Rachele Gilmore - Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Les oiseaux dans la charmille 2009

[patjan92]

Brilliant!!!

[lassisimo]

Holy heaven, that´s excellent !! She has got unbelievable top notes with exceptionally brilliant sound. She´s a diamond. All the best for this extensive gifted talent :o))

[UnaverageAmerican]

Holy crap that was amazing!

[tnsongstress]

Beautiful job-very clean! Her voice is so perfect for this role, and she makes the cutest doll! I love this doll outfit as opposed to some I have seen also.

[TeressaByrne]

That's astounding!! makes me so happy

[ashleycurling]

unreal!! such a sweet girl too

[musicalgirl4life]

This is absolutely fantastic.

[Kayshmo]

CRAZY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lyntonfarr]

I was there 29 December! Unbelieveable!

[carmelraz]

high A-Fflat, wow...brava

[erehu1]

We saw her performance in this role the night of 26th of December just as AVictioR. (She´d stepped in for Kathleen Kim who was ill that night.)

It was sheer beauty, I was lost in reverie.

[AVictorR]

We saw her performance in this role Saturday Dec. 26th. She was fantastic and stole the show. It was "A Star is Born" moment. Electric. The audience was thrilled and brought the show to a standstill with applause. She received the most enthusiastic ovation at the end.

[RusSoprano]

Go,Rachele,Go!! :) u r AMAZING!

[ChicReal]

Thank you my friend, Stokleyb for sharing this wonderful performance. She's truly AMAZING!

[RLviddy]

Was the audience standing at the end, too?

[fendibag17]

I was in Row C on the 23......they weren't standing after the aria but many people were standing at the end and Rachele got more bravos than Anna Netrebko!

[ralphdaily]

We were there for this. Rachele Gilmore stole the show when she performed Olympia on Dec 23 (correct date). The Met audience loved her. It was the high point of our trip to New York. I am so glad there is a video so we can relive it.

[youfeda]

impressionante

[xerardogomezgomez]

Notas estratosféricas emitidas con facilidad increible,,desde la desaparición de la mítica Mado Robín,que fué la voz mas aguda,creo Rachele es de las que alcanzan notas más agudas,y además canta muy bién y con graciosa desnvoltura

[stokleyb]

I was there and was memorized by this Olympia.

She is amazing and I love her never before heard interpretations.

She has an incredible career in front of her

I am so glad you posted this so I can enjoy once again over and over.

Again, thank you for your channel. Happy New Year to you.

[violettagal]

Huge potential with this young star. I do think the intonation is a valid concern when you're talking about an international house. That is a gorgeous voice - I will look forward eagerly to hearing her in the future!

[dutchtallguy]

Very charming. She did some coloratura I did'nt hear before. She is well suited for these kind of roles. Thanks for posting, and happy New Year to you Coloraturafan and all other Bel Canto lovers.

[sudsy128]

i can't stop watching this.

[dollartwenty]

very impressive indeed. As always, coloratura fan, your posts are generous and treasures.

[GoldenAgeSunshine]

Brilliant and splendid singing. Far better than most of the recent Olympias: power, security of tone, dynamics, projection, high notes, trills, staccati ... Glorious! Let's hope she'll find the right repertoire.

[yesigirl0687]

love it!!!

[Gianni1929]

I was struck by the stunning debut of Ms. Gilmore whom I heard on December 26. Yet, not until I heard Ms. Kim's Olympia on December 30 did I appreciate Ms. Gilmore's debut. She is truly exceptional in her staccati, range, dynamics, musicality, and charm. I do believe she will become a fixture at the Metropolitan as she should be. What a great fortune to find voices like this in an age where the exceptional seems so few and far between!

[choochooboi]

I saw it on 12/23/09... Amazing!

[jimnyc62]

Well, that did it. I'm officially psyched to see this tonight. I forgot how much fun the music is.

[wickedphant0m]

To address the hot button issue of this video.

Yes, there are pitch errors, but they're barely noticeable unless one has a very sharp ear and chooses to completely ignore any aspect of the performance except pitch accuracy.

This is a FABULOUS performance, even without the "short notice, understudy, Met debut" qualification.

[moorfan1]

@wickedphant0m ....Well said!

