Alagna & Netrebko - Manon - En fermant les yeux

[DeathhimselfTHS]

41 is where I begin for my solo :)

[eurydike]

alagna can be incredible:))) sometimes. also quite charming:))

[korts100]

Bravi!

[Ax008Al]

Il ne peut y avoir de doute, Roberto Alagna est bien le digne successeur du grand Georges Thill, Beau timbre de voix, qui fait justement penser à Thill, diction impeccable, interprétation convaincante. Il est aujourd'hui le plus grand ténor français qui défend notre répertoire ici et à l'étranger comme aucun autre ne peut le faire, car il a en plus le style requis pour ça. Bravo Monsieur Alagna.

[fattyboyblue]

this is also sublime in my own opinion

[fattyboyblue]

I want to be able to sing this some day. And i'm a baritone, thats saying something.

[ALEXISVASSILIEV]

Un beau couple...... Merci AV

[classicalgal14]

Anna looks like Velma Kelly from Chicago <3

[colora40]

colora 40 WHY ,WHY here is allways I think men who are critizaicing most

Roberto Alagna. His voice,his French,or Italy how he is singing,his fibrato and so on.I am very near to answer, You are so gelous, he is so beautyfull ,fine body,

nice hair yes, look at his hips. nearly 50 years old and body what all men never get.

On stage first lover.Yes here are som reasens for mens behavior.And so many are not loving you-ever.

[djschlom]

I find Henri Legay's Le Reve to be the best. check it out...exemplary!

[wenarto]

brava Alagna

[grendelum]

@Seabizzle19

OMG what is it with people actually criticizing Alagna's French?? He is a native French speaker, born & raised in France, and is known for his perfect diction & phrasing in the French repertoire. And you are from Canada, home of the world's worst French??

[operarus33184]

Just perfect. Fucking perfect. The only other readings that touch me so are those of Simoneau and Bjoerling. Alagna, you simply glow in this music. xoxo

[tdeane34]

You could count the tenors in the world today with one finger of one hand that could sing this like that.

[kwbmusicman]

Why the scoops?

[tdeane34]

@kwbmusicman You're not really listening.

[MrGOPERA]

If I was that close to Anna Netrebko I dont know if would be able to sing anything simple because i would be drooling too much

[jbrown91287]

we must keep in mind that firstly, a majority of the markings on sheet music were put there by the editors not the composers. Secondly, as artists part of creating art is breaking the rules. What artist has ever been successful by following a guideline? Really though, anyone?

Beautiful interpretation. Alagna is not my favorite but this interpretation is outstanding, compelling and utterly heart-warming.

[djschlom]

excellent comments by outfield. I too am studying this piece, and find the noted dynamics to be too restrictive. They are guides as was appropriately pointed out. the idea is to convey the meaning of the words through musicianship. This is something I find is difficult for some to learn, kind of a "you have it or you don't" kind of thing. I found this performance to be pretty compelling. He actually interacts with Manon, which is not done by many (see other videos)

[Seabizzle19]

lol the high a should be louder than that....its written into the score to crescendo on it and then decrescendo back into a piano, plus his french isn't that great....good singer! but bad interpretation i think, but its just my opinion

[maxhansendk]

This is first class singing!!

[tdeane34]

I don't care what anyone says this is beautiful.

[bellafredina]

Your comment was stupid enough!!

[gundhari]

I let hear the "dream"-aria (Manon) from Villazon and from Alagna to a friend. His comment: "I like Villazon because he sings louder"!! True, but reveals the perverted! taste which many have today! Villazon's attack is unclean and he sings not a real "piano" (sings only more silent). Alagna sings a real "dream", a fine piano on full breath and legato. Reminiscence of "belcanto" (as f. i. Ferruccio Tagliavini). All twho don't have an idea of "good" singing should not write stupid comments.

[heartstrings76]

In my opinion, he doesn't compare to Caruso, Bjorling, Corelli, etc. Although his top may be good and has a fine piano but I don't like his attack on lower notes.

[immo4000]

Thugman is schitzo - nevertheless, here writes the monkey.

[filaredo]

Nothing new....... hurdy-gurdy man. Don't forget to feed your monkey.

