Leontyne Price - Pace, pace - Forza del Destino

[nw4smthgcmpltlydiff]

Can't be beat. Leontyne is one of a kind, and of her generation there is nobody that can hold a candle to her. I'm so thankful that we have such a talented crop of Verdi singers today (ie, Sondra Radvanovsky) that can continue to make such wonderful music.

[JeeRant]

Jesus, she held that last note forever!

[OperaLovingGay2]

How could anyone not like this. She was one to the greatest Verdi singer ever. A voice with a rich color and such a beautiful shimer.

[OperaLovingGay2]

@OperaLovingGay2

shimmer

[fontenayperi]

what i love about leontyne's pace pace , is that she always sustains the last note which gives a tremendous dramatic effect

[Chasson0318]

Notice the whip of her arm on the last beat of the aria!

[23steely]

Perfection!!!



[dubonetducon]

Whooooooaaaaa!!!!!!

[jenson7720]

Ive just burst into tears ...the thunderous applause at the end says it all...!!!

[Vanchy58]

Admirable! Pocas sopranos han interpretado esta aria verdiana tan perfecta como lo ha hecho Madame Price. Brava maestra! Sublime y etereo canto.

[2000kelkel]

l'essence même de la diva c'est d'une beauté époustouflante la PRICE grande parmi les grandes

[arethafan2006]

i have a question. I am new to listening to opera so this may sound stupid to some. Did she have a microphone or was her voice really standing up to that music at the end?

[spenzur]

@arethafan2006 No microphones in the opera world ;)

[arethafan2006]

@spenzur that is amazing

[Chasson0318]

@arethafan2006 the Metropolitan Opera house has one of the best acoustics in the world, aside from Carnegie Hall. The only mics that would have been used were those that caught the performance on tape for the orchestra and the vocal performance, as well as television. What you're hearing is the audio playback of that performance. Hope this answers your question.

[breakaliciouskid786]

@arethafan2006 Nope.. It's all her.. she has an amazing voice.. it cuts through a full Orchestra..

If you're new to the opera would Message Me I can give you a whole list of amazing singers :)

[higharch]

It's absolutely perfect. Perfect. 

[sonicabstraction]

Stroking the sky with the lion power... Thank you.

[soundfond]

Indeed, this wonderful artist knows how to SING. And she's never pushed. She's NEVER screamed. EVER. The moment she felt she started to push, when she took up Fanciulla's Minnie once, she quit it and took a break. She later stated that role had made her voice loose some of its focus, so she took some time off to recover. And man did she reclaim that focus! On here the final high B-flat just spins on air, cutting through the overblown brass and the thumping of the timpani, highly focused. BRAVA!

[windstorm1000]

A power house performance. Love her blue sparkly gown.

[Liwah]

I've watched many, many, many videos on here and it seems to me that the Met audience loved Price like they have loved no other singer!!!

(The only singer I've seen getting comparable applause (based on Youtube vids) was Birgit Nilsson when she closed the 1972 Bing Gala.)

[larespo1]

Tone, color, intelligence, hard work and consistency. The brilliance that is Leontyne Price. Unmatched and compelling. A spellbinding artist. The lady knew HOW to sing -- and that's what sustained her career. It is a shame that she retired from the opera stage when she did. She is a profound teacher. We must sing, no matter what we play -- and this, sadly, is what I feel is lacking in the new millennium with the supposed great artists who just give us the notes without the phrasing, etc.

[TheaterMarine88]

She's my favorite version of this song. I love the ending.

[mantoniom415]

Get's me, every single time!

[Tenorbravo]

mISS PRICE...you did it again. What a FANTASTIC INTERPRETARION. LOVE IT. THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT.

[smcdon817]

Good lord, what an ending. She is a legend and one of a kind.

[TreblesBasses]

Maledizione!

[larespo1]

Even with my inadequate computer speakers, the glorious voice of Ms. Leontyne Price rings right through. She is such an artist -- the highest caliber. She did her homework and it shows. Every dynamic correct, all tones placed perfectly. She knew the voice and gave us so much. I cannot think of anyone else who has done so much with his/her talents. A human being who will be appreciated as long as there is a medium that can transfer her.

