Angela Gheorghiu "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" La Rondine

[hgburgin]

Angela, la MEJOR soprano para Puccini.

[MrTomsport]

Oh the poor woman, what a struggle. The strain is obvious, and I suffer with her. But if she really was sick, this is a document of great professionality and technique. There are no major accidents happening, the pitch and phrasing are still decent and professional. Sometimes work is work, and has to be done even if it's hard. Brava.

[jmtdduarte]

MY GOD! IT IS PERFECT! SHE IS PERFECT!

[maxtormx]

Watch the beginning of the opera, the Metropolitan Opera Manager announced she had a cold, nonetheless she wanted to continue because it was televised all over the world. You could argue she could ve cancelled, but at that point of their careers many things are at stake.

Singers arent machines, they are also human beings that can get sick. .

Be understanding.

[Lindow]

Oops. I have to say I wonder about youtube watchers often. This is incredible? Have you compared? She's in trouble vocally hence the rushing of the phrases, that last high note she has to get off quickly and all those physical mannerisms. To appreciate something despite its faults is ever so right but to close your eyes to the faults really dangerous.

[pinkinaok]

Brava!!!! Che tecnica.

[ernestalba]

That was incredible. Perfect.

[jorgepda]

i am not a huge fan of her, but i gotta say that she's pretty darn good in this video.

[30martin082007]

Estaba con el corazón en la boca, se le percibió un poco tensa hacia el 1:50, medio ansiosa. . . Pero le salió espectacular!

[30martin082007]

No me canso de verla en este ideo...ESTUPENDA!!!!!!!!! y Preciosa!!!

[RealTeraustralis]

Perfect!

[whatsreallyhoodbitch]

BRAVA!!!

[sandytheslayer]

My GOD!!! I LOVE THIS WOMAN!!!

[30martin082007]

Cada vez que veo este video me enamoro mas de ella.

[sea84aes]

i saw her perform this live last week and she was absolutely riveting. her voice and musicality and presence were just incredible and a real inspiration. while she is still great in this video it is nothing in comparison to the real thing. just another bit of proof that opera, like everything else, is just better live.

[jmsmth14]

This specific performance isn't mind blowing or thrilling honestly in my opinion. She's not by any means one of the best singers or one of my favorites. I must give her some credit by saying she's sounded much better on other things than this once performnace.I think it was simply...ok. At least we can say she's pretty though...lol.

[barneswriter]

Do people have to trade abuse here. Get a life everybody

[Homoclassicus]

By the way, why is that this video has been "invaded" by so many of the most famous Opera trolls in YouTube? This video must certainly have something that attracts then. After all, I won't spend any minute of my life watching to a video of Britney Spears or a rapper, since I hate their music, so what's the great pleasure that keeps making them watching over and over again to the videos of the singers they most hate? That's interesting...

[belcantovendicatore]

I watch this mediocrities trying to understand how it is possible that any serious theater can hire them,looking for something that can appeal,so far nothing.

There is your answer "Homo-----classicus"......

[FoggyRoad81]

Must immediately go listen to Leontyne Price's rendition of this to wash the sound of *that* out of my ears. Oh Gheorghiu....so sad.

[belcantovendicatore]

The worst interpretation ever of this great aria. Reasons?: 1)No legato 2)No breath 3)Horrible diction 4)High notes shouted not sung 5)Uncontroled vibrato 6) Voice's color:horrible 7)Acting:seems like a mute film from the 20's 8)Musically not precise 9)End of almost all phrases flat 10)Last but not least:that costume!!! Can anyone from the music world stop this awful singer?

[ariodante76]

Actually, there is (or was)an almost equally awful clip of Spanish mezzo Ainhoa Arteta singing this area. Anyhow, all ten points are duly noted. Her voice does NOTHING for me, yet she has reigned as a leading diva for a decade. Seems like Miss Netrebko is following in her footsteps. May Anna never sound this squally, shrill, and vinegary.

[musoph21]

baby ainhoa is a soprano.

[ariodante76]

you are right, I stand corrected. well, to her credit, I did like Ainhoa as Musetta at HGO several seasons back.

[musoph21]

i've been corrected many times LOL..its cool

[Homoclassicus]

Excessive and exaggerated opinions are always wrong in all fields of thought, arts, etc. An awful singer who sounds like this even if sick and tremendously nervous is a great rarity. Voice's color horrible and blaming her for the costume (which she hasn't designed, of course)? That is such an objective criticism.

