3 - Anna Russell giving a synopsis of "Das Rheingold"

[Napoleontas]

"by couple of giants called fasolt and fafner" Audience...hahhahahaha,,,,,

It is obvious that her audience is the actual funny thing

[Goetterreien]

Who is this woman? Her voice is very pleasant.

[fastborzoi]

Erda is the earth goddess (previously unknown to Woton and to us) who has ability to predict the future. So she suddenly appears (that is, rises out of the earth, sometimes only half -way, thus Erdas often is often seen as only as a toro) and warns him beware, don't grab the cursed ring (so Woton doesn't) -- BUT one of the giants does (and he is promptly killed by his brother the other giant)

Later (between operas 1 & 2 Woton produces many Valkyrie w/ her, which miffs his wife Erda --

[Orchestra2001]

I wonder how many of today's listeners get the allusions to The Andrew Sisters and "My Friend Irma (Erda), etc.?

part of what makes it so funny is her very proper, "hoity-toity" prissy accent, while making all these perfectly accurate observations in such an impudent way. It's amazing how many times you can hear it and still be totally convulsed with laughter.

[5678ralph]

@Orchestra2001 I get the Andrews Sisters, but not the Erda joke -- can you please explain that one?

[tonywrestles2]

@5678ralph

IMDB: title/tt0041673/combined



[Jvanella83]

I'm in a library and I might have to excuse myself to the ladies room to just laugh my *** off.

[meelio]

Love Anna to bits. I laughed till I cried,.

[wheatwatcher4]

I love Anna Russell - nice to hear opera being treated with such disrepect, even for opera-lovers! And she is so very funny!

[kashgarinn]

I wouldn't actually call it being disrespectful to opera. It's mostly funny because it's true! that's not being disrespectful :D

If anything her love for opera shows through clearly, and this piece has made me think "yeah, maybe I'd be interested in devoting 4 evenings into a single play"

So if anything this isn't demeaning to opera in the least, it's having fun with something you love, and you should because opera is great :D

[wheatwatcher4]

So sorry you misunderstood me - my fault entirely. You are quite right and that was exactly what I meant to say. Do please continue to enjoy opera - especially if you get the chance to hear that excellent Icelandic basso Kristinn Sigmundsson.

[LMJ314142]

"I won't translate it because it doesn't mean anything." Awesome.

[hollywoodclassics6]

This is fantastic, thanks.

[domani1976]

She is so funny....a combination of Hyacinth Bucket and Miss Slocomb from ´are you being served´. Thanx to Anna I now know the story of the Ring and don´t have to watch the dvd for 20 hours!!!

[winston5610]

No, Anna was the original to whose style all subsequent parodists have aspired. She remained active and alert in her retirement, and indeed, right until she passed away. She clearly loved what she did, and there will never be another like her.

[katamonim]

The "wrong curse tune" was actually from a popular song at the time called, I believe, "Chloe".

She was even funnier in person, her facial expressions that went along with the words were enough to keep you in stiches.

[phoenixnyc]

LOVE her!!!!!! She is hy-ste-ri-cal!!!!!!!

[Baccalaureus79]

It'so wonderful - of course her German is... err.. strange, but her view on the plot of Wagner's ring is accurate and full of admiring criticism. You couldn't re-tell that story better. And you even get curious to see the ring on stage! (Although you need LOTS of time and to read the libretto before.)

[lovelymess]

No real Wagner fan can resist this send up.

[erzbet07]

"Be careful Wotan. Be careful!"

This was my intro to Ms. Russell in the mid 60's (courtesy of a friend) and I've never forgotten her hilarious reading of Pt. 1. Now I'm off to discover more. Thanks for bringing back a happy memory.

[rheaturtle]

The end of part one? I want more!

[TheMikester307]

Wow! I heard her albums in the early 80's. Her name makes me smile! That's how well I know her stuff!

[ellandelachapelle]

I haven´t seen the whole Ring but I am told that her recounting of it is totally accurate! (I mean this is obviously what actually happens in this opera cycle.)Erda without a torso bears him 8 children! (sounds crazy but I realize that the action IS crazy in these operas!) Can´t wait to hear more from this hilarious singer!

[Taskat]

You should really see the entire Ring Cycle. It makes Anna Russell seem all the more fantastic and hilarious.

[DivaDeb1234]

This is hilarious..totally !

Thank you very much

DivaDeb

[mierikswortel]

fantastic

[ladyinwoods]

Definitely, thanks for posting. A stitch. And a remembrance of the not-so-recent-anymore past.

[kelmo513]

This is hilarious! My Viking Mythology professor introduced me to Anna Russell, thanks for posting this!

[julianjwho]

what was the alberich's 'wrong curse' tune?

[rabidsamfan]

That was played in the old black and white movies to introduce the villain.

[vitesenzafine]

She's a funny woman indeed, but that audience has to be the most annoying ever. They are so eager to laugh that don't even wait for the jokes...

[BlondeRabbit]

I saw her perform about 20 years ago and yes, the audience knew much of her routines by heart. In fact, Miss Russell remarked, "Feel free to recite along with me if you choose." She was great!