Renée Fleming - Glitter and Be Gay

[k8bits]

Why are you even mentioning Kristen Chenoweth? BARBARA COOK was the original.

[Querzeo]

I don't care what they say, I like this very much!

[pinkbeachloverable]

although she is my favorite singer, i have to admit that her voice *is* a little bit heavy for this song. i like kristen chenoweth's version better, because she has a little bit lighter voice. she also adds a little bit of humor to it.:)

[operadiva023]

SHE IS SO GOOD.

[fluidstatic]

@OperaMystery80 I'd have to disagree with your assessment of Dessay's performance of this; she's so deadpan it's almost depressing, while Chenoweth's ironic and "flaky" approach really compliments the score in a way that Dessay didn't. Otherwise, I do agree - Fleming shouldn't be singing this. She's a technical genius, but her efforts at comedy are far too broad here.

[donaldcallen]

@fluidstatic Agree with you about Dessay. She's got the vocal equipment, but she over-acts and I don't care for her phrasing.

I disagree with you about Fleming. It's amazing to hear someone do this lung-buster so effortlessly. And I like what she does with it. Remember that you are comparing Chenoweth, who you both watched and heard (and she's fantastic, no question), with just the audio of Fleming.

Sure, Fleming's voice is darker, more mezzo than Chenoweth. I still think she makes it work.

[alvin821]

@ OperaMystery80 Chenoweth earned her master's degree in opera performance. You can tell from her technique that she's not "pure broadway".

[OperaMystery80]

@heaslch09 Gotta disagree. As good as Chenoweth is, she knows she can't really sing opera at a professional level. Emmy Rossum sang in the opera chorus as a child at the Met. She sang Christine in Phantom of the Opera in '04, a role which contains operatic technique, but she's no opera singer. Chenoweth is pure Broadway, we all know that. Fleming is to opera what Chenoweth is to Broadway. Chenoweth does a better job singing this. Fleming is embarrasingly bad here. Her voice's too big for this.

[OperaMystery80]

Why do so many opera singers love to sing this ? Bernstein never called Candide an opera. This is Broadway. A good Broadway star like Kristen Chenoweth does it justice; and only a few operatic sopranos can do a good job with this. Look at Natalie Dessay's 1997 Glyndebourne Youtube video. She's terrific. June Anderson & Kiri Te Kenawa do it quite well too. But for me the best is definitely Natalie Dessay. Fleming's technique/style is unsuited to this. And the speaking parts are silly

[RionPhotography]

Hilarious that people are comparing Renee and Kristen... I think even they would laugh at any comparisons between them.

[Micheleunderline]

Interpretação linda demais!!!Brava.

[cryss21]

I like this very much.

[Piacevole]

Pathetic. Fleming is super-emotional in a shallow-American sorta way.

[Johnnysugar]

I like Renee's voice, but this song isn't a great fit for her. She sounds far too formal. Personally, my favorite version of this song is by Diana Damrau, although I do like Kristen Chenoweth's version. Damrau has the agility to pull off the music, but Chenoweth more than anyone really seems understands the comedic nature of the piece. I would love to hear Madeline Kahn's version of it, though.

[margitarokkanal]

She sounds very matronly and fake. In contrast, Kristin Chenoweth is too light but more convinsing because she's authentic.

[OnMyWaytotheFLA]

Renee's voice is beautiful, but it's just a little heavy for this song. Also, does anyone else think she sounds like she's singing English as if it's a foreign language? (Even though it isn't, for her?)

[peachfuzz0523]

beast

[stereodeluxxx]

I liked her on Sesame Street.

[emeboteerf]

What can La Fleming not sing? Full justice.

[sillyboydeux]

She's so saccharine I need to take insulin. Her vocalism is mechanically purr-fect as always, her recitative absolutely generic and bland as always, fearless high notes, and yet she has left nothing of a legacy for yet another of sundry other roles that she treated in the same cavalier, overtly facile approach. Her giggles make me cringe.

