I'm trying to read a book that was assigned to me for homework, but I can't because the beauty and artistry that Ms. Fleming puts forth is making me cry-I know I should close this, but I just can't!
She just gives it to you here, completely straight. You can tell when Miss Fleming is on the money, she is a very emotional singer. When she feels it we feel it. Other contemporary sopranos, may sing more consistently, but many of them lack this ability to reach out and touch your heart in the way this singer can. What a wonderful rendition.
That was an emotional embellishment she used for dramatic effect. She is master of such touches. I've heard her do things like that at the Met and the whole audience sucked in its breath. She's divine.
Gorgeous voice! So expressive. Powerful without being strident. Entrances are right on pitch, lower register resonates beautifully and the upper register seems effortless. I can listen to it forever.
I love Renée, she's my inspiration... I'm Soprano too and someday I will be great like her. Go, Renée! If you don't like don't watch... I'm sure you cannot even TRY to do what Renée does.
I love Renée, she's my inspiration... I'm Soprano too and someday I will be great like her. Go, Renée! If you don't like don't watch... I'm sure you cannot even TRY to do what Renée does.
Wonderful singing here. These lirico-drammatico pieces are perfect for her temperament. I just don't like the Pirata, and those other ultra-butch soprano roles that are meant for the huge voices like Verrett and Callas. Fleming's voice is large, but has a light texture. I still don't understand why she doesn't do more Mozart, Fiordiligi, Costanze in Die Entfürung aus dem Serail would be perfect for her. She's as great in those roles as Elizabeth Schwarzkopf and Margaret Price were.
Love it. One of the 20th-21st centuries' greatest divas.
Name another soprano who maintained top tier status, continuing to perform at least twice yearly at the Met for 20 years (so far), into her 50s. Price, perhaps, but even she took several years off in her late 40s/50s. It is a massive achievement.
No need to argue. Years ago I never imagined that such beautiful music recordings from all the wonderful artists in the world would someday be available to me at my fingertips. Mega Thanks to YouTube, the internet and all the great people who put these on line for us to appreciate. It's a great treasure.
No ,no Renée! You could do it much much better! This register is not only hight notes! when we think like this we do everything wrong:You are a great Soprano,you have responsabilities!
The glotal strikes give it away that she's trying to sound more dramatic than her lyric soprano permits. This aria may be too heavy for her, as she is usually better than this.
@raythespian a silly post. I am always amazed that the anonymity of the Internet provides many losers the shield behind which they parade their ignorance on make-believe expertise.
What is with the vocal scooping and the abrupt on-sets?? That must have been an off night for her. That aria is so beautiful. It needs the right kind of person to sing it. Not just anyone. I am more inclined to agree with the mglose below. Bad Italian. Sorry Renee.
Ms. Fleming's voice is certainly nice. But her articulation of the Italian phrase and the mode in which her vowels are pronounced are unItalian and quite bad. Listen to "dolor" or "rimpianto", with such a wide -a.
A good exercise, but far from perfection. To be improved!
this is beautiful, powerful, and emotive singing. you know, classical singing isn't just the beauty of the voice, even though that's a very large part of it. it's the message and emotion the artist can render in the piece he or she is performing. Fleming's artistry and means of conveying the mood of this aria is outstanding. Haters, go and find another soprano to hate, but not Ms. Fleming.
@Pulsatron1985 I am terribly sorry that you are tone deaf......poor soul. Although your attempt to appraise Ms.Fleming's singing is, no doubt, laudible you really should leave this to people who do not have your sad affliction.
@Pulsatron1985 Does she pay me?? LOL Hell, no. I just enjoy having a go would be critics who display an obvious talent for being totally wrong. As I said before......don't criticise performers when YOU are tone deaf. With hearing like yours I should have typed this message in BLOCK CAPITALS.
I was fairly unfamiliar with Catalani's operas until I heard this recording and did some research (actually gave a presentation on it in one of my classes). It's such a shame that he didn't write more operas before dying, and so sad that they aren't done often. Such gorgeous music!
I would hope that you stay in Oxford University long enough to have real education. "You must be an American" is a conclusion you arrive at after analyzing some set of criteria that defines "an American ". I don't see what criteria you're using here, suffice is to say that even using your logic, it would be hard to say that you must in Oxford University doing research.
Out of curiousity, how long have you been in Oxford and what is your research area?
Renée's a mistery to me. I've listened to her singing from Strauss to Mozart, going thru an enormous fach of repertoire, and she does everything sounds so interesting. She's really clever, great artist, and oh, man, aways super chic!
@quantumtantum How silly of you to make that list. In fact, Dame Kiri, in her prime could be considered one f the best of all time. The texture and rich timbre of her voice can not be compared to any of those you mentioned. So if you have nothing better to do, JUST SHUT UP, will you?
WRONG AGAIN! From what you are saying, it shows how embarrassingly illiterate you must be - Muslims know NOTHING, repeat, virttually NOTHING about Christian music especially the opera. It is forbidden in their religion, so cruelly unfortunate for this barbaric-primitive people. Anyway, I like this version of Fleming. And to tell you the truth I have met Fleming twice at the Nobel Gala Concert and when she received her Polar Music Prize in Stockholm. You are an empty headed uncultured JUNK.
What do you know of the interaction at the upper level? We are talking about the Swedish society. You must be an American. Fleming was guest singer at the Nobel Gala Concert, Dec. 8, 2007 and came back to Stockholm to receive the Polar Music Prize 2009, my husband and I attended the occasions. I have the programmes at home in Stockholm ,but now I am in Oxford University doing research.
