Kirsten Flagstad - A singing lesson: How to sing Wagner [1950]

[sdegrace]

the end of this video pull me tears because it si so obvious singing that it hurts.

[sdegrace]

She said she is not a teacher but it is my best lesson ever.

[sdegrace]

I listen carefully to what she said and I'm glad to know that singing like this is a long training because I was sure it was. No microphone here. Now it is practically impossible to hear the 'real' voice of someone with all the technology helping, transforming etc. I have a lot of gratitude for the real developing of the voice like here.

[AmhranaiAlainn]

Thank you AfroPoli, I found it very interesting. The reason for waiting is for the natural expression of the voice to mature to that which is called for by the role. One's mind has so much involvement here. Caruso and Bjorling both resisted the temptation to dive into Othello for exactly this reason. Although they both recorded arias from the opera, they knew mentally that they needed more time for their expression to sit naturally in the mind. For to go against nature is to go against the voice

[gaemp]

you need to have the right voice... othertwise you can wait for centuries......

[raymondmodesti]

Thank you for placing this!



[Jextxadore]

When she says "Leave Wagner Alone", she really does sound like a mythical character, full of power and authority.

[Klassik2012]

Viele junge Sänger sollten sich diesen Ratschlag zu Herzen nehmen meiner Meinung nach. Vielen Dank für das Video.

[AntW11]

Wonderful. Thank you for sharing this. I wish I could have heard her live. Magnificent singer.

[flicfan416]

This is so brilliant. "Three words: Leave Wagner Alone." She understood that no one is born a dramatic soprano, and to truly develop into a Wagnerian you must start from the bottom, and SLOWLY (like 20 years slowly) add heavier roles. None of this just-out-of-conservatory, 27 year old wobbly mess of dramatic singers we find these days

[omarihardy]

@flicfan416 This seems a bit confused. Perhaps I should say what I hope you meant to say, that is: No one is born singing (capable of singing) dramatic soprano repertory. Yes. The voice type depends on the physical makeup of the vocal apparatus, with which one is born. We should draw a distinction between what one's voice type is (naturally) and whether they have the adequate to skills to sing to their potential in this regard, I think.

[Federicopera]

@flicfan416 Varnay sang Siglinde at 25.

[berenikion]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

[VivaRenata]

This fantastic posting seems to have degenerated into some kind of a dog-fight between listeners who are quite knowledgeable (such as Violinthief) and others who, in my opinion, are less knowledgeable. If your level of communication is that of invectives and "expletives deleted", then you have nothing to say. Drop all of it and appreciate the incomparable Kirsten Flagstad!

[paulostroff99]

Informative beyond words.TY afroPoli for sharing and K.F. for the welcome information.

[MrSkylark1]

Flagstad was THE Wagnerian singer. She never pushed the voice which was beautiful placed. Young singers should listen and heed the wisdom that she revealed here.  Unfortunately, all that is heard today is shouting and hooting on the professional opera stage.

[7mymuse]

The advice is essential, and a singer is lucky indeed to be able to truly heed it. Oh, by the way: Flagstad is not flat. If you don't know enough about styles of singing, especially glissandos or rubato, or the fact that "scooping" was what the composer intended, but what singers now will simply not do for fear of sounding "sappy (which is tragic), then please put a rein on yourself until you DO know about the era and style from which Flagstad sprang.

[WACOAGENTS]

Well I hate to be an a..hole but this old gal as great as she may have been is flat.

Kinda made me think of Diana Shore...lol I like the quality of her voice BUT (flat.) Flat OR sharp just won't cut it. Perhaps she had already experienced her best day; if so, then I apologize. Regardless, she is flat in this clip not to be redundant. Who am I? I am just a lowly not very talented musician but I know flat when I hear it.

[VivaRenata]

@WACOAGENTS And I would just like to quote Divine, but I won't do it since "expletive deleteds" are banned on Youtube. You are in serious need of a hearing aid. Flagstad fundamentalist.

