Dame Kiri Te Kanawa & Kathleen Battle - Duet - "Arabella"

[2riseintruth]

yesblanche...I am sure that you are absolutely correct in your assessment of Kathleen Battle (one of my favorites). We don't know the full story, but yet we are often reminded of a period in her life that I'm sure she would like to put behind her. You're right about Gheorghiu (another of my favorites), can be just as difficult. I can only imagine the demands that are placed on them, They're both extemely talented ladies. I enjoy their voices immensely.

[paulwien65]

they told the story about the stageworkers at met after Battle was fired..Thes all wear a t-shirt I SURVIVED THE BATTLE.....

but the voice and her workon stage are brillant...

[pfhrsharp]

@yesblanche here's another fact, KB was thrown out of the MET!!! ok? Never allowed to come back!!! That's not just her being 'difficult', that's her being down right stupid!!! There's no reason ANYONE should have to act that way!! I've seen her in concert. And she did a few things that were completely unprofessional. So I know what I'm talking about.

[theblueangel28]

its sublime

[abstractpapabear]

Thanks for posting this clip...beautiful...When Kathleen Battle was "on" she was on. Having seen and heard her live many times, there were/are definite inconsistencies with her voice. It's sad that the "machine" who made her is the same machine that destroyed her. They over hyped her abilities so much even she began to believe it and thus act like she possessed those over hyped talents. Talented yes but to the realm she reached...no. I've heard many Soubrettes who were far more talented.

[judycadana]

I saw Battle just a few years ago, and she could still deliver. Sang the Mozart 'Alleluia' and sounded great, voice filled the sizable hall with no problem. Her onstage demeanor was everything you have heard/read it to be- indifferent attitude, weird mouth positions, rudely conducting with her hands behind the conductor's back. But, as always has been her saving grace, that gorgeous voice.

[bcom11]

@judycadana I saw her too at that last Carnegie Hall recital. She was really wonderful. Schubert songs and spirituals mostly. I don't know how she would have sounded had she tried to do any of the fast coloratura stuff but the voice is definitely a bit more lyric-ky lol

[Bahia82]

You know a duet is great when its decades later and people still reference it on the internet when it comes to any other paring the MET tries to put together, lol. people still have these notes stuck in their mind, thats greatness/beauty

[Ettenyl56]

Ohhhh!!!!!!!!

[billyguns2]

They hated each other during this run, but rose above it on stage to provide us with one of the best pairings in this opera.

[DavidoffGustav]

mere speculation - but I think they let her go because her technique at the time wasn't up to daughter of the regiment... she got kind of ragged and that is a really technichal role..

[Bahia82]

@DavidoffGustav  Naw she had performed Daughter of the Regiment at the Opera house in Sanfrancisco for weeks before she was to perform it at the MET, so she was already ready to go sorta speak

[TheAleph74]

@DavidoffGustav : this is not true... please listen to the clips here on youtube of Kathy singing Marie. Kathy was a FINE Marie!

[jmahlon]

Its to bad they didnt use Battle for the telecast. McLaughlin could not handle the testitura.

[doeraybaby]

i like this thank you

[Bahia82]

Kathleen battle became famous for secodary roles like this, opera fans became enthralled with the clear beautiful sound she had, and people would come and see this opera at the MET over and over again for this very duet alone! and its in the first act, lol. It does not get any better than these two ladies. this opera had not been performed for almost half a century before the MET decided to take a gamble, and anyone will tell you this 1983 version was worth the Gamble!

[kkey1030]

First opera I ever saw performed live was Kiri Te Kanawa in Arabella in 1984 at the Chicago Lyric Opera. I was hooked immediately. Brilliant

[Operaphile]

Kiri is divine!!! It was as if Strauss wrote the role of Arabella for her!!! Renee Fleming is a great Arabella too IMHO, but I think Kiri is just even more sublime and creamily divine :)

[yesblanche]

I love Kathleen Battle! There are always tons of comments on all of her clips regarding her behavior....but I ask do any of us realize what it must have been like as an African-American woman in this world...do remember she was refered to as the 'UN' or 'uppity nigger' (mentioned in the NYT aricle about her dismissal) behind the scenes by MET staff....I think that speaks volumes of what she was up against. Gheorghiu is apparently just as difficult yet her career hasn't been curtailed.....

[anonymusum]

@ yesblanche

I don´t think that the African-American aspect could be a reason for Kathleen Battle´s behavior. I worked long enough in the opera to say that this is a place where you hardly find any racism or discrimination. If it wouldn´t be like that how could everyone work on so many works with ethic and moral contents? I don´t say that the opera is an ideal place but it surely is a much better place according to those sad conditions you mentioned.