[thugman30]

NO DEPTH MUSIC. SHITTY FAKE ART.

R.I.P. Massenet

[tdeane34]

I agree Alagna does scoop too much but there is something beautiful about his singing. Especially here.

[canio44]

ya se que esto aporta poco y nada al analisis pero que hermosa que es la netrebko...

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

Picapin-you too? What was your number?

[TheInquisitive4Ever]

You're right castodivo. And that is a good way to ensure damaging one's voice!

[castodivo]

Yes, his scooping is ridiculously everywhere, butI'll tell you what I can really appreciate about Alagna's interpretation of this aria: He's brave enough to go into his head voice to really interpret delicate. For example, he sings every F5 (except for the first "retraite") in his head voice. And the A natural on "faut" at the end is not powerhoused and belted out like every tenor in the world. It's takes a lot of artistic integrity to do that.

[forallyouknow]

I AGREE!!! Artistic integrity is the right word for it. You could hear his vibrato oscillate... beautifully chilling.

[Cantormatis]

@castodivo It's what's in the score- and bjoerling did it, as did diStefano. But he does scoop and pushes into the sound from underneath.

[Cantormatis]

@Cantormatis AND WORSE- FALSETTO!!! UGH!

[tdeane34]

@Cantormatis there's no falsetto here.

[Cantormatis]

@tdeane34 Yeah, that is not an on-voice decrescendo as written, or even voix mixte, but falsetto. Nice falsetto, but for sure falsetto.

[tdeane34]

@Cantormatis I disagree.

[operaticoentusiasta]

@Cantormatis Excuse me me, but what exactly is the problem with the falsetto if the guy does it with such an elegance ? In your writing I detected a slight despise to those who can do it well. That romantic aria precisely requires that. Are you trying to say that inset a falsetto in pianissimo section is a sin ?

[Cantormatis]

@operaticoentusiasta Because it is not legitimate pianissimo singing. It's a sin because it's bad singing, not on the voice "voix mixte," hence he cannot make the decrescendo as called for in the score. Listen to Bjoerling do it, and you will see what it should sound like. It's hard as hell to do, but that is what OPERA singing is, not pop singing.

[hansquad]

@tdeane34

Agree, it was mezza voce.

[broadwayboricua]

@castodivo it's f# not and that's entirely false. I'm not certain he even does that once other than the last f# where he also decided to resolve up which is not in the music. There is a difference between head voice and being turned over. A big difference I might add.

[maurizio888]

i`m not algana fan, but there I`so impressed by the sweetest and tender love scene, like the role, the music and escene demands it. i so agree when the people say heard Corelli, Alvarez... cause there are many ways to sing the same aria. I recomend heard: Kraus and vargas too. the singer have the oportunity to interpretate the role folowing the partiture. But when felt in his soul and heart,the music, the aria becoming in this!!! i dont belive in FORTE in these aria. (sorry my foreing english)

[kwbmusicman]

OMG if he scoops another note!!! It's done so much that it's all I can think about...

[Sono1Tenore]

dont listen to corelli then.

[spyderwalk]

It sucks because you know if you boo him because of his scooping, he'll just flick you off and leave the stage. Maybe that's not a bad thing though. . lol

[castodivo]

I agree!!

[estanteriax]

Bravo

[pohalloran85]

grrrrr....i'm really not a huge fan of alagna...Check out Marcelo Alvarez singing this one.

[wenarto]

Alvarez is not as macho as Alagna :-)

[operafan85]

His french diction is wonderful.

[raythetse]

being french helps

[BachLoveNat]

just beautiful....

thank you

[KateinaKing]

Lovely job!

[royalbattle]

She looks like she is cringing from his breathe

[Jaaakob]

Scooping ftw! I really don't understand why he has to scoop every third note. Such tasteless overuse of an effect.

he has a beautiful voice, and I really he think he ruins an otherwise great performance with that worthless habit.

[prelasser]

This interpretation moved me to tears. Alagna's beautiful singing is so intense in its softness you can't help but cling to each word. I also love the modern take on the set design and the juxtaposition of the yellow roses against an otherwise darkish background.