Please accept my apology. I was carried away. I like Dame Kiri much too much that I thought rating her No. 3 was a personal assault. You are right, I should take it easy.
although I must admit it's not my favorite rendering of the aria I don't approve of trashing a singers on pages uploaded by those who love the singer in question.
And putting on airs how knowlegable and oh-so-clever doesn't help - obviouslyyou are ALL famous voice coaches or MET-experienced opera ingers yourselves ha-bloody-ha
i'll admit some slight jaw quivering, but what you call "glitch/swallowing sound" is just the style. if you don't like it, don't post. anyway, it's not like you could do better.
False coloring with the sides of the tongue, breath escape--no appoggio on the mid high and high notes. Weird sliding/bending as opposed to clean legato. Overshaping. Give me Ponselle, Callas, Muzio.
frankly speaking, it is a wrong interpretation of "Ebben? Ne andro lontana..".a stupid one. I will never seen an american people plays correctly subtilities of italian music...
I've been a fan of Fleming since I saw her and Pavarotti do the Cherry Duet from L'Amico Fritz on PBS back in 1991, I believe. But I have the hardest time watching her, because she reminds me too much of that disgusting Katie Couric. So I just minimize the window and listen. It's tragic.
I'm not sure how much "in character" she is in this performance. Her acting is subtle. Still, I never get the feeling that this is a woman who may kill herself if the right avalanche comes along.
Good logic and motives for aesthetic appraisal--who can stand Picasso's paintings? The guy looked like Chico Marx without a wig. Can't read Shakepeare either. He looks too much like my local weatherman.
Funny. But since I said I listen to Renee without looking at her, I suppose good logic would advise you to enjoy Picasso's paintings while ignoring his bald head, and to read Shakespeare's works without gazing into his meteorological visage - if we even know which visage was the actual bard's. You could try staring into the eyes of the 17th Earl of Oxford. He looked more like a sports reporter.
I do enjoy Fleming's performances, even when she transforms "La Wally" into "La Warbly".
mmm I see your point. She is not expressive by any means but she has even admitted being "too shy" since she was a girl. Her singing, however, is exquisite...
I saw this live on TV some holiday thing; RF was quite far from the orch and had trouble with their tempo. All viewers present agreed this aria was NOT a good choice for this kind of show and forgave our Diva Renee. Having to vote for only one perf it would be Tebaldi but the role was perfect for Callas; no offence but I do not prefer Callas in most roles except Tosca; but she IS THE Breakthrough Diva who brought Opera into the 20th century -- all should respect her regardless of preference!
personification is the wrong word to use. i believe you mean she doesn't shape the character because personification is for animals and inanimate objects becoming human-like.
now let's be precise- a person can represent an idea or quality. a person can't possibly represent an entire opera. shes singing portion of the opera which should represent the opera as a whole. look at the context from which my comment came- you can't personify a character. if you look at the main and mostly used definition of personification it says: "the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions, esp. as a rhetorical figure."
I am not into going exact use of a word as per grammar or dictionary. On the vernacular, people DO use it in the figurative sense of "interpreting" a character a personality so on ans so forth.
The point here is I think you do not agree with me stating that she is not convincing in conveying the real expression of La Wally as a character. If you wanna discuss about my opinion on the performance ok, but do not bother me with misuse of a particular word. In my mother tongue portuguese its ok..so!
Do you like 'static' performances? You are probably a "sound only is enough" type of person. I believe the whole thing cannot be detached from its whole. What Cecilia Bartoli does in for example 'agitata" is a whoel exciting performance because of the crazy coloratura. But when you take a dramatic piece like this there has to be expression. She's not singing a song! She is talking about leaving home because of her decision of not marrying someone she did not love. Fleming does not convey that!
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If Fleming is on of the greatest sopranos of today, it makes me worry for the state of singing. I any case she is not the voice type for this aria. Sure, in a concert with microphone, she just about gets away with it. But the top of the voice is spread these days. 5 out of 10
I think she has an exceptionally beautiful voice, not to mention absolutely stunning high notes. There seems to be people here trying to convince everyone of the deterioration of sopranos since Callas, Price etc. Watch the video please.
sorry, i'll put a word in for fleming, as this page is really about her.:-) she is certainly one of the very best in the world right now, with careful musicianship and a unique and instantly recognizable timbre.
actually, Callas has been critiqued for NOT being a truly great singer...she brought style and charisma and personality to her work and people just loved her...but purists might tell you she wasn't the greatest voice
hardly. callas brough MUSICALITY to her singing, ARTISTRY and MUSICALITY...more than just about another singer. a panel of opera experts in england recently voted her the greatest classical soprano of the twentieth century.
when did i ever say that fleming was unmusical? read my post below, where i call her one of the best sopranos in the world right now and praise her "careful musicianship" and "unique and instantly recognizable timbre."
divinafan2: So sorry for the mixup. It was not you I intended the comment for, but someone, now I don't remember who, wrote a sleazy attack on Fleming. Sometimes these pretentious claques can be annoying.
as for her voice...at her peak, and especially before her weight loss, it was extraordinary, powerful, secure, fearless. the timbre was unusual and unconventional, but then so was james joyce's prose style, pablo picasso's brushstrokes...you get my drift?
i'm a trained classical musician and a bit of a purist myself...and for me, callas is the very best. there can be no other.
O.K. Whoa. All those who say Renee is not up there with the other great sopranos, yo0u can go f*** yourselves. Every great soprano has a unique style. (Renee is in a class all her own you dimwitted ass. All these ppl talk all this nonsense, but you can't just focus on the technicals. You better have a motherf***ing Ph. D in music to criticize her technique.
