm usually told "You should be writing these big movies" or "You should be on this TV show." And I nod and try to politely hint that it's not as easy as just asking to show up. :-) Thank you.

  • @CrazySexyGeeksSeries you are most welcome! Yes, I love it when my mother says, "I went to the Detroit Opera House last night. Why can't you sing there? You should call David DiChiara and tell him have family here and that you'll be in town over thanksgiving or christmas and that you can sing for them then! Oh, ok. I will call and then they will just bow to my schedule and book me immediately, that is a great idea.

  • @marcysoprano HA! Yes. My parents saw that I was on a documentary along with a guy who's produced the Batman films and the publishers of DC Comics and said "You should e-mail them and say you'd like to work on something together." Right, because we got to be so close when we never met during the filming of this. :-)

  • this was GREAT! I hear this every time I sing at my hometown church. Typically, I run out the door as soon as the service is done =)

  • This is literally my everyday, haha. Thanks for posting!

  • This is awesome!

  • OMG don't all of us singers go through this?! I love this video!!! Good job!

  • Thank you for this! Can someone please run this as a commercial so that we can stop reliving this conversation every day?

  • This is just excellent. I wish that I had the restraint of this animated character. ;)

  • This is pretty much a perfect summation of every conversation I have had about my line of work for the past 20 years.

  • I have not spent Christmas or Easter with my family since 1999.

    So so so true.

  • All operas are in Italian, right? lol

  • The most truth ever on YouTube in four minutes and fifty-six seconds

  • This is the most perfectly accurate thing ever. "Like phantom of the opera or rent?" "...not really." love it.

  • This. Is. Priceless. ROFLMAO!!!!!

  • Amazing how we all relate to this!!!

  • Thanks so much. This is the best! So glad Nathan Gunn got in there. This is so painful, but it is hilarious!

  • Almost every single misunderstanding of opera and classical singers tied up nicely with a little bow. Well played... well played.

  • "You should sing me a high note right now"~LOL

  • This is so true........

  • "You should be on American Idol..." No. Just no. I've heard that so many times I could just scream. Why on earth would I want to debase myself like that?

  • "Pavarotti?"

    "YES!"

    Marcy, freaking brilliant, girl!! 

  • Marcy... Thank you soooooo much for this video... Things like this can truly make you realize that your not alone while making you laugh really hard... I LOVE THIS!

  • AWESOME!!!!!!! i love especially thew part about Phantom of the Opera. SOOOOO many people doesn't know a word about opera and still they are casting people at the MET

  • Thank you sooooooooo much for making this!!! I don't know how many times I have had the SAME exact conversation!!!!! It's really freaky!!! Thank you!!!!

  • "You should be on American Idol". :P Hahaha.

  • Exactly.

  • This is so hilarious! I love it!!!

    "What did you do? Just sing all day long?"

    I've gotten that so many times! Toi Toi Toi!

  • This is so...true. And disturbing.

  • marcy, you're a star. loves it!

  • Marcy, I love you!!! <3 <3 <3

    xo,

    Jess

  • that says it all holy cow.... thank you!!!

  • Marcy! What a great video- sounds like my day at the office on a regular basis. (And it is clearly making the rounds on singers' facebook pages). We miss you in Columbus, and thanks for a great show in October. The Kurt Weill Foundation's Fall Newsletter is now out, featuring a photo and the show review from Berlin to Broadway. Be sure to check it out!

  • @OperaColumbus I just checked out the Kurt Weill newsletter--thanks! I miss you guys too! Do you like my line about opera in columbus? LOL. Someone actually told me they didn't realize there was opera in ohio when I mentioned my last job-every last line of this silly video is true! Anyhow, shout out to you all at opera columbus!

  • @marcysoprano I am not at all surprised that someone really said that. I believe you when you say that everything in this video is true...we've heard a LOT of those same things around here, that's for sure! If you need more laughs, check out Susan Boyle's performance on the Today Show from last week. Something about "just a perfect day....feeding animals at the zoo..." Definitely good for a laught (and a couple cringes too!). I'll give everyone a big hello from you!

  • Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  • This is AWESOME! Probably one of the most hilarious things I've ever heard.

    I teach voice at an inner-city school and the kids asked me to sing some "opera" yesterday, so I did a verse of the Habanera, and they all recognized it from a commercial.

  • Laura Claycomb is my favorite too!!! Your "Rejoice Greatly" kicks ass, btw.

  • oh my god... finally there's a video about how I feel when I encounter these people. It's pretty much exactly like this...

    thank you LOL

  • I've been on the right side of the screen asking those questions, so I can relate! Now that I have musician friends, I feel like a dope!  This made me laugh for 4 minutes! Loved it!

  • I haven't spent Christmas or Easter with my family since 1999.... This was so perfect!!!

  • ummm... i have this conversation at least once a week.

  • "Most girls in my fach are 5'2", 110-pound clones of me. We could all swap dresses at the audition." Love it! And so true.