[harpguy18]

Sometimes i cant tell that her high notes are loud or not

[Liwah]

I've noticed an interesting phenomenon with Leontyne Price's forte notes. They're not loud in the classical sense (e.g. Tebaldi) but they're 'wide' (if that makes sense) and penetrating due to her AMAZING squillo.

[Chasson0318]

True, but one would have to hear the difference between her high notes in the 60s to compare them to the 80s. I think she consciously created her sound as time went on, to maintain a certain color until abandon was necessary (e.g. spin, spin, spin, flip at the end of long high notes). It became a signature that fans yearned for.

[Iareto]

Unreal. The pianissimo high b-flat made me want to quit singing. And I'm a BARITONE. No one sings like this and only she ever has. Such a special gift.

[JWhittlesey]

Nobody can stir up a crowd on this aria like Leontyne!

[floriansempeybaryton]

juste parfaite

[yodavidnavarro]

Unsurpassed command of vocal abilities. Her singing is just in a class of her own!

[rjw0886]

Jimmy is just stunned at the end! AMAZING

[FoggyRoad81]

He conducted the HELL out of the orchestra. The thrill you get when hearing the final high B flat is one of those moments that can only be achieved by two masters working together at their highest level. Price gives her EVERYTHING to match the orchestra and he has them going at just the right tilt and volume to send chills down your spine and allow her to be heard. The audience reaction says it all. Phew I'm still tingly

[JohnnyMarsden]

Good Lord, she knocks this one out of the park.

[higharch]

There is nobody like her, never has been, never will be. Thank God for her. She makes me feel better about the ability of the human spirit to just soar.

[chrisjulia3]

So I was watching this while eating and noticed at 3:17 that I'd had my fork poised at my mouth the whole time and salad dressing was dripping on my keyboard....awesome!

[JohnnyMarsden]

Indeed. I felt not only my eyes but my entire face liquefying.

[castodivo]

Girlfriend slays.

[55patri]

Extraordinaria, la mejor en esta ópera para mi gusto

[UrsulanChild]

Let's see...there about 4 or so versions of her singing this aria on Youtube. Which one is your favorite? It's hard to tell...they're all amazing! This one is the one with the most attitude, the one with Mehta has an element of "y'all ain't seen nuthin' yet"...the younger version shows her under the greatest pressure to make it happen on demand for live TV, and wow, does she deliver! I'm just so happy I can enjoy them all right here on Youtube! Thanks for posting!

[FoggyRoad81]

I'm so happy I'm not the only one who's watched all 4 versions and no exactly what you're referencing. But don't forget the two versions done in recitals in 1994 and 1995. There we get the lesson in sustained, unchanging technique over time. The intelligence of an experienced singer and a lesson for every younger singer that it's possible to sing this rep without burning out your voice.

[UrsulanChild]

You are absolutely right! Just watched the 1995 version and am still marveling at how consistent her vibrato is...a testament to good breathing technique. The sustained B-flat in the "Invan la pace" phrase was a shocker, too!!! Mother just went for it, fearlessly. Truth be known-- it is possible to sing this rep without burning out.

[Liwah]

As blown away as I am by all of her versions of Pace, I have a CLEAR favourite; the 1982 Canadian one performed in concert.

Go and watch it now.

O.

M.

G.

[TreblesBasses]

MALEDIZIONE!

[UrsulanChild]

Did you see Mother cut the orchestra off with the arm drape??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! YES!!!!!! This woman is (still is) fierce!!!! I wish that we had more thrilling moments like this in today's opera world. AW, WOW!!!! Who is singing "Pace" like this today?

[tenor220]

ahahaha fierce. it's true though, she's so fierce(that's such a fun word)

[peteobh]

Oh wow...

[gracefield12]

Price is a true goddess. There is no one like her today. I saw her in concert a number of times and she was unforgettable. In Boston Symphony Hall she received a standing ovation before she sang!! A truly magnificent voice.

[ncrunch]

Please upload more Leontyne videos. Where was this clip from?