[sptfgpn]

@sillyboydeux She'll be devastated.

[franimalistic]

Hahaha!! The ornament around 3:10 made me laugh out loud!

[demeter10]

Excelente interpretación, magnífica!!

[ledormant]

What a beautiful voice! It is so pleasurable to listen to !

[donaldcallen]

This is incredible singing, especially for a lyric soprano. And I like her way with the music -- she's a fine musical actress and she shows it here. Sure, this is different from Chenoweth and Dessay, but I think this is equally valid. We're lucky to have all of them.

(I just heard Fleming in the Strauss Four Last songs and the Mahler 4th last night with the Boston Symphony, Levine conducting. She got one of the biggest ovations I've ever seen at Symphony Hall, well-deserved.)

[violinistx100]

1:45 was indiscribable(can't spell) That note had power and passion. Everything was perfect! What's she doing now?

[raigekimaru]

renee is all over the place in this piece. portamenti down to a scary contralto lower register followed by the freakiest coloratura laugh I've ever heard in my life.

[raigekimaru]

I have a strong preferance to a more bright, princessy voice like Dessay on this piece, but her portamenti are like OMG!

[camcroft]

Keep in mind this song comes from the Broadway musical Candide, which only later entered the Opera repertoire. Barbara Cook was the original and was BRILLIANT. The person who comes closest to the original spirit of the song is perhaps Kristin Chenowith. Still Renee rocks :-)

[asx5252]

Although, Renee clearly has an incredible voice and I am not debating that, I think that this coloratura repertoire does not show off her best colors. She does a very nice job.

[CZWBellaVoce]

Ah, such a beautiful voice!

[britters2010]

I wish peope would just enjoy the beauty of it... gosh. every singer does it differently!!!!!

[tyrajhay]

I haven't heard Flemming enough but this take on the aria is unique and good, nobody wants an aria to be sung in the exact same way as every other singer. Remember, Flemming is not a coloratura, and, this take is brilliant considering.

[saxamaphoneguy1]

This is brilliant NOT considering she's a lyric. This would be great even for a coloratura!

[akherousia]

obviously people you need to understand the difference between just performing an aria in a concert and actually performing an aria in a musical itself within the plot.

[evieiable]

chino is better xD

[kngiht84]

I'm sorry, how is Chenoweth better than Fleming ?

[evieiable]

I just prefer Chenoweth's version and her personality in the song.

[cantanteporsiempre]

yes that version is soooo funny

[GirlCalledMike]

I think chenoweth put a more modern twist on it where as everyone else keeps it beautiful and classical. I think they all have their highs and lows

[Hausisse]

Ugh. Chenoweth is GOOD, okay, but she has this INCREDIBLY nasally voice which to me just doesn't suit an opera singer. I like her, though... and of course art is all subject to personal preference.

[sweetaztecangel69]

@kngiht84 she is really funny when she does Cunegonde IMO

[BroadwayKidNamedJosh]

Operetta, not OPERA. Obviously Renee doesn't know the difference.

[kngiht84]

"An operetta's cast will normally be classically-trained opera singers; indeed, there is essentially no difference between the scores for an opera and an operetta, except for the operetta's lightness" (Wikipedia on Operetta)

Oh and I haven't heard anyone complaining about Gruberova's Adele being too operatic at all!

[BroadwayKidNamedJosh]

That's from Wikipedia *laughs*

[kngiht84]

So what if it''s from Wikipedia, aren't all opinions subjective ?

[janab71]

great voice but too heavy..............dont like this version, sorry

[11777766]

Candide is not grand opera, requiring this range and volume. Barbara Cook's original Cunegonde, with a pure, lovely golden tone, will always be the best version of Benrstein's opera buffe,

[ximenadore]

I dont like this version, I preffer DESSAY

[bp1201]

YES!!!! I <3 Renee Fleming!!!! Everything she does makes me happy.

