Maria Stuarda Contest - Gabriele Fontana - Joyce DiDonato

[JaimieAppleton]

Ok folks, what can we learn from this video? Well, you should NEVER piss off a female ginger when she clad completely in leather & has a whip. Just don't do it. Especially if that ginger is Joyce DiDonato who can melt your face with her voice.

[sweetpepper36]

The only saving grace of this production: Joyce Didonato in leather.

[JaimieAppleton]

I would NOT want to cross a pissed off DiDonato dressed in all leather with a whip.

[lipera]

The only good thing here is DiDonato!!! This Stuarda is a joke!!!!

[bellinicallas]

y donde se quedo el dramatismo y el belcanto! no me gusto la soprano..

[gohar002]

Blah!!!!!!

[skitzo429]

booo no high D...Joyce looks really hot though

[curiosus1]

Who is the director of this horrible production...awful costums, design of a vampire novel...Have you ever seen a queen who calls the guards an then goes herself to guide them to the condemned? Vampires everywhere....We are really bored with these "inszenierung", even the modern production must be refined and beautiful....Ths is awful....many compliments to the director, to the stage designer and to the costumist

[assindiastignani]

@curiosus1 Right on the money! This "Stage Director's" concept of this scene is a step below female mud-wrestlig.Of course, we know, E.Tudor and M.Stuart never actually met in life, but if they had it probably would have been a bit like in Schiller's great play, but certainly not like this.In my poor student days in the less-good parts of NY, I saw whores and their pimps fight with more dignity. A shame, because these are good singing actresses who could do much more with this scene.

[whatever456]

As far as reinterpretive productions from unimaginative but vulgar directors go this is mild.

As to the women, they are more than competent but there is definitely something missing. rhythmic incisiveness? Not sure what it is, but its just not exciting.

[lelecoloco]

It's missing VOICE! None of them are suited for the parts! These are Queens and it's missing the essential beside vocal stamina: Royalty, Regalness...

[whatever456]

Yeah. They aren't suited for the parts. Vocally it doesn't come alive.

[sanyotsai]

i was listening to Caterina Antonacci/Devia video, and i wonder why is this one with Di Donato just not as good...i realize that these ladies voices are not full enough, not dramatic enough for these parts.

[ginlemon29]

@sanyotsai Antonacci&Devia is NOT a bad production... not at all!!!

[hwhap13]

DOUBLE LOVE IT!

Go Joyce!

[iAMturandot]

Not only do I ADORE Joyce Di Donato, but I LOVE that she is carrying a wip here. I find it hysterical. Elisabetta will be you to death, hear her roar. hahaha. Great singing here, though.

[Arsace88]

Solitamente anch'io sono contrario a produzioni di questo genere, che modernizzano opere così strettamente legate ad un determinato periodo storico... ma quest'edizione è davvero suggestiva!

I don't like the productions that don't respect the historical contest of operas which are so connected with determinated historical periods (like Maria Stuarda)... but I have to acknowledge that this one is so effective!

[SENAFOREVER]

The production is really ugly and doesn't fit the music.

[raysomeusc]

Long skirts, puffed sleeves... still look like period costumes to me, albeit not authentic 16th century. I'm guessing the designers omitted the frills and laces so that this production will have a modern, fresh feel.

[waterfordwinstons]

Forgive me. But i really Hate when this happens to a Great Opera like this One. I am Sorry but i Hate this kind of Production, some Opera,s should be left in the Old style. Please note that i am not some kinda of Opera expert, but i must say that i have been taken a good look at singers of the past like Diva Cabbale shuterland please dont mind my bad eng speling, but they just put a lot of Passion in the part of Maria. in closing I feel that this kind of work should be left the old style.

[CzarDodon]

Don't you find that laces and tights get a bit boring sometimes? I like when a director gives a new cut to a tired old opera. Here they did nothing out of the ordinary though.

[artdanks]

I SOOOOOOOOO agree with you!!!! And it is such a shame, cuz there really is NO reason for this kind of production at all! It takes away from the opera itself! And how unfair to these fabulous singers...not to mention Donizetti! Thank you for your comments on this.

[riccardogrande699]

This totally sucks. Neither of these broads should even be singing, let alone this difficult repertoire. No high notes, nothing. PUKE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's about as exciting as dirty dish water. Listen to Sutherland for the real thing. No wonder no one in this even bothers to applaud.............. HIDEOUS

[OmegaMay33]

It is disresptecful to call these women "broads." There is more to singing than "high notes." They have both worked hard, studied countless hours and put a lot of work into their careers. They sound great. You try it and just see how hard it is. How can you say it's hideous?! You're out of it.

[33blueberries]

Sure, I'll pay that, in many cases, 'the Sutherland' is definitive in terms of vocal beauty and excitement. However, Sutherland no longer performs. And this is a performance of great merit. I think there's a lot to be gained from enjoying an excellent performance for its merits, rather than turning your nose up at excellent simply because you've heard perfection.

[riccardo699]

You are SO right and I stand corrected. I've made some very nasty observations in the past few months, and I promise to be more positive. It is both fortunate and unfortunate that I performed with Sutherland during her best years, so it's just really difficult listening to anything else. But we must move on, right??

[33blueberries]

Well, we at least have to recognise that Sutherland was a fairly unique performer, is a fairly unique woman by all accounts. But the world has changed in the last 50 years, and no amount of nostalgia is going to change that. Why not enjoy what we've got today, based on its merits, rather than wish for the impossible? Don't get me wrong, negative comments have their place, not all performances are created equal, but I genuinely recognise a lot of good things here.

[Elisabetta611]

Broads? Not be singing? Granted, neither of these ladies can approach a Callas, Gencer or Devia in this rep. but they are darn fine singers. And I never found Sutherland exciting or thrilling. Her Anna Bolena put me to sleep.

[jlc10023]

DiDonato continues to be one of the most exciting singers in years. She is (hopefully) doing Stuarda at the Met in 2010 or 2011.

[operalover9001]

I think she is singing the mezzo version of Maria in 2012-2013 at the Met

[rawdonqueen]

DiDonato has enough voice and personality to carry this off, in spite of the production. 4/4

[Iareto]

4/4. Not bad at all!  DiDonato is phenomenal!

[WoDeGe]

3.5/3.5 - the more i listen to 'modern' singers sing this repertoire i cant' help but think we lack real singers at this time. This fach is full of mozart singers pushing their voices to meet the demands of the music. Devia being the only real exception at this time.

[gtelloz]

Gruberova too. She's still outstanding and fenomenal

[Fraederik]

Hear hear! DiDonato isn't bad, but where is the vocal dramatism?! The search for the 'real and authentic' sound gets us maybe to honest scores and performances, but the drama in the music is lost. I am the first one to say that singers as Baltsa or Sills were not perfect, but my God, when they sang, something happened! I hope Fleming and Bartoli will sing more 19th century! They could do it!

[hotazzoperastud]

Very nice! Of course I have already uploaded this video!

Of course, 5/5 DiDonato ROCKS!

[angelus2002]

I'd agree with patjan92 with the scoring for this. Some damn fine spirited singing.

I even liked the production.

[patjan92]

4.5/4.45