[Chasson0318]

Whoa! Notice how she stays in character until the last beat and then whips that arm drape!!

[TrebleB4Mi]

as always... blown away...

[jomoses07]

i like how you still hear her amazingness on the high b eventhough the orch. is plowing behind her!!

[blackaristo]

Incredible!

[jplaura02]

La Price is Divine, as always. As for clarapellintensky's comments, they obviously come from someone with more worldwide fame and adulation than Ms. Price ever had. HA! HA!

[newro1]

LEONTYNE PRICE = BEST LEONORA EVER.

[Toscarpia]

Those comments of yours... Where on earth are we ?

[Dtenor87]

Good Lord THANK you for Ms. Price

[blackaristo]

AMEN!

[figact2]

I saw the original broadcast. The piece she sang just before this was the Aida duet with Horne. It pretty much sucked. She came back and redeemed herself with this one. You can see it in the look on her face after she finishes holding that final note (which lasts, like, forever).

[yodavidnavarro]

It's like tasting a piece of heaven!

[emilytransex]

io non so se anke x voi e la stessa cosa ma quando sento la price ho i brividi dappertutto e mi scendono le lacrime a fiumi...vera voce verdiana grande interpretazione io amo questa grande artista! una vera leonessa della lirica!

[cenodus]

AAAH !

If Verdi could hear this... SUBLIME!

[fiercejarret]

WOW....What greatness!! Is this the concert with Marilyn Horne? If so, I was always told that it was one of the best times she's ever sung it. Truly Amazing!!!

[Liwah]

Nope, this is not the concert with Horne.

The BEST time she has EVER sung it is clearly this one: /watch?v=7dLt-sR2qRA&feature=r­elated

[coloraturafan2]

Actually this is the concert with Horne, 1982 PBS.

[couturesixfour]

@coloraturafan2 it is because she has on the same dress!

[liedersanger1]

Yes, this IS from the concert with Horne. You can tell by comparing the dress with other excerpts from that occasion. Besides,it's on the recording. Besides, I saw it.

[Liwah]

@liedersanger1 @coloraturafan2 Ah, yes, I guess you're right!

p.s. Latest response ever. Sorry! :P

[liedersanger1]

@Liwah All you have to do is compare the dress, and the conductor, with the Mira, O Norma, also on YouTube, to know this wsa the concert with Horne.

[courtneybaritone01]

THAT APPLAUSE IS AMAZING!

[Chasson0318]

That applause is definitive homerun! lol

[Tenor7]

Bella Voce! Gloriously pure tone, spectacular resonance, silky-velvet legato, flawless technique, masterful and majestic decorum, infinite control, and poignant drama; that is to say, a splendid performance. Brava Grand Diva! Precisely Price... Perfectly Priceless!

[UrsulanChild]

Y'all...this is so-o-o-o-o-o-o amazing! Mother Price brought it like no one else has, or ever will. Wow...I remember listening to this performance on CD 10+ years ago, and I was thrilled then. I'm doubly thrilled now. Thanks so much for posting!

[benderpm]

Lovely, great, the Best!

[yes4albert]

Pure Price...extraordinary and stunning, lush, shimmering and gorgeous, complete commitment to serving up the very best of the very best. A soprano for all time. Diva.

[metropolitan1966]

Coloraturafan2 Thanks for posting this. It is fantastic. I'm sad, because I can never enjoy anyone but Price in this piece. She is as pleasurable to watch singing it as she is to be heard singing it. Brava! Indeed! No one has performed this better. No lunging into top notes, no ill-pitched phrases/notes, and no screaming and squalling, instead pure purple velvet.

[metropolitan1966]

Really? Coming from a asshole who is obviously deaf and dumb, your comments strike one as being unbelievably stupid. The response of the 4,000 members of the audience proves your systemic stupidity is to be ignored. You are certainly entitled to placard your ignorance all over YouTube, but to paraphrase Shaw, "who are you against so many?"

