I performed in a UK production of Treemonisha, 2010. I had never ever sung classical music with other Afrikans. It was a unique and most engaging experience for me, with great leadership from Michael Harper, a priviledge to be on the same stage as Herb Perry - the story is very challenging and Joplins redemption for me was his mockery of the tawdry christianisation of africans thru the philandering Parson Alltalk (Rodney Clarke). Joplin was a maverick, if you dare to examine the subtext closely
@MsAngela94 do it yourself and look it up already. This is the cast from the original 1970's production of this work by the Houston Opera Company. Google it or check it on Amazon, then Goggle for the complete cast listing. She was the female lead....its an easy search, so do it
Three months ago, I wrote a pretty harsh and negative comment about this video! I have an idea for this stage play or dance routine that I feel would take away some of the mockery that one could feel after watching it. More emphasis should be on how GOD delivered us from awful time in our past. Dedicate a time in the routine that overshadows any doubt that it was GOD that delivered us.
Awesome!!!! Talented!!!!!Positive!!!! Uplifting!!!! Marching Onward, Sliding Onward. Opera voices are strong & holds no boundarys. Thank you Mr. Joplin. Gifts & Talents come from the heart of all. God creates All & this is to be cheered on. Despite negative comments I have read. Joy comes in the morning& this is a performance to be celebrated. Except for my research for a music assignment, I may not have found it, and I am so glad I did, so I can share it. I love it!! A treasure, yes
I heard this when I was in hospital recently recovering from a major operation - it was on the radio. Inspiring! Many thanks. I'm not surprised at the audience reaction.
This is embarrassing to see a bunch of black people making light of a time of our history that was so devastating. You make it seem like our ancestors was out there in the fields having a good time. It really pisses me off to see blacks act like this, not mentioned that a lot of our people was hung, raped and lived in conditions that was beyond horrible. Dancing around the stage like a bunch of monkeys gone apey!!! Do you see the Jews on stage dancing around making light of their past..uh!
You do know that the setting is after the Civil War, and these are free people, and not slaves? The plot of Treemonisha is that education is the way forward, not the old superstitions. They are not making light of it: when Scott Joplin wrote this in the early part of the 20th century he was trying to encourage his people to "march onward". Don't be embarrassed. This is a very optimistic and uplifting story written by a great black composer.
I agee with Mabelreign because Scott Joplin was a great man that loved to deam in a better word, he gave us his largest contubute with Treemonisha.
His whife, Lottie, said that "he was a great man, a great man! He wanted to be a real leader. He wanted to free his people from poverty, ignorance, and superstition, just like the heroine of his opera, Treemonisha. That’s why he was ambitious; that’s why he tackled major projects. In fact, that’s why he was so far ahead of his time".
@geraldallen0426 Scott Joplin was the son of slaves. Do you think you're more of an expert on the black struggle than him? This story represents the education of the Black man. If Scott Joplin were to see how uneducated you were, I'm sure he'd be disappointed.
@geraldallen0426 We must have the courage to face our past and not be ashamed of it. This devestating time in our history has everything to do with where we are today (Good and Bad) and the Tremendous contribution we as Black Americans have made to the World.
Respond to this video... you need to understand that Joplin was the son of former slaves, grew up in the south (Texas, Arkansas) and im more then sure he was exposed to racisim throughout his life. after all alot of high class white society considered ragtime as trash music, ragime songs were called 'coon songs'. why dont you read the introduction to the opera that Joplin wrote himself explaining the setting (the oprea takes place during only one day) as far as the jews, fiddler on the roof!
I never could imagine to actually see a newer version of Treemonisha ...ever...
thank you so much for posting this, in holland i dont think many people know this or even heard of it.
Im amazed by the sound of the voice of miss balthrop(?).. its nearly the same as the original recordings ... that was certainly a really, really nice surprise!!!
(yes i have the original recordings on longplay :)
Wow, was this dude a genius or maniac? Think about it for a sec. There's no way White people in the early 1900's would ever accept a Nigga mixing Jig Ragtime with European Opera in America! I'm black and surprise he died of syphilis instead of a noose. I hate opera and "ye olden" school music but this is incredible. No wonder this wasn't allowed to be seen in it's full show back in those days. They would have rioted like a muthfucka.