[Alce2008]

My dear,

Pitch accuracy? After this talented performance, you still have the courage to say there are pitch erros? Sorry to say, but that only demonstrates how interested in technique the whole of American Art is: too much technique, "training" and no talent.

alce 2008

[Alce2008]

My comment not only applies to opera (see Callas' books on her not being accepted because of her 'odd' voice'), but to ballet as well. To see The Swan Lake danced by the American Ballet Theatre (no expression, just technique) and to see Kirov or Bolshoi dancing it ( both with a wonderful technique and interpretation, facial expression that makes many in the audience cry) will show you precisely what I mean.

Have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Alce 2008.

[wickedphant0m]

I didn't bring up the issues of pitch errors , I was merely throwing my two cents in (which is basically exactly what you said) on a topic that someone else started.

There are a few pitch errors though...I don't think it takes much courage to point it out, it's simply a fact.

[wickedphant0m]

I think the dozen flawless Eb's, F's, and G's are even more impressive than the one Ab.

[kimmyswimmy]

absolutely amazing! Brava!

[Luindriel]

Fabulous! I've seen her in two operas she stole the show in both. I'm thrilled that she's singing this at the Met! Brava!

[Mooorhe]

Gosh, how on earth do people manage to take fantastic quality inconspicuous videos at the Met?

I'm most grateful for it; I really enjoyed this post, thanks!

[RLviddy]

@Mooorhe I know, right? This is gorgeously rendered, even has HD. Thanks for sharing this, coloratura fan!

[DivasraplentyIAMNOT]

This is the effort of someone who has studied vigorously. A music theatre buff needs to keep their mouth shut b/c most of them can't sing their way out of a garbage can.

[operadude32]

BRAVA RACHELE! I'm SO happy for you!!!! Congrats. You deserve it!!! Not only can she sing but she is a very sweet and kind young lady.

[sour7lemon]

I think this even rivals Dessay's performances!! Wonderful.

Is there a video of the act 1 finale? She probably adds a high G to that.

[sour7lemon]

Did we get act 1 finale on video too?

[jejunemoon]

If 100% perfection vis-à-vis pitch is the criterion, then how many live performances of our greatest divas would fail to make the cut?  I'm thinking of Nilsson, Caballé, just to name a couple. That said, I think that Rachele Gilmore is a major talent, and the beauty of her voice, even in the highest register is remarkable. I look forward to hearing more from this young singer.

[moorfan1]

jejunemoon...I totally agree. Could you imagine the nerves of having to step into a major production in this difficult of a role? Fantastic job!

[MrSoapguy]

I don't have the best musical ear or sense in the world, I'm a musical theatre performer. ;-) and even I noticed bum notes. Did they bother me? Nope, she's the understudy, I know how that is she most likely hasn't gotten nearly as much rehearsal time with the orchestra as needed to pull off a "flawless performance". I applaud her for doing this well.

[Tenorboy29307]

Eh. Disregard any of the insulting comments from classical singers about musical theatre people. That's uncalled for. There is nothing rude or inappropriate about your comment at all.

[boltoht]

Way to go Rachele!!!!!! Brava!!!! So happy for you and wish you the very best. Holly

[mgaby75]

I AGREEEEEEE

[mgaby75]

I AGREEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

[meltzerboy]

I'm not sure rexeterna criticizes the high Ab (or not it alone), but rather other parts where the singer is somewhat flat. But he can defend himself on that issue. Insofar as the way his comments are worded, I don't think it crosses the line, certainly not by youtube standards! But the reactions, such as his being a hater and pathetic, do cross the line as far as I'm concerned, although, again, I've seen much worse on youtube. Personally, I love the performance and thank you for posting it.

[coloraturafan]

I agree people take things too far many times in these exchanges on youtube, so in that respect I agree with you. The comment I was thinking of I removed... I can't remember who posted that one.

[kph11863]

Being a trained musician who has loved opera for over 30 years, I find it helpful to evaluate live performances with different expectations than recorded ones where music can be rerecorded/edited. This aria is one where range and dead-on pitch are vital, but I have heard performances that were still thrilling even with a few imperfections. Since we humans are imperfect but tend to dwell on being negatively critical, this is not perfect. Is it excellent? Yes.

[martindschreiner]

I love it when people who obviously don't spend their lives singing opera sit around on youtube and critique others. Pathetic, really, this vicarious living... Even more pathetic is critiquing a girl making her Met debut last minute. This is her moment. Reexterna Take your internal pitch fork and... well, use your imagination. You've shown how clever you are with it already.

[ronsdivas]

Brava Rachele!! Sure hope I get to see you on Dec 30th. Best wishes and Happy New Year.