[SecretAvatarVoice]

I love Renee's voice because i guess i have bias toward lyric singers because i am a lyric singer.... i just love the power...and whoever is comparing kristen Chenoweth to her is terribly confused considering kristen is in Broadway....and renee has given her whole entire life to opera and does no unopera songs...like how kristen does Taylor the Latte Boy....renee wouldnt do that.

[burlytone]

You mean to tell me Renee would never record a jazz album, for example? ;)

[Besingers]

The ability to be versatile is a good thing. Don't knock that. Plus, Kristen was trained classically, and has opera training. It says a lot that she can bounce between genres. Kristen is not just broadway. Ive seen Renee perform many times, and she is brilliant. I dont know how you can knock Chenoweth though. They both have fruitful careers. Plus Candide is more of a Musical/Operetta, than a full on Opera.

[LittleLotte7793]

Renee has a thick, rich, marvelous tone that seems somewhat "covered" (i.e. domed), but the fault is her technique in mixing her voices to distinguish them. She handles thehigh notes very maturely, and it is incredibly beautiful. Damrau and Dessay own this aria though.

[CatalinaDM56]

Not bad. :)

[sugar4585]

Can I just say that no one does this like Kristin? K I'm done now....

[carrotjuse]

U can say that. Chenowith makes it joyful and fun. And you wonder how that voice can come out of that tiny body. She's the reigning queen of Broadway.

[nataliedessaylove]

i prefer natalie dessays performance. it's much prettyer and lighter and Renée Fleming can't pull off the little laugh at the end.

[KriBlackRoson]

she can do anything

[nataliedessaylove]

i don't like her voice that much it's too masculine, so i don't think she can do that, but you have your own opinion and i respect that

[KriBlackRoson]

masculine? are you kidding she can do some high notes that "normal girls" can't

hmm ok, I understand you don't think she can, be she can, I've seen her in person, her voice is sweet and just like she can do it rough she can do it soft, it's just not her style, but she can, I've seen her do it

[nataliedessaylove]

aw thats really nice you must be a big fan:) your so lucky to have met her.. i personaly don't enjoy her voice, but i don't think she's terrible. I wish i could meet Natalie Dessay in person, she is my faveorite:)

[KriBlackRoson]

yeah, I am, I almost faint and I'm strong, I never cry or break or anything, but she almost killed me <3<3 hahaha

yeah, I was so lucky *__*

yeah, hope you do someday, she's awesome too, I just can't avoid to love Renée More than anyone else

[nataliedessaylove]

aww that is really sweet:) i really hope i do someday(:

where are you from?

[KriBlackRoson]

from ecuador and you? =)

[nataliedessaylove]

wow thats very unusual:) ive never talked to someone from Ecuador:) thats pretty cool:) i'm from Ireland

[ezayi]

Im not Renee fan but what a stupid and ridiculous thing to say; "masculine".

[nataliedessaylove]

just like " laughingLady89" said people have their own opinion.. I PERSONALY think that Renee has a more masculine voice that a feminine. just my own opinion.. not yours.

[LaughingLady89]

I prefer Diana Damrau`s performance at the opening concert of the football world championship 2006!

Fleming is good, but Damrau`s performance there was just unbelievable!

[ezayi]

Im not a Renee´s fan but it is the other way around... Damrau is good but Renee´s voice just has the quality Damrau´s voice doesn´t.

[LaughingLady89]

hmmn...I guess opinions just depend individually on people's point of view. Have you seen Damrau sing Salieri or e.g. Queen of the night? can you truely say that her voice has no real quality? I think otherwise, but as I mentioned before: everybody has their own opinion!

[ezayi]

It is hardly a beautiful voice. Doesn´t have the warmth Renee´s voice does. She´s good... but a beautiful voice, I don´t think so.

On the other hand, I guess you were talking about this aria in particular, which she sings excellent. And yes, I have seeing them both and I like Renee´s voice much more, although I have to say that I loved her in Queen of the Night more than others.