[belcantovendicatore]

She always does that:makes an announcement saying that she is sick so that if she sings badly(9 times out of 10)she can always claim sickness as an excuse.

She is just an opportunist that made her way up by "meeting"the right people at the right time,that is her only talent.

Don't pontificate on things you have no idea

Stick to samba.

[Homoclassicus]

Ha, she "always" does that. You're so credible!

Be sure I appreciate traditional samba (you mustn't even know what it is), a much livelier and more authentic genre than the repetitive self-indulgent rhythms of many European folk genres. You know nothing about Brazil, by far the developing country with the largest number of great composers, singers and pianists. I won't cite them here, because if you have a small knowledge about Classical Music you will know their names. Or not? ;-P

[belcantovendicatore]

Brazil "with the largest number of great composers?Are you kidding?That third world country is known for favellas and sex tours.

Yes you imbecile,she always does that I know it for a fact that she did it at Ravenna and also in London so it is you the one that knows shit.

[Homoclassicus]

Among developing countries, I said. You're stupid enough to be ignorant about such great artists as Villa-Lobos, Carlos Gomes, Nepomuceno, Bidu Sayão, Nelson Freire, Guiomar Novaes, Eliane Coelho, Antonio Meneses, Paulo Szot, Magda Tagliaferro and so many others. Of course I wasn't expecting you to know these names. You live in your little stupid biased world, so such ignorance is forgivable.

[belcantovendicatore]

For every name of those"great(?)"artists that you so proudly wrote i can match it with 100 Italians on the same field.

Get some education you dumb stupid moron,read a book instead of cruising with your boyfriend in the slums of Rio.

And this is it:I am bored to death with your stupidity and lack of both class and education,you are blocked from my forum you retarded brazilian mother fucker.

[Homoclassicus]

Ravenna and London? Oh, yes, always.

Brazil does have these problems. So does Italy have great problems with racism, fascism, mafia, corruption, pollution, garbage throughout Naples, stupid laws. Btw, most of the hateful tourists in "sex tours" are Italians bringing their sexual frustration and lack of ethics. Compared to other rich countries, one sees the disorder and ignorance of a country that has many problems of a poor country even if located in the richest part of the world.

[belcantovendicatore]

Well the reason why Europeans go to brazil is to have a quick fuck and dance samba not to listen to your "great composers"or admire your museums...

Violence,degrade,local mafia,children that begin criminal life at 12,mothers fucking their sons,favellas where not even the army can get in,those are just a handful of the "problems"that your rat hole of a country has.

[Homoclassicus]

But don't worry: I wouldn't expect ample and true knowledge from someone so full of prejudices, lack of credibility (extreme partiality and exaggerations) and fundamentalism. All you say are biases and nonsenses as if you being European alone would make you "better" than the others. Is that the only quality you have? Poor man then! The strategy of all those who doesn't have anything to say is to pretend the useless things they may say have any importance. And the result is so ridiculous!

[belcantovendicatore]

Hundreds of words that say nothing,maybe your circle of faggot friends will be so impressed with this cheap philosophy but not me.

[Homoclassicus]

Hehehe. Always the same old sexual talking. Can't you say anything with serious arguments? However, your explanation about why you watch to these videos is good enough, even if totally useless. That said, I wonder what was the "philosophy" you found in my messages. A couple of words some coherency and without bad words sounds like "philosophy" for you? That's quite interesting...

[belcantovendicatore]

"Serious"?With an asshole brazilian piece of shit like you??

Give me a break you dumb fuck!

Back to your sambas and bananas.

[musoph21]

and i thought people who listen to classical music are supposed to have more class than this. Seriously.Its 2009, we should be beyond homophobia and racism. Take that shit to a Britney Spears or an American idol tube. Please dont ruin this with your horrible comments.

[belcantovendicatore]

I thought that people that enjoy opera would be able to distinguish between a piece of shit like this and a serious singer...

You go to brintney Spears or the big brother that would be an enviroment more adapt for you and your poor taste.

This romanian bitch stinks and that is a fact!!

[musoph21]

You think she sucks. Fine okay! No big deal but you are seriously acting like an american idol groupie. You should articulate your opinions more intelligently instead of acting trashy. Be critical of the music and learn to respect the opinions of others without insulting their culture and country. You're making a fool of yourself. GROW UP!