[alexmacias]

Impressive! Really impressive! Her French could use some work, but otherwise this is amazing.

[parsifalito]

Fantastic! Brava Rachele!!!!!!!!

[rexeterna]

flat at 1:33, 4:18, 5:01, etc... sure, she was probably nervous, but what is the purpose of interpolating all the high notes if you can't stand on pitch in your lower register? "oh it's okay it's your debut at the met you don't have to sing on pitch" ugh...

[Petronyc]

Sounds like somebody's jealous...she was a hell of a lot better than a lot of the singers I've seen at the Met lately!

[rexeterna]

well as a non-vocalist male, i'm not sure what i'd be jealous of a female coloratura for... but you're totally right about this not being a very high standard for the met. it's not like this chick is the only one, i wasn't saying that at all. just that if singing off pitch is acceptable at the met, for her and for everyone else, then we should reevaluate our standards.

[redsox2213]

All I hear coming out of your mouth is, "I'm a hater, I'm a hater." Hi hater, I hope you wake up on the right side of the bed next time.

[rexeterna]

why yes, i am definitely a hater of off pitch singing.

[meltzerboy]

Even though I praised Rachele Gilmore's performance in my previous comment, I agree with you there are imperfections, including some flat singing and less than perfect ornamentation. I like her singing here anyway and think her positive vocal qualities outweigh the negative. But I don't understand the need of some other listeners to insult you personally just because you point out certain flaws. Even the greatest singers have imperfections and there is no harm in mentioning them.

[coloraturafan]

I think people are reacting this way not as much for the comments, but the way the comments are worded. Some people are really picky about the pitch of acuti, which is fine, but you have to give a singer credit where it is due. Btw, this is not that far off pitch, it's a high Ab for gods sake.

[meltzerboy]

My comment to your comment is posted above; I must have pressed the wrong key. Sorry.

[aaronsande]

@coloraturafan Very true...the higher the frequency, the more off-pitch even the slightest deviation from actual frequency will sound.

I think she did a great job...I look forward to seeing more of her in the future!

And, on the subject of her being thrust into this role and poor girl and all that, well, she looked AWFULLY well prepared and confident from where I'm sitting... =D

[moorfan1]

@aaronsande ...I guess I more pointed out the nerves issue because of those quibbling about her intonation. This is a fantastic cast and someone making their Met debut is acutely aware that this could be their first and last time singing there.

I'm sure she's been preparing for quite a while for this big break! :-)

[aaronsande]

Oh, well then I think I agree...that could certainly explain it.

I am neither the most sensitive nor the least sensitive to pitch of opera appreciators, yet her singing did not bother me on that count.

[aaronsande]

@aaronsande I wonder if the fool who gave me a thumbs down realized I was complimenting Miss Gilmore.

[donaldcollup]

Is this clip from Gilmore's debut on 12/23 or her second performance on 12/26? I fully expected her to interpolate a high Ab above high C at the end, but I guess the Met is too straight-laced to allow that.

[falliero]

Amazing !!!! IIt seems to be even better than the young Dessay I've seen in 1992, for the voice quality. The same facilities with the high notes. Thank you very much for this discover and thank you to the person who filmed this aria !

[nalib11]

dude! how many times is she gonna sing that note? i've heard more musical olympias but if you prefer vocal acrobatics....*sigh as much as i hate to admit it, the coloratura fach is very alluring.

[meltzerboy]

The earlier coloraturas (Mabel Garrison, Lily Pons, Rita Streich, Roberta Peters, Joan Sutherland, Beverly Sills, etc.) who sang the role of Olympia and this aria were not as florid (at least according to their recordings) as contemporary coloraturas, and I find this unusual since often it is the reverse. Regardless, I like this performance, the singing, the acting, the staging, everything. Thanks for posting!

[CurzonRoad]

The 12" Victor acoustic by Mabel Garrison was my first encounter with the "Doll Song", and it remains a favorite. But to move forward... this posting in every way is very, VERY fine! Thanks to coloraturafan for posting, and to Nate for sharing!

[ElisabettaVS]

A very nice costume that Olympia wears, her singing is also beautiful. The acting is a little bit "boring" - well, not boring, but it is not as much doll acting as I am used to and I personally like it more to be like a doll. The staging looks very interesting! I would love to see an opera on the 24th December!

[ElisabettaVS]

@ElisabettaVS And before I forget it, the passage following 3:49 I think with the very high note is wonderful! That was a change that I didn't know until now. Very nice and unexpected.