[yesblanche]

If the world of opera is such an all inclusive place...why then do we see so few black artists singing standard rep?...and don't you dare infer that there aren't many out there who are capable...because that is an outright lie. So many wonderful black artists are relegated to concert work and tired revivals of Porgy and Bess...which in my opinion is rather offensive in it's depiction of black people as uneducated, libidinous folk characters.

[yesblanche]

I know I'm going to take heat for this but the opera industry is not an even playing field....particularly when it comes to black men (specifically tenors...and before you start shouting about Brownlee...who is terrific...try to name another one who is a prominent figure on the international scene). I don't work in this profession but I have plenty of friends who are artists of color working in your business and I think they'd laugh out loud if you told them there was no racism or discrimination

[anonymusum]

@ yesblanche

It may be like that in the US or in the record industry. But in a normal German opera house it isn´t. Remember when Grace Bumbry made her debut in Beyreuth - Wagner, could it be more German, more blonde hair and white skin? But as far as I remember she began to sing there in the very early seventies. Kathleen Battle was intruduced in a big German TV show as a hopeful talent in the very beginning of her career and everybody, me and collegues, were overwhelmed by her voice.

[anonymusum]

@ yesblanche

Another reason may be the German theatre system, what means opera, play and ballet in one house, in one ensemble. You can´t show a play by Goethe or Shakespeare and be a racist at the same time. There is a deep ethic and humanistic background in our theatres. And Adorno (German philosopher) wrote in the 60s: the art in general has to be a critical mirror for the whole society, that´s it´s duty. And I guess many artists took that in.

[edgarbiervliet]

Well...interesting. Let me tell you that Europe isn´t very non racist either. As a student of singing some collegues asked me what I would be singing if I where finished with my studies. In their opinion there where so little roles black people can portray. I thought how they (ugly as hell...and one rather corpulent) thought they where able to portay beautiful young people on stage.

[edgarbiervliet]

To me it´s also very clear that racism ist mostly outed towards the men of the ´other´ race. I think this has clear biological reasons, cause the other men pose a danger to the reproduction of the own men...while the other women do not pose so much of a danger. Having a black male on stage making love to a white female would therefore be more of a threath then many (white) people can bare. It calls out primitive instincts.

[edgarbiervliet]

In popular art forms (cinema etc.) it has also for long been like this. A black guy doing a white woman....was a total no go. This has now changed a lot. Opera is just a lot slower on changing.

Those conservatives might think they´re so chique. But in fact they´re just acting out of primitive instincts.

[naters81]

I'm sorry but I disagree. There are many fine African American opera singers with prominent careers in the United States. Perhaps the city where you are from is an exception but at least at Seattle Opera and San Francisco Opera where I frequent there is no shortage. One particular artist that has been highly active in Seattle is Lisa Daltrius (recently our Tosca and Aida). Another house favorite, Harolyn Blackwell, was Lucia, Olympia, and a bunch of other standard roles over the past 10 years.

[yesblanche]

naters81 I think you prove my point in that out of all the "many fine African American opera singers" that purportedly appear reguarly you are only able to name 2 (one of whom is rather famous) both of which are sopranos (any tenors other than Brownlee praytell). 2 prominent singers appearing reguarly doesn't constitute "many".

[naters81]

obviously in a short message I can't name every african american opera singer I have seen. There are too many! I merely was pointing out two artists that I enjoy. At least in the last decade (how long I have been seeing opera), Seattle Opera has had at least one opera every season with an African American singing a major role, usually more. This past season 4 of the 6 operas had an African American lead.

[yesblanche]

Well good for Seattle....we certainly don't see them here in New York....though Gotham chamber opera did recently stage a charming interracial L'sola disabitata this past winter. Didn't mean to attack you, but I simply won't submit to anyone who claims this isn't an issue. You might wish to view the documentary "Aida's brothers and sisters" for more insight before you claim this problem is relegated to just the NY opera community.

[naters81]

I would also like to point out that there are proportionately not many black opera singers, so some discrepancy should exist. However, I would agree that I tend to see more female black opera singers than male. But at least at the conservatory I went to, there weren't many black male voice majors. I'm not convinced its race, but possibly culture? For some reason opera doesn't attract enough black men. The black men I have seen in operas tend to be basses or bass baritones. Hardly any tenors.

[yesblanche]

Again you prove my point "not many black opera singers"....bollocks....."blac­k men I have seen in operas tend to be basses or bass baritones"....because THOSE ARE THE ONLY ONES THEY HIRE. Tenors are generally heroic, virile, sexually desired characters in opera and white folks aren't very comfortable seeing black men in such roles. "...possibly culture"....how condescending. This discussion should end. I feel bad monopolizing so much space on an argument falling on ignorant ears.

[blckglam]

I agree I am a 23 year old african american tenor!

[RRydnew]

Hopefully, you are learning Otello....Take a page from Leontyne Price and sing the h*** out of this role! Set the bar so high that they say "Placido who?"

