This would be a lot better if the style was more accurate. This is an opera aria, not a musical. Plus, his vibrato is nearing oscillation, which means that he has little breath support and control.
A voice teacher cannot teach you how to make your voice "exciting" -- which is what Mr. Esparza's instrument has. Just like Garland -- his sound has energy and life. And that, dear readers, is what star quality is all about.
I disagree in these allegations of Esparza being a "self-trained musical star."
There is a video of him singing "Being Alive" (from Sondheim's "Company") at the Tony's, and he hits a G# on the E vowel perfectly, and the vibrato is the same as always.
Just because he hasn't perfected it doesn't mean he is forcing is. He is a gifted singer.
I don't know what you guys mean by "forcing" the vibrato. Vibrato occurs when the larynx is relaxed. If you force it, it doesn't happen. Some people have a more pronounced vibrato than others. His is just especially strong.
I love Raul Esparza very much, crazy vibrato and all. He's an amazing actor and he can sing really well. But I don't think this song is right for him. Luckily this is not a staged performance, but rather a show at Seth Rudetsky's Broadway Chatterbox, so I can forgive him for that. This video is awesome!
excellent. i've only heard lotte lenya sing it. imagine if he didn't have to read off the sheet music and had a nice 20 piece orchestra with him. i'd be into it!
I don't at all get why people are complaining. Sure his vibrato might not be your cup of tea, but personally I find his control on those high notes at the end to be quite impressive.
Not to mention that singers' vibratos differ greatly. It all depends on a singers' training, and also differs a lot from song to song, genre to genre.
And yes, aren't those high notes just gorgeous? Something I'll never be able to do, that's for darn sure.
Exactly. I heard someone once perform it as a full-on Jazz number with a jazz band and it ticked me off...this is one of my favorite songs...you got it right...a jazzy opera aria.
You're completely right! Why didn't I think of that?! My perception of his terribly forced vibratto is only an extension of my deeply-rooted jealousy of his career!
Too bad this is a public forum- where all opinions are valid, even intelligent ones. Maybe you're angry because you can't hear why so many people don't find him amazing.
(you don't have to read the comments to watch a video, if it upsets you so much)
I agree with you. Typically, Raul is good. He's not amazing, but I've heard him sing Being Alive and was very moved by his performance. This, however, did not really impress me. Not so much. That B Flat at the end was good, but you're right. He's forcing everything to vibrate, and at his age, it should already be doing that by itself. I guess that's the problem with those self-trained Musical stars. Lotta sound, not enough technique. =/ Good song though. Impactful lyrics. Interesting setting. ^^
Jan Sullivan's vocal style terminology also refers to both vowel modifications and what's happening with the vocal cords.
When he starts out, he sings in voce finta (breathy classical), moves into pop-legit which sounds nice for a while, and then his singing devolves very sadly into what the ridicule is about.
He should hold back since he doesn't have the chops for this song either as a male belter or a classical tenor... or just skip the song.
meh its not bad, sounds like he's using quite a bit of throat on some of the high notes, definately apparent on the Bb cause you can hear the glotal right after he's done....now i'm not saying a Bb is easy mind you ^^
I love Raúl as a performer, I do, but I can't bear him singing this song. It takes out of control vibrato to a whole new level. I fast-forward anytime I watch the Chatterbox DVD.
watch his abdominal region and lower torso prior to his "belting" of the B flat....you clearly see his incoming breath and he sustains it because of that breath....his neck is not lifted at all hes completely relaxed and nails the note....i doubt you can ever hit that note like he can so why criticize something especially when he's singing pretty damn correctly...
dude are you kidding me.....noones head voice is stronger then legit....definitely not his head voice....men don't quote belt though they just have power because technically all of male singing would constitute belting....hes singing legit and hes singing it well
Not all male singing is belting. If you dont know anything about the male voice don't say anything. He is lifting his soft pallette you can hear the space he created for the Bb. Thus he is mixing his headvoice and chestvoice or some people just call it legit singing. He is NOT belting. Belting creates no space whatesoever, it is shutting off the soft pallette and let the air come from behind the nose(so its not nasal) and creating a powerful chesty resonance.