[cfreetenor]

@WACOAGENTS Apparently you don't. 

[WACOAGENTS]

@cfreetenor If you can't hear flat at 02, 07, 13, 20, and 29, I'd say you need the hearing device. When we set ourself up as some teacher, we better be better at it than this. Hey, this gal was good but not without the obivious.

[VivaRenata]

@WACOAGENTS First, what is "obivious"? Second, I guess I must be tone deaf because I certainly don't hear flat in that excerpt. Flagstad was very clear about the fact that she only aspired to learn how to manage her own voice, not to teach others. Nevertheless her advice is excellent and later in this clip she shows how she vocalizes and places the middle register. Very generous!

[cfreetenor]

@WACOAGENTS I am aware that you hear her as flat, and naturally you would think I am wrong because I disagree with you. I'm telling you that you're wrong. What you're hearing is darkness and maybe a bit of scooping. She is in the center of each pitch.

[WACOAGENTS]

@cfreetenor --- What you have described is pure bullshit! Exactly what I would have expected from obviously( YOU) being tone deaf. You are trying to make this singer someone with perfection; she is not. Read her history my dear; you will see, she, herself, decided it best to give it up at a certain age; perhaps when you reach maturity in about 20 years you will understand. In the meanwile quit trying to straighten me out; you are wasting your time and showing your lack of musical understanding

[cfreetenor]

@WACOAGENTS Tested the pitch accuracy electronically. /Discussion.

[cfreetenor]

@WACOAGENTS You're throwing stones at giants. Flagstad made more of a contribution to the operatic zeitgeist with every single note she sang than you collectively will with every ignorant comment you make on youtube combined with every tear you shed over your dreadful mediocrity. She is not flat. What's more logical, a legendary singer not having a grasp on the basics of phonation or the fact that you're just another idiot on youtube criticizing her?

[WACOAGENTS]

@cfreetenor:CFLATTENOR- Yes, and you're swallowing camels & straining out gnats. As I said, you are wasting some precious time; you could be practicing your flat tenor voice whilst trying to make your pitiful child-like flat point. One day, perhaps YOU could be equal in voice quality to that of Andy Devine...Oh, I know you don't know him; go look him up and listen to what you might be able to obtain if you practice for the next 30 years. And PLEASE try to stay on pitch little girl.

[cfreetenor]

@WACOAGENTS Nice try.

[WACOAGENTS]

@cfreetenor -Thanks~! Hey- how about giving MY singer a try? Not that I don't think this old gal here is not a good singer; I like her husky voice. And, I really like her quality. See how much better I'm getting here? But, give this a listen when you have some time. Deanna Durbin

[violinthief]

@WACOAGENTS Waco, as you know, I'm also a big fan of Deanna Durbin and just happen to possess the most popular Durbin channel on youtube. Durbin was a child prodigy and, in my opinion, the greatest movie singer. However, for me, Flagstad was the greatest soprano of the 20th century, an opinion shared by many. Durbin, in real life, is a lover of Wagnerian opera, her favorite music. She would be disappointed to see one of her fans trolling the greatest Wagnerian singer, ever, in her name.

[WACOAGENTS]

@violinthief @violinthief Well EXCUSE THE HELL OUTA ME! It sounds from your posting here, your modesty is one of the things you brag about the most. How about letting Deanna speak for herself? Can we not differ in our opinions here with out someone trying to set us straight? I don't PRETEND to know D's thoughs about this singer, & was not implying anything. In MYopinion DD is better. At age 19 I thought perhaps cfreetenor may not have heard Deanna;DD had enough sense to quit b4 she became flat.

[violinthief]

@WACOAGENTS Waco, your post leaves me befuddled. In what way have I bragged about modesty? That makes no sense. What I do see is you coming here and acting as a troll. You are typing in all caps, littering your posts with swear words, and being combative with other posters. As an ambassador for Durbin, you're doing a poor job. My Durbin videos total millions of views, and I've never visited another singer's posts and acted the troll on her behalf. PS - Flagstad had perfect pitch. You do not.

