his technique is never what impressed me about him (although it is fantastic), it is his incredible interpretation of the text. The man has such feeling.
Interesting. Apparently 67 years are not enough to learn the 9/8 meter. Considering this incapability, it is not surprising that the German pronunciation is dismal. But at least he doesn't seem as fake as Pavarotti.
@Schamschi Instrumentalists always accuse singers of not being true musicians. It may be true that a lot of singers do not sightread very well or have a firm knowledge of music theory however no man made instrument in the world can touch the human heart more than the human singing voice, it was the first instrument & is the only natural instrument, made by Mother Nature. Singers earn far more praise (and money) than instrumentalists. Jealousy MUST play a part surely :-)) Domingo IS a musician!
@Chanteuredelopera LMAO. You've probably no idea what I was talking about, or else you wouldn't say that I was accusing Domingo of not being a true musician. What Domingo does here has nothing to do with not being able to sight read or knowledge of music theory, but with attitude. He doesn't care about the 9/8 meter and blurs it so much that the whole "swing" feeling is gone. Singers often take liberties with tempo, but here it is inadequate. (...)
@Schamschi So you want to HEAR the 9/8 meter while he is singing? He stays in tempo but you should remember one thing, vocal music is not written in the same way as instrumental music, singers are often required by the composer to play around with the tempi etc & Wagner is no exception to this. I am a great Wagner fan, however at times his genius is killed by over zealous people who think they KNOW Wagner from the pit to the singers.
@Chanteuredelopera Yes, I know he stays in tempo, and I don't complain about small rhythmic imprecisions, seeing as they can indeed sound good, but Domingo frequently turns the 9/8 meter into a 3/4 meter and sings straight 8th notes instead of a 2+1 eights rhythm in 9/8 meter, for instance in 0:27-0:36, where at times it is especially noticable and, to me, sounds bad.
@Schamschi I see, oh well if the conductor does not find fault then I suppose that particular performance went well. I get your point, because it is Domingo they give him extra leverage.
(...) BTW, you sound like a singer, and yes, I am an instrumentalist, but apart from the money aspect, I really have no reason to be jealous of Domingo, and jealousy certainly didn't have anything to do with my criticism of Domingo. And besides, if someone earns as much money as Domingo does, you'd at least expect him to have a decent German pronunciation, seeing as Wagner isn't exactly little-known...
@Schamschi I am a singer, yes. Yes on the German pronunciation I fully agree with you, I speak French & Domingo's French is not good either, it is quite poor actually. Remember Mein Herr that singers don't sit with the sheet music in front of us we have to sing everything by heart plus memorize vast amounts of libretti in an opera while acting also, following the conductor & the directors demands. Lets respect each other for what we do.
@Chanteuredelopera Well, that's what you're paid for, and pronunciation is part of a singers job... And at least Domingo isn't poorly paid, so I'd expect him to pay a bit more attention to pronunciation.
@benalkhayyam Dear benalkhayyam! I am 57 years old and had the most wonderful birthday last week when my students brought a guitar into the university lecture hall and serenaded me as a surprise - and they sang in tune! I didn't understand your last comment. Feel free to write to me in English, Swedish, German, Italian, French or Latin but . . . I don't speak Spanish.
To VivaRenata - I agree! How old ARE you? No one detests the state-sponsored barbarity and mass-murder for fun involved in bull-fighting more than I do (and I agree...untill it's completely eradicated it stands as a dismal reflection on all Spaniards and their culture), but what does that really have to do with Placido and his singing! You are WAY too beautiful and occasionally smart to be so relentlessly cranky!
@benalkhayyam I like your comment! I am thrilled that two provinces in Spain have finally banned bullfighting, but I would respect Domingo much more if he had stuck to what he was good at. And let me assure you, I don't even let my daughter tell me that I am "too old" to behave this or that way. I like that song by Eminem - I am whatever you say I am ...
Unfortunately Domingo never learnt the German pronounciation. So he sometimes invents sounds that are supposed to be German. His musicality is still superb, though.
He is a remarkable master singer.I detect a little vocal aging,-afterall he's close to 70!But not enough to stop.I think most of the standard tenor rep might be too demanding for him to take on as a run of 5 or 6 performances over a 2 week period.Placido has 127 roles-he could sing for years to come choosing wisely.I don't want to see him performing baritone roles-HE IS NOT a baritone-yes I know he started as one along with a million other tenors.His is a tenor's timbre, and that won't change.
I agree. He is not a natural baritone. Domingo has maintained his voice very well throughout his career but sadly, his prime is over. I wonder why we haven't had any new influential tenor for almost a dozen years.
He's a legend. I can't remember another singer who mantained such a healthy, youthful and beautiful tenor voice for so long. Not only his voice is almost intact (apart from the top), but his musicality and technique are still rock solid!