[LaughingLady89]

As a matter of fact, I was not talking of that aria in particular, although it is one of her greatest parts. I love her singing Salieri, but we probably could debate about this subject forever. This is our different taste and nobody can really judge other people's likes, dislikes and preferences. You may think Damrau hasn't got a beautiful voice...I do. But that is so interesting about sharing comments, loads of different opinions come together :-)

[ezayi]

Here we go... different tastes and opinions and we will never give up in whatever we think. So... let´s just forget about it. It doesn´t worth it. :)

[asx5252]

think that for this sort of repertoire, the more coloratura roles, Damrau is beter suited. Having said that, Renee has an incredible LYRIC voice. It is not really fair to compare singers with entirely different voice characteristics. Renee's top notes in this Aria are not as strong as Damraus. There is no way to argue that it is just true.

[ezayi]

The point is she could sing it and very good. She sings coloratura like eating a banana and she had the notes. At the beginning she used to do lots of sings we dont hear anymore cause she´s singing another repertoir. The point is... Damrau doesnt have the quality Renee does... and Im not a Renee ´s fan.

[Baccalaureus79]

I like Chenoweth's naive and girlish, pink and hysterical interpretation better.

[AmericanEvita]

Me too...she doesn't care about sounding operatic or well-versed in "opera"...she just has fun and does a beautiful version...Renee Fleming always tried to do the whole diva thing and that's not always a good thing

[awaywithyou]

I feel like she sounds a little too old for this role, although she is fabulous. Kristen Chenoweth is the shit when she does this song.

[singerguy93]

@awaywithyou very much agreed.

[divalicious002]

Its an awkward piece anywho.... but *sigh* nothing we can do about it now lol. its great dont get me wrong but its like Laurie's song by Copland the words are horrendous to sing but the piece is nicely written...regardless, once again...she is FABULOUS!!!

[MagTrag89]

Her voice is terrific, but I feel it's too heavy for this song.

[elisarig]

I totally agree. She's got the most amazing voice and this is not the piece for her....however she still does a very nice job, better than most!

[divalicious002]

I would like to know WHAT you know about English diction in order to say that her diction has flaws....For God sake, this is Renee FLEMING!!!!! shes FLAWLESS!!!! Brava Renee!!!!!

[gvocalist07]

I love her sooooooo much, but this aria is not for her at all!

[DottoreJojo]

This is such vulgar music. Singing in English?

[Drelnis]

Bernstein wrote it in English. Handel wrote in English long before the rise of today's Italian staples. What's wrong with the English language to you?

[DottoreJojo]

The vowels! Obviously.

[gretchenamspinnrade]

That's such a corny comment that it's amusing :D

[McLovely13]

Bernstein, vulgar? do you know anything about music?

[gretchenamspinnrade]

This is absolutely phenomenal !!

Who would have thought that her heavy voice is this perfect for Broadway !

[lculwell]

I'm going to have to go with... are you insane?

[gretchenamspinnrade]

De gustibus non est disputandum.

[sergeiparajanov]

Remember always that singing is NOT just making uniformly pretty sounds -- which gets boring very fast. SInging is acting. It's COMMUNICATION, all rooted in the words of what you're singing.

I wish you every success with your singing! It's a privilege to be a singer. Those of us who can do it are very fortunate and should always be conscientious and grateful for our gift. :-)

[sergeiparajanov]

So many of the greatest singers use idiosyncratic techniques. Gigli -- as great a tenor as ever lived -- used to say he would never teach students to sing the way he did, since it would probably wreck their voices.

Was Callas's register uniform? No, and who cares! I'd rather listen to her sing than a hundred sopranos with uniform registers.

Learn everything you can from your teachers, but then be YOURSELF. Be unique. Be special.

[oprahnoodlemantra]

I know nothing about opera except that I like some of their voices. What does it mean to have a uniform register?

[sergeiparajanov]

Thanks, and I agree with most of what you write. Technique is very important, not singing too heavy roles when very young, etc.

