Russell Watson "Nessun dorma"

[mentalguitarisist]

stole the show for me. awesome job, Russell :)

[linlin4607]

Good grief all these people critizing a singer with a great voice He never said he was an opera singer he had no training and has recovered from 2 brain tumerss/operations

Just you go up there and do this Do yo know how hard it is to sing in front of hundreds The modern singers today dont sing they talk at least he has control and enjoyes it

Please stop being so critical i havnt seen you on you tube

[eldrama2]

you couldn't afford closer seats?

[sechziger60]

If there is one thing about U-Tube that annoys me it is people criticizing an artist on the basis of a recording made on what looks like a mobile phone. Hardly perfect sound or vision is it?. I've heard Russell sing this live and I thought it was superb as did the rest of the audience. Always listen to a person live before passing judgment. OK, Russell may not be Pavorotti, but he's infinitely better than all others who think they are Pavarotti and he is a more versatile singer!

[vermauso]

Thank you Russell for your contribution to my listening pleasures You rank very high and I love you for this.You and Paul Potts make my day.vermauso

[unotenore]

This young man knows nothing about proper technique: he's just immitating someone he has heard. Tight throat sounds and lack of ability to hold important notes and flat pitch on last high note are indicators of poor vocal works. What's with all the added 'CHeezy' endings??

s

[redhead529]

@unotenore, THANK YOU! He's pretty terrible. Thank you for having the guts to say this isn't proper technique. This guy will never be an opera singer. When i first heard him several years ago, I htought he had the raw material, needed a good teacxher, but the voice has deteriorated a lot since then.

[brotherjohn25]

He's very good. So amazing.

[bigchinasean]

Right, he doesn't give you the chills when he sings. Pavarotti, of course could. This guy is a bit cheesy.

[MURCIELAGO1704]

me encanta sarah brightman y me gustaria q vieran el video de TURANDOT YESENIA en el you tube y mne dierais vuestra opinion y si podeis lo paseis a vuestros amigos un saludo.

[pollicino17]

good voice...but listen luciano pavarotti!! he is a very lyric singer!! w l'italia

[hcchengtw]

it is a very soft song and comfortable song

[cosmicconvergence]

Why dont you stop doing this it sounds awful leave it at home have aq drink be nice to your woman look after her tell her you love her and do us all a favour

[River166]

1: I thought he was good.

2: He has two brain tumors! I'm not saying he's mentally challenged, but still...

3: Don't diss people if you can't do better!

[iantchef]

the difference between an opera singer and a person who sings opera is vast. According to the purist.

For me. Anyone who can sing like this gets my vote.

SO, operasinger, Why don't you post your rendition. Or are you CHICKEN

[gjspirithunter]

not the best recording of this by russell but still very good the version on his album cd outside in is well to say the least magnificent, i suppose even the great pav had his off days! dont we all!

[Jamaleen]

If you enjoy this, that's fine, but please don't imagine this has anything to do with real opera singing. Listen to Plácido Domingo sing this and see how it should sound. Watson's nasal tone is awful, his Italian pronunciation is appalling and he has no sense of time or rhythm. Could he not be bothered to take a few lessons to correct some of this?

[Minchionstronz5]

What's that horrible squeak from 1:10 to 1:15?

"Chetttii, fAAmmia..." it should be "che ti fa mia"...

This is terrible, and he can't hold the last notes long enough.

[Minchionstronz5]

OMG this is pure TRASH!!!

[tristian369]

Who ever say this is trash is stupid they dont know real music so i guess you dont dick head

[Minchionstronz5]

lol tristian, YOU don't know what music is, and you probably heard no TRUE singer sing this opera... didn't you ;)

[operatenor]

This is trash. TRASH. Seriously, spend your time listening to real interpretations of this aria, not this fourth string embarrassement for an opera singer.

[holydave]

Well said... 1:15 - aargh!

[LollyLouLa]

Hope he gets better soon God bless him

[hansdaj]

I heard this song with Jose Carreras and guitairst Milica Ilic, she arranged it so beautifully it made me cry - God bless who wrot ethis song and this lovely singer.

[Jamaleen]

The aria is from the opera "Turandot" by Giacomo Puccini.

[Artisticz]

Ok he might not be a "Bonafide" Opera Singer.

But he does sing this very well. He is in everyway better than paul potts could ever be.

Russell Watson is a Contemporary singer venturing in between opera & pop.

[TheSHadowV]

He like Andrea Bocelli gets a ton of Flack form the opera community but are both really awesome in there own rights. He has gotten so much better over the years too.

[ScotchyMcDewars1979]

You all shouldn't bash Izar for his beliefs. I enjoy Watsons performance. Most Opera snobs like Izar snub Watson. Like the musical community did when Mozart was emerging. Its just plan simple jealousy. Also we should commend him for learning his ABC's, The Mentally challenged have just as every right to express their views as we do :-)

[dj12120]

izar you suck. i bet u cant sing close to this

and its true. the sound system wasnt that great

[MCfanatic1992]

wow wat a amazing voice!!!

it is soooooo sad about him!!!!