Why such nasty comments about those of us who do not adore Ms. Fleming? I think her style and performance are perfection --- however, I do not care for the sound of her voice. Does that make me a horrible person?
I often visit the videos of performers I do not prefer, to see if perhaps I will find something to appreciate that I have not found before. This has led me to a greater appreciation for the technique of Ms. Fleming, but I still do not care for the sound of her voice. My favorite sopranos are Gundula Janowitz, Mirella Freni, Christa Ludwig and Callas
Thanks for answering. That makes perfect sense. I love the sound of Renee's voice, but it's purely a matter of taste, isn't it? I also think that it depends upon the piece and even upon the particular performance.
Thanks for your comment: depending on the role she sounds like an angel from the heavens with her glorious, plangent and sustained top, and yet with some of her coloratura, her vocal production can sound like barking. I've posted critical comments of some of the Fleming videos here on ytube, and just raves about others. You're right: it depends on the suitability of the voice and temperament to the role, and matters of taste.
she is the best soprano, after callas and caballe... they three have the best vocal technical, they feel and sing from the thorax, they have good breathing and support.
Tebaldi and Callas were widely considered the Best Soprano's EVER and Sills and Price were right in the next tier of great soprano's . So it is true and YES Way. Fleming is wonderful but even she would say she's not in Tebaldi's class.
I HATE it when apples are compared with oranges. Art is art and has to be appreciated uniquely from each other. There is, UTTERLY, no way to compare one artist to the other within any time spectrum. Just appreciate, enjoy and relax. These people are talented and let's be happy that they even let us experience it.
coy ; I don't know why your so upset, i meant no disrespect to Ms Fleming i even said she was wonderful , i merely pointed out that she is not in the same class as the others. Would you rather drive a Ford or a Merecedes?
Darling, Etna, I'm not upset. I prefer Kia, by the way (Sumi Jo--I beg you, let's not go there). It just sad that artists are being classed particularly these singers, generally speaking. Callas, Tebaldi, et al, were nothing more than just opera singers during their time. It was a very different world then compared to now and just consider what sorts of challenges a modern singers encounter, especially, that the world is getting too small for them.
I guess, what I'm trying to say is that, let's not label these goddesses. Love them for what they are--ford or mecedes, they both cars and they deteriorate.
My Apologies if i have offended Ms Fleming in any way i think she is a great artist and i did not mean to label her unfairly , i think your right coy, let's just enjoy these great singers for who they are. ..oh and BTW i would rather enjoy the luxuriance, elegance and performance of a Mercedes as it deteriorates than i would a Ford which would deteriorate a lot faster and not give any where near the performance of a Mercedes.
I think the best are Fleming, Tebaldi, Caballé y Brightman! and obviously Callas. The don't like the versions of Gorghieu, Nebrebtko Kiwara(I don't know the right spelling)
I adore her artistry but such glotal sounds were heard in this clip.. I wonder if she was having some vocal problems that night! I think even as a professional singer its important for me not to be so judgemental on my peers and idols simply because we are not machines.. its not going to be perfect EVERYTIME!! And being on the road and having to be the best I totally understand what can happen to the voice!!
I've listened closely several times, and have a problem discerning anything that isn't simply part of the expression I have grown to know and lvoe from Ms. Fleming.
But I am getting older . . . perhaps the road trip got to her a little, but this is one of the more difficult vocals for a soprano. And that incredible high! What a voice!
I only resent stupidity of the singers today who are slaves and never become real artists.... And tody we have to much singers who only sing for the industrie behind....They need more risk in life!
She sounds old and not exquisit (legatoline and breathing are a horror) enough for that aria! She lost her qualitys because she is singing to much the heavy stuff - and her voice is not uge enough for that- only to darken the voice is not good and never enough! RENE FLEMING is a killer of her voice! Excuse I am not praud about... to say this... Normally I love her Mozart and Händel......
She's got a fine voice. I completely resent her fame because as you tour YOUTUBE, you'll fine literally dozens of singers of equal artistry. Many with no name. I think listeners are responding to her fame.Just listen to Blythe, Hunt-Lieberson, Berganza, Schwarzkopf, Tebaldi, Callas to name a few.
sonofvangie...why resent her fame? Listen closely...its beautiful...yes there on many wonderful voices, rejoice...Ms Flemming is truely a wonderful voice...resent the marketing system of performers...but don't shoot the piano player!
I'm trying to read a book that was assigned to me for homework, but I can't because the beauty and artistry that Ms. Fleming puts forth is making me cry-I know I should close this, but I just can't!
wishingonthemoon1 1 month ago
this is beautiful but why do they start using microphones now they already have a strong voice
opera32866 1 month ago
this is just so beautiful!!!
diucapeluda 2 months ago
Bravissima! Spettacolare!!
liricarieantiche 8 months ago
She just gives it to you here, completely straight. You can tell when Miss Fleming is on the money, she is a very emotional singer. When she feels it we feel it. Other contemporary sopranos, may sing more consistently, but many of them lack this ability to reach out and touch your heart in the way this singer can. What a wonderful rendition.
cltony1987 8 months ago
speechless
CarenT1234567 8 months ago
why is it called ''Catalani''?
miquel250986 9 months ago
@miquel250986 that's the composer. La Wally is the opera. Go Google 'Catalani'!