@djkaneck1 He was definitely a genius! I think you have a good point about what might have impeded his career as the "serious" musician he wanted to be, instead of remaining as a ragtime composer only.
@djkaneck1 I am currently writing my honors dissertation on Scott Joplin's Treemonisha. Vulgarity aside, your comment is spot-on. Rather than "not-allowed" to be seen, the opera never gained the momentum of interest that Joplin so wished for. The Harlem Renaissance was just around the corner, and this work simply wasn't a show for New York, not in 1907.
Really interesting. The soprano sings gloriously but the choreographer should have been sacked!! Love the way the audience is clearly enjoying it enough to clap along ;o)
in my music class (middle school) there was this scott joplin movie and it had this video/song and some others.... i want to know the name of the of the movie please!!!!
in my music class (middle school) there was this scott joplin movie and it had this video/song and some others.... i want to know the name of the of the movie please!!!!
@TheAnimalcrossingirl the name of the movie is "Scott Joplin" and was made in 1977 for TV. Billy Dee Williams (who later played Lando Calrissian) played Scott Joplin... yes there is a scene where Joplin is rehearsing this number with several cast members.
When was this performed...this You Tube clip we see here? I was wondering if Treemonisha is ever performed live anywhere anymore. I would love to see the whole thing!
Joplin turned this piece into Crown-Seminary-Snyder for publishing but the guy who took the sheet music--Irving Berlin--gave it back later saying it wasn't up to snuff. Then a short time later, Berlin's new song "Alexander's Ragtime Band" ripped off part of this piece and Joplin was not exactly flattered. Berlin's been defended over the years but he stole it. If it wasn't good enough to publish then why would you steal it for your own? That's thievery.
@Kirke182 very true, Joplin said "thats my tune" (actual quote according to his friend Sam Patterson) when Ragtime Band came out. he re wrote some of "slow drag" to avoid comparisons
@Doug19752533 From what I read, Joplin yelled it. I think it was John Stark's son who said Joplin was so mad he burst into tears. Now, that is certainly an honest, gut reaction to hearing Berlin's song and not someone trying to pull a fast one on Berlin. And when you listening to the opening strain of Alexander, there's no doubt that it came from Slow Drag. And music periodicals of that time that wrote of it said Joplin was angry at Berlin, not the other way around.
@Kirke182 oh i have no doubt that Joplin must have been livid (and this is coming from a man that Stark and many of his friends described as quiet and soft spoken. Stark himself said he never saw Joplin smile.) and there is NO QUESTION at all that Ragtime Band was taken from Slow Drag. ive had people ask me to play Ragtime Band (im a pianist and play alot of ragtime) and i flat out refuse to play it, in fact i pretty much shun Irving Berlin because of what he did to Joplin.
@Doug19752533 Yes, I'm rather anti-Berlin myself for the same reason. It was certainly underhanded and there really is no good way to defend Berlin and I don't understand why so many people do. But I do hope when you refuse to play Berlin, you say why and play Slow Drag for them instead. Joplin deserves to be remembered more than him.
THANK YOU for posting this. Love this song, especially fluidity and beauty of the line "Now do that sloooooow, do that slow drag" ; and what about Ms. Balthrop! Wow! Thanks again.
I am glad there is finally some of this opera on Youtube. I have the full recording since over 30 years!!! The cover looks like the one shown on Aunt Dinah has blown the horn on the right...........
Thank you, vincero1079, for this beautiful moment. I love Scott Joplin since more than 35 years ago. Could you offer us "Wrong is never right" sung by Curtis Rayam in this opera?