[metropolitan1966]

Despair? Ha, ha,ha!! Bitch, get a life. You are probably some ugly woman/dyke/drag queen, vampire lesbian/hooker with a mustache, no boobs: a failed wanna be singer, without a life or love. I am never happier than I am when denouncing a vulgar ill-bred troll such as yourself.

[Iareto]

This woman is the best Verdian soprano of the last 60 years. The only one who comes even close to her at this stuff is Millo. Do you sing Verdi? I don't think you could say she didn't know what she was doing if you really knew what Verdi is about.

[htshoward]

I wouldn't want someone praying for me who has your attitude and uses the kind of language you do in a public forum, one where there is no required age limit. Geez.

[blackaristo]

AMEN!!

[blackaristo]

God Bless you and well said!

[yodavidnavarro]

Maybe you know more about opera than Placido Domingo! Cngratulations for the worst posted comment ever! LOL...

[tenor220]

you're trying to tell us that one of the most celebrated and awarded sopranos of all time was a bad singer? when the entirely of the classical music world has praised her technical prowess and ability?

you said that the other person knows nothing about singing and yet you made this comment. you must be a smart one indeed.

imbecile, you disgust me

[vicdomi]

Wonderful. Wath voice, wath voice pure belvet and diamons

[hassia1]

jerodo4330, have you not yet realised, this is a place for Price fans, you will not change the opinions of those who like, love her.why not find a singer you like so that you can express your happiness.

[TreblesBasses]

THIS IS MS.PRICE'S ARIA!

[iTubeVlc]

Fabulosa. Unica. Grande voce (l'ho sentita tante volte e la voce era grandissima si signore). La verdiana perfetta e non si parla più.

E fatto!

[Onegin65]

Excellent! Brava Price, the best verdian sopran ever

[FoggyRoad81]

Can anyone distinguish her sound from 3:50-to 5:39 from the way she sang at the very beginning of her career? The length of her "prime" it's stunning.

[BeauTenor]

oh SUCH drama with the sweep of her gown. How FABULOUS is that? Oh and the singing is superb as usual.

[Onegin65]

pedoni5 te hemos descubierto

[liedersanger1]

More nonsense. The Price voice isn't small at all. The orchestra is a bit too loud at the end, so the final B-flat can't be heard well... but it's there, secure and bright. (Others CAN be heard and you wish they couldn't.) And the soft B-flat is one of the most beautiful notes ever sung. As for her facial expressions, they're vivid and personal. When she widens her eyes, it's a sign of strength and fearlessness: a trademark of her singing, and her life.

[jerodo4330]

Not nonsense at all, it is a fact, Price voice was small, she was a little soprano.Price had NO fff riging forte high notes, she had NO power.I saw her in the theater in 1969 and you will not say to me anything new

[jerodo4330]

Correction: ringing forte (fff ) Price had NO ringing forte high notes, and if she attemped a high note in forte she screeched.The soft note , as you call it, the real name is pianissimo, Price had no piannisimi, she sang little tight notes that is not the same

[liedersanger1]

Of course it's a pianissimo. And she had both the pianissimo and the forte. I heard her in the house many, many times. She was not Nilsson, but then Nilsson wasn't her.

[jerodo4330]

Price has NO fortissimo acuto, she has NO power and her voice was small and TINY on top.Case closed.

To sing a little tight note is NOT the same to sing a true pianissimo.Price did the first.Case closed

[direfranchement]

Oh, so you, the Price hater who has appeared under so many usernames, have come to disgrace another of her fine performances with your disparaging comments. Go get a real job. You're trite.

[sentheru]

Well said, Direfrachement!

Jerodo4330, just be quiet. Everytime you write something, you sound dumb, dumber and dumbest. Please go away.

[4lebenbaum]

If you dislike Price so much, why don't you go haunt another singer somewhere. Your comments are not welcome here.

[ejtka]

Never a truer word spoken, 4lebenbaum.

[RVP57]

You're about as full of shit as a Christmas turkey. Go somewhere and evolve, you ass.

[courtneybaritone01]

Haha you MUST be from the South! I say that all the time. Hahaha ROFL!

[carusoclarinet]

the thunderous applause gives me goose bumps every time!!! i love her so much!!!!!!