And yes to Stephen Costello!!! I had the pleasure of performing with him this spring and, well, do yourself a favor and become a fan!

[raythespian]

The old-timers mentioned here may have sung the Dream beautifully, I don't know, but their day is done, as is Alagna's. For the best rendition imaginable, by a glorious new voice and artist, listen to Stephen Costello, right here on good old YouTube.

[brindlemay]

That's ridiculous. Alagna is not an old-timer.

[nclysander]

Costello is a great singer; I was fortunate enough to see him in Lucia last spring. But the quality of his singing has nothing to do with the fact that he's "new," and older singers' interpretations are just as valid.

[dg6da]

...ok, you are paid for this comment by Costellos Manager. Costello is far away from being a star. His voice has a permanent tremolo and he is not capable of a true piano. I am not a Fan of Alagna, but he sings in another "World". Costello is just another Tenor, one of 100 or 1000...

[raythespian]

Costello?! Mygod, that was a year ago! Since then I saw him as Romeo in Baltimore...no complaints, except that he can't act. Which brings me to my favorite young tenor, Sebastien Gueze...fantastic!!

[aldebaranvirgo]

Definitivamente, Roberto Alagna s el mejor tenor del mundo actualmente, no solo por su Manon, sino La Rondine, Romeo et Juliette, Faust, etc. Sin nostalgias del pasado, es el mejor de hoy. Escribe Art Ven

[gonzalojosevb]

Que mal gusto tienes!!! tu sigue en tu burbuja creyendo que Alagna es el mejor....

[vivalopera]

Alagna démontre qu'il est malgré les polémiques souverain dans ce répertoire : chant nuancé avec demi-teintes , diction superlative,belle caractérisation du personnage ....

[alemusicantante]

The first time i heard this aria i felt a great emotion..the singer was Di Stefano. I've heard lots of different interpretations but i think that Di Stefano in this aria is still at the first place. I also heard Gigli, Kraus, Villazon, and others but i can't find the same emotions...I like this Alagna's version because he uses pianissimo that is the right way to sing because of the dreaming scene.

[yn65he]

Have you heard Wunderlich? Even though sung in German, it is spectacular - my personal favorite. But Alagna sings this beautifully - I like the pianissimo too.

[alemusicantante]

yes, i've heard his performance and i have to say that at the first time i was laughing because of the strange sound of the german language in this area...otherwise the aria is well sung and it gives the idea of the dream. In fact i don't like interpretations that use liric "heavy" voice. I've heard lot of times flat interpretations with the same quality of voice in all the aria...do you agree with me?

[dafydd82]

Umm, that's french, not german.

[xgianpatrick]

Wunderlich is stunning. His Butterly duet with Lorengar, also in German, is my favorite as well. Have you heard it? From a live festival in Munich. Cheers.

[MrChowChow]

mltube: His name is Alagna, is not something that you eat! Obviously your comment are in bad faith. You may not like his voice, that doesn't mean he doesn't has it.

[mltube]

Lasagna has no voice. His only viable career path is to become a French singer, where the correct pronunciation of words is the most admired quality.

[flaze3]

lol, you joker!

[classic1306]

no!! i was the best in this aria!! harharhar!! kraus 4ever!!

[fordy42]

You should all listen to the italian version with Di Stefano and this will make up your minds for you.

[joanabanyeres]

He is doing things very dificult directly from stage. I like his R, is better than some R a la italiana, french is french.Just no exagerating the throating sound , Bravo Roberto, I also sing like him and i am french What a Pianissimo, Oh.

[glowingrosie]

Absolutely fantastic... lovely to hear something thta Alagna has done recently... and beautifully. Wonderful acting and singing.

[ejerunes]

I have an album of Francisco Araiza singing this aria.. and although Alagna does a magnficent job here... no one can replace Araiza in my mind...

[babajaga39]

i know that performance, i have it on tape: simple poetry, absolute perfectness. but alagna does it the same level, i have to say.

[maxhansendk]

I have to say Alagna does this very good! Bjorlings version is of course divine.