Je viens de découvrir cette oeuvre de Scott JOPLIN - Je suis désolé de ne pouvoir aller la voir et l'entendre au théâtre du Chatelet à Paris où elle passe en ce moment - Merci à vous ! Merci Scott JOPLIN pour ce merveilleux moment de musique et de bonheur intégral, partagé avec tous ces professionnels de la scene. Pascal
I am writing to you from Paris, France. I have just seen (this evening) Treemonisha at the Chatelet Theatre (very famous theatre). They are on stage until April 9, 2010. No words, except : BEAUTIFUL ! Treemonisha is sang by Adina Aaron, Monisha : Grace Dumbry, and ... Ned is Willard White (who was Ned at the Grand Opera of Houston in May 1975 !!!). May be there will be a DVD of this show ! I will let you know...
I am writing to you from Paris, France. I have just seen (this evening) Treemonisha at the Chatelet Theatre (very famous theatre). They are on stage until April 9, 2010. No words, except : BEAUTIFUL ! Treemonisha is sang by Adina Aaron, Monisha : Grace Dumbry, and ... Ned is Willard White (who was Ned at the Grand Opera of Houston in May 1975 !!!). May be there will be a DVD of this show ! I will let you know...
And much the more tragic that now that people appreciate his classical works like this, most of them have been lost or destroyed, and never performed.
@Jenniferhos no, he wasnt committed until late 1916 or early 1917. he was still actively composing in 1916 - composing new rags, making orchestral arrangements, and composing new music. he even announced in the paper a new musical "If", but this is the only mention of it. He made several piano rolls between April and June, but the later roll shows deterioration of his playing from syphilis. his wife Lottie had him committed when he began destroying his manuscripts.
being a huge joplin fan (im a classical pianist and have studied his works as much as i have chopin and beethoven) have played this and other excerpts from the opera, this is the first time i get to see the performance. Joplin would have shed tears of joy to see his dream come to life. listen to the audience clap in time with the music! and the cheers at the end!
Joplin actually had to rewrite "a real slow drag" when shortly after he had showed the score around to publishers "alexanders ragtime band" came out by Irving Berlin. the main themes are very very similar (hmmm). Lottie (joplins wife) said when he saw the sheet music to berlin's song he exclamed "thats my tune!" and had to revise it somewhat to avoid the accusations of plagerisim (after all consider the time, a white mans word vs a black mans word?)
I believe this is Houston Grand's 1975 performance with Carmen Balthrop (my current voice teacher). Beautiful voice, isn't she?? She debuted at the Met with this role (not sure what year), but definitely made an impression. You can get the entire Houston Grand's recording on Amazon.
@RoryGarbutt that was in 1915. shortly after the failed performance he started destroying his manuscripts fearing people would steal them after his death, and his wife committed him to a mental hospital in january 1917. he was absolutely crushed, and decended into a state of paranoia and depression. terrible loss
@Groth1175 acott joplin wrote a VERY large ammount of classical music (a symphony, piano concerto, piano pieces and more) that his wife kept after his death in 1917 but it was all put in storage after her death and is now lost. he wrote another opera called 'a guest of honor' in 1902 (now lost), a ballet "the ragtime dance" in 1902 later revised into a piano rag in 1906 and started anoter stage work called "If" in 1915 but is now lost. he was a true genius
@Groth1175 Rudi Blesh and Harriet Janis met Lottie Joplin in the 1950 when researching their book "they all played ragtime" and showed them stacks of his music. they noted several titles "Pretty Pansy Rag", "Recitative Rag", "Morning Glories", as well as the classical pieces. there IS one fragment of Joplins lost music that has resurfaced - on Guido Nielsen's recording of Joplins work he has a track called "unknown song fragment".
@Doug19752533 in the 40's Sam Patterson, a longtime friend of Joplin's recieved from Lottie a picture of Scott's piano which had some music on it. later it was examined and this is a 32 second fragment. the music is a haunting beautiful rag. look it up and listin to it.
1 Towards the end when they stop for the 1st bow the audiene goes wild I LOVE THAT there is a voice hollering out what is that voice calling out anyone have any idea I cannot "make it out"? It certainly isnt "bravo bravo!!
2. This video is not by a cell phone or digital camera as a my honey insists it is recorded profesionally SO is there NO dvd of treemonisha??!!
Fantastic! This has been my favorite Opera since I was 11. I studied opera at a predom white school...never got the opportunity to perform it :-( But I did write a big research paper on it and educated my Music History professor lol.