[belcantovendicatore]

I articulate intelligently when I am in front of educated people,when i have to deal with ignorants and morons like you I act"trashy"

So,leave me alone and keep in adoration of that cunt.

[musoph21]

whatever dude, i am not going to beat a dead horse. I am sure you must feel like quite the big man dishing out these comments behind your keyboard eh. Not that i have anything to prove to you but i am studying opera. I actually admitted in a previous post that this isnt the best performance of this aria. But that doesnt give me or you the right to use hateful speech and call someone a faggot or tell them to go to their samba for having a different opinion. You're an idiot!

[belcantovendicatore]

"Whatever dude"... what a sophisticated way to begin a sentence!!You are really a well educated person...give me fucking break and just leave me alone.

You are the idiot,an ill-mannered idiot not me.

[musoph21]

right! Calling a person a faggot and telling them to go back to their hut and being intolerant exemplifies higher level brain activity and sophistication! We were geniuses as cavemen and didnt know it! OMFG! I will go with my "whatever dude." Do me a favor little boy and keep playing with your crayons. You obviously havent been taught manners and therefore cant be in the company of adults. Hmm. Go to your mommy.

[musoph21]

It only makes sense since i've articulated myself as someone who listens to britney spears. LOL. I admit that she isnt the best but at the same time, she isnt terrible. I've heard far worse! I actually think shes in intelligent in her phrasing and dynamics when she is performing at her best. I dont think you can say that EVERYTHING she's done is terrible.

[30martin082007]

Deberian dar mas seguido esta operetta, es otra de las fabulosas obras de Puccini....Y Gheorghiu fantastica, estupenda, hermosa.

[basenjidiva]

When one is suffering from a disabling cold, one is generally replaced by the understudy.

For comparison, you might listen to Virginia Zeani's rendition of this aria. Zeani is also coincidentally Romanian, but the expression, interpretation and vocality differ totally.

Thank you for this posting.

[Arrigo1971]

Gheorghiu is complety past her prime! What a vulgar woman. Some years ago in the right context she could be very efective but never has been more than a mediocre singer.

[sarolta100]

Brava Angela!!!!!

[JuillHope17]

ok you guys, just so you all know: peter gelb came out before the performance and told everyone that she was suffering from a terrible cold, and for the audience to wish her well during the performance. you can totally tell she's sick here too ("o sogno D'OR"), but don't harp on her too badly, because for being sick this is amazing! and besides, as the performance went on she got more and more amazing. by act three there was no stopping her... she was FIERCE.

[nclysander]

This is not in any way amazing. It is mediocre at best. And that's ridiculous that she had to have an announcement made; public apologies give a hint that the performance should not go on in the first place.

[belcantovendicatore]

She always does that.

It is a way of compensating for all the terrible mistakes she does when singing.

The truth is that she is a mediocre singer that "made it"for reasons that have nothing to do with bel canto.

[musoph21]

the high C was pretty good but it didnt sound as clear as it normally does

[redsox2213]

What was the purpose of the arms? I don't sense drama/love from...arms...

[HarpistRCM]

Gheorghiu is good, but I prefere Arteta singing this role. Her pianissimos are better.

[amic25]

I cant stop watching this video...

She is amazing!

BRAVA ANGELA!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WiseMonki]

Past her prime... or a very bad day. i hope it is the later. Kindest regards,

[josiahgulden]

A vulgar rendition. A woman singing for herself and no one else.

[micioamilano]

Cos'è successo alla Gheroghiu di un tempo??? È irriconoscibile..

[PootahBear08]

it was a little rushed...but she is stunning!

[angielove1]

She was alright

[markNLeona]

Gheorghiu is fantastic

[Chilair1]

I was there @ this performance!!! I thought this aria was a little underwhelming, but all in all the opera was pretty good.

[jmahlon]

Whats with the current obsession with her and Fleming for pushing the chest so hard.

[ariodante76]

Apt observation, Fleming and Gheorghiu are in the same awful league.

[dollartwenty]

As with too much of her work, Gheorghiu seems more interested in volume and swooping around the notes thatn in genuine artistry.

[me148]

goood stuff

even tho she had a cold

I didn't think she would get through it, but it went beautifully