Steerpike07 8 months ago
That was an emotional embellishment she used for dramatic effect. She is master of such touches. I've heard her do things like that at the Met and the whole audience sucked in its breath. She's divine.
lexaling 10 months ago
I love this song!!
kubeseba 11 months ago
Can someone tell me if he/she has heard other singers do what Renee did at 3.47 -3.48? at this part of the aria? I find that quite intriguing...
kigomin1972 1 year ago
Gorgeous voice! So expressive. Powerful without being strident. Entrances are right on pitch, lower register resonates beautifully and the upper register seems effortless. I can listen to it forever.
bugleboy666 1 year ago
Magnífica interpretación! Cómo se llama el concierto??
demeter10 1 year ago
Touching singing...wonderful soprano...
liketheuniverse11 1 year ago
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I love Renée, she's my inspiration... I'm Soprano too and someday I will be great like her. Go, Renée! If you don't like don't watch... I'm sure you cannot even TRY to do what Renée does.
kikyou90 1 year ago
I love Renée, she's my inspiration... I'm Soprano too and someday I will be great like her. Go, Renée! If you don't like don't watch... I'm sure you cannot even TRY to do what Renée does.
kikyou90 1 year ago
I think it's bellissimo too! I love her singing and the emotions that she displays.
Takoushjanik 1 year ago
bellissima! brava! superba!
chalamalakan 1 year ago
Wonderful singing here. These lirico-drammatico pieces are perfect for her temperament. I just don't like the Pirata, and those other ultra-butch soprano roles that are meant for the huge voices like Verrett and Callas. Fleming's voice is large, but has a light texture. I still don't understand why she doesn't do more Mozart, Fiordiligi, Costanze in Die Entfürung aus dem Serail would be perfect for her. She's as great in those roles as Elizabeth Schwarzkopf and Margaret Price were.
sillyboydeux 1 year ago
34 people are just jealous of her genius
foundmykey 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I know that I will hear from the legion of Renee's minions, but I cannot help myself.
1) Does she know anything about singing in key?
2) Can she hear a pitch
3) Does she need to let air escape for dramatic effect?
4) Why is her placement so atrocious? The sound is stuck in her throat and in her mouth. She doesn't know what resonance is.
5) She sings as if she has a mouth full of marbles
Have our standards sunk this low that this woman is considered to be the epitome of classical singing?
Schwertleiter 1 year ago
@Schwertleiter are you serious?! How about you try singing like that? I don't think you know much about opera if you say things like that!
oliviajohns 1 year ago
@Schwertleiter it seems that you dont know much about classical music and are close-minded
polidosk8 1 year ago
@Schwertleiter bullshit!
PukKoleszka 1 year ago
Brava
P1B1U1H1 1 year ago
Bad sound quality..?!
ForAll23 1 year ago
Love it. One of the 20th-21st centuries' greatest divas.
Name another soprano who maintained top tier status, continuing to perform at least twice yearly at the Met for 20 years (so far), into her 50s. Price, perhaps, but even she took several years off in her late 40s/50s. It is a massive achievement.
toobusywriting 1 year ago
@ Tangerbeer I don't agree Renee Flemming isn't half as good as Callas, Gheorghui or even Cabballe
gayo72 1 year ago
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What an advantage it is to be so ignorant as to think this is bloody great, and to enjoy it as such.
ramqen951 1 year ago
oh renee. not my favorite singer. but, no one can deny the orgasm note towards the end there....
csapaugh 1 year ago
No need to argue. Years ago I never imagined that such beautiful music recordings from all the wonderful artists in the world would someday be available to me at my fingertips. Mega Thanks to YouTube, the internet and all the great people who put these on line for us to appreciate. It's a great treasure.
soundxip 1 year ago 2
such a powerful and sensuous voice. a beauty both in her ability and a delight to look at. I can share her feeling of loss.
Daniel6996ful 1 year ago
A rare gift has Renee Fleming.
KRYTEN451 1 year ago
No ,no Renée! You could do it much much better! This register is not only hight notes! when we think like this we do everything wrong:You are a great Soprano,you have responsabilities!
liriango 1 year ago
She makes it sound easy. It's not.
eflaspo 1 year ago
The glotal strikes give it away that she's trying to sound more dramatic than her lyric soprano permits. This aria may be too heavy for her, as she is usually better than this.
raythespian 1 year ago
@raythespian a silly post. I am always amazed that the anonymity of the Internet provides many losers the shield behind which they parade their ignorance on make-believe expertise.
proffromgview 1 year ago
@proffromgview
Love this comment. It is true to the bone.
Those who have a sour palate can never know good tastes.
It is a shame that they are wasting Internet oxygen.
RHM741 1 year ago
brava Renee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!voto 7.
MrFrancogianni 1 year ago
What is with the vocal scooping and the abrupt on-sets?? That must have been an off night for her. That aria is so beautiful. It needs the right kind of person to sing it. Not just anyone. I am more inclined to agree with the mglose below. Bad Italian. Sorry Renee.
vinny873 1 year ago
In fact, I am from Milan.
Ms. Fleming's voice is certainly nice. But her articulation of the Italian phrase and the mode in which her vowels are pronounced are unItalian and quite bad. Listen to "dolor" or "rimpianto", with such a wide -a.
A good exercise, but far from perfection. To be improved!
mgiose 1 year ago
Perfection, a great interpretation.
TedMichaelMorgan 1 year ago 3
this is beautiful, powerful, and emotive singing. you know, classical singing isn't just the beauty of the voice, even though that's a very large part of it. it's the message and emotion the artist can render in the piece he or she is performing. Fleming's artistry and means of conveying the mood of this aria is outstanding. Haters, go and find another soprano to hate, but not Ms. Fleming.
tenorlovesasoprano 1 year ago 14
@tenorlovesasoprano Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
TedMichaelMorgan 1 year ago 2
@tenorlovesasoprano Thank you, thank you, thank you. Too many Italian crtics heere :-D They must all be from Milan.