There's something incredibly moving about this. There's just nothing else that sounds like it and when you think of the circumstances whence it came...
It's been a while since attending Carmen's wedding here in The Bahamas so finding this bit of Treemonisha with Carmen is an absolute treat for me. The piece has recently been performed at our regional theatre and was very successful. I wish her continued success in all her endeavours.
May I have a video recording of this new performance of Treemonisha? I would come to see it but for me the distance is a problem: I am an Italian admirator of Scott Joplin.
Well may God bless you. This is truely one of the best operas/musicals every written. I read how Mr. Joplin was broke, depressed, bankrupt and discouraged after he tried to launch this production before his death in 1917. It was not successful. But oh what a glorious day this must of been when HE was looking down from heaven on this performance!!!
Parabéns a quem adicionou este vídeo, é uma linda raridade. Eu adoraria obter esta apresentação completa. Sou um brasileiro grande admirador de Scott Joplin, sua hístória e sua arte. Eu não sabia que havia vídeo gravado desta apresentação histórica. Possuo aqui esta apresentação inteira, só que apenas em áudio.
IT IS THE BEST INTERPRETATION OF TREEMONISHA!!!! GREAT SCOTT JOPLIN, GREAT CARMEN BALTHROP!!!!
It's absurd that a wonderful opera like this is almost forgotten.Thanks for posting this! I hope that Treemonisha may one day find the right collocation in musical culture.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this. I love this and was a little dismayed it wasn't on youtube. One small word of advice, you should re-name it "Real Slow Drag-Treemonisha-Balthrop" That will get it the most hits. Again THANKS!!!!!!!!
What play is this?
MsKittenz1 1 week ago
¡Una maravilla!
mariop1960 1 month ago
Carmen Balthrop was outstanding!!
1ragtimer 1 month ago
Brilliant singer - choreography is awful though.
JacqueslaRu 1 month ago
I performed in a UK production of Treemonisha, 2010. I had never ever sung classical music with other Afrikans. It was a unique and most engaging experience for me, with great leadership from Michael Harper, a priviledge to be on the same stage as Herb Perry - the story is very challenging and Joplins redemption for me was his mockery of the tawdry christianisation of africans thru the philandering Parson Alltalk (Rodney Clarke). Joplin was a maverick, if you dare to examine the subtext closely
sutchara 1 month ago
There is a new CD recording of Treemonisha with Anita Johnson in the title role.
dcurtis53 2 months ago
Yes, that is Ms. Balthrop.
dcurtis53 2 months ago
Can anyone please tell me what this woman's name is !!!???!!! i must know her name !
MsAngela94 3 months ago
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DreamsCumTrue469 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@MsAngela94 do it yourself and look it up already. This is the cast from the original 1970's production of this work by the Houston Opera Company. Google it or check it on Amazon, then Goggle for the complete cast listing. She was the female lead....its an easy search, so do it
DreamsCumTrue469 3 months ago
@MsAngela94
Carmen Balthrop, I guess.
andremad75 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
I do love this. I heard this music 25 years ago for the first time. Wish I could see it on stage,
After a party, in my home, when I have to clean up my kitchen I allways listen to this fantastic opera. I still have it on an old tape.
Britt, Stockholm
brjejo 3 months ago
Three months ago, I wrote a pretty harsh and negative comment about this video! I have an idea for this stage play or dance routine that I feel would take away some of the mockery that one could feel after watching it. More emphasis should be on how GOD delivered us from awful time in our past. Dedicate a time in the routine that overshadows any doubt that it was GOD that delivered us.
geraldallen0426 6 months ago
I got married on that music instead of the ritual... in 1978... so many memories. Everybody danced in the church * XV century church".. a great day!!
musiquepomme 8 months ago
My grandmother played Monisha in this production. Just thought I'd throw that out there lol
OhHayMike 9 months ago
Awesome!!!! Talented!!!!!Positive!!!! Uplifting!!!! Marching Onward, Sliding Onward. Opera voices are strong & holds no boundarys. Thank you Mr. Joplin. Gifts & Talents come from the heart of all. God creates All & this is to be cheered on. Despite negative comments I have read. Joy comes in the morning& this is a performance to be celebrated. Except for my research for a music assignment, I may not have found it, and I am so glad I did, so I can share it. I love it!! A treasure, yes
Nijeta1 9 months ago
I heard this when I was in hospital recently recovering from a major operation - it was on the radio. Inspiring! Many thanks. I'm not surprised at the audience reaction.
