There is nothing cheesy about the ending. That is the EXACT ENDING WRITTEN BY GOUNOD. This is a moralistic Christian story . Marguerite and Faust sinned together but Marguerite repents and is taken up to Heaven. Faust doesn't repent and per his Deal with the Devil, he is dragged to Hell. For a kid's show, this is good. They couldn't show Faust being taken to Hell - that would scare kids!
OMG!!! I forgot all about this! Talk about taking me back to my youth! I was in High School when this came out. I loved this series, but I DO remember thinking how cheesy this particular ending was! Thank you for sharing! It was GREAT!
This kind of TV show doesn't so much get people acquainted with the opera as it makes light of it in a pretty juvenile way. Great voices should be showcased in an appropriate way.
I saw Joan in this opera (sans puppets). She was surprisingly convincing in this pretty-young-girl role. Her singing was glorious, especially in the soaring finale, where her voice seemed to double in size. I can still hear it.
Funny. Outrageous. This is great art. Sutherland is considered the greatest coloratura singer of the century. She is to soprano what Caruso is the tenor. No one comes close in technical ability in bel canto singing.
Funny! You're making fun of people's religious beliefs. What do you know of Goethe? He is one of Germany's most cherished writers. In Dr. Faust he lays out humankinds most tragic dilemma: is your soul worth more than a life of luxury.
Ksnygirl is right about it being from Who's Afraid of Opera? and based on this, I am, George, I am. No, really the series was designed to introduce children to opera, so that explains the sock puppets (at least in part). Yet, it really does move the sublime singing of Sutherland into a ridiculous visual apotheosis by clip's end.
I agree, she's always kind of bothered me when watching her, especially as Lucia because I always think of Lucia as being gorgeous and not frumpy looking. Although most of the video was taken when she was probably too old to look the part, I would've liked to see her perform when she was in her twenties and thirties.
it's like a strange mixture between The Muppet's Show, The Monty Python Theater and a big dossis of an unknown drug. Brilliant, brava, Who was the regie? I love them. Margariiiiiiiiiiiiiiitaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!
Sutherland is great here. Also a good job is done to make her look, uh, much better than usual. I just wonder why the same make-up artist could not do something better on the tenor. Anyway, I wish they could have used Kraus and Ghiaurov along with Dame Joan.
Not bad, man! But the wordplay in the end simply doesn't work in English, nor French - it's still better in French, though, where the lyrics are "jugée - sauvée". In German it's "gerichtet - gerettet!".
It is, however, exactly the kitschy overexaggerated ending this opera needs. I wonder when La Sutherland had the time to do such a thing? It is meant for children to find a way to opera, is it?
This was always one of my favorite "big endings". And, I've always been rather fond of cheese...so it's a win-win for me. Apart from the funny aspects, what a voice! I'm all verklempt now.
This is really interesting, although I don't really care for Joan Sutherland's Marguerite (even after hearing her in the full recording of Faust). I do greatly respect and admire her for her contributions to the operatic world and her talent and techinque - but I think she sounds better in her other roles such as Elvira in "I Puritani", Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor", etc.
You are so right.We didn't know it but we lived in the 100% platinum age compared with today's mediocre tin age of singing. I can remember when you instantly knew whose voice you were listening to, they were SO distinctive! Today its ho-hum , Who was that?
Haha sounds like an amateur. Can neither sing nor act! Where did they find him? Among the TV crew? (in some of the notes he looks like just moving his lips. Perhaps relying on Joan´s voice. "Noone will hear ME anyway!")
JS's 1966 recording of Faust with Franco Corelli (Faust), Nicolai Ghiaurov (Méphistophélès), Robert Massard (Valentin) et al shows almost impeccable diction. Et la français est ma langue maternelle... Bravo !
Delicious kitsch, but not quite the strangest ending. I read about a production staged by Tito Capobianco, where devils appear at the end and drag Marguerite down into flaming Hell, like Don Giovanni. Never mind the words of the chorus or the apotheosis going on in the orchestra.
Funny as this clip is, it at least respects the logic of the musical setting.
I saw Sutherland twice on stage, in Lucia and in Norma, both at the height of her powers. Treasured memories.
Actually, funny as it is, I remember it as being even hokier. But the Who's Afraid of Operas always had funny moments, as they had to careen through a full length opera in 30 minutes. What a joy, however, to have Joan's magnificent singing of Marguerite preserved. She sang this final trio at the Met one time only and let her voice go full throttle--it was one of the most staggering things I have ever heard.