TedMichaelMorgan 1 year ago 2
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TEBALDI, TEBALDI, TEBALDI
I am sorry but as mediocre as Fleming (up fur balls) may be, on this aria she hasn't got a chance.
Pulsatron1985 1 year ago
@Pulsatron1985 I am terribly sorry that you are tone deaf......poor soul. Although your attempt to appraise Ms.Fleming's singing is, no doubt, laudible you really should leave this to people who do not have your sad affliction.
heehawluck1 1 year ago
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@heehawluck1 Does she pay you for this shit? If so, I hope it'll be enough to treat yourself to a taste transplant.
Pulsatron1985 1 year ago
@Pulsatron1985 Does she pay me?? LOL Hell, no. I just enjoy having a go would be critics who display an obvious talent for being totally wrong. As I said before......don't criticise performers when YOU are tone deaf. With hearing like yours I should have typed this message in BLOCK CAPITALS.
heehawluck1 1 year ago 4
I was fairly unfamiliar with Catalani's operas until I heard this recording and did some research (actually gave a presentation on it in one of my classes). It's such a shame that he didn't write more operas before dying, and so sad that they aren't done often. Such gorgeous music!
mackgotcher 1 year ago 2
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I would hope that you stay in Oxford University long enough to have real education. "You must be an American" is a conclusion you arrive at after analyzing some set of criteria that defines "an American ". I don't see what criteria you're using here, suffice is to say that even using your logic, it would be hard to say that you must in Oxford University doing research.
Out of curiousity, how long have you been in Oxford and what is your research area?
LegalFarts 1 year ago
Fantastic
Liakazar 2 years ago
Sure she can sing.. but can she snowboard?
nostopsnopurgatory 2 years ago 4
jajajajajajajja very funny
antino71 2 years ago
What a shame to start a fight over some beautiful music.
aardvogels 2 years ago 30
I have always appreciated Ms. Fleming's performance. God bless her.
alloutiu 2 years ago
Renée's a mistery to me. I've listened to her singing from Strauss to Mozart, going thru an enormous fach of repertoire, and she does everything sounds so interesting. She's really clever, great artist, and oh, man, aways super chic!
RamirRMA 2 years ago
1.FLEMING 2.CABALLES 3.KANAWA
quantumtantum 2 years ago 4
@quantumtantum How silly of you to make that list. In fact, Dame Kiri, in her prime could be considered one f the best of all time. The texture and rich timbre of her voice can not be compared to any of those you mentioned. So if you have nothing better to do, JUST SHUT UP, will you?
elizabethvonslussen 2 years ago
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WHATEVER. YOU KNOW NOTHING, I ANGREE 100% WITH quantumtantum YOU BITCH..... ELIZABETHVONBITCH
ERIKEPAIOS 2 years ago
You sound like an Islamist fundamentalist terrorist who cannot debate in a decent manner. Pitiful you. One can only look down on you with contempt.
elizabethvonslussen 2 years ago
Anyway this is the best version of "Ebben",you must agree .Even Muslims knows that
ERIKEPAIOS 2 years ago 2
WRONG AGAIN! From what you are saying, it shows how embarrassingly illiterate you must be - Muslims know NOTHING, repeat, virttually NOTHING about Christian music especially the opera. It is forbidden in their religion, so cruelly unfortunate for this barbaric-primitive people. Anyway, I like this version of Fleming. And to tell you the truth I have met Fleming twice at the Nobel Gala Concert and when she received her Polar Music Prize in Stockholm. You are an empty headed uncultured JUNK.
elizabethvonslussen 2 years ago
Its easy for anyone to understand that you met Fleming in your dream.....hahaaaha
ERIKEPAIOS 2 years ago
What do you know of the interaction at the upper level? We are talking about the Swedish society. You must be an American. Fleming was guest singer at the Nobel Gala Concert, Dec. 8, 2007 and came back to Stockholm to receive the Polar Music Prize 2009, my husband and I attended the occasions. I have the programmes at home in Stockholm ,but now I am in Oxford University doing research.
elizabethvonslussen 2 years ago
ok,but I must tell that Im proud to be an American
ERIKEPAIOS 2 years ago
That explains your being IGNORAMUS and unpolished, typical American.. the cowboy type.
elizabethvonslussen 2 years ago
Wow. Shows how much you know about Americans.
AmayaTempest 1 year ago
I admire your husband.He must be a very brave man.
ERIKEPAIOS 2 years ago
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LegalFarts 2 years ago
nice manners!!
i respect your opinion but
YOU MUST TAKE IT EASY!!!!
quantumtantum 2 years ago
Please accept my apology. I was carried away. I like Dame Kiri much too much that I thought rating her No. 3 was a personal assault. You are right, I should take it easy.
elizabethvonslussen 2 years ago
This is the best version......
dhenriuqe 2 years ago 2
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Wonderful.But Sarah Brightman does it better.
shiankiang 2 years ago
Sarah Brightman? Really?
lagunagreg 2 years ago
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christ1f 2 years ago
this must be a joke...hahaha...good one!
christ1f 2 years ago
(You could have passed without this comment dude.)
BEST 2009 NONSENSE COMMENT =P
RamirRMA 2 years ago
so does it to me................ waaahhhh...... I simply LOVE that piece and the way she is singing it.
lachgummi1990 2 years ago 3
This version gives me goosebumps every time!!!!!
dravensmother 2 years ago
I enjoy Renees performance very much. If you like this listen to Montserrat Caballes performance....brava!
zorbazenmaster 2 years ago 2
Why don't you wannabe dilantants stop making fools of yourselves!
FERMAT0123 2 years ago
although I must admit it's not my favorite rendering of the aria I don't approve of trashing a singers on pages uploaded by those who love the singer in question.