Clearly you don't know jack about belting. I agree with the other things you said, but belting (good, correct belting) requires tons of space and air. Read Jan Sullivan's book about the "Pop/Belt Voice," she was basically the first lady to ever pinpoint an actual technique to it. Belt has very modified vowels, lots of space, and more forward placement than classical, and sometimes a slower vibrato. Chest is not belt.
Let's see what his voice sounds like in 10 years. Hitting the notes and singing them properly (so as to sustain the health of your voice) are two different things. I guess we all make choices. He's making a bad one.
Raúl does not consider himself a singer. He's never had any lessons or training - what you hear is just his natural voice. It's far from perfect, even now. I've a feeling his voice won't sound too much different in 10 years. He's an instinctive singer, and so far his instincts have been pretty darn good. And if he somehow does ruin it to the point he can't do musicals, he'll probably just shrug and stick to straight acting. That has always been his stated preference, anyway.
That's what he claims. And listening to the way he sings, I believe it. His technique is...well, let's not go there. He doesn't treat his voice like an instrument, he uses it as simply another facet of his acting ability. He's acting with his singing voice, in the same way he acts with his speaking voice, and with his hands, his face, his eyes, his entire body.
He sings like an actor, not a singer. It is not a particularly pretty voice, by any stretch, although he has the ability to make pretty sounds. But he also has the ability to make harsh, horrible sounds when the text and the music require it, and being an actor first, that is what is most important to him.
I do believe, though, that in spite of never having studied singing, he has picked up a lot of pointers from professional singers he's worked with over the years. Especially recently, when he was in Company. His technique improved dramatically over the course of the run. I think Raúl the singer will be with us for quite some time to come.
D*mn, Raúl! He is just...not to be believed! He sang that absolutely cold - no warm-up, no rehearsal, and it had been so long since he'd last sung it he had to read the music over Seth's shoulder. And it's freakin' Kurt Weill! No one should be able to DO that!
I love the flabbergasted look on his face when he finished. He even surprised himself!
Lovely! Felt every word.
begonyaplaza 2 months ago
Love the song, great job :) I think the song has a much eerier effect when sung at mezzo-piano max, though. Maybe that's just me though.
biestigcreature 3 months ago
Be still my beating heart.
mashellshock 4 months ago
I enjoyed it... wasn't expecting to, but that happens from time to time. Different, and lovely.
urgrad03 9 months ago
This would be a lot better if the style was more accurate. This is an opera aria, not a musical. Plus, his vibrato is nearing oscillation, which means that he has little breath support and control.
tkdman589 1 year ago
A voice teacher cannot teach you how to make your voice "exciting" -- which is what Mr. Esparza's instrument has. Just like Garland -- his sound has energy and life. And that, dear readers, is what star quality is all about.
CEMILIOB 1 year ago
Esparza is singing, and his natural vibrato come out as a result. Plain and simple.
Listen to his speaking voice, and it's quite unique. (and suggestive of a very expressive, nasally-placed, vibrato-ful voice)
me148 1 year ago
That Bb is crazy. I'm sorta in love with this guy. Why can't people just respect his voice for what it is?
happyactor6 1 year ago 2
I disagree in these allegations of Esparza being a "self-trained musical star."
There is a video of him singing "Being Alive" (from Sondheim's "Company") at the Tony's, and he hits a G# on the E vowel perfectly, and the vibrato is the same as always.