[WACOAGENTS]

@violinthief- You didn't.Befuddled fits you for one; you don't see you're a brag about your possessing the most DD channel? I'd say that's a brag. The modesty comment was intended as sarcasm. I see YOU coming here acting an ass.So happy to know you are the perfect person of postings. I simply have my opinion; if I'm in the back of the bus who are YOU to educate me? You won't get caps from me, a hell, ass or bullshit unless it's called for.I have NOT acted as troll on behalf of DD or anyone else

[violinthief]

@WACOAGENTS Waco, sadly, you are being a troll by attacking one of the greatest musicians of the past century. Unfortunately, you are the one who brought DD into your troll attacks on others. As for my "bragging" - 15 of the 20 most watched YT DD videos are on my channel. Stating that simple fact establishes my bona fides so as to undo the harm you are doing. Who am I? I've performed with the Houston Grand Opera and have been invited, like Durbin, to audition for the Met. Good enough for you?

[WACOAGENTS]

@violinthief-- I see my last post was deleted..I figured you'd see to it with all your bragging rights and musical proust YOU'D have the last word. I think perhaps "thief" fits you perfectly.

[violinthief]

@WACOAGENTS Waco, how in the world would I be able to delete your post when it was made on AfroPoli's channel? That only thing that appears to be missing is your sanity.

[WACOAGENTS]

@violinthief- No, what IS evident here is your TRYING to teach me manners as well as music. If you were as smart as you think you are and as talented musically, and important to boot, I'd think you above all people would know JUST how it could be done. BTW-What are you hiding, "thief'. Your profile is lacking your musical history you proudly report here? I'd think you'd want the world to know about your comparison to DD and the Met . I'm sure DD WOULD.. I guess ur just too modest.

[violinthief]

@WACOAGENTS My exact identity is private, for the internet is a dangerous place, filled with little creeps like you. BTW - Deanna Durbin does know about my history as a musician, positions I've held, and auditions I've taken. I've written to her to let her know the influence she has had on me. My profile states that I am a classical musician, which is accurate. I only dropped a couple of extra items because of your "who are you to educate me?" tirade. I'm an expert, and you're obviously not.

[WACOAGENTS]

@violinthief Oh, I'm sure your correspondance was well read by DD..hahaha. My history on here speaks for itself; this private bit you're speaking of??ha; you're so stuck on yourself. You think someone would want to bother you? As though you're a celeberity? You're an expert alright, in butting in to someone else's opinion. It's liberal idioits like you who think you can control what some of us THINK. You can continue to keep this crap up all you like. BRING IT ON LEPTON!

[mojopum]

@WACOAGENTS I love Flagstad too but you are right she is flat.

[BazzasBest]

The great woman.

[gwirgalon]

vielen Dank...and yes, though I started very young for a Wagner singer, (because it was always easy, otherwise...) my teacher also insisted that I go slowly and surely with enormous breath work, bless her heart..And also started with Mozart, purcell, dowland, bellini, french repertoire, donizetti, bach...lovely, this video, Thank you very much.

[jobertil]

Wow! Amazing. I'm no professional singer, but if I were I would heed the advice...

[steverlfs]

Her advice goes far beyond singing, just as the operas of Wagner go beyond mere music! She was a samurai of opera, and her advice would be well heeded by anyone engaging in an artistic pursuit!

[orovalleydude]

Astounding! Thank you for posting this...

[EdmundStAustell]

Truer words were never spoken. Every aspiring young singer, no matter their repertoire choice, should be made to listen to this recording until they have internalized these magisterial words.

[meltzerboy]

Fascinating lesson from the one and only Flagstad, who claims she is not a teacher! One thing is for sure: her own gift cannot be taught. Thanks for sharing this.

[65attila]

Stunning video

Thank you-John

[VivaRenata]

Mille grazie! Ho dovuto viaggiare a Hamar per sentire quest'intervista la prima volta. Un cordiale saluto e ringraziamento, ML