And putting on airs how knowlegable and oh-so-clever doesn't help - obviouslyyou are ALL famous voice coaches or MET-experienced opera ingers yourselves ha-bloody-ha
47viviane 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Not expressive at all. no idea of what she is singing about. Bad technique too! yuch!
mrantiquedealer 2 years ago
see the jaw quivering in the end! Jaw tension too, and some weird glitch/swallowing sound on the end. Not emotion but technical difficulties
angelovocci 2 years ago
i'll admit some slight jaw quivering, but what you call "glitch/swallowing sound" is just the style. if you don't like it, don't post. anyway, it's not like you could do better.
FunkTrunk5 2 years ago
er... "glitch/swallowing sound" is now called "style"? I said that Callas, Muzio, and Ponselle could do better.
angelovocci 2 years ago
False coloring with the sides of the tongue, breath escape--no appoggio on the mid high and high notes. Weird sliding/bending as opposed to clean legato. Overshaping. Give me Ponselle, Callas, Muzio.
angelovocci 2 years ago
frankly speaking, it is a wrong interpretation of "Ebben? Ne andro lontana..".a stupid one. I will never seen an american people plays correctly subtilities of italian music...
TheEponymus 2 years ago
Magnifico senzazionale.....grande Fleming
83sonysunny 2 years ago
The name of the composer who wrote the opera is Catalani...the opera is in Italian though...
Divecchio317 2 years ago
This is eternal beauty!!!!
dultizedes 2 years ago
she has to be one of the best female opera singers of all time
EchoCannon89 2 years ago
Fleming's onsets are weird in her tessitura. She gives me motion sickness after a while.
anyfreakenname 2 years ago
CAnta tan,apasionante, me gusta desde que canto el soundtrack de "El señor de los anillos"
7AlbertoPlancarte 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I was expecting something from La Wally.
But instead, I heard something from La Warbly.
Does she do that on purpose?
Or has she just developed a bad case of Achey Breaky Voice in her old age?
Maybe she's started smoking again.
This was not her finest hour - though it certainly seemed like it lasted an hour.
TheYzgy 2 years ago
I've been a fan of Fleming since I saw her and Pavarotti do the Cherry Duet from L'Amico Fritz on PBS back in 1991, I believe. But I have the hardest time watching her, because she reminds me too much of that disgusting Katie Couric. So I just minimize the window and listen. It's tragic.
I'm not sure how much "in character" she is in this performance. Her acting is subtle. Still, I never get the feeling that this is a woman who may kill herself if the right avalanche comes along.
FranzFafner 2 years ago
Good logic and motives for aesthetic appraisal--who can stand Picasso's paintings? The guy looked like Chico Marx without a wig. Can't read Shakepeare either. He looks too much like my local weatherman.
jblacktree 2 years ago
Funny. But since I said I listen to Renee without looking at her, I suppose good logic would advise you to enjoy Picasso's paintings while ignoring his bald head, and to read Shakespeare's works without gazing into his meteorological visage - if we even know which visage was the actual bard's. You could try staring into the eyes of the 17th Earl of Oxford. He looked more like a sports reporter.
I do enjoy Fleming's performances, even when she transforms "La Wally" into "La Warbly".
FranzFafner 2 years ago
mmm I see your point. She is not expressive by any means but she has even admitted being "too shy" since she was a girl. Her singing, however, is exquisite...
espinaca79 2 years ago
I saw this live on TV some holiday thing; RF was quite far from the orch and had trouble with their tempo. All viewers present agreed this aria was NOT a good choice for this kind of show and forgave our Diva Renee. Having to vote for only one perf it would be Tebaldi but the role was perfect for Callas; no offence but I do not prefer Callas in most roles except Tosca; but she IS THE Breakthrough Diva who brought Opera into the 20th century -- all should respect her regardless of preference!
MrShunyata 2 years ago
There's just NO PERSONIFICATION OF THE CHARACTER. She could just be singing and oratorio piece. Vocal beauty is not enough!
BetuliaLiberata 2 years ago
personification is the wrong word to use. i believe you mean she doesn't shape the character because personification is for animals and inanimate objects becoming human-like.
good job.
ak92092 2 years ago
"Artistic representation of an abstract quality or idea as a person"
It's the personification of La Wally!
pirocagrande 2 years ago
now let's be precise- a person can represent an idea or quality. a person can't possibly represent an entire opera. shes singing portion of the opera which should represent the opera as a whole. look at the context from which my comment came- you can't personify a character. if you look at the main and mostly used definition of personification it says: "the attribution of a personal nature or character to inanimate objects or abstract notions, esp. as a rhetorical figure."
ak92092 2 years ago
I am not into going exact use of a word as per grammar or dictionary. On the vernacular, people DO use it in the figurative sense of "interpreting" a character a personality so on ans so forth.
The point here is I think you do not agree with me stating that she is not convincing in conveying the real expression of La Wally as a character. If you wanna discuss about my opinion on the performance ok, but do not bother me with misuse of a particular word. In my mother tongue portuguese its ok..so!
pirocagrande 2 years ago
PLease.. It's a concert.. not an opera performance,, Or you'd like hear the exagerated Cecila Bartoli...
anasconuto 2 years ago
Do you like 'static' performances? You are probably a "sound only is enough" type of person. I believe the whole thing cannot be detached from its whole. What Cecilia Bartoli does in for example 'agitata" is a whoel exciting performance because of the crazy coloratura. But when you take a dramatic piece like this there has to be expression. She's not singing a song! She is talking about leaving home because of her decision of not marrying someone she did not love. Fleming does not convey that!
Marroiamaxu 2 years ago
Nice
tobobba 2 years ago
Beautiful! I could listen to her all day..
