Dear primobaritono, do you know when this performance took place? I ask only because am curious whether it took place before or after London suffered the paralyzed vocal cord circa 1961 --
He sang it in English at the Met as was done in those days. Perhaps if he were around another 10 years he would have been part of the 1974 production which was I think the first time I was performed in Russian at the Met. Did he not record any arias from it in Russian? Even Pinza did!
Las razons por las que se traducen las operas son basicamente las de atraer mas audiencia o la imposibilidad de que cantantes de otras lenguas puedan librarse de los tormentos de la pronunciacion de idiomas que les cuesta entender. Ese entendimiento no es solo linguistico,es sobretodo cultural. El problema de la traduccion es inevitable,aunque lo ideal es respetar el hiato-lengua-musica. No en vano los autores buscaron guionistas para hacer esa "liasson" historica.
Why in the world would he have "preferred" to sing this in Russian? It was done for an English speaking audience. He sang Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Verdi etc. in German for Vienna & in English (Thcaikovsky) at the Met. He was a wonderful communicator to his audiences. — and not a snob.
Singing this in the original language has nothing to do with snobbery. I read about the making of this video in London's biography, I do not recall the exact reasons but I'll read up on it next week when I'm home. As far as I'm concerned Boris Godunov is such a distinctly Russian opera that performing it in anything but Russian is detrimental to the drama. Music and language are intertwined.
This little kid is so lucky.. if he could only knew back than that hext to him is THE George London!
ArchiducDeBelgrade 1 year ago
Dear primobaritono, do you know when this performance took place? I ask only because am curious whether it took place before or after London suffered the paralyzed vocal cord circa 1961 --
stevevandien 1 year ago
mr george london is an english singer
bunnyz324 2 years ago
Actually, London was Canadian.
elufologo 1 year ago
@elufologo actually, London is capitol of England.
profTutka 1 year ago
It's absolutely impossible to hear it in English! I can to match it to "Porgy and Bess" in Russian! :-))))
MrAudioProducer 2 years ago
He sang it in English at the Met as was done in those days. Perhaps if he were around another 10 years he would have been part of the 1974 production which was I think the first time I was performed in Russian at the Met. Did he not record any arias from it in Russian? Even Pinza did!
VinylToVideo 2 years ago
Yes he did indeed. I have a studio recording with Schippers conducting where he sings all the big scenes in Russian.
primobaritono 2 years ago
Thanks for the info; I'll look for that.
VinylToVideo 2 years ago
@VinylToVideo he did a complete recording of the opera in Russia in russian (state company "Melodia"); I have it on LP's, its absolutely GREAT!!!
brodsky96 1 year ago
@brodsky96 Yes I now have this recording.
VinylToVideo 1 year ago
Great performance! It is rather strange to hear it in English but very interesting too. Thanks for posting this.
76Basso 3 years ago
That kid was so lucky to have London give such a close performance. I wonder if he knew?
MusashiTzu 3 years ago
you said it!
micahdeb 3 years ago
Las razons por las que se traducen las operas son basicamente las de atraer mas audiencia o la imposibilidad de que cantantes de otras lenguas puedan librarse de los tormentos de la pronunciacion de idiomas que les cuesta entender. Ese entendimiento no es solo linguistico,es sobretodo cultural. El problema de la traduccion es inevitable,aunque lo ideal es respetar el hiato-lengua-musica. No en vano los autores buscaron guionistas para hacer esa "liasson" historica.
jorgepoveda 4 years ago
It's just beautiful !
Hans NL
qklq42 4 years ago
It matters not whether it was in English or Russian. What matters is that this example of a great artist is available. We can only wish for more.
cdgray2 4 years ago
Thank you for the video! C P Vienna
orthochrom 4 years ago 2
Why in the world would he have "preferred" to sing this in Russian? It was done for an English speaking audience. He sang Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Verdi etc. in German for Vienna & in English (Thcaikovsky) at the Met. He was a wonderful communicator to his audiences. — and not a snob.
ghoti519 4 years ago
Singing this in the original language has nothing to do with snobbery. I read about the making of this video in London's biography, I do not recall the exact reasons but I'll read up on it next week when I'm home. As far as I'm concerned Boris Godunov is such a distinctly Russian opera that performing it in anything but Russian is detrimental to the drama. Music and language are intertwined.
primobaritono 4 years ago 3