Joan Sutherland did a series for children called "Who's afraid of opera", trying to demystify the conventions used for communicating the story to the audience. Fun rather than a joke.
OMG! I TOTALLY forgot about this! I saw the entire "Who's Afraid of Opera" series back when they first came out, and loved it, cuz I was a huge Sutherland fan, even in High School! But I didn't remember it being THIS hoaky! This is priceless! Thank you for the post!
Wait a second... Ive read a version of the Faust Legend before... Is this the faust legend turned into an opera. (The story where the devil makes a guy rich in return for being bad)
It is very funny... But Sutherland is really great...Its so cool...
Ah, the 70's! heheh... Fortunately the singers compensate the weird "special effects"! Sutherland simply sings the most intense and beautiful "Anges purs" I've ever heard, and I've heard dozens of Marguerites! The power, expressivity and warmth of her voice are unsurpassable, and, while it may lack the girlishness required to other parts of the Opera, it's ideal to this transcendental melody! I'm very glad to see her singing this, because her interpretation of this has always moved me. ;-)
I keep wondering when they are going to release those Who's Afraid of Opera? performances on DVD. Of course, it's this very same excerpt that got a grade-school teacher fired! I'm not kidding- google it for yourself.
It wasn't due to Sutherland, it was due to the teacher showing a selection from Faust. Some conservative nut cases accused the teacher of promoting the devil to young kids(!) All the teacher was trying to do was promote opera! Anyhow, the teacher got suspended and/or fired, because of that!!!!!!! What a wonderful country we live in...
Not funny: beautiful.
URLy2Rise 3 months ago
hahahaha
very good
ezev8logos 1 year ago
"Wait! Don't spoil it!" :D :D
peaceblossom8 1 year ago
Super legal!!
avalokiteshivara 1 year ago
Now she really is one of the Angels. RIP, lovely Dame Joan.
Nhlvrnfla 1 year ago
Aww Sutherland is dead. 83 years is a respectable age, but still
griekgek 1 year ago
This series was Herb Breslin's idea and
he talked Sutherland into doing it. "Who's
Afraid of Opera" was designed to introduce
children to opera and is still used in schools
today. There hasn't been any money for the
arts in school budgets for decades. It was
never meant for adults, so of course it looks
silly...especially when Joan explains the
story to the puppets! It's hilarious!
Jeanne90275 1 year ago
Yikes. What kitsch.
Pywacket2 1 year ago
@Pywacket2 It's supposed to be;
it's a children's series, "Who's
Afraid of Opera." Joan carries on
this whole dialogue with the puppets
which is just hysterical, but kids love
it.
Jeanne90275 1 year ago
It's so freaking surreal - but also beautiful. The best Marguerite after Teri Polo!
Baccalaureus79 1 year ago
*Clapping*
Darkartisan84 1 year ago
she looks like Stan Laurel with a long toupet..:):):):):):
gaemp 1 year ago
Miss Piggy dies and goes to Heaven!
urbild 1 year ago
Greetings, This production was done for children, I'm sure they got a kick from this!
wbondar 1 year ago
it is not the funniest thing i've ever seen
there, i told you :)
fmabdo 1 year ago
The ending, it wasn't good, it was terrible... I mind the staff...
peque1204 1 year ago
The recording she made with Corellie is tremendous
tenorismo 2 years ago
jajajjajajajajajjajajajjajajajjajajaaajajj is terrible!!!!
gustavoanmosura 2 years ago
There is nothing cheesy about the ending. That is the EXACT ENDING WRITTEN BY GOUNOD. This is a moralistic Christian story . Marguerite and Faust sinned together but Marguerite repents and is taken up to Heaven. Faust doesn't repent and per his Deal with the Devil, he is dragged to Hell. For a kid's show, this is good. They couldn't show Faust being taken to Hell - that would scare kids!
MastersoftheOpera 2 years ago
@MastersoftheOpera rock on...at least one person understands the importance of tradition in opera!