Cinthiaholy 2 years ago
Divina
55patri 2 years ago
: D GREAT!! Blessings and Regards!!
golfroylan 2 years ago
zeer goed, treffend
paleophonus 2 years ago
Really, i am not the fan number one of Renee Fleming, but in this time i have admit, she was GREAT! Congratulations!
jmtduarte 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
yawning....................
Ebonysoprano 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
FUCKING IDIOT!
KriBlackRoson 2 years ago
Solti said Tebaldi and fleming were best.
I`d say Gerorg knew what he was talking about.
jhagenson 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
If Fleming is on of the greatest sopranos of today, it makes me worry for the state of singing. I any case she is not the voice type for this aria. Sure, in a concert with microphone, she just about gets away with it. But the top of the voice is spread these days. 5 out of 10
chueca 2 years ago
I enjoy all of them: Callas, Tebaldi, Caballe, Gheorgiu. Fleming is at the very same level. Bravo from Mexico.
TANGERBER 2 years ago 5
this is an excellent performance, but with regard to the comments below for those who want to listen to a superior rendition
(and this includes all "purists"). i suggest they listen to the finest ...Renata Tebaldi
Caballe is one of the greats
Callas was overated
zzzed1955 2 years ago
wow this music sounds horrible to me even though i can tell she is 'awesome'
masterblaster2119 2 years ago
lol
masterblaster2119 2 years ago
I think she has an exceptionally beautiful voice, not to mention absolutely stunning high notes. There seems to be people here trying to convince everyone of the deterioration of sopranos since Callas, Price etc. Watch the video please.
peteobh 2 years ago 3
sorry, i'll put a word in for fleming, as this page is really about her.:-) she is certainly one of the very best in the world right now, with careful musicianship and a unique and instantly recognizable timbre.
divinafan2 2 years ago 3
actually, Callas has been critiqued for NOT being a truly great singer...she brought style and charisma and personality to her work and people just loved her...but purists might tell you she wasn't the greatest voice
sportsmediaamerica 2 years ago
hardly. callas brough MUSICALITY to her singing, ARTISTRY and MUSICALITY...more than just about another singer. a panel of opera experts in england recently voted her the greatest classical soprano of the twentieth century.
divinafan2 2 years ago
Callas lacked fluidity. A big voice, but rough as sandpaper. If you think that Fleming is not musical then I seriously question your ear.
BillSalem 2 years ago
when did i ever say that fleming was unmusical? read my post below, where i call her one of the best sopranos in the world right now and praise her "careful musicianship" and "unique and instantly recognizable timbre."
divinafan2 2 years ago
divinafan2: So sorry for the mixup. It was not you I intended the comment for, but someone, now I don't remember who, wrote a sleazy attack on Fleming. Sometimes these pretentious claques can be annoying.
BillSalem 2 years ago
Comment removed
gigie555 2 years ago
Comment removed
gigie555 2 years ago
as for her voice...at her peak, and especially before her weight loss, it was extraordinary, powerful, secure, fearless. the timbre was unusual and unconventional, but then so was james joyce's prose style, pablo picasso's brushstrokes...you get my drift?
i'm a trained classical musician and a bit of a purist myself...and for me, callas is the very best. there can be no other.
divinafan2 2 years ago
this is my favourite together with callas and caballe
Kaan1977 2 years ago
O.K. Whoa. All those who say Renee is not up there with the other great sopranos, yo0u can go f*** yourselves. Every great soprano has a unique style. (Renee is in a class all her own you dimwitted ass. All these ppl talk all this nonsense, but you can't just focus on the technicals. You better have a motherf***ing Ph. D in music to criticize her technique.
nutonurface21 2 years ago 3
You are SOOOOO damn right!!!
one of the best comments I have ever read...
"To each his own."
-Cicero
gruntyboy 2 years ago 2
solti said tebaldi and fleming are best.
i value his opinion above anything expressed here.
jhagenson 3 years ago
Callas has an awfull warbly vibratothat got worse with age.
patfealy 3 years ago
Comment removed
nutonurface21 2 years ago
This lady has an incredible instrument! It just has perfect pitch and color. To criticize her tone is to be deaf....period.
You may still, however, be a good person.
lol
pianonine 3 years ago 3
Why such nasty comments about those of us who do not adore Ms. Fleming? I think her style and performance are perfection --- however, I do not care for the sound of her voice. Does that make me a horrible person?
JSBach5000 3 years ago
Not necessarily, but it does make one wonder why you'd choose to visit one of her videos.
leitstellen 3 years ago
I often visit the videos of performers I do not prefer, to see if perhaps I will find something to appreciate that I have not found before. This has led me to a greater appreciation for the technique of Ms. Fleming, but I still do not care for the sound of her voice. My favorite sopranos are Gundula Janowitz, Mirella Freni, Christa Ludwig and Callas
JSBach5000 3 years ago
Thanks for answering. That makes perfect sense. I love the sound of Renee's voice, but it's purely a matter of taste, isn't it? I also think that it depends upon the piece and even upon the particular performance.
leitstellen 3 years ago
Thanks for your comment: depending on the role she sounds like an angel from the heavens with her glorious, plangent and sustained top, and yet with some of her coloratura, her vocal production can sound like barking. I've posted critical comments of some of the Fleming videos here on ytube, and just raves about others. You're right: it depends on the suitability of the voice and temperament to the role, and matters of taste.
dolcefico 3 years ago 2
why have i ignored opera its so filled with emotion
kafkazar 3 years ago 3
she is the best soprano, after callas and caballe... they three have the best vocal technical, they feel and sing from the thorax, they have good breathing and support.
isomurr 3 years ago
Aren't you forgetting Tebaldi, Sills and Price ?
