This is one of many videos I have uploaded that has been subjected to phony copyright claims by "Orchard Music" and "INgrooves". This is a public domain recording. Please do not click on any links below the video. This criminal conduct should not be rewarded.
The language, is not finally the point. 'If MUSIC be the food of love, play on.' With Butterfly it was also the story that made the opera immortal. The story that can resonate with all cultures and languages because music is understood in all languages.The talent expressing the thoughts, longings and imagery is what matters--whatever the language. A spanish gypsy singing in french or a japanese geisha singing in italian should prove that.
This is a fantastic performance! Deanna's voice is so beautiful and haunting. I wish she could've sung it in the original Italian. I still love it in english, though.
It is a pity that most of the audience shown is old people, as if this music isn't for the young. Only in the background do you see young people and they all seem to be girls. From memory, this is often the case in her movies. Too bad the producers didn't make an effort to attract the young to this lovely music.
Today, where can you find something like Leonard Bernstein's tv show of music for young people?
@randall2020 The age of the audience and the girls in the background were integral to the plot of the movie. The "old maids" in the audience were wistful ladies crying for their failure to find love in their life, as prompted by the song. The young girls are class mates of Deanna at the school where she is singing.
I am a 55 year old Japanese who like musicals. I have never watched this one but this aria is so excellently done. No wonder she was sought by the Met at 15. I like her very much.
@eijigosen , Have you never seen Madame Butterfly? It is set in Japan during the 2nd world war, my Parents took me to see the movie when I was a young girl, The scene which has this song was the most beautiful and memorible part , just beautiful! See if you can search it!
It's been many years since I heard and saw this. Like the "old maids" in the story (that's a direct quote from the movie, it was such an out-dated term, even when I was a girl!), I tear up listening to that lovely young thing sing Butterfly's tragic, hopeful aria so beautifully, only to have her True Love come back to her after all. They don't make movies like this anymore, more's the pity.
why did she need to "choose"? back then, no one was willing to admit that any musician was capable of succeeding in both the "art" and "popular" worlds. that attitude destroyed mario lanza. you know what? there has been NO ONE since who has demonstrated the talent of these wonderful artists.
Interestingly, the actress who portrays Deanna's stern teacher in the film, who repeatedly clears her head about her first romantic interest and her future life, was herself a well-known opera figure though she has no musical role in the film. Durbin was a totally natural talent and, like Garland, totally at home in front of the camera. Both benefitted from voice training but worked from a basic well of deep talent, extreme intelligence and a willingness to work hard.
I can't listen to this without my eyes stinging up a tear - nor can I ignore it. I have to stop what I'm doing and listen - It's just one of those arias, and she's just one of those singers......thanks for posting!
Yes. If Deanna Durbin had choseen to do opera, she would have hit it big. Imagine her singing opposite the great tenors of her day.She would have needed to be willing to train her voice to do grand opera, but she was young, had the talent to work with. And her screen presence would have translated into the stage presence required of opera singers today, but not necessarily then. She would have been a knockout on the operatic stage, but she chose not to go that way. Only she knows why. Pity.
Xenophobic is the new word and I have to agree with you that this is beautiful, so serenely sweetly like a beautifully played violin and I always wanted to know what this sounded like in english and it is as exquisite as ever. Good job and thank you for posting this.
You can be patriotic and proud, if you have someone like this from your country. Take a bow, Canada. Just like the United States produced Coca Cola, Boeing and Clint Eastwood, the USSR produced Kalashnikovs, Sputniks and Maya Plisetskaya, the Canadaians produced Lumberjacks, the Mounties and Deanna Durbin.
I could say the same thing about Verdi translating MacBeth, Othello, and Falstaff into Italian, but since I'm not a close-minded, xenophobic moron, I won't.
Actually, the librettos are very loosely based on the original Shakespeare plays, they're not literal translations from English to Italian. But thank you anyway for 1. Not being a close-minded Xenophobic moron, and 2. Enhancing my vocabulary with new words like "Xenophobic!!"
I have to agree with antiroma. English is an incredibly useful and versatile language, with a greater balance between complexity and ease of use than any other. That being said, it is an ugly and a harsh language in comparison with Italian, especially when put to the test of Opera. Remember that the characters are all presumably speaking English, but there is a reason why Puccini's Opera is in Italian, and it's not just tradition.
OMG!! I am in the process of discovering the vista of opera. I have heard others perform this but this version is the best I have heard. Truely wonderful. 17years of age? Incredible. I would have loved to see her do this in the operatic character.