Antifogasta 9 months ago in playlist opera
didnt know about this production. Another treasure to explore :)
deeznutz757 9 months ago
This is embarrassing to see a bunch of black people making light of a time of our history that was so devastating. You make it seem like our ancestors was out there in the fields having a good time. It really pisses me off to see blacks act like this, not mentioned that a lot of our people was hung, raped and lived in conditions that was beyond horrible. Dancing around the stage like a bunch of monkeys gone apey!!! Do you see the Jews on stage dancing around making light of their past..uh!
geraldallen0426 10 months ago
You do know that the setting is after the Civil War, and these are free people, and not slaves? The plot of Treemonisha is that education is the way forward, not the old superstitions. They are not making light of it: when Scott Joplin wrote this in the early part of the 20th century he was trying to encourage his people to "march onward". Don't be embarrassed. This is a very optimistic and uplifting story written by a great black composer.
Mabelreign 10 months ago 2
I agee with Mabelreign because Scott Joplin was a great man that loved to deam in a better word, he gave us his largest contubute with Treemonisha.
His whife, Lottie, said that "he was a great man, a great man! He wanted to be a real leader. He wanted to free his people from poverty, ignorance, and superstition, just like the heroine of his opera, Treemonisha. That’s why he was ambitious; that’s why he tackled major projects. In fact, that’s why he was so far ahead of his time".
0zenith 9 months ago
@geraldallen0426 Scott Joplin was the son of slaves. Do you think you're more of an expert on the black struggle than him? This story represents the education of the Black man. If Scott Joplin were to see how uneducated you were, I'm sure he'd be disappointed.
Jealkeja 9 months ago 2
@geraldallen0426 We must have the courage to face our past and not be ashamed of it. This devestating time in our history has everything to do with where we are today (Good and Bad) and the Tremendous contribution we as Black Americans have made to the World.
treemonisha2006 6 months ago
@geraldallen0426 before you make assumption of something...please know your history!
jsubaritone1 5 months ago
Respond to this video... you need to understand that Joplin was the son of former slaves, grew up in the south (Texas, Arkansas) and im more then sure he was exposed to racisim throughout his life. after all alot of high class white society considered ragtime as trash music, ragime songs were called 'coon songs'. why dont you read the introduction to the opera that Joplin wrote himself explaining the setting (the oprea takes place during only one day) as far as the jews, fiddler on the roof!
Doug19752533 4 months ago
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Justy68 11 months ago
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Justy68 11 months ago
I never could imagine to actually see a newer version of Treemonisha ...ever...
thank you so much for posting this, in holland i dont think many people know this or even heard of it.
Im amazed by the sound of the voice of miss balthrop(?).. its nearly the same as the original recordings ... that was certainly a really, really nice surprise!!!
(yes i have the original recordings on longplay :)
Justy68 11 months ago
Is the audience clapping along with the song?
If so, that's awesome. I wish I could see Treemonisha live.
KnitKnots 11 months ago
Wow, was this dude a genius or maniac? Think about it for a sec. There's no way White people in the early 1900's would ever accept a Nigga mixing Jig Ragtime with European Opera in America! I'm black and surprise he died of syphilis instead of a noose. I hate opera and "ye olden" school music but this is incredible. No wonder this wasn't allowed to be seen in it's full show back in those days. They would have rioted like a muthfucka.
djkaneck1 1 year ago
@djkaneck1 He was definitely a genius! I think you have a good point about what might have impeded his career as the "serious" musician he wanted to be, instead of remaining as a ragtime composer only.