All were better than Fleming.
Etnalleb 3 years ago
that is not true.
no way!!!
jocmuc 2 years ago
Tebaldi and Callas were widely considered the Best Soprano's EVER and Sills and Price were right in the next tier of great soprano's . So it is true and YES Way. Fleming is wonderful but even she would say she's not in Tebaldi's class.
Etnalleb 2 years ago
(A response to Etnalleb's comment)
I HATE it when apples are compared with oranges. Art is art and has to be appreciated uniquely from each other. There is, UTTERLY, no way to compare one artist to the other within any time spectrum. Just appreciate, enjoy and relax. These people are talented and let's be happy that they even let us experience it.
coy6642126 2 years ago 2
coy ; I don't know why your so upset, i meant no disrespect to Ms Fleming i even said she was wonderful , i merely pointed out that she is not in the same class as the others. Would you rather drive a Ford or a Merecedes?
Etnalleb 2 years ago
Darling, Etna, I'm not upset. I prefer Kia, by the way (Sumi Jo--I beg you, let's not go there). It just sad that artists are being classed particularly these singers, generally speaking. Callas, Tebaldi, et al, were nothing more than just opera singers during their time. It was a very different world then compared to now and just consider what sorts of challenges a modern singers encounter, especially, that the world is getting too small for them.
coy6642126 2 years ago
I guess, what I'm trying to say is that, let's not label these goddesses. Love them for what they are--ford or mecedes, they both cars and they deteriorate.
coy6642126 2 years ago
My Apologies if i have offended Ms Fleming in any way i think she is a great artist and i did not mean to label her unfairly , i think your right coy, let's just enjoy these great singers for who they are. ..oh and BTW i would rather enjoy the luxuriance, elegance and performance of a Mercedes as it deteriorates than i would a Ford which would deteriorate a lot faster and not give any where near the performance of a Mercedes.
Etnalleb 2 years ago
I've heard La Wally by Callas and Fernandez, and this is right up there with the best!
richpilot35 3 years ago 3
I've heard La Wally by Callas and Fernandez, and this is right up there with the best!
richpilot35 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
poo poo
baadhshah 3 years ago
I think Renee Fleming is such a beautiful soprano! The expression and passion in her singing is so remarkable!
shannonbradford 3 years ago 3
Sublime. Perfectly Italianate in style.
Pywacket2 3 years ago
Sei bravissima sempre, BRAVAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
sopranobrasileira 3 years ago
Where was this?
I wanted to know who was going to sing pourquoi me reveiller.
pianoandpipes 3 years ago
This was performed at The Vaynol Estate in North Wales, I think 2003.Concerts given each August by Bryn Terfel. Google "Brynfest"
pwll46 3 years ago
listen to Joe Guyton's nessun Dorma , that is old school singing! Go Renee!!
arman2288 3 years ago
stupid remark, don't watch this you impertinent fool..
distantm 3 years ago
You should listen the Gena Dimitrova's "Eben,.."! At the end of the aria she blows up the sky!!!
kosssko 3 years ago
you go on and watch her..ugly people who watch the beautiful and perfect renee should stop leaving stupid remarks like this ..
distantm 3 years ago
It's often worth checking out people's recommendations. I still prefer Fleming, Callas, Caballé, and Tebaldi.
sapphistische 3 years ago
I've been listeting a lot of version of Ebben?
I think the best are Fleming, Tebaldi, Caballé y Brightman! and obviously Callas. The don't like the versions of Gorghieu, Nebrebtko Kiwara(I don't know the right spelling)
anasconuto 3 years ago
I adore her artistry but such glotal sounds were heard in this clip.. I wonder if she was having some vocal problems that night! I think even as a professional singer its important for me not to be so judgemental on my peers and idols simply because we are not machines.. its not going to be perfect EVERYTIME!! And being on the road and having to be the best I totally understand what can happen to the voice!!
Tonacity 3 years ago
I've listened closely several times, and have a problem discerning anything that isn't simply part of the expression I have grown to know and lvoe from Ms. Fleming.
But I am getting older . . . perhaps the road trip got to her a little, but this is one of the more difficult vocals for a soprano. And that incredible high! What a voice!
Best,
Chuck
warpony42 3 years ago
she definitely has a stage appearance fo' sure!
flouraki 3 years ago 2
I only resent stupidity of the singers today who are slaves and never become real artists.... And tody we have to much singers who only sing for the industrie behind....They need more risk in life!
Heraopera 3 years ago
I love her. Thanks for sharing. She is so expressive.
vocalvideos 3 years ago 2
She sounds old and not exquisit (legatoline and breathing are a horror) enough for that aria! She lost her qualitys because she is singing to much the heavy stuff - and her voice is not uge enough for that- only to darken the voice is not good and never enough! RENE FLEMING is a killer of her voice! Excuse I am not praud about... to say this... Normally I love her Mozart and Händel......
Heraopera 3 years ago
She's got a fine voice. I completely resent her fame because as you tour YOUTUBE, you'll fine literally dozens of singers of equal artistry. Many with no name. I think listeners are responding to her fame.Just listen to Blythe, Hunt-Lieberson, Berganza, Schwarzkopf, Tebaldi, Callas to name a few.
sonofvangie 3 years ago
sonofvangie...why resent her fame? Listen closely...its beautiful...yes there on many wonderful voices, rejoice...Ms Flemming is truely a wonderful voice...resent the marketing system of performers...but don't shoot the piano player!
jnsotak 3 years ago
she is GREAT BRAVA
nkosazanadimande 3 years ago