No, I wouldn't. Unfortunately Carreras' voice started to decline quite early because of health problems. At 50 he was already in decline, though still with a very beautiful and solid voice. Nowadays I think his voice isn't capable of singing complete roles wonderfully like Domingo's.
Thanks for your prompt response! I will defer to your judgment! I think I am prejudiced by Carreras' extremely expressive emotions!! He seems to really "live" the role!
Carreras is a winner where life is concerned, having bravely faced and won over his cancer! I remember seeing him in an interview, many years ago, bearing the terrible scars of the disease, emaciated and having lost most of his hair! He's made a wonderful come-back!
I agree. Domingo also brings italianità to Winterstürme, and the entire role of Siegmund. I'm surprised Netrebko didn't burst into "Du bist der Lenz." YouTube offers a beautiful rendition of both "arias" with Jeannine Altmeyer as Sieglinde and Peter Hofmann as Siegmund. Conducted by Pierre Boulez, directed by Patrice Chéreau (1980).
Wow. Hard to believe he's 67. He may not have a whole lot of top left, but in this, with a lower tessitura, he sounds great. His line is still firm, his vibrato is fast, and he seems to have great breath control.
Mit 67 noch SO singen....!!! WOW!!!!!!!!! Ein Genuß, diese Leichtigkeit!
sismischen 7 months ago
Nicely done, but his pronounciation needed some work.
wTrevorh 7 months ago
his technique is never what impressed me about him (although it is fantastic), it is his incredible interpretation of the text. The man has such feeling.
h0bgawblin 10 months ago
exelent performance!!
toppguun 1 year ago
Interesting. Apparently 67 years are not enough to learn the 9/8 meter. Considering this incapability, it is not surprising that the German pronunciation is dismal. But at least he doesn't seem as fake as Pavarotti.
Schamschi 1 year ago
@Schamschi You sound like a jealous instrumentalist...
Chanteuredelopera 1 year ago
@Chanteuredelopera And how did you work that out?
Schamschi 1 year ago
@Schamschi Instrumentalists always accuse singers of not being true musicians. It may be true that a lot of singers do not sightread very well or have a firm knowledge of music theory however no man made instrument in the world can touch the human heart more than the human singing voice, it was the first instrument & is the only natural instrument, made by Mother Nature. Singers earn far more praise (and money) than instrumentalists. Jealousy MUST play a part surely :-)) Domingo IS a musician!
Chanteuredelopera 1 year ago
@Chanteuredelopera LMAO. You've probably no idea what I was talking about, or else you wouldn't say that I was accusing Domingo of not being a true musician. What Domingo does here has nothing to do with not being able to sight read or knowledge of music theory, but with attitude. He doesn't care about the 9/8 meter and blurs it so much that the whole "swing" feeling is gone. Singers often take liberties with tempo, but here it is inadequate. (...)
Schamschi 1 year ago
@Schamschi So you want to HEAR the 9/8 meter while he is singing? He stays in tempo but you should remember one thing, vocal music is not written in the same way as instrumental music, singers are often required by the composer to play around with the tempi etc & Wagner is no exception to this. I am a great Wagner fan, however at times his genius is killed by over zealous people who think they KNOW Wagner from the pit to the singers.
Chanteuredelopera 1 year ago
@Chanteuredelopera Yes, I know he stays in tempo, and I don't complain about small rhythmic imprecisions, seeing as they can indeed sound good, but Domingo frequently turns the 9/8 meter into a 3/4 meter and sings straight 8th notes instead of a 2+1 eights rhythm in 9/8 meter, for instance in 0:27-0:36, where at times it is especially noticable and, to me, sounds bad.
Schamschi 1 year ago
@Schamschi I see, oh well if the conductor does not find fault then I suppose that particular performance went well. I get your point, because it is Domingo they give him extra leverage.
Chanteuredelopera 1 year ago
(...) BTW, you sound like a singer, and yes, I am an instrumentalist, but apart from the money aspect, I really have no reason to be jealous of Domingo, and jealousy certainly didn't have anything to do with my criticism of Domingo. And besides, if someone earns as much money as Domingo does, you'd at least expect him to have a decent German pronunciation, seeing as Wagner isn't exactly little-known...
Schamschi 1 year ago
@Schamschi I am a singer, yes. Yes on the German pronunciation I fully agree with you, I speak French & Domingo's French is not good either, it is quite poor actually. Remember Mein Herr that singers don't sit with the sheet music in front of us we have to sing everything by heart plus memorize vast amounts of libretti in an opera while acting also, following the conductor & the directors demands. Lets respect each other for what we do.
Chanteuredelopera 1 year ago
@Chanteuredelopera Well, that's what you're paid for, and pronunciation is part of a singers job... And at least Domingo isn't poorly paid, so I'd expect him to pay a bit more attention to pronunciation.
Schamschi 1 year ago
@Schamschi Yes, exactly. I agree.
