How can she call herself a Strauss specialist? I'm German and we would boo this performance for being too self indulged and not what Strauss had marked in his score :/ Shame on you Ms. Fleming!
I am guessing that they rehearsed this song before this performance. Do you think that might have happened? Maybe it is not what some of you wanted. I see so many comments like some of yours here, as if everything has to be only one way, and that is primarily the way you interpret it. Stop smoking that stuff and you will be a better person.
Renee did fine, and I don't know anything about the tempo, but Pappano is a heinous conductor. Whipping your hand over your head is not conducting, it's hairstyling. His gestures simply say "Sweep, sweep, loudour, louder, sweep" and fail to convery anything what so ever. It's people like this that prove that conductors are useless, which is weird, because I want to be one. And Renee's high notes were great, per usual.
@TwilightMusique1 I couldn't disagree more with you, this is one of the most intense lied of Strauss, anyway certainly not about "puppy" love in the feeling. And the song never last more than 2 minutes, unless it's directed by a hundred-year-old bedridden, if that !
Her tempo really as fast as everyone is saying, Pappano pushes the orchestra at the end, but her tempi are pretty close to the normal tempi that everyone else takes. And how dare anyone say Pappano is a terrible conductor. He is one of the most sought after conductors in the world, not to mention that he is the Music Director of the ROH.
I'm a huge fan of Renee; heard her sing this in recital in Los Angeles last year, it was superb. But, this performance does seem to be a struggle. There could be a million reasons. If I was to offer my guess, I'd say the orchestra is way too loud. She is struggling with its sheer volume. I've heard good Wagnerian singers at rehearsal work with a conductor to make sure the orchestra isn't too loud at certain passages, so it's not a failing on her part. The conductor should've been more careful.
@TwilightMusique1 actually, it is said that Strauss did not mind how singers interpreted his songs. so it is up to the performer as to how fast they want to take it. i personally think it is a great interpretation that Renee has given us.
the man's expression in the front row at 1:31 is PRICELESS...I can just hear him now saying to himself "my god this director must be on crack"...did you see Fleming's face at the end? I could tell SHE was NOT responsible for that awful temp
Oh no, this is very bad. The conductor is mostly to blame (who is he?): he seems to have totally missed the point of this beautiful lied, he goes extremely fast.
At this neck-breaking speed, I don't think we can judge her singing objectively. Her diction is quite bad, but even this obviously has to do with the rhythm.
maestro's get too full of themselves sometimes. our maestro for our university's production of die zauberflote had crazy tempos for everything too....
I dare say, since it's just my opinion, that I prefer our own university conductor and our student soloist better. Just sayin'. (Johannes Müller-Stosch and ... uh-oh. I lost her name. She's great.)
Indeed it's the conductor's job to follow, but it's more than likely that Fleming dictated the tempo in this. Most soloists performing at this level do.
The orchestra was too loud and too fast: exciting, but no wonder Fleming has the air of one riding a run away horse.
The conductor, while very passionate, does not allow her to BREATHE OR PHRASE. Yeah: he had to cheat the high b at the end because he had punished her so violently during the song she was wasted. One can tell by her attitude at the end she was thinking "F**K that was fast. . ."
Renee simply can do no wrong. She is by far the world's greatest soprano. At nearly 50 years old, she is at her absolute peak, and is singing better than ever. I was her at the MET opening a couple of weeks ago, and am still amazed, especially in the Capriccio. I also got the chance to talk to her at the reception afterwards at length, and there is not a diva bone in her body. I don't think she actually knows how incredible she is.
Couldn't agree with you more, although living in Europe, I have been fortunate enough to see her live many times. And even if it is in the same role, she brings to it a spontaneity, freshness, musicianship and insightful humanity born not only of true intelligence,but maybe something more that is quite undefinable. Her detractors are many, and for me uninformed and uninspired, but so be it. Bravo Renee, and Bravo williansagency for being so vocal in your admiration.
Me too... Someone should have warned her that this isn't the scene where Tosca stabs Scarpia... LOL
I mean, check Netrebko singing this while pregnant... The sound comes much more efortlessly and more beautifully. Why does Renaaay always have to introduce her very peculiar perceptions of the scores and doesn't limit herself to sing what's written?
Haha. Yeah I thought this song was about puppy love, cuddling, and all that good stuff. You couldn't have surmised that based on her facial expressions and interpretation.
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rubisco1981 1 month ago
How can she call herself a Strauss specialist? I'm German and we would boo this performance for being too self indulged and not what Strauss had marked in his score :/ Shame on you Ms. Fleming!
HeidelbergSoprano 3 months ago
No excuse. This sucks. I am not surprised. Fleming is a highly overrated singer as far as I am concerned.
Piacevole 5 months ago
0:33-0:38 is a complete vocal mess what is she doing?
babs22hh 7 months ago
I am guessing that they rehearsed this song before this performance. Do you think that might have happened? Maybe it is not what some of you wanted. I see so many comments like some of yours here, as if everything has to be only one way, and that is primarily the way you interpret it. Stop smoking that stuff and you will be a better person.
VantisDoroHall 7 months ago
Renee did fine, and I don't know anything about the tempo, but Pappano is a heinous conductor. Whipping your hand over your head is not conducting, it's hairstyling. His gestures simply say "Sweep, sweep, loudour, louder, sweep" and fail to convery anything what so ever. It's people like this that prove that conductors are useless, which is weird, because I want to be one. And Renee's high notes were great, per usual.
saotomi5102 8 months ago
@TwilightMusique1 I couldn't disagree more with you, this is one of the most intense lied of Strauss, anyway certainly not about "puppy" love in the feeling. And the song never last more than 2 minutes, unless it's directed by a hundred-year-old bedridden, if that !
NoirOrchestre 1 year ago
My God, this is brillant.