But a dear friend of mine is a mezzo who never had a career, largely because her teacher made her sing so conservatively, she almost never got paid to sing.

I agree with you on Kraus -- fabulous technique -- but not on Callas, whom I would call the greatest opera singer who ever lived, tho her technique was unconventional.

[sergeiparajanov]

I'm a working tenor myself, both opera and musical theatre. We're not really disagreeing here, LadyArmide, just looking at singing from different directions.

Certainly any singer should take reasonable precautions not to wreck their voice, but being OVERLY cautious does lead to boring performances. Ticket-buyers don't care about technique: they want to be moved &thrilled by singers.

IMO a lot more singers wreck their CAREERS by being too cautious with their technique than wreck their voices.

[sergeiparajanov]

By analogy, think of an Olympic sprinter who refuses to do anything that might possibly pull a muscle or lead to an injury. This athlete will NEVER win a race and will have no career.

Singers whose voices are excessively fragile shouldn't be singing in the first place. The singers I admire -- Caruso, Gigli, Callas, etc. -- thrilled.

Then there's Te Kanawa, with her perfect, cautious technique. Her concert was one of the most boring nights I've ever spent in an opera house.

[sergeiparajanov]

If Fleming had a teacher like yours (I'm imagining from your posts what your teacher is like -- I bet she never had a serious career herself) she probably would have told her not to even try this song -- "Darling, it's not in your fach! It will wreck your voice!" Please.

This is not a piece I'd have thought Renee would do so well, but she's absolutely brilliant in it. Chenoweth performs it very differently -- more theatrically. But they're both great.

[sergeiparajanov]

Listening to a singer who's main concern is not "ruining" their voice is as interesting as watching a tennis player whose main concern is not pulling a muscle.

SInging is a physical business, like sports. When asked the secret of her operatic success, Birgit Nilsson replied: "I have strong things in my throat."

If you don't have strong things in your throat, you probably should be singing jazz or pop, not opera or musical theatre.

[LadyArmide]

Ok, you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. I don't agree with it but if it works to you, fine. I just want to clarify some points.

We probably are from completely different countries where singing is teaching differently. I don't imagine who your teacher is or was and your point of view about mine is not correct. By the way, he is a man, not a woman and enjoys a good career here in our country.

[LadyArmide]

he is a man, not a woman and enjoys a good career here in our country. Not that I think it counts to something, many great singers are not good teachers. He studied with Grace Bumbry for many years and is very open to all sort of repertoires, helping his students to create a strong technique that will help them in the future to have a great range of roles according the age and the fach of the person, always without the risk of ruining the voice.

[LadyArmide]

I'm not a fan of Kiri Te Kanawa as I'm not either of Mirella Freni or Teresa Berganza, who are some of my considered "boring" singers. I don't want to start a war with their fans, it's my personal taste. I'm not a fan of Callas too (no war too, please), I've never been able to find beauty in her voice, her register was not uniform and her low notes too heavy. On the other hand, I think she was a great actress but it didn't help her with the singing.

[LadyArmide]

I do like appreciate singers like Caballé, Sutherland, Fleming, Kraus or Pavarotti, between many others. I personally don't find them boring and they have or had technique.

Just to finish, my teacher would never have said that someone couldn't sing this aria. He would said that now it's not the correct time because of one's age or process of learning or even because it wouldn't help one's learning.

[LadyArmide]

Also keep in mind that Fleming here, at the time of the recording is a woman in her late 30's, almost 40, so her voice is totally mature, singing a aria like this (I don't think it is totally out of fach for her) with her secure technique won't harm her voice.

Apart from all of this, good luck to your tenor career.

[sergeiparajanov]

I would go so far as to say a lot of voice teachers didn't have good careers of their own because they sang too cautiously, boring audiences. So they ended up teaching instead of performing.

By passing on this overly-cautious approach to their students, they guarantee their students won't succeed as performers either. SInger should excite audiences and move their emotions -- you can't do that if you're singing like you're walking on eggshells. That's BORING.