[musikenergy]

NOT true. Where I live, there are a plethora of African American opera singers, who many don't know exist. It is NOT a cultural thing. Many white singers don't turn to opera either. I don't see your point.

[musikenergy]

VERY TRUE yesblanche.

[musoph21]

i saw lisa daltrius at Madison's opera in the park. Amazing talent!

[musikenergy]

I don't know about them being plentiful. Not in this day and age. More African Americans in the 1970's had more successful operatic careers than today.

[swanningaround]

musikenergy. The problem is that the best African Americans singers don't go into classical music any more - no money. Look at Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Beyonce. They all sing gospel.

[musikenergy]

1st, the singers you mention sing pop, not gospel. The only one who have the instrument for opera would be Mariah Carey. As far as your comment on the best African American singers, I know a plethora of INCREDIBLE African American singers who sing classical. They just aren't famous. There is a whole world of talented people who are of all races, white, black, etc that are incredible singers period. All of the best isn't always famous. FAME is alot of sacrifice. Not all singers want that.

[swanningaround]

music. I never said that black singers aren't popular. It is just that they don't see the big money in classical that there is in pop. The probmen is that the big promoters like Barack Obama, Ellen De Generes and Oprah Winfrey feature black pop stars and not black opera singers. I feel this is killing opera.

[musikenergy]

swanning, I did not say anything about popularity. I am confused about your comment in general. Barack Obama is the President of the US, not a music promoter. LOL! Never mind. I will be more confused if I get another response.

[swanningaround]

musikenergy. Obama always invites as his guest to sing people like Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Rihanna. He unfortunately does not encourage opera. You are unlikely to see an invite from him Ms. Battle.

[musikenergy]

WRONG swanningaround. 1st of all, Denyce Graves has already performed there. Grace Bumbry has been honored there. I've sung with an opera singer who's sung there more than once. I'm done with this conversation. Apparently you get your information from unreliable tabloid sources. I'm an opera singer and a real fan of opera. I don't know where you got your resources from, but its laughable that you actually believe that. LOL!

[couturesixfour]

@swanningaround true about the featuring of pop artists. but let's remember that some of the girls you mentioned (rihanna) would not last five minutes in a classical/operatic training session. the raw talent has to be there first! in opera there is definitely more substance than style!!!

[swanningaround]

couture. I agree with what you are saying. I think that many black opera singers have phenomenal talent, and particularly love Leontyne Price. The two featured here, Kathleen Battle and Kiri te Kanawa are also very good. I still cannot see why Americans so love people like Beyonce, Rihanna and Carey.

[bassfanne45]

@swanningaround , Kiri TeKanawa is a Maori from New Zealand. Most Americans love Beyonce, Rihanna, and Carey because most Americans don't like opera and won't listen to opera singers.

[couturesixfour]

@swanningaround are you delusional. these women are not the best of African American singers. the blacks who have made it in opera made it because of their wonderful talent. it is sad that opera would only allow for a few stars. it seems as thought kathy, shirley, grace, and leontyne were the only ones allowed stardom. some of the greatest voices also are the worst packages. casting is a number of things. it's more than a voice. divas are a complete work!!

[blckglam]

lol non of them sing gospel!?

[bassfanne45]

@yesblanche The New York Times actually reported her being called her this!!!???

Shame on them, even if it was true. the NYT should hold itself to a higher standard than to repeat such disgusting racist things.

[jacksvoice]

@yesblanche I care little for behind the scenes tittle tattle - it's the performance that stands the test of time. Kiri's assumption here is intelligent and complete (the best Arabella I've heard), Kathleen, though evoking a younger sister very well in this case, wouldn't have had her career curtailed, had she not pressed her voice out so much. All singers have to survive their fame and rise to always meet expectations. Sadly, that's something that can break even the greatest of talents.

[yesblanche]

@jacksvoice Ms. Battle's career was curtailed by Joseph Volpe wanting to flex his muscle as general director and show James Levine who was boss....NOT by an inability to deliver.

[jacksvoice]

@yesblanche but had her talent been so great, why should a firing by one company end her career? Wouldn't she have been snapped up elsewhere?

[Bahia82]

@jacksvoice Just so know if you go back and look at the NYT and others review of this staged production, you'll find Battle not Kiri got the most accolades during its run.

[jacksvoice]

@Bahia82 Thank-you, that's very interesting. But I prefer to use my own ears.

[evildell]

@yesblanche

Perhaps, there is really no excuse for talking about anyone in that fashion. However, Jessye Norman was under the same constraints, and she managed to maintain a sense of great dignity and warmth that drew people to her..