ALLHISLOVE4ME 1 year ago
OMG!!! I forgot all about this! Talk about taking me back to my youth! I was in High School when this came out. I loved this series, but I DO remember thinking how cheesy this particular ending was! Thank you for sharing! It was GREAT!
artdanks 2 years ago
This kind of TV show doesn't so much get people acquainted with the opera as it makes light of it in a pretty juvenile way. Great voices should be showcased in an appropriate way.
vilabreze 2 years ago
Dame Joan = the Bestest!
mrantiquedealer 2 years ago 2
This is a good role for Joan in an otherwise insipid opera. But I love this trio, and her. in it.
kgarmaker123 2 years ago
Ok, that was just ridiculously weird.
IshyIMB017 2 years ago 2
I saw Joan in this opera (sans puppets). She was surprisingly convincing in this pretty-young-girl role. Her singing was glorious, especially in the soaring finale, where her voice seemed to double in size. I can still hear it.
raythespian 2 years ago
Theres nothing funny about it. Most people choose the way of Marguerite and miss out on a lot of good times.
aristopus 2 years ago 3
Funny. Outrageous. This is great art. Sutherland is considered the greatest coloratura singer of the century. She is to soprano what Caruso is the tenor. No one comes close in technical ability in bel canto singing.
Funny! You're making fun of people's religious beliefs. What do you know of Goethe? He is one of Germany's most cherished writers. In Dr. Faust he lays out humankinds most tragic dilemma: is your soul worth more than a life of luxury.
aristopus 2 years ago
Ksnygirl is right about it being from Who's Afraid of Opera? and based on this, I am, George, I am. No, really the series was designed to introduce children to opera, so that explains the sock puppets (at least in part). Yet, it really does move the sublime singing of Sutherland into a ridiculous visual apotheosis by clip's end.
blackcroe 2 years ago
Hahahahhaha
thomastmwc 2 years ago
Joan is so Beautiful and she sings so effortlessly
harlemfinezt136 2 years ago
Beautiful --no, she isn't, but her voice is beautiful.
vilabreze 2 years ago
I agree, she's always kind of bothered me when watching her, especially as Lucia because I always think of Lucia as being gorgeous and not frumpy looking. Although most of the video was taken when she was probably too old to look the part, I would've liked to see her perform when she was in her twenties and thirties.
KitanaiBaishunfu 2 years ago
I think it's more her makeup and hair peoples' faults. Some days, post 1970's, she could look very beautiful. Like in the 1985 Die Fledermaus.
ChrisStockslager 2 years ago
oy.
taytaytoo 2 years ago
yeah pretty corny
Lauritz1 2 years ago
OK, I know some of Faust has got to be slightly humorous in places, but not here!
Maddy4Me 2 years ago
woohaha
nispen 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure this is from The Muppet Show. ;^)
dchiapello 2 years ago
It's from "Who's Afraid of Opera?"
ksnygirl 2 years ago
lol sry no Scotto isn't dead yet my mistake XD
Drelnis 2 years ago
omg/..
Drelnis 2 years ago
Yeah, Sills's gone Tebaldi's gone Callas' gone, Pavarotti's gone, Scotto's gone, but Joan is still here with us :)
Drelnis 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
But thank's God she is not singing anymore ...
Faust075 2 years ago
WTF
that doesn't happen in the play at all.
and I'm pretty sure Gounod didn't want it to happen in the opera...
irregularverb37 3 years ago
She's not dead.
ksnygirl 3 years ago
I am totally in love with this! What fun!
mangosagrado 3 years ago
it's like a strange mixture between The Muppet's Show, The Monty Python Theater and a big dossis of an unknown drug. Brilliant, brava, Who was the regie? I love them. Margariiiiiiiiiiiiiiitaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!
grodemier 3 years ago 6
Sutherland was great...but i prefer the great Kraus and Ghiaurov with her...
poupounakis 3 years ago
Imagine my surprise to learn Sonny Bono sang opera.
bdhardwick 3 years ago
LOL!
requiemsinger 3 years ago
De Los Angeles, Gedda and Christoff forever!
If I had seen this as a kid, I would never have loved Faust the way I did.
Goethefemme 3 years ago
Sutherland is great here. Also a good job is done to make her look, uh, much better than usual. I just wonder why the same make-up artist could not do something better on the tenor. Anyway, I wish they could have used Kraus and Ghiaurov along with Dame Joan.
kh3205 3 years ago 2
Not bad, man! But the wordplay in the end simply doesn't work in English, nor French - it's still better in French, though, where the lyrics are "jugée - sauvée". In German it's "gerichtet - gerettet!".