Several years ago, I heard Deanna's DECCA recording of this aria being played on the Harvard University radio station. The host of the program stated that she had "one of the finest soprano voices of the 1930s/40s, and, at the conclusion of the recording said: 'The remarkable, and vastly underrated, 'American Sweetheart of Song' Deanna Durbin, singing the 'Un bel di' aria from MADAME BUTTERFLY in a stunning performance recorded when she was in her early 20s."
This is one of many videos I have uploaded that has been subjected to phony copyright claims by "Orchard Music" and "INgrooves". This is a public domain recording. Please do not click on any links below the video. This criminal conduct should not be rewarded.
violinthief 2 months ago
The language, is not finally the point. 'If MUSIC be the food of love, play on.' With Butterfly it was also the story that made the opera immortal. The story that can resonate with all cultures and languages because music is understood in all languages.The talent expressing the thoughts, longings and imagery is what matters--whatever the language. A spanish gypsy singing in french or a japanese geisha singing in italian should prove that.
blackiemittens 6 months ago
she is so brilliant you can forgive the english
quinariuscoin 10 months ago
This is a fantastic performance! Deanna's voice is so beautiful and haunting. I wish she could've sung it in the original Italian. I still love it in english, though.
EponineJondrette 1 year ago
Why does the finest music make us cry ? Beautiful though it is, a sad emotion seems out of place, ah, but so wonderful!
horsemad1670 1 year ago 3
It is a pity that most of the audience shown is old people, as if this music isn't for the young. Only in the background do you see young people and they all seem to be girls. From memory, this is often the case in her movies. Too bad the producers didn't make an effort to attract the young to this lovely music.
Today, where can you find something like Leonard Bernstein's tv show of music for young people?
randall2020 1 year ago
@randall2020 The age of the audience and the girls in the background were integral to the plot of the movie. The "old maids" in the audience were wistful ladies crying for their failure to find love in their life, as prompted by the song. The young girls are class mates of Deanna at the school where she is singing.
copernicus633 1 year ago 2
I am a 55 year old Japanese who like musicals. I have never watched this one but this aria is so excellently done. No wonder she was sought by the Met at 15. I like her very much.
eijigosen 1 year ago
@eijigosen , Have you never seen Madame Butterfly? It is set in Japan during the 2nd world war, my Parents took me to see the movie when I was a young girl, The scene which has this song was the most beautiful and memorible part , just beautiful! See if you can search it!
kamskia 6 months ago
@kamskia Butterfly debuted in 1904.
Chuck0856 1 month ago
The aria Un Bel Di is performed by Sarah Brightman in her song "It's A Beautiful Day". I agree with "antiroma" said.
tatiannaraquel 1 year ago
I love it in English. I can understand what's happening w/o a libretto. btw Robert Stack looks gorgeous here so young.
9TheMajor 1 year ago
I love her. This one always one of my favorite performances of her. So well done. :)
rlulich 2 years ago
It's been many years since I heard and saw this. Like the "old maids" in the story (that's a direct quote from the movie, it was such an out-dated term, even when I was a girl!), I tear up listening to that lovely young thing sing Butterfly's tragic, hopeful aria so beautifully, only to have her True Love come back to her after all. They don't make movies like this anymore, more's the pity.
GuinnevereB 2 years ago 6
The bigger pity is IF they found a singer with her range and pitch and IF they did a
film even with this story as a springboard,
they'd foul it up with lewd scenes that'd spoil it. Sweetness, charm is seen as old hat. Long live old movies!
blackiemittens 2 years ago 6
OK OK I cried and I'm a man.
9TheMajor 2 years ago 5
thanks for the post.... lost talent
chucknm 2 years ago
What a voice! Read more about her in wikipedia.
Y2br 2 years ago
Maybe I'm just a sap, but I got a little bit teary when Prince Charming came into the auditorium.
rrcaniglia 2 years ago 4
why did she need to "choose"? back then, no one was willing to admit that any musician was capable of succeeding in both the "art" and "popular" worlds. that attitude destroyed mario lanza. you know what? there has been NO ONE since who has demonstrated the talent of these wonderful artists.
jgraif 2 years ago
The voice of an angel...
OldBenFranklin 2 years ago
Interestingly, the actress who portrays Deanna's stern teacher in the film, who repeatedly clears her head about her first romantic interest and her future life, was herself a well-known opera figure though she has no musical role in the film. Durbin was a totally natural talent and, like Garland, totally at home in front of the camera. Both benefitted from voice training but worked from a basic well of deep talent, extreme intelligence and a willingness to work hard.
waynebrasler 3 years ago
I can't listen to this without my eyes stinging up a tear - nor can I ignore it. I have to stop what I'm doing and listen - It's just one of those arias, and she's just one of those singers......thanks for posting!