[seasidesandles]

Izar! Being British is not all about being perfect! It is about being human and friendly. In Lancashire we have a friendly way of calling each other 'Love'! We always say "Would you like a cup of tea, love?" Have you ever said that to anybody?

[seasidesandles]

Izar is too critical. Can Izar sing these songs? If so where are his performances? Come-on Izar put it on You Tube!

[izar1234]

brightgrandma: I had no idea that he was ill. I join you in wishing him to get well soon.

[brightgrandma]

izar, For shame!! Can't you keep your mean spirited remarks for a time when Russell Watson is well enough to defend himself? An educated person would know better.

Ignore the ignorant, Russell Watson!!! Get well soon!

[izar1234]

I hope your father had a better grasp of grammar than you. Hint "you are" equals "you're". "Your" is a pronoun. At any rate, if you think Watson is an opera singer, it's pretty obvious who is full of shit. And your ear is an uneducated as the rest of you!

[izar1234]

Do you mean Pav's health? If so, you should know that he died a month or so ago. He was one of the best ever, but you certainly can compare others to him. Other opera singers, that is.

[ellenvpm]

People are so mean-spirited. Just jealous, I guess. You can't compare anyone to Pavarotti, anyway. Let's hope his health improves and he sings again!!

[izar1234]

I have heard a couple of other "performance" and have yet to hear one in key. Regardless, if you think he has a suitable voice for one of Puccini's heavier operatic roles, there's little more to say. Tenors that are capable of singing the role of Calaf are in short supply and HIGH demand in the opera world. There's a reason he's not singing this aria in any opera house.

[ijustwanttoeattwix]

izar, if you had actually listened to any other performances, Russell actually sings at the correct tonality. i very much doubt that a sound system could produce the quality that comes from his mouth, and i doubt that a hand held camera can do Russell proper justice by recording it again from its own microphone....

[izar1234]

p.s. He's also singing a half step lower than in the original. A LOT of tenors wish they could do that live in the opera house, but they can't. Puccini, and other good composers, right arias in certain keys to flow easily with music written before and after in the opera. The key relationships would be all off and the music would have a different flavor if one could sing in any key that they wanted. At least be true to the composer's intent. Or write your own music!

[judge2020]

izar: to coin an old phrase my poor departed old father used to use to describe someone such as yourself"you are full of shit and your running over".

[izar1234]

Also, there's no objective way to evaluate a voice singing an operatic aria with such a sound system. The only real criteria is how a voice sounds live and unmiked in an opera house. If he sounds like he could carry this over at the Met to you, so be it. But he couldn't. He would sound small and thin. Not that he has a bad voice, but he's a pop singer. Do you think Roy Orbison or Tom Jones couldn't have sung this aria great with such a sound system?

[izar1234]

vrish: I'm not sure I agree that acts like this bring any new fans to opera in meaningful numbers. I'd wager that not only do most fans not know the name of the character singing this aria, but even the composer. I don't think eating Chef Boyardee ravioli leads to many people appreciating fine Northern Italian cuisine either!

[vrishdediddle]

russell watson is bringing a fresh take on opra, to perhaps a younger audience that may never have bothered to listen.... for this, he is very good. but please give him a break all you musical snobs who dont believe he has tallen... compared to most "pop stars" of today he is vastly superior... bravo russell

[ty2477]

Pathetic... Same as Rieu, Bocelli or Clayderman...

[Drelnis]

Potts is basically out of the way compared to even Watson, and people actually think he's better than Pavarotti??

Potts doesn't even have that anger and that power in his voice and the sense of realisation and victory isn't in the song.

[Oupa01]

cant see anything on the video, but the voice is great. Watson is live here, not a studio digitalised production. One of the best Nessun Dorma on the actual cd!

[eyebeams2007]

does anyone have this song in better video? this is oOkK

[markleed1]

i hear hes singing at la scala??? when???

[rachdun]

I think Russell Watson is fantastic, and I love his rendition of Nessun Dorma!

[bonnisolli]

this fucker is no more an opera singer than my dog in fact my dog has more talent and can hold a tune better.....

[Artisticz]

hater.....!!!! PISS OFF

[saxifonus]

You know, do a little research before you berate someone. He has no formal training, is a complete natural, discovered singing KARAOKE!! Can you sing better than him? No...well neither can I. Just appreciate the man for his love of music and the natural talent God has given him.

[EgorRooney]

"God" and there's me thinking it was his parents in the DNA including his brain tumor, or was that god too?

[saxifonus]

Well, I guess the agnostic group has sounded off. Funny, people who have no faith are the first to berate someone who simply expresses his or her opinion. Worry not, EgorRooney, God blessed you too, whether you believe in him or not.

[karlobarlo]

Watson is better than Potts though they are both only division 1 in the world of Opera singing!

[neildulog]

PAUL POTT beats them all!

[karlobarlo]

neildulog- Paul Potts is in exactly the same league as Russell Watson. Hes good and has talent! But he most certainly doesnt beat them all! They are in the first division in terms of Opera singers! Do not get carried away with all the hype......becuase Paul Potts isnt as good as people are making him out to be!