[Bjoerrelli]

I don´t like the french r´s but he sings the aria so lazy listen to alvarez version if you want a modern version worth the name or listen to bjoerling or Geddas or Kraus or just about anyone from the 30-60th this is sloppy!!!

[edgardodiravenswood]

Ok Bjoerrelli, I like Alvarez too, but I absolutely prefer Alagna.. and by far. Simply fantastic.

[fabriou]

Di stefano was the best in this aria.

[edgardodiravenswood]

I love this guy's singing.. and his french is a delight. Thanks for posting it.

[sidossi]

Eh bien ! Il est fatigué, le pauvre Alagna ! Je l'ai vu chanter Manon à Paris il y a trois ou quatre ans, c'était autre chose que ça. Il évite toutes les difficultés de l'air, il en rajoute, fait des portamenti impressionnants à tout bout de bras pour parvenir à l'aigu... Très déçu !

[QUETZALCOM]

Tout à fait d'accord. A force de chanter des rôles trop difficiles il est en train de perdre en souplesse et en musicalité. De plus, son jeu de scène est désuet. Il aurait dû suivre l'exemple d'Alfredo Krauss qui a ménagé sa voix en choisissant un répertoire adapté à son timbre lyrique.

[foerster]

Alagna è un tenore da quattro soldi, e lo potete sentire. E' un cantante che ha avuto l'occasione di cantare nell'Aida, alla prima della Scala, e siccome non è capace di cantare "celeste aida", e lo sa benissimo, alla seconda rappresentazione è stato fischiato e come un coniglio pauroso ha abbandonato la scena. Vile! E' davvero un cantante di seconda classe. E siccome è ancora giovane, gli consiglio di cambiare lavoro, avrà un futuro.

[edgardodiravenswood]

You don't have ears.. are you hearing this!?

Pfff... absurd.

[baritolo]

Sei uno spietato e per giunta incompetente. Alagna è per lo standard dei giorni nostri un ottimo tenore. Io ho avuto la fortuna di sentirlo due anni fa al Regio di Torino in Werther dove fu superlativo. In quanto all'Aida, la Scala è un teatro di tifoserie scalmanate e prezzolate che a suo tempo contestarono i più grandi artisti del passato che furono costretti a miigrare in america facendo la fortuna del Metropolitan.

[fabriou]

E' vero ..la scala e' sempre stata spietata sia con i grandi che con le schifezze come alagna

[Cherubinetto]

Caro,

è probabile che tu sia morto prima che Alagna debba abbandonare la sua carriera. Dato che tu sei un dilettante da quattro soldi ti consiglio di dedicarti meglio a criticare cantanti di rock & pop

[baritolo]

Io sono un baritono di 23 anni ed è probabile che il primo a crepare sarai tu. Comprati un apparecchio acustico e riascolta i brani di you tube. Ciao.

[RaphaelRaphaelli]

Funny how the Alagna voice sound more light and beuifully in frande repertoire, e Netrebko is a must! A really diva i hope sing wif her some day! Dreams are dreams dont blaiming please!

[bilko10000]

Not bad! He doesn't sound at his best hear I don't think, which is a shame as he is normally fabulous with the French repertoire. Gigli sang this aria like no other in my opinion.

[hymnforlorca]

I love Gigli's version too, but I really prefer hearing it in French. Tagliavini also does a lovely version in Italian though. My favourite, I must say, is Jussi Björling's from 1938. Just beautiful.

[fabriou]

he sings as if it was pop-music...there is no structure in his singing.Shit on it!

[drewski67]

wow, that really wasn't that bad. On the contrary, it was quite good, and I can't stand Alagna!

[ramsescalaf]

Wonderful sounds great

[singthesilences]

That "scooping" going to the high notes in Alagna is sodistracting.

[Operaphile]

The audience at La Scala were doing him a favour! He should have stuck to these roles that suit his fach. Still a nice performance.

[AliceBathory]

I love Roberto Alagna!! So full of passion!!!

[npg1969]

anna and roberto thank you!!! wonderful!!! O+>

[hanja2etoile]

Why does Anna only sing at one volume?

At least Roberto has more passion.

[dahoogal]

Great!!! anna is wonderful!