NoirOrchestre 1 year ago
Her tempo really as fast as everyone is saying, Pappano pushes the orchestra at the end, but her tempi are pretty close to the normal tempi that everyone else takes. And how dare anyone say Pappano is a terrible conductor. He is one of the most sought after conductors in the world, not to mention that he is the Music Director of the ROH.
Rcoppin91 1 year ago
I'm a huge fan of Renee; heard her sing this in recital in Los Angeles last year, it was superb. But, this performance does seem to be a struggle. There could be a million reasons. If I was to offer my guess, I'd say the orchestra is way too loud. She is struggling with its sheer volume. I've heard good Wagnerian singers at rehearsal work with a conductor to make sure the orchestra isn't too loud at certain passages, so it's not a failing on her part. The conductor should've been more careful.
novasafo 1 year ago
@TwilightMusique1 actually, it is said that Strauss did not mind how singers interpreted his songs. so it is up to the performer as to how fast they want to take it. i personally think it is a great interpretation that Renee has given us.
KeithB08 1 year ago
Too fast, Renee!
wTrevorh 1 year ago
What a fantastic performance. No-one saved anyone in this. Renee is completely in control - as is Pappano.
Contrubas 1 year ago 5
I just saw her perform this last week in recital, and she really does take it this fast.
amwam 2 years ago
the man's expression in the front row at 1:31 is PRICELESS...I can just hear him now saying to himself "my god this director must be on crack"...did you see Fleming's face at the end? I could tell SHE was NOT responsible for that awful temp
PianistandFencer 2 years ago
Oh no, this is very bad. The conductor is mostly to blame (who is he?): he seems to have totally missed the point of this beautiful lied, he goes extremely fast.
At this neck-breaking speed, I don't think we can judge her singing objectively. Her diction is quite bad, but even this obviously has to do with the rhythm.
What a waste of a beautiful piece!
desiderius82 2 years ago
This is the best comment I've ever read on youtube....
evangelineireland 2 years ago
Seems to Wagner, instead of Strauss.
This is airforce ONE for Renee.
Doing all she can!!!!!!!!!
Brava.
andreasscholl 2 years ago
maestro's get too full of themselves sometimes. our maestro for our university's production of die zauberflote had crazy tempos for everything too....
tiernan87 2 years ago
one of the greatest singers in recorded history getting short shrift ?
what a crowd !
jhagenson 2 years ago
i didnt like it. her middle sounded weak.
musoph21 2 years ago
She sounds TIRED!!!! And she speaks some parts...so unprofessional
Bigman240 2 years ago
I dare say, since it's just my opinion, that I prefer our own university conductor and our student soloist better. Just sayin'. (Johannes Müller-Stosch and ... uh-oh. I lost her name. She's great.)
cadetstarnoodle 2 years ago
Indeed it's the conductor's job to follow, but it's more than likely that Fleming dictated the tempo in this. Most soloists performing at this level do.
clairannette 3 years ago
The orchestra was too loud and too fast: exciting, but no wonder Fleming has the air of one riding a run away horse.
The conductor, while very passionate, does not allow her to BREATHE OR PHRASE. Yeah: he had to cheat the high b at the end because he had punished her so violently during the song she was wasted. One can tell by her attitude at the end she was thinking "F**K that was fast. . ."
hchristopher1 3 years ago
i think she sings this aria better in other clip by olfux. her tone is a bit more even...
Babs22h 3 years ago
Renee simply can do no wrong. She is by far the world's greatest soprano. At nearly 50 years old, she is at her absolute peak, and is singing better than ever. I was her at the MET opening a couple of weeks ago, and am still amazed, especially in the Capriccio. I also got the chance to talk to her at the reception afterwards at length, and there is not a diva bone in her body. I don't think she actually knows how incredible she is.
Brava Renee!
williamsagency 3 years ago
Couldn't agree with you more, although living in Europe, I have been fortunate enough to see her live many times. And even if it is in the same role, she brings to it a spontaneity, freshness, musicianship and insightful humanity born not only of true intelligence,but maybe something more that is quite undefinable. Her detractors are many, and for me uninformed and uninspired, but so be it. Bravo Renee, and Bravo williansagency for being so vocal in your admiration.
lady00010 3 years ago
Not a diva..Renee? Oh she know she is.
miyakasuzuki 3 years ago
what was that at 36secs?? ... LMAO Renaaaaay forever...
barleggero 3 years ago
Thank you this is absolutely fantastic. All you Renee Bashers, shut up.
lady00010 3 years ago
i agree with the gentleman in the audience who can be seen at 1:31
coryisawake 3 years ago
hehe I hear these comments often about renee... what did you find dissatisfying about this performance
Babs22h 3 years ago
Me too... Someone should have warned her that this isn't the scene where Tosca stabs Scarpia... LOL
I mean, check Netrebko singing this while pregnant... The sound comes much more efortlessly and more beautifully. Why does Renaaay always have to introduce her very peculiar perceptions of the scores and doesn't limit herself to sing what's written?
barleggero 3 years ago
Netrebko is singing into a microphone.
But I agree- Renee is freaky in this
atometris 3 years ago
Haha. Yeah I thought this song was about puppy love, cuddling, and all that good stuff. You couldn't have surmised that based on her facial expressions and interpretation.
jlee800 3 years ago
...urgh
coryisawake 3 years ago
She almost lost it at the end. Great save by the conductor. doe anyone know his name?
He's phenomenal.
lty2k84 4 years ago
Antonio Pappano
Onegin65 4 years ago
Yep, she got a little carried away there.
cptnunderwhere 3 years ago
Thank you so much for your continued posting of such wonderful clips, Onegin65!! I really enjoy them. She is just simply ah-mazing!!!
trekkie2006 4 years ago