Just because he hasn't perfected it doesn't mean he is forcing is. He is a gifted singer.
thetubkins 2 years ago 4
I don't know what you guys mean by "forcing" the vibrato. Vibrato occurs when the larynx is relaxed. If you force it, it doesn't happen. Some people have a more pronounced vibrato than others. His is just especially strong.
rhomboidvideos 2 years ago
it's from street scene. my brother preformed this role. amazing show. it's considered an opera
Adroq7 2 years ago
if anyone can help i need to know the musical its from ty berry much
aussieome 2 years ago
I love Raul Esparza very much, crazy vibrato and all. He's an amazing actor and he can sing really well. But I don't think this song is right for him. Luckily this is not a staged performance, but rather a show at Seth Rudetsky's Broadway Chatterbox, so I can forgive him for that. This video is awesome!
mharden13 2 years ago
excellent. i've only heard lotte lenya sing it. imagine if he didn't have to read off the sheet music and had a nice 20 piece orchestra with him. i'd be into it!
rbocanegra62 3 years ago
fierce
ryguy007 3 years ago
citrusbust
you're right. It's a wonderful mix on the B flat. It's some of the other notes around F and G that have some weird vowels and some pushing.
sharkbat 3 years ago
I don't at all get why people are complaining. Sure his vibrato might not be your cup of tea, but personally I find his control on those high notes at the end to be quite impressive.
DavidStephens88 3 years ago 6
@DavidStephens88
Not to mention that singers' vibratos differ greatly. It all depends on a singers' training, and also differs a lot from song to song, genre to genre.
And yes, aren't those high notes just gorgeous? Something I'll never be able to do, that's for darn sure.
pinbampl 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This mans vibrato is TERRIBLE!!!!!! My GOD!!!!!
Nikkieli 3 years ago
people should really understand they should not treat this like pop or jazz...it jazz influenced classical music
chopin8826 3 years ago
agreed!! why are there no videos of classical singers doing this??
regspektlove 3 years ago
Exactly. I heard someone once perform it as a full-on Jazz number with a jazz band and it ticked me off...this is one of my favorite songs...you got it right...a jazzy opera aria.
mharden13 2 years ago
Awesome
alimomen 3 years ago
I think all the comments on here are simple jealously. He's doing it, you're not. His career is great, yours is not.
It's all a matter of taste where singing is concerned, so all the technical babble you are all coming out with is worthless.
Sondheimsbitch 3 years ago
You're completely right! Why didn't I think of that?! My perception of his terribly forced vibratto is only an extension of my deeply-rooted jealousy of his career!
Too bad this is a public forum- where all opinions are valid, even intelligent ones. Maybe you're angry because you can't hear why so many people don't find him amazing.
(you don't have to read the comments to watch a video, if it upsets you so much)
jakethewoz 3 years ago
I agree with you. Typically, Raul is good. He's not amazing, but I've heard him sing Being Alive and was very moved by his performance. This, however, did not really impress me. Not so much. That B Flat at the end was good, but you're right. He's forcing everything to vibrate, and at his age, it should already be doing that by itself. I guess that's the problem with those self-trained Musical stars. Lotta sound, not enough technique. =/ Good song though. Impactful lyrics. Interesting setting. ^^
JadebuddhatheRPer 3 years ago
He actually uses a variety of vocal qualities.
Jan Sullivan's vocal style terminology also refers to both vowel modifications and what's happening with the vocal cords.
When he starts out, he sings in voce finta (breathy classical), moves into pop-legit which sounds nice for a while, and then his singing devolves very sadly into what the ridicule is about.
He should hold back since he doesn't have the chops for this song either as a male belter or a classical tenor... or just skip the song.
gibsterific 3 years ago
does seth's broadway chatterbox still exist?
does anyone have their website or any info on them?
actressgrl 3 years ago
Good God, can't you people just enjoy a lovely off-the-cuff performance without overanalyzing it to death???
psfirst 3 years ago 2
I love this song, but it really really does take the term "Wobble" in vibrato to a new level. Out of control vibrato and throaty high notes.
merlin46550 3 years ago
Questioin. Are you yall commenters on Broadway? With what ever he is doing to hit his notes has gotten him places and far!