[LadyArmide]

In my quality of singing student, I can't agree with.

Yes, it's easy to damage a voice, if you have a weak technique or no technique at all. Now we've come to the crucial point of the art of singing: technique.

[LadyArmide]

Without it, you can be the greatest interpreter of all times but you will not last very long. "Push the voice to its limits" as you have said doesn't bring emotion or interpretation, only brings tension and too much strength to your vocal cords, the most sensible part of your body required to make sound.

Boredom has nothing to do with technique, and it's what a teacher must teach to his student. If a singer is considered boring, it has to do with his personal taste or aesthetic.

[LadyArmide]

Yes, a singer must be extremely careful with his voice ("walking on eggshells"), but what he/she must not do is showing it to the public. If the technique is secure enough, the public won't notice what the singer is doing to create the sound and he/she can show all the emotion without ruining his/her voice.

In my opinion, I do prefer the type of singer who has a strong technique and a career of 35/40 years and can interpret the aria or the role without putting his/her voice at risk.

[sergeiparajanov]

I think a lot of teachers make their students sing too conservatively, for feart of "damaging" their voice. If your voice is that easily damaged, maybe you should pick another line of work.

Callas is so great in large part BECAUSE of the go-for-broke quality in her singing. Isn't twenty years of thrilling performances better than if she'd been more careful and given us 35 years of boring trilling?

USE your voice, folks. Push it to its limits. I love Fleming here. She's great.

[babydrane]

This was wonderful! I'm less surprised that she did this well - she's done similar stuff before and the coloratura is not taxing in this aria. Why do people think that to be believable u have to have a soubrette's voice? I'm glad she disproves this for many of u out there who believe that.

[rootedinfaith3]

From what my voice teacher tells me, it's not good for lyric sopranos, etc to sing coloratura stuff...look at Maria Callas, for example. She sung everything from coloratura to contralto and her voice lasted in a nice state for only twenty years... it's not good for the health of our voices to jump all over different ranges. Pick one, stick with it is sorta the idea I think.

[tenorlovesasoprano]

Your voice teacher is right. Singing repetoire that isn't suited to our voices can be detrimental. However, Ms. Fleming has one of the most impeccable vocal technique of any classical soprano alive and she's naturally endowed with a voice of IMMENSE flexibility. I think it's perfectly fine for Ms. Fleming to be singing pieces such as this. I mean, it's not like she's going to replace Ruth Ann Swenson in a role at the Met, but if she feels comfortable with this material, then more power to her.

[babydrane]

I agree too with your teacher but singing a coloratura role and singing one aria are two different things. Even lyrics are allowed one aria every now and then. I definitely don't see Fleming doing Bellini or Rossini well.

[emilydlover]

for another rendition -

by a 16 year-old. Please

see jessica (or jess) fishenfeld

not meant to compare -

just to enjoy -

[FireofSekhmet]

I dunno... she's very good, but I'm not sure if I like her singing this aria in particular. She has a very heavy voice, and "Glitter and be Gay" was rather meant to be sung by a light, young-sounding voice.

[actingforever97]

search kboner and click on glitter and be gay if you want a young singer. She is only 16 in the video im telling you to watch. Please leave a good comment :)

[maryjivinjane]

Haha what the heck!! I'm not going to lie, the first thing I did was skip to the end and see if she nailed the big finish. xD I'm surprised! She sounds really good, especially for a voice of that size / timbre.

[mbsbrfalw15]

She does, she has hit a high g before! :D

[killerbunny123123]

i think dessay is far better.....(at least was when her voice was younger) cause this renèe lady cant reach no high notes! she ain't the half of what dessay is (is was who cares)

[juggling88]

I love Renee! Her voice is so MEANINGFUL!!! every sound is not just for the sound. it is amazing!

My idol!

Thanks for sharing Your talent!

[BenMcCormack91]

Acting-wise, I love Chenoweth's performance. But my favorite still has to be Dawn Upshaw's.