[neildulog]

maybe. but definitely he beats this rendetion. this one is played and sung at B-flat, too low (must have been adapted to the vocal range of Watson). Not as spectacular than Potts rendition considering that Potts is JUST A MERE AMATEUR!

[DaftAida]

does anyone here agree with me that the guy Paul Potts on the talent show is miming to a Watson rendition? Everyone is so wowed, love to believe it but think it's a staged set up.

[papaxj0hn1026]

hahahahahaha seriously

[papaxj0hn1026]

no for this song its not a b flat, but a b natural.

[jsphfrrll83]

Well yes, Nessun Dorma as written has a b natural in it. However, this version has been transposed down to a b flat. God knows what he would sound like trying to sing this in the actual key.

[jsphfrrll83]

There is a good instrument in there, too bad he never had training. He sang nothing close to what was written by the composer. He can't hold any notes for the proper duration causing him to destroy the legato line necessary for the piece. Further, he chops up the song with wrong rhythms. Finally, all of his high notes are really flat, especially the b flat.

"Crossover artists" such as Watson should stick to "You Raise Me Up" and the like as Puccini is too precious to butcher like this.

[Ponting100notout]

What a song by Russell "Watto" Watson!!!

[sonitalin]

This is a true artist who has a natural gift. Imagine if he was trained professionally from the onset.

[barmanjoe]

I'm sorry I have to say this, cause I've been very critical about singers on this site, but he actually doesn't do that bad of a job here.

[Artisticz]

why be so critical? and not bad thats the biggest fucking understatement .... not bad lol he is a tenor!!!! one of the best

[papaxj0hn1026]

this man gotta stick with pop. leave the opera to the other pros.

[robski91]

Lol he's not a pop singer... atall.

[amoreseitu]

he is so great! amazing power and fantastic version of the song!

[saunders2159]

A gifted amateur, the product of a good publicity machine comprising cultural philistines.

[lynnhounsell]

I agree soundchoice2. Better Listening to Nicola Martinucci sing this aria. Rusell Should stick to "You raise me up" songs.

[soundchoice2]

sad to hear this desperate forcing of the voice.. and sorry the high notes are flat .. its best to leave this aria to the great operatic tenors who can do justice to Puccinis great music ..

[calweth]

He is the best, no question.

[Stello]

Gotta "love" the opera snobs who have taken the time to post their sneering comments.. It's entertainment, alright! If you don't like it, go listen to something else..

[GuyRoVer]

I agree 100% 'Musical experts' dragging their weary arses from one singer to the next, full of criticism...trying to prove what???

2 bob critics - <laugh> - you gotta love 'em!

[fatimamendes]

Why we have to compare this great singer with Pavarotti??? Each one has his talent... and I think this man is wonderful and he has a powerful voice... so much sings pop as lyrical!!

[vkaminsky]

Why does ever putz with a microphone think that he can sing Nessun Dorma? This guy's high notes are all flat, and his middle range is weak. Stick with pop.

[Artisticz]

russell watson's voice is natural he had no training at all... thats why he had to have surgery on his voice because he could not control the power but now he can

[jestinicasiano]

believe me he had to rework his vocal technique with a vocal coach. he had to get a new one for the amore musica album (note the cd insert). as for his surgery, he never took care of his voice. he didnt even warm up to sing to the pope. plus he forces too much

[Artisticz]

When he got a record deal he just sang like an Opera tenor in front of italian people & they neraly keeled over with amazement. He should take care of his voice.

[jestinicasiano]

russell watson has come a long way after his vocal surgery. his voice sounds more open and free. his sounds deeper which usually indicates an open throat. that is what my vocal teacher said for me being a tenor. "sing like a bass"

[Quynhtrinh]

That's why it's great. Being able to go pop in the "vincero" part is not an easy task. Even a classical singer will tell you that. It's really hard to compare pop & opera singer. Although it took years to become a respectable opera singer you must admit that going to high notes in pop is one notch more difficult compared to opera.

[jonnylowell]

I don't think Watson has much more control than your average tenor with maybe 5 years of training. Also, this version is a half step lower than Puccini wrote it (Gb and Db versus G and D). While that doesn't seem like a big deal, any tenor will tell you that Bb and B natural are two different notes, and they are located in most men's second break. Also, the second aspiration in "vincero" (i.e., vin-che-hey-ro) is not opera at all, that's a pop thing.

[arnoldco]

take away the mike and you would not like what you hear

IF you could hear it that is. like a lot of modern singers the voice has to be enhanced.

[operaticxingenue]

Pavarotti was the best on this Aria! This Russel lacks power and drive Pavarotti has~ he's not a full blown classical singer anyways~ i love his amore e musica though~

[RussellK9]

This is after all, a concert video, but it any event, comparisons to Pavarotti & Watson is a little like comparing Rembrandt & Picasso painting the same picture .. different. :)

[operaticxingenue]

i think the only reason why ppl compare is cuz it's the same song. but i kinda agree. Russell is more of a lyric tenor.

[LazEstrada]

it was really good.. kinda broken up for me...

laz<3

[Gregg30]

Sounds good but let's face it..Pavarotti!

[zxytt]

Solid high notes,cool