beakt 1 year ago
@djkaneck1 I am currently writing my honors dissertation on Scott Joplin's Treemonisha. Vulgarity aside, your comment is spot-on. Rather than "not-allowed" to be seen, the opera never gained the momentum of interest that Joplin so wished for. The Harlem Renaissance was just around the corner, and this work simply wasn't a show for New York, not in 1907.
drunksessions 9 months ago
Great !!! WAUWWWWWWW
ybeerten 1 year ago
Really interesting. The soprano sings gloriously but the choreographer should have been sacked!! Love the way the audience is clearly enjoying it enough to clap along ;o)
brightonsinger 1 year ago
Pity,stunning but a tad messy
vascula4 1 year ago
I wish I could click "Like" a million times!!!!
beakt 1 year ago
So brilliant... so sad it wasn't appreciated in its day. I hope somewhere Joplin knows what a contribution he gave the future.
clhough 1 year ago
i can see where jerome kern drew inspiration from this. so weird but cool to see an african american version of late victorian opera.
mrghastly 1 year ago
It's absolutely wonderful. I'm going to buy the CD. This needs to be released as a DVD too.
Kapellmeister35 1 year ago
fantastic, what a gem! thanks for posting this
hafgan02 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
in my music class (middle school) there was this scott joplin movie and it had this video/song and some others.... i want to know the name of the of the movie please!!!!
TheAnimalcrossingirl 1 year ago
in my music class (middle school) there was this scott joplin movie and it had this video/song and some others.... i want to know the name of the of the movie please!!!!
TheAnimalcrossingirl 1 year ago
@TheAnimalcrossingirl the name of the movie is "Scott Joplin" and was made in 1977 for TV. Billy Dee Williams (who later played Lando Calrissian) played Scott Joplin... yes there is a scene where Joplin is rehearsing this number with several cast members.
Doug19752533 4 months ago
lol, grew up watching this!! one of Joplin's greatest works.
Jocelynsjourneys 1 year ago
It's a shame this isn't on DVD...
Jaydoggy531 1 year ago
When was this performed...this You Tube clip we see here? I was wondering if Treemonisha is ever performed live anywhere anymore. I would love to see the whole thing!
drummerlead 1 year ago
@drummerlead This was 1986, in Houston.
beakt 1 year ago
@drummerlead Or maybe 1976.
beakt 1 year ago
Kathleen Battle was Camen Balthrop's understudy and typically sang the matinees when the opera was being performed on Broadway.
ksolobc 1 year ago
If only Joplin had lived to see the genius of his opera performed. Truly beautiful.
thestarsprism 1 year ago
Joplin turned this piece into Crown-Seminary-Snyder for publishing but the guy who took the sheet music--Irving Berlin--gave it back later saying it wasn't up to snuff. Then a short time later, Berlin's new song "Alexander's Ragtime Band" ripped off part of this piece and Joplin was not exactly flattered. Berlin's been defended over the years but he stole it. If it wasn't good enough to publish then why would you steal it for your own? That's thievery.
Kirke182 1 year ago
@Kirke182 very true, Joplin said "thats my tune" (actual quote according to his friend Sam Patterson) when Ragtime Band came out. he re wrote some of "slow drag" to avoid comparisons
Doug19752533 4 months ago
@Doug19752533 From what I read, Joplin yelled it. I think it was John Stark's son who said Joplin was so mad he burst into tears. Now, that is certainly an honest, gut reaction to hearing Berlin's song and not someone trying to pull a fast one on Berlin. And when you listening to the opening strain of Alexander, there's no doubt that it came from Slow Drag. And music periodicals of that time that wrote of it said Joplin was angry at Berlin, not the other way around.
Kirke182 4 months ago
@Kirke182 oh i have no doubt that Joplin must have been livid (and this is coming from a man that Stark and many of his friends described as quiet and soft spoken. Stark himself said he never saw Joplin smile.) and there is NO QUESTION at all that Ragtime Band was taken from Slow Drag. ive had people ask me to play Ragtime Band (im a pianist and play alot of ragtime) and i flat out refuse to play it, in fact i pretty much shun Irving Berlin because of what he did to Joplin.