Chanteuredelopera 1 year ago
@Chanteuredelopera Günther Treptow demonstrated how to do it without shouting and why the role makes sense for Italian singers
bimhimbim 1 year ago
@benalkhayyam Dear benalkhayyam! I am 57 years old and had the most wonderful birthday last week when my students brought a guitar into the university lecture hall and serenaded me as a surprise - and they sang in tune! I didn't understand your last comment. Feel free to write to me in English, Swedish, German, Italian, French or Latin but . . . I don't speak Spanish.
VivaRenata 1 year ago
To VivaRenata - I agree! How old ARE you? No one detests the state-sponsored barbarity and mass-murder for fun involved in bull-fighting more than I do (and I agree...untill it's completely eradicated it stands as a dismal reflection on all Spaniards and their culture), but what does that really have to do with Placido and his singing! You are WAY too beautiful and occasionally smart to be so relentlessly cranky!
chitownbiker2 1 year ago
GAG!
VivaRenata 1 year ago
@benalkhayyam I like your comment! I am thrilled that two provinces in Spain have finally banned bullfighting, but I would respect Domingo much more if he had stuck to what he was good at. And let me assure you, I don't even let my daughter tell me that I am "too old" to behave this or that way. I like that song by Eminem - I am whatever you say I am ...
VivaRenata 1 year ago
Unfortunately Domingo never learnt the German pronounciation. So he sometimes invents sounds that are supposed to be German. His musicality is still superb, though.
Andreasberlin35 1 year ago
@Andreasberlin35 His musicality has never been superb and this performance is a real insult to the music itself and the tradition.
But let's give him a break, he was born in a nation where they kill bulls for fun, so you have to give him a break.
VivaRenata 1 year ago
no vibrato!
ciroalb3 2 years ago
my favorite tenor !
toppguun 2 years ago
@toppguun
Favorite Tenor also for me !!!!
tenorsopranos 1 year ago
no soporto a este tio cantando a wagner, no tiene ni estilo ni alemán , lo único que tiene es geta ¡que lo callen!
gonzalo1374 2 years ago
@gonzalo1374 escribe bien , se dice "jeta". Si no te gusta Domingo, con no escucharlo...y así nos ahorras tus comentarios mal escritos y faltones...
Snowss 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
nice try domingo...thanx, dont call us we call you... next please!
entropia34332 2 years ago
Qué hace Canio interpretando a Siegmund
LauritzMelchior 3 years ago
He still thoroughly LOVES what he's doing! Bravo.
Brythepilgrim 3 years ago 5
He is a remarkable master singer.I detect a little vocal aging,-afterall he's close to 70!But not enough to stop.I think most of the standard tenor rep might be too demanding for him to take on as a run of 5 or 6 performances over a 2 week period.Placido has 127 roles-he could sing for years to come choosing wisely.I don't want to see him performing baritone roles-HE IS NOT a baritone-yes I know he started as one along with a million other tenors.His is a tenor's timbre, and that won't change.
vickersman 3 years ago 4
I agree. He is not a natural baritone. Domingo has maintained his voice very well throughout his career but sadly, his prime is over. I wonder why we haven't had any new influential tenor for almost a dozen years.
vietkey 3 years ago
Juan Diego Florez
HMW 3 years ago
and possibly Joseph Calleja
Alieaz 2 years ago
He's a legend. I can't remember another singer who mantained such a healthy, youthful and beautiful tenor voice for so long. Not only his voice is almost intact (apart from the top), but his musicality and technique are still rock solid!
Homoclassicus 3 years ago 8
Would you not place Carreras in the same category?? I love both!
CalebsDream 3 years ago 3
No, I wouldn't. Unfortunately Carreras' voice started to decline quite early because of health problems. At 50 he was already in decline, though still with a very beautiful and solid voice. Nowadays I think his voice isn't capable of singing complete roles wonderfully like Domingo's.
Homoclassicus 3 years ago 4
Thanks for your prompt response! I will defer to your judgment! I think I am prejudiced by Carreras' extremely expressive emotions!! He seems to really "live" the role!
Carreras is a winner where life is concerned, having bravely faced and won over his cancer! I remember seeing him in an interview, many years ago, bearing the terrible scars of the disease, emaciated and having lost most of his hair! He's made a wonderful come-back!
CalebsDream 3 years ago
I agree. Domingo also brings italianità to Winterstürme, and the entire role of Siegmund. I'm surprised Netrebko didn't burst into "Du bist der Lenz." YouTube offers a beautiful rendition of both "arias" with Jeannine Altmeyer as Sieglinde and Peter Hofmann as Siegmund. Conducted by Pierre Boulez, directed by Patrice Chéreau (1980).
MusicaParola 3 years ago 3
Wow. Hard to believe he's 67. He may not have a whole lot of top left, but in this, with a lower tessitura, he sounds great. His line is still firm, his vibrato is fast, and he seems to have great breath control.
BeauTenor 3 years ago 10