Tobytrim 3 years ago 3
this is beautiful thank you!!!
lizjohnevers 3 years ago 3
Her voice is so clear and pure and true. It would really make the fine Bohemian crystal ring!
libearian 3 years ago 3
Yes. If Deanna Durbin had choseen to do opera, she would have hit it big. Imagine her singing opposite the great tenors of her day.She would have needed to be willing to train her voice to do grand opera, but she was young, had the talent to work with. And her screen presence would have translated into the stage presence required of opera singers today, but not necessarily then. She would have been a knockout on the operatic stage, but she chose not to go that way. Only she knows why. Pity.
OperaBuff1935 3 years ago
At least we get to enjoy her over and over again in her movies :)
fredastairefan 3 years ago 13
I'm glad she didn't choose opera. They would have over-trained that pure, natural, clear tone right out of her.
wanzenettl 2 years ago
I have to agree...she most certainly would have lost it...don't mess with mother nature!
JDOopera76 2 years ago
Wow...you learn something new EVERY day!
Never knew anyone had done this in English!
It's a reasonably accurate translation too.
876234ABC 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing. She leaves me breathless. I cried...well, got misty-eyed.
manwithbeararms 3 years ago 2
I've just seen Jeanette Macdonald's performance of this Aria (1939, not the 1949 performance) and had to come back here for the English version.
It's great, thanks for the posting.
pjb98422 3 years ago
Xenophobic is the new word and I have to agree with you that this is beautiful, so serenely sweetly like a beautifully played violin and I always wanted to know what this sounded like in english and it is as exquisite as ever. Good job and thank you for posting this.
incaalpaca 4 years ago
You can be patriotic and proud, if you have someone like this from your country. Take a bow, Canada. Just like the United States produced Coca Cola, Boeing and Clint Eastwood, the USSR produced Kalashnikovs, Sputniks and Maya Plisetskaya, the Canadaians produced Lumberjacks, the Mounties and Deanna Durbin.
swanningaround 4 years ago
Wow, she was Canadian!!!
I feel proud....lollllllll
freespiritQC 4 years ago 6
You should be. She is a great advertisement for your country!
swanningaround 4 years ago
the english version is ugly!...
antiroma 4 years ago
I could say the same thing about Verdi translating MacBeth, Othello, and Falstaff into Italian, but since I'm not a close-minded, xenophobic moron, I won't.
violinthief 4 years ago 25
Actually, the librettos are very loosely based on the original Shakespeare plays, they're not literal translations from English to Italian. But thank you anyway for 1. Not being a close-minded Xenophobic moron, and 2. Enhancing my vocabulary with new words like "Xenophobic!!"
kmillard 4 years ago
@violinthief
I have to agree with antiroma. English is an incredibly useful and versatile language, with a greater balance between complexity and ease of use than any other. That being said, it is an ugly and a harsh language in comparison with Italian, especially when put to the test of Opera. Remember that the characters are all presumably speaking English, but there is a reason why Puccini's Opera is in Italian, and it's not just tradition.
Luckynumber78 1 year ago
@violinthief Why, excellently said!
vivelhistoire 6 months ago
My late mother adored her.I wish that she could have lived long enough to hear this unbelievable talent.
paulostroff99 4 years ago 3
WOW!!! Amazing voice!!! She's really pretty w/a very pretty voice! Amazing at 17!!!
Thanx for posting!
EmmyKami 4 years ago 3
a nightingale lights should go out for you
bazzle709 4 years ago 2
that was fantastic. I didn't know of her til now, thanks.
shinre 4 years ago
I am a long time waiting to hear this in English. I remember her so well, Rosee age 81 years
dugganphil 4 years ago
this is the movie in which deanna durbin receives her first screen kiss. from robert stack. great stuff!
hobnailrose 4 years ago
Puccini's score and lyrics sung in English. What an absolute feast for the ears! I just love so much how precious Deanna sings Butterfly's aria!
texasoperastar 4 years ago
OMG!! I am in the process of discovering the vista of opera. I have heard others perform this but this version is the best I have heard. Truely wonderful. 17years of age? Incredible. I would have loved to see her do this in the operatic character.
Loobabe 4 years ago
She is amazing
viverito 4 years ago
Such a sweet voice. I remember watching this movie! Thanks so much for the post:)
Jbear9 4 years ago
Several years ago, I heard Deanna's DECCA recording of this aria being played on the Harvard University radio station. The host of the program stated that she had "one of the finest soprano voices of the 1930s/40s, and, at the conclusion of the recording said: 'The remarkable, and vastly underrated, 'American Sweetheart of Song' Deanna Durbin, singing the 'Un bel di' aria from MADAME BUTTERFLY in a stunning performance recorded when she was in her early 20s."
boswell38 4 years ago
What a voice!!! She is one of my favorite singer/actress from that era. Thanks for sharing.
hsiaok 4 years ago