If I loved you (Carousel). A Celebration of the American Musical 2/9

[themanfrom05]

0:54 Renee definitely says "work wouldn't come in an easy way." Kinda funny. She's still amazing in this. I just find it humorous.

[Bigman240]

Renée was a much beefier gal in this video!

[princepeterwolf]

Dwayne was amazing, they both created a breathtaking performance

[princepeterwolf]

She was breathtaking, perfect vocals and beautiful beautiful voice.

[wilpri]

She has an operatic voice, not really suited to this. Is she an opera singer?

[kngiht84]

@wilpri More like the GREATEST soprano of our time!

[rjrichardson2200]

@wilpri please tell me you're kidding. if you're not, might i advise using google to your advantage before posing such ridiculous questions.

[sissors66]

i love this song,i love the musical i was named after the female leads name in it julie

[FiorentinaNJ]

So gorgeous!! I wish Dwayne Croft had more recordings, especially Mozart. @dtc1091 THANK YOU! I still treasure your autographs and meeting you at the Met in the late '90s.

[puccinilover]

Just going to say that this is fabulous, but my favorite part is Renee's hair. Joan Sutherland much?

[cliffrke]

Respectfully and absolutely I disagree with the commentator who complained about Renee Fleming's enunciation She couldn't have been clearer or better--unless, as another comment noted, she was Shirley Jones.

[joeparkson]

I wish opera singers would enunciate their consonants better. The lyrics are beautiful tool. If I didn't know them by heart, I'd have trouble hearing the words as sung by Renee Fleming.

[barochial]

Okay, this nearly spoils every other version I am aware of (except for ShirleyJones/Gorden MacRae of course). However I would love to know if Samuel Ramey ever recorded a version of this. I am in awe of Ramey and I think he would dominate this incredibly beautiful and universal ballad.

[arpeggio1358]

@barochial Yes, Ramey recorded the entire Carousel. His voice was way too heavy for Billy Bigelow. In the If I Loved You duet his voice sounded very strained as too many of the notes lay at the top of his upper register. This role is really intended for a lyric baritone or tenor. I do agree that he has a magnificent voice though (He's one of my favorite singers) and usually chooses material that is appropriate for it. Billy Bigelow was an unfortunate choice for him.

[arpeggio1358]

@barochial Reviewers said that Ramey sounded like Zeus hurling down thunderbolts from Mount Olympus in "The highest Judge of All" from Carousel. He was perfect, however, as The Poet in a recording of Kismet. His voice exactly suited that role. With Ramey, Jerry Hadley and The Caliph, Ruth Ann Swenson as Marsinah, and Julia Migenes as Lalume, this recording of Kismet is the most beautiful one I've ever heard. The voices are absolutely gorgeous.

[MrYuba69]

This made me weep and feel good at the same time....the harmony switch at the end can only be done by the pros

[alexmz123]

I had this on VHS tape. I wish there was a DVD of it!

[alexmz123]

My most favorite version of this classic... I love these two opera singers!

[MacktheNice]

These voices. My word. I'm a bit overcome!

[singerjen212]

Boy that was good!

[crazyoldbastard]

absolutely beautiful,

Renee Fleming is my favorite soprano of all time; what talent and beauty, and a voice straight from heaven

[AmhranaiAlainn]

Fine voices indeed, however, the original singers of this song both bring more naturalness and more substance to this piece. It's a pity they couldn't be themselves.

[arpeggio1358]

Dwayne Croft's voice is one of the most beautiful of all time. He has such elegance and beauty of vocal tone.

[dtc1091]

I appreciate that you put this on... This was a very memorable concert that I was very fortunate to be a part of. Could you post " Joey" from Most Happy Fella as well??? Thanks , Dwayne Croft

[drdebadair]

@dtc1091 wow, all the time I have been singing with this I never noticed a note from YOU!! I grew up in Maine with my uncle a baritone singing this to my aunt; so beautiful a story from which to know all the songs - my dad used to sing to me from Soliloquy...Now we are losing everything, my huband's eyesight ,savings and equipment, I am frantically looking for employment, my dr and age? huge barriers to what valued today. These songs remind me or what is always here:joy, peace, love, beauty

[drdebadair]

@dtc1091 Thank you!! Thank you!! db

[sitricjunior]

A thousand thanks for reposting this. When it went of YT I thought it was gone for good and I would never have the chance to see it again -- and I was furious with myself that I had not saved it. I am going to remedy that straight away. This is certainly the best version I ever heard of this beautiful song. Two great voices, a superb performance -- and totally convincing. The audience's response tells it all. Many other good versions -- but this is outstanding.

[TheTweeter53]

I'm so glad that this beautiful version of this timeless song was reposted. I was pretty sad when it was taken off. Thank you for putting it back on for all of us to enjoy!