KatKatarax121 4 years ago
meh its not bad, sounds like he's using quite a bit of throat on some of the high notes, definately apparent on the Bb cause you can hear the glotal right after he's done....now i'm not saying a Bb is easy mind you ^^
Seabizzle19 4 years ago
I love Raúl as a performer, I do, but I can't bear him singing this song. It takes out of control vibrato to a whole new level. I fast-forward anytime I watch the Chatterbox DVD.
hokieashleyt 4 years ago
watch his abdominal region and lower torso prior to his "belting" of the B flat....you clearly see his incoming breath and he sustains it because of that breath....his neck is not lifted at all hes completely relaxed and nails the note....i doubt you can ever hit that note like he can so why criticize something especially when he's singing pretty damn correctly...
aalcheh 4 years ago 2
You can hear from that note that he's clearly using his head voice.... it's not belting at all.
mestewart 4 years ago
dude are you kidding me.....noones head voice is stronger then legit....definitely not his head voice....men don't quote belt though they just have power because technically all of male singing would constitute belting....hes singing legit and hes singing it well
aalcheh 4 years ago
Not all male singing is belting. If you dont know anything about the male voice don't say anything. He is lifting his soft pallette you can hear the space he created for the Bb. Thus he is mixing his headvoice and chestvoice or some people just call it legit singing. He is NOT belting. Belting creates no space whatesoever, it is shutting off the soft pallette and let the air come from behind the nose(so its not nasal) and creating a powerful chesty resonance.
orca1142 4 years ago 2
Clearly you don't know jack about belting. I agree with the other things you said, but belting (good, correct belting) requires tons of space and air. Read Jan Sullivan's book about the "Pop/Belt Voice," she was basically the first lady to ever pinpoint an actual technique to it. Belt has very modified vowels, lots of space, and more forward placement than classical, and sometimes a slower vibrato. Chest is not belt.
bryceep 3 years ago 2
No hes actually mixing. Youre right hes not belting.
orca1142 4 years ago 2
Someone answer me this question, that B-flat was not belted right? He was just legitimately chesting.
orca1142 4 years ago
I love how he mixes the notes like crazy.
orca1142 4 years ago
Let's see what his voice sounds like in 10 years. Hitting the notes and singing them properly (so as to sustain the health of your voice) are two different things. I guess we all make choices. He's making a bad one.
tpmuch 4 years ago
Raúl does not consider himself a singer. He's never had any lessons or training - what you hear is just his natural voice. It's far from perfect, even now. I've a feeling his voice won't sound too much different in 10 years. He's an instinctive singer, and so far his instincts have been pretty darn good. And if he somehow does ruin it to the point he can't do musicals, he'll probably just shrug and stick to straight acting. That has always been his stated preference, anyway.
humbugfoto1 4 years ago
I guess we all make "choices." Good to know that some people consider their talents to be disposible!
tpmuch 4 years ago
Are you serious? Hes never had any lessons? That ... I can NOT believe.
orca1142 4 years ago
That's what he claims. And listening to the way he sings, I believe it. His technique is...well, let's not go there. He doesn't treat his voice like an instrument, he uses it as simply another facet of his acting ability. He's acting with his singing voice, in the same way he acts with his speaking voice, and with his hands, his face, his eyes, his entire body.
humbugfoto1 4 years ago
He sings like an actor, not a singer. It is not a particularly pretty voice, by any stretch, although he has the ability to make pretty sounds. But he also has the ability to make harsh, horrible sounds when the text and the music require it, and being an actor first, that is what is most important to him.
humbugfoto1 4 years ago
I do believe, though, that in spite of never having studied singing, he has picked up a lot of pointers from professional singers he's worked with over the years. Especially recently, when he was in Company. His technique improved dramatically over the course of the run. I think Raúl the singer will be with us for quite some time to come.
humbugfoto1 4 years ago
D*mn, Raúl! He is just...not to be believed! He sang that absolutely cold - no warm-up, no rehearsal, and it had been so long since he'd last sung it he had to read the music over Seth's shoulder. And it's freakin' Kurt Weill! No one should be able to DO that!
I love the flabbergasted look on his face when he finished. He even surprised himself!
humbugfoto1 4 years ago 2
that is a beautiful b flat!!!!
sharkbat 4 years ago 2
Thank you so much for posting this!
gr8ver 4 years ago