Doug19752533 4 months ago
@Doug19752533 Yes, I'm rather anti-Berlin myself for the same reason. It was certainly underhanded and there really is no good way to defend Berlin and I don't understand why so many people do. But I do hope when you refuse to play Berlin, you say why and play Slow Drag for them instead. Joplin deserves to be remembered more than him.
Kirke182 4 months ago
I heard Kathleen Battle sang this role. Does anyone know if there is any truth in that?
mbaggarly 1 year ago
@mbaggarly Yes, I think she did. I heard that too.
fiercejarret 1 year ago
@mbaggarly Yes Kathleen Battle was understudy to Balthrop and typically sang the matinees for the Broadway performances.
ksolobc 1 year ago
@mbaggarly Yes. In fact Kathleen Battle is mentioned positively in a review at the time; in addition she has sung this piece as an encore in recital.
kinddude 1 year ago
THANK YOU for posting this. Love this song, especially fluidity and beauty of the line "Now do that sloooooow, do that slow drag" ; and what about Ms. Balthrop! Wow! Thanks again.
kinddude 1 year ago
I am glad there is finally some of this opera on Youtube. I have the full recording since over 30 years!!! The cover looks like the one shown on Aunt Dinah has blown the horn on the right...........
petervanbrock 1 year ago
a real slow drag
yeehah188 1 year ago
and how is this song called?
yeehah188 1 year ago
@yeehah188 "A Real Slow Drag"
beakt 1 year ago
how did the song aunt dinah looked in the opera?i know the music
yeehah188 1 year ago
Thank you, vincero1079, for this beautiful moment. I love Scott Joplin since more than 35 years ago. Could you offer us "Wrong is never right" sung by Curtis Rayam in this opera?
loboscar57 1 year ago
Je viens de découvrir cette oeuvre de Scott JOPLIN - Je suis désolé de ne pouvoir aller la voir et l'entendre au théâtre du Chatelet à Paris où elle passe en ce moment - Merci à vous ! Merci Scott JOPLIN pour ce merveilleux moment de musique et de bonheur intégral, partagé avec tous ces professionnels de la scene. Pascal
sibemol0928 1 year ago
I am writing to you from Paris, France. I have just seen (this evening) Treemonisha at the Chatelet Theatre (very famous theatre). They are on stage until April 9, 2010. No words, except : BEAUTIFUL ! Treemonisha is sang by Adina Aaron, Monisha : Grace Dumbry, and ... Ned is Willard White (who was Ned at the Grand Opera of Houston in May 1975 !!!). May be there will be a DVD of this show ! I will let you know...
TheWilbur75 1 year ago
I am writing to you from Paris, France. I have just seen (this evening) Treemonisha at the Chatelet Theatre (very famous theatre). They are on stage until April 9, 2010. No words, except : BEAUTIFUL ! Treemonisha is sang by Adina Aaron, Monisha : Grace Dumbry, and ... Ned is Willard White (who was Ned at the Grand Opera of Houston in May 1975 !!!). May be there will be a DVD of this show ! I will let you know...
TheWilbur75 1 year ago
My God!!! Carmen Balhtrop "is" the soul of the king of ragtime!!!!! BRAAAAAVOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
doctorsjazzband 1 year ago
I love this God bless Mr. Scott Joplin, this was a brotha that fufilled his call on this earth. I
treemonisha2006 2 years ago
@treemonisha2006
And much the more tragic that now that people appreciate his classical works like this, most of them have been lost or destroyed, and never performed.
Karlfalcon 1 year ago
well mi name is tremonisha
carlosjohnsonful 2 years ago
That was a long long time history for my the 70's I remeber all the songs singing in the car I think i have a old album in my apartment thanks ...
FerdinandMetz 2 years ago
In 1915 Scott Joplin was commited in to a mental hospital???
Jenniferhos 2 years ago
@Jenniferhos no, he wasnt committed until late 1916 or early 1917. he was still actively composing in 1916 - composing new rags, making orchestral arrangements, and composing new music. he even announced in the paper a new musical "If", but this is the only mention of it. He made several piano rolls between April and June, but the later roll shows deterioration of his playing from syphilis. his wife Lottie had him committed when he began destroying his manuscripts.