It is, however, exactly the kitschy overexaggerated ending this opera needs. I wonder when La Sutherland had the time to do such a thing? It is meant for children to find a way to opera, is it?
Baccalaureus79 3 years ago
yes, it's called who's afraid of opera; it explains Faust and Rigoletto to children, with the aid of puppets
I own it on VHS :p
props to La Stupenda though, for the educating intention
sqmontano 3 years ago 2
Wow, that kind of ruined the dramatic ending. Lol.
Annette1m 3 years ago
ahahaahahahahahah
has Sutherland worked also with the Muppets???
longlifeluke 3 years ago 4
No! Beverly Sills was the one that appeared in an episode, she was hilarious!
SueAnnNivens 3 years ago
ohhh yes!!! I remember that episode!!! ^^
Berverly was great...a god humor!
longlifeluke 3 years ago 2
Wow, wasn't looking for the . . . well, I won't spoil it for others. Anyone else reminded of the Jon Lovitz devil character on Sat Night Live?
mwalsh2008 3 years ago
The end pic during the credits looks like a Christmas Card!!! lol :P
SopranoKayla1992 3 years ago
O my goodness that was hilarious!
musicyh 3 years ago
The Devil wearing red? Wow, that's original. It's cute, I like it.
ChantantReve 3 years ago 2
cute!
Johnny1206 3 years ago
Joan Sutherland is so brilliant. I grow up on this BBC's TV show. that the only way get a 5 years old to like FAUST (:
dearkukula 4 years ago 2
HAHAHAHAHAHA what the hell was that???????
DragonslayerPako 4 years ago
HAHA! I wasn't expecting that!
tenornmd 4 years ago
This was always one of my favorite "big endings". And, I've always been rather fond of cheese...so it's a win-win for me. Apart from the funny aspects, what a voice! I'm all verklempt now.
horndiapason 4 years ago 2
Oh, my godness, I adore La Stupenda but this ending - just hysterical. Thanks, you made my day/N
revoltade 4 years ago
Oh my god! Are they KIDDING?! And hello? What's with the hair?! :) good one!
anais79 4 years ago
HAHAHAHHAHAHAH=)
paminaase 4 years ago 3
This is really interesting, although I don't really care for Joan Sutherland's Marguerite (even after hearing her in the full recording of Faust). I do greatly respect and admire her for her contributions to the operatic world and her talent and techinque - but I think she sounds better in her other roles such as Elvira in "I Puritani", Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor", etc.
EmilyGreene1984 4 years ago 2
Is this from the 'Who's afraid of Opera' series she did in the 70s?
altodivo 4 years ago
Yes, it is.
SueAnnNivens 4 years ago
Is this a Joke? never liked sutherland but acknowledge her talent......puppets should be squashed underfoot!....haha
lefemmerachael 4 years ago 2
olala...
DessayBestSinger 4 years ago
lol, talk about the Tenor being totally pwned by the Soprano. It's going to quite a while until we get talent like Miss. Sutherland again...
musicgeek5 4 years ago 2
Yeah, who is this "tenor"???
Haristotel 4 years ago
The puppets are a nice touch...!
DivaDeb1234 4 years ago
There is hope. Amgela Brown currently the Met's Aida is the voice of opera today. Not a comparison but a true superstar in the Verdian roles.
mm9913 4 years ago
Too bad there is no singer today who is worthy to touch the hem of Sutherland's gown.
DG
leontyne2 4 years ago 3
You are so right.We didn't know it but we lived in the 100% platinum age compared with today's mediocre tin age of singing. I can remember when you instantly knew whose voice you were listening to, they were SO distinctive! Today its ho-hum , Who was that?
Brava Joan!
petelovesbevsills 4 years ago 2
I'm scared...:S
gtelloz 4 years ago
were those puppets I saw?
elsa8001 4 years ago
yup! lol
this is a special opera show for children.
Sutherland made 4 volumes of the show (who's afraid of opera?)
Jabe88 4 years ago
Haha sounds like an amateur. Can neither sing nor act! Where did they find him? Among the TV crew? (in some of the notes he looks like just moving his lips. Perhaps relying on Joan´s voice. "Noone will hear ME anyway!")
ellandelachapelle 4 years ago
JS's 1966 recording of Faust with Franco Corelli (Faust), Nicolai Ghiaurov (Méphistophélès), Robert Massard (Valentin) et al shows almost impeccable diction. Et la français est ma langue maternelle... Bravo !
