Battle really does have one of the sweetest vocal tones EVER! An eternally youthful lyricism. That said, she sings in this clip, very "carefully" and not with an air of ease and facility which, in my mind is THE mark of mastery.
It kills me how people continue to belittle Ms Battle. Try to imagine what it is like to be beautiful, black, talented, non apologetic, raised in a middle class environment, and singing roles(soubrette)that were predominately performed by white divas. More power to her for allowing the world to experience her flaws. I'm sure there is not an emotionally balanced opera singer alive.:-)
i slightly disagree with you, ppl TRY to belittle her lol bcuz of jealousy... c'mon, Time magazine back in 85 called her undoubtedly the best lyric soprano in the world dont let the naive youtube bloggers fool you. And ur right every voice prof i've had has attitude it jus comes with the territory. lol
Regardless of her being a DIVA she still has it!!! Kathlee Battle will always be known as one of the world's greatest opera singers. Regardless of her reputation of being a DIVA. Her voice is still on point and nothing can change that.
I should say that Ms Battle is a professional in all sense of the world. Unfortunately, singer today have half the career with jetting from opera house to stage to concerts. The demand is tremendous. Most artist are very demanding and perfectionist. This is no different with her. Unfortunately, no one talks of the histrionics and demand the opera men make. It is much more juicy to talk about Diva's
well she is the genuine diva, but she kinda took it to a new level. She is good, but nobody has the right to through tantrums like she did, I mean the fact that she through all the stuff out of the bigger dressing room... no wonder no one wants to work with her. I wonder how much she payed the accompanist...
Like a said, these comments are and should be made, I buy all of her music so i feel the right to comment, negative or positve. However, with a voice like La Battle's she can cuss him out on stage and it would still sound gorgeous. She might be a DIVA as some of you give reasons of why she can do what she can do but being a DIVA left Maria Callas voiceless and lonely, and K. Battle Operatic career in ruins.
On second viewing, it's clear that she does indeed conduct the pianist (as well as herself). Driving toward the cadenza during the upward melismas, she flicks her hand to cut off the pianist. Hilarious.
OF COURSE SHE IS CONDUCTING! It's always the singer conducting! And in baroque age, instrumentists had the public in their back so they could SEE AND OBEY the singer. Since a cadenza is a free style thing, it's normal the pianist should sound a bit clumsy, waiting for her.
I get so f'ing pissed at the idiotic comments referring to her as a 'b', as if ANY other opera 'stars' are so damn easy to work with! This woman is a star and deservs the utmost repsect for her craft, etc., and if she wants to conduct, let her. It's her name on the door and her performance which will be remembered, not his!
wow! that was amazing! I thought she retired but I guess not. she sounds amazing and still has it! and yes if you do have the entire aria please please please post it! and yes I can see she's conducting the pianist. But that's first time I've heard about her doing anything like that. I guess she's still that letter that's after "A" and goes with "itch". Or better yet the diva.
Everyone jumped to their feet after this performance. Thank you for posting this. You're the best!
Do you have the entire piece? If so, please, please, please post it. I was at this concert and it was a rare, special treat. It was hands down the most moving, spectacular, beautiful performance I've ever heard of this piece, and I'd love to hear it again if possible.
Would you happen to have her singing the "Great Day" and "If It's Magic?"
HAHA she is definitely conducting the piano. I think she needs to to embellish the way she decided to. I'm seriously surprised she is still singing things like this. BRAVA
I have to say I am so glad that Battle has not lost any of the voice. It sounds really firm and washeading that way back in 1997. Glad to hear it sounding SO good. Time to come back to the Metropolitan now that Volpe is out???
My Goodness, this woman still has it, but she is Still being a DIVA and conducting the piano like the man has no clue what he is doing. I guess she hasn't learned. Too bad, I still love her too death!!!
She sounds great here. But her strange tics, hands moving have clearly gone a bit out of control. And she's openly conducting her pianist again. Poor women is just a little off.
Spectacular! Battle is simply beyond perfect. Do you happen to have the whole concert?
pedrofribeiro 2 months ago
thisis fascinating! amazing!
bcom11 1 year ago
Battle really does have one of the sweetest vocal tones EVER! An eternally youthful lyricism. That said, she sings in this clip, very "carefully" and not with an air of ease and facility which, in my mind is THE mark of mastery.
ltginpdx 1 year ago 2
I knew her voice long before I knew her colour. Somehow I don't see the issue. She is a true diva. Her voice brings tears to my eyes.
pomincanada 1 year ago
wow...she is still on top of her game!
garconfrancais01 3 years ago 2
Is it really she?