But both Upshaw and Fleming have one major thing in common: They can hit those high notes and make it sound easy.

[organist08]

I adore this! It's a gem of an aria that Renee does wonderfully! I love her in this aria! It's fabulous!

[Pywacket2]

Now you know why Renee Fleming is a super star. There's no end to what she can do with that glorious instrument. She may be from Rochester, but her diction and rendering here was mid-Atlantic. What a diva!

[SsteinwayS]

If English is her mother tongue, why is it so hard for me to follow what she's saying when she sings? Isn't it a little perplexing to have bad diction when singing her own mother tongue?

[garconfrancais01]

wow...i did not no fleming ever did this...pretty good

[jlee800]

Pretty good coloratura. I didn't know she could sing these roles.

[jetsetjordan]

She does Manon and Lucrezia Borgia. This is nothing for her.

[1soprano20]

I like Chenoweth's runs better, but Renee does very well on the high E. Although they are so different vocally that it's hard to compare them.

[agnellodei]

Chenoweth's voice is SOOOOOOOOO shrill on then high notes though. 4 octaves my ass, she sounds strained even on the E6.

[Satirike]

Hell, Chenoweth's speaking voice sounds shrill to me. And her singing voice, O mon dieu xD

[sopranokate]

well, she was doing Wicked for a long time.. lol

[skitzo429]

not in this role, no. broadway sopranos tend to be of a lighter timbre, particularly in this role, which isnt particularly idiomatic of broadway type writing at all (being much more operatic despite the fact that it was on broadway at one time. what i meant was, a dramatic powerful operatic voice, like flemming, or damrau, or june anderson, are not idiomatic of broadway sopranos.

[mrportobello]

I don't really think that this was written exclusively for "Broadway Sopranos." Barbara Cook is a legend in her on right, and Lenny Bernstein engaged June Anderson to sing this under his own direction. Why would the composer of the work choose an inappropriate voice for his performances? This is an aria, and a tough one at that!

[chippycat1]

great song. want to see it the way it should be done by a young girl who is more believable in the role? look on you tube kboner glitter and be gay. she's a delightful treat

[gayo72]

I'm not a fan of Renee. This was horrible, this is defintly not here roll. She must sing at Broadway. And retire from opera

[skitzo429]

her voice is completely unfitting for broadway, its dramatic and powerful.

[miuzefreak]

ooohh but have you seen the clip : Glitter and be Gay" ~~ Natalie Dessay (from Norina19892) ?

[leporello89]

Horrible!! Damrau is the best singing this aria...

[skitzo429]

while damrau has a powerful voice and good technique, shes actually not a particularly fitting voice for this role, Cunagonde is supposed to be a young woman, Damrau is a big powerful dramatic soprano.

[leporello89]

You said that Cunagnode is supposed to be a young woman, and you prefer Fleming singing that aria????? .............

PD; Damrau isn't dramatic soprano

[silvr94]

i think skitzo429 meant a dramatic coloratura soprano

[DessayBestSinger]

Cunagnode? xDD

[leporello89]

Si, Cunagnode, se me fueron los dedos, pasa algo ¬¬ XDDDDDDDDD ya se q es Cunegonde...pero bueno, ya hablaremos (si coincidimos claro XDDDD)

[DessayBestSinger]

si que por ahora solo hablo con geo y me gustaria hablar con mas personas ^^

[mrportobello]

Hon, Diana Damrau is not a Dramatic Soprano! She sings Gilda and Lucia and the Queen of the Night!

[skitzo429]

June Anderson and Joan Sutherland are considered dramatic sopranoas, and they all sang those roles as well, a soprano being 'dramatic' is an appellation designated by virtue of timbre, not how high their upper range extends, or doesnt extend. Diana when singing una voce poco fa, for example, sings the orriginal low G's (G#s actually, i believe), this lower extension, alog with timbre, is something that typifies dramatic sopranos, you dont hear light lyrics like jo or dessay or sills doing that.