Chevrondazur 4 years ago
No idea, but you can barely hear him behind sutherland :)
outsidervolleyball 4 years ago
You could understand "mon dieu" in the beginning :)
cuicuimusic 4 years ago
um...okay....some really bad effects
ComaLies225 4 years ago
Delicious kitsch, but not quite the strangest ending. I read about a production staged by Tito Capobianco, where devils appear at the end and drag Marguerite down into flaming Hell, like Don Giovanni. Never mind the words of the chorus or the apotheosis going on in the orchestra.
Funny as this clip is, it at least respects the logic of the musical setting.
I saw Sutherland twice on stage, in Lucia and in Norma, both at the height of her powers. Treasured memories.
Moegiust 4 years ago
OMG!!! True Monthy Python's Style!!!
edraith 4 years ago
It has its own charm...
paranormaalutrecht 4 years ago
This is hilarious! Ah well, Sutherlands reputation isn't greatly harmed I think. Still a legend.
SinoSene 4 years ago
Actually, funny as it is, I remember it as being even hokier. But the Who's Afraid of Operas always had funny moments, as they had to careen through a full length opera in 30 minutes. What a joy, however, to have Joan's magnificent singing of Marguerite preserved. She sang this final trio at the Met one time only and let her voice go full throttle--it was one of the most staggering things I have ever heard.
Richiesutherland 4 years ago
I don't understand...is this a joke or what?
vestilagiubba 4 years ago
Joan Sutherland did a series for children called "Who's afraid of opera", trying to demystify the conventions used for communicating the story to the audience. Fun rather than a joke.
hoorooblue 4 years ago
ahh ok.Thank you very much!!
vestilagiubba 4 years ago
so funny! and unexpected!!
Dondinin 4 years ago
OMG! I TOTALLY forgot about this! I saw the entire "Who's Afraid of Opera" series back when they first came out, and loved it, cuz I was a huge Sutherland fan, even in High School! But I didn't remember it being THIS hoaky! This is priceless! Thank you for the post!
artdanks 4 years ago
Kitsch is timeless! thanks for posting
bulkboy26 4 years ago
Wait a second... Ive read a version of the Faust Legend before... Is this the faust legend turned into an opera. (The story where the devil makes a guy rich in return for being bad)
It is very funny... But Sutherland is really great...Its so cool...
peace
ZamaniMarmar 4 years ago
hahaha...this looks like a Saturday Night Live skit. I love it. She sounds awesome though.
IIILoumusic3 4 years ago
huh?
Laeliapurpurata 4 years ago
Hahahahahahaha!! I was prepared to be mad at you for laughing at my Joan, but that was a SCREAM!
Cramnella 4 years ago
Ah, the 70's! heheh... Fortunately the singers compensate the weird "special effects"! Sutherland simply sings the most intense and beautiful "Anges purs" I've ever heard, and I've heard dozens of Marguerites! The power, expressivity and warmth of her voice are unsurpassable, and, while it may lack the girlishness required to other parts of the Opera, it's ideal to this transcendental melody! I'm very glad to see her singing this, because her interpretation of this has always moved me. ;-)
OperaBR 4 years ago
LOL.... truly a gem!
loganfacincy26 4 years ago
ahahahah delightful
brividokaldo 4 years ago
I keep wondering when they are going to release those Who's Afraid of Opera? performances on DVD. Of course, it's this very same excerpt that got a grade-school teacher fired! I'm not kidding- google it for yourself.
ariodante76 4 years ago
why would a sutherland excerpt be responsible of a teacher being sacked?
Jabe88 4 years ago
It wasn't due to Sutherland, it was due to the teacher showing a selection from Faust. Some conservative nut cases accused the teacher of promoting the devil to young kids(!) All the teacher was trying to do was promote opera! Anyhow, the teacher got suspended and/or fired, because of that!!!!!!! What a wonderful country we live in...
ariodante76 4 years ago
thanks for the reply and the info...
This is quite shocking really!
Jabe88 4 years ago
hahaha! La Stupenda ascending to heaven!
Jabe88 4 years ago
i hope that doesnt come true too soon, especially after the late Crepin and Sills.
sanyotsai 4 years ago
Yes you're right, I mean if you think of it as in her death...
I wish I could have watched her at least once in my life. I was born really late unfortunately.
Jabe88 4 years ago