Laeliapurpurata 3 years ago
Sunday, April 13, 2008 Carnegie Hall NYC
Be there! The diva triumphs above the negative publicity, comments and all. The recital will be formally announced next month.
musicadei 4 years ago 3
Sunday, April 13, 2008, 2PM Carnegie Hall
musicadei 4 years ago
It kills me how people continue to belittle Ms Battle. Try to imagine what it is like to be beautiful, black, talented, non apologetic, raised in a middle class environment, and singing roles(soubrette)that were predominately performed by white divas. More power to her for allowing the world to experience her flaws. I'm sure there is not an emotionally balanced opera singer alive.:-)
necessarydiva 4 years ago 23
i slightly disagree with you, ppl TRY to belittle her lol bcuz of jealousy... c'mon, Time magazine back in 85 called her undoubtedly the best lyric soprano in the world dont let the naive youtube bloggers fool you. And ur right every voice prof i've had has attitude it jus comes with the territory. lol
dwighty4u 4 years ago 4
aleluya! que gran fortuna haber asistido al concierto en vivo!
perogrullo88 4 years ago
I attended this very performance! She was wonderful. The crowd couldn't get enough and she graced us with an encore performance.
EbonySwan 4 years ago 4
Regardless of her being a DIVA she still has it!!! Kathlee Battle will always be known as one of the world's greatest opera singers. Regardless of her reputation of being a DIVA. Her voice is still on point and nothing can change that.
tjonesmusicman 5 years ago 10
I should say that Ms Battle is a professional in all sense of the world. Unfortunately, singer today have half the career with jetting from opera house to stage to concerts. The demand is tremendous. Most artist are very demanding and perfectionist. This is no different with her. Unfortunately, no one talks of the histrionics and demand the opera men make. It is much more juicy to talk about Diva's
Brownmuscle2007 5 years ago 2
Diva Katleen is still the best Bel Canto singer in the world.
DrDAP 5 years ago 2
I feel sorry for her chords!
ckrylov 5 years ago
And we feel sorry for you.
TheAleph74 4 years ago
I didn't know Kathleen Battle singing nowadays
taillia 5 years ago
well she is the genuine diva, but she kinda took it to a new level. She is good, but nobody has the right to through tantrums like she did, I mean the fact that she through all the stuff out of the bigger dressing room... no wonder no one wants to work with her. I wonder how much she payed the accompanist...
highflyingadored01 5 years ago
I agree with Cornell
D9l3tt 5 years ago
Like a said, these comments are and should be made, I buy all of her music so i feel the right to comment, negative or positve. However, with a voice like La Battle's she can cuss him out on stage and it would still sound gorgeous. She might be a DIVA as some of you give reasons of why she can do what she can do but being a DIVA left Maria Callas voiceless and lonely, and K. Battle Operatic career in ruins.
crybabyland 5 years ago
On second viewing, it's clear that she does indeed conduct the pianist (as well as herself). Driving toward the cadenza during the upward melismas, she flicks her hand to cut off the pianist. Hilarious.
cornellcrawford 5 years ago
I think she's conducting herself rather than the pianist. She's gesticulating the tonal motion of the cadenza.
cornellcrawford 5 years ago
OF COURSE SHE IS CONDUCTING! It's always the singer conducting! And in baroque age, instrumentists had the public in their back so they could SEE AND OBEY the singer. Since a cadenza is a free style thing, it's normal the pianist should sound a bit clumsy, waiting for her.
FABRIZIO82 5 years ago
I get so f'ing pissed at the idiotic comments referring to her as a 'b', as if ANY other opera 'stars' are so damn easy to work with! This woman is a star and deservs the utmost repsect for her craft, etc., and if she wants to conduct, let her. It's her name on the door and her performance which will be remembered, not his!
CHRYS1001 5 years ago
wow! that was amazing! I thought she retired but I guess not. she sounds amazing and still has it! and yes if you do have the entire aria please please please post it! and yes I can see she's conducting the pianist. But that's first time I've heard about her doing anything like that. I guess she's still that letter that's after "A" and goes with "itch". Or better yet the diva.
tjonesmusicman 5 years ago
SHE HAS A BEAUTIFUL VOICE BUT I DON'T LIKE HER IN THE BEL CANTO OPERAS
bigsteel83 5 years ago
Yes! Please post the entire piece!!!
TheAleph74 5 years ago
Everyone jumped to their feet after this performance. Thank you for posting this. You're the best!
Do you have the entire piece? If so, please, please, please post it. I was at this concert and it was a rare, special treat. It was hands down the most moving, spectacular, beautiful performance I've ever heard of this piece, and I'd love to hear it again if possible.
Would you happen to have her singing the "Great Day" and "If It's Magic?"
kinddude 5 years ago
HAHA she is definitely conducting the piano. I think she needs to to embellish the way she decided to. I'm seriously surprised she is still singing things like this. BRAVA
coryisasleep 5 years ago
I have to say I am so glad that Battle has not lost any of the voice. It sounds really firm and washeading that way back in 1997. Glad to hear it sounding SO good. Time to come back to the Metropolitan now that Volpe is out???
What headlines! What roles? Daughter of Regiment?
Tristiano 5 years ago
haha i dont know about that. :p
coryisasleep 5 years ago
My Goodness, this woman still has it, but she is Still being a DIVA and conducting the piano like the man has no clue what he is doing. I guess she hasn't learned. Too bad, I still love her too death!!!
crybabyland 5 years ago
She sounds great here. But her strange tics, hands moving have clearly gone a bit out of control. And she's openly conducting her pianist again. Poor women is just a little off.
FoggyRoad81 5 years ago