[mrportobello]

June Anderson is not a dramatic soprano. Joan Sutherland was considered a dramatic coloratura (by some), but she had a voice that could basically do anything. She was not a Lady Macbeth. Look up the dramatic soprano repertoire and the women who sing it (Debbie Voigt, Jane Eaglen, Violeta Urmana etc.). The term "dramatic" is applied to certain roles and voices. Gioconda is a classic dramatic soprano role (you let me know when Anderson or Sutherland sang that!). :-)

[agnellodei]

She has called herself a lyric coloratura soprano. Can you imagine her singing Abigaille? or Norma?

[Klassizismus]

Damrau AND Natalie Dessay are the best in this aria :P Renée is definitely a great singer! Give her the right roles and she's magnificent! Best wishes.

[leporello89]

Yes, Damrau and Dessay are the best...I don't like so much Renée Fleming, but she is a good soprano :-P

[subchefetenores]

This a good performance, but you guys have to watch a Portuguese Soprano called Ana Paula Russo. That´s the BEST EVER. Just Look and then talk to me. Ana Paula Russo is her name and. She Rocks.

[LadyArmide]

A Ana Paula Russo cantou o Glitter and Be Gay?

[ivyshoots]

I agree! Ana does the coloratura "laugh" better than anyone.

[CHerbek]

Perfection!

[JuillHope17]

hahaha, the speaking section in the middle was hilarious.

[iAMturandot]

hahaha i agree, i couldnt help laughing!

[classicalgal14]

Perfect Voice:)

[espanalmp]

I love Reneé Flemming. I'd love to see her in this role and redeem it from Chenoweth's horrid interpretation.

[happyactor6]

I adore Renee Fleming with every ounce of my being. I must, however, say that you're being a bit unfair. I think Chenoweth has a wonderful rendition of this song.

[AnonimuzZ]

Vocally, Chenoweth is far behind. But she's very fun to watch =) I like her performance too.

[ChenoWicked00]

i believe they both a different quality...i absolutely love chenoweth my girlfriend loves renee. one is more musical theater one character actress the other is more operatic....totally different interperatations..both extremely done well. and chenoweth has a master is vocal performace opera and musical theater.

[AnonimuzZ]

I know about her degree in that area. Still, I think she should really focus just on Broadway, it suits her best.

[sergeiparajanov]

Anonimuzz writes: "I know about her degree in that area. Still, I think she should really focus just on Broadway, it suits her best."

Dear, what do you think CANDIDE is???? It's a BROADWAY MUSICAL. If any singer's venturing off her turf here, it's Fleming.

But versions are great, but remember Kristin's is LIVE, sung as she's bouncing all over the stage. Not fair to compare it note for note with a studio version.

[stevereno31]

I don't think "Candide" IS a Broadway musical. It is an operetta, which has been produced on Broadway and in opera houses. Operettas generally are considered to be light operas that incorporate acting--musicals are more like plays with the incorporation of singing. It's obviously a sort of gray area, but the more "operatic" productions are probably closer to the original intent of Bernstein. Comparing Chenoweth to Fleming might be a little off altogether, as the productions are so different.

[me254065]

So what Is Sweeney Todd? It has just as much merit to be called an Operetta as Candide? It too has been produced in Opera Houses. Any thoughts?

[stevereno31]

I would say that although it is closer to just seeming like a musical, it has a lot of operetta qualities. I believe Sondheim intended it to be a sort of dark operetta, if that helps any. It's just a question of if it is a drama with music (a musical), or more of a light opera with some spoken dialogue (an operetta). That's one of the cool things about well-written musicals and operettas, is that they can be performed really well and fit into either category. That's my opinion, at least.

[stevereno31]

Check out Kurt Weill's "Street Scene" for another example of operetta.

[sweetaztecangel69]

@stevereno31 I personally find it weird that this is produced on Broadway.....if this one why not other operettas?

[fabulous500]

Fabulous!!