[Bahia82]

@evildell Jessye Norman toured mostly in Europe, not the US. She went oversea's big difference, BTW Jessye was known as being difficult/Diva as well. THEY ALL WERE! including Dame Kiri

[pfhrsharp]

@yesblanche

Just a few facts. Before Kathleen there were at least three African American female opera singers who were performing when Kathleen started or had just finished their careers. Nobody, nobody else who was before her acted like she did. I liked Kathleen Battle. She was my inspiration to singing opera. She was the first African American female opera singer I heard. And it gave me hope as an African American woman myself to believe that it was possible.

[bcom11]

@pfhrsharp So it sounds like you're saying that the African-American singers before her were "good ole gals" and she should be one just as well. Step out of line and even begin to act like the countless other dramatic opera DIVAS of yesteryear AND today and she's this unique representation of bad behavior? Get over yourself and your under-the-skin racism that you probably don't even realize.

[bcom11]

@pfhrsharp and you being African-American yourself does not affect how I responded.

[pfhrsharp]

@yesblanche

...But I didn't just like her singing, it was her personality and how I thought she handled herself and others. When I learned a few years later that she was basically acting like a B, I couldn't look at her the same way. Nobody wants to work with a difficult person. Also, there was a comment on here about why being dismissed from one opera house should be a problem and why she can't get picked up by someone else. Bottom line...when you've been kicked out of the Met, that's it..

[yesblanche]

@pfhrsharp here are "a few facts"...KB was not the first nor the last 'difficult' singer to appear at the MET...also how can you state that 'nobody else who was before her acted like she did' given the company's 100 plus year history and the notorious tales of Nilsson, Corelli, and others. Based on reporting surrounding this event it really seems like it was primarily a power move by Volpe (whose tenure was marked by some of the company's least impressive presentations).

[16toulousse]

@yesblanche Kiri has experienced racism herself being called half cast being part maorietc and doesn't behave like that so....

[bcom11]

@16toulousse don't you dare compare their two separate struggles as one in the same. that is careless, ill-informed and irresponsible.

[16toulousse]

@bcom11 That is one thing you could never accuse me of being is ill informed!

[jaxonbaby]

Actually battle is too light for the Zdenka.She is leight-weight. She is sounding like a Soubrette. (Is actually)This part needs a powerful voice. Besides I am missing the atmosphere of intimacy. They are singing like machines. Minus 3

[TheAleph74]

I disagree. This role has been sung by light sopranos and in my opinion, Kathleen was perfect for that role. She is able to project the voice over the orchestra and does not let Kiri's bigger voice overpower her.

[FoggyRoad81]

I suspect that this was just a slightly off night, I've never heard her struggle with the high tessitura like she did towards the end of this clip. Her Zdenka was reviewed EXTREMELY positively. I think she sounds GREAT in the solo part of her duet, just some off breathing I think at the end.

[romarius2005]

Battle v.s. Te Kanawa! The performance was grand...they literally tried to outsing each other.

[zauberkreis]

The tempo is too slow, seems both of them sang this duet boredly.

[thedivakiller]

I must say that you don't have good taste of music.

[zauberkreis]

And maybe you could be more polite to express your opinion.

[renzy79]

This is one of the most beautifully sung duets that I have ever heard. No matter the circumstances, it is a true compliment to them both.

[musikenergy]

Regardless of the back story, this is an interesting duo together.

[Brownmuscle2007]

more like they were jealous of MS. Battle

[stingabe]

If I were Kiri I wouldn't sing with KB either; KB sings Mozart as if he had composed every area of his she sings especially for her. And her German is tops!

[fedmut97]

Was this from the Met? There's a famous story about these two in this production, right?

[FoggyRoad81]

omg! omg! omg! omg! omg!!!!!! How did you get this? I have wanted to hear them sing this duet for YEARS. I am overwhelmed, yay!

[paulotomaso]

I love the video of Kiri. Its the root of why I love her so much. Watching her perform is mesmerizing. Her movement is just like her singing, perfect, tasteful, all her transitions are justified, she doesnt overplay, shes beautiful and brilliant, as good as any actress. Then it cuts to the footage of Battle...well, she sings well. And they do sound incredible together towards the end.

[swanningaround]

Yes, piggy. I know Kiri is not liked in China. But she is admired in plenty of other countries, like Brazil and Japan, for example. The Chinese market is important, but not the only one in the world.

[nichtsleezy]

THEY SOUND BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER!!!

[courtjesting]

Didn't they hate each others guts?

[crybabyland]

Yes, they were not fond of each other.

[tristanhnl]

Actually, it's more like Kathleen Battle vs. everyone else in the Met roster. Kathy was simply diva to the extreme when dealing with her peers, simply unbearable. Haha just ask Carol Vaness and she'll tell you all about it!

[dem24utube]

when you listen to this do you really care? =)

[TheAleph74]

Breath taking! The two most beutiful voices of their generation together! Wish they could have done more things together!