Doug19752533 4 months ago
is there a DVD of this?
Its awesome!!!!
korsteknorst 2 years ago
this is awesome
CSVernon 2 years ago
whoa... youtube holds even this. COOL!!!!!
h3onza 2 years ago
being a huge joplin fan (im a classical pianist and have studied his works as much as i have chopin and beethoven) have played this and other excerpts from the opera, this is the first time i get to see the performance. Joplin would have shed tears of joy to see his dream come to life. listen to the audience clap in time with the music! and the cheers at the end!
Doug19752533 2 years ago
Joplin actually had to rewrite "a real slow drag" when shortly after he had showed the score around to publishers "alexanders ragtime band" came out by Irving Berlin. the main themes are very very similar (hmmm). Lottie (joplins wife) said when he saw the sheet music to berlin's song he exclamed "thats my tune!" and had to revise it somewhat to avoid the accusations of plagerisim (after all consider the time, a white mans word vs a black mans word?)
Doug19752533 2 years ago
Joplin got the best of that. This is a much better piece.
ianjcameron 2 years ago
*correction* - Miss Balthrop did not debut at the Met in this role but, rather, as Pamina in Mozart's "The Magic Flute"
vincero1979 2 years ago
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heabingham 2 years ago
where is performace from?
harpguy18 2 years ago
I believe this is Houston Grand's 1975 performance with Carmen Balthrop (my current voice teacher). Beautiful voice, isn't she?? She debuted at the Met with this role (not sure what year), but definitely made an impression. You can get the entire Houston Grand's recording on Amazon.
heabingham 2 years ago
the first time this was performed was for a small audience with only scott on the piano and it was so bad that they all walked out :(
RoryGarbutt 2 years ago
@RoryGarbutt that was in 1915. shortly after the failed performance he started destroying his manuscripts fearing people would steal them after his death, and his wife committed him to a mental hospital in january 1917. he was absolutely crushed, and decended into a state of paranoia and depression. terrible loss
Doug19752533 2 years ago
I did not realize Scott Joplin wrote any operas, this is very interesting!
Groth1175 2 years ago
@Groth1175 acott joplin wrote a VERY large ammount of classical music (a symphony, piano concerto, piano pieces and more) that his wife kept after his death in 1917 but it was all put in storage after her death and is now lost. he wrote another opera called 'a guest of honor' in 1902 (now lost), a ballet "the ragtime dance" in 1902 later revised into a piano rag in 1906 and started anoter stage work called "If" in 1915 but is now lost. he was a true genius
Doug19752533 2 years ago
Its very sad that so much of it was lost, I had no idea!,
Groth1175 2 years ago
@Groth1175 Rudi Blesh and Harriet Janis met Lottie Joplin in the 1950 when researching their book "they all played ragtime" and showed them stacks of his music. they noted several titles "Pretty Pansy Rag", "Recitative Rag", "Morning Glories", as well as the classical pieces. there IS one fragment of Joplins lost music that has resurfaced - on Guido Nielsen's recording of Joplins work he has a track called "unknown song fragment".
Doug19752533 2 years ago
@Doug19752533 in the 40's Sam Patterson, a longtime friend of Joplin's recieved from Lottie a picture of Scott's piano which had some music on it. later it was examined and this is a 32 second fragment. the music is a haunting beautiful rag. look it up and listin to it.
Doug19752533 2 years ago
1 Towards the end when they stop for the 1st bow the audiene goes wild I LOVE THAT there is a voice hollering out what is that voice calling out anyone have any idea I cannot "make it out"? It certainly isnt "bravo bravo!!
2. This video is not by a cell phone or digital camera as a my honey insists it is recorded profesionally SO is there NO dvd of treemonisha??!!
brianradomski 2 years ago
He's shouting "bravi!"
kaloseimi 2 years ago
@brianradomski - It sounds like, "Bravi." Brava said to a woman; bravo said to a man; and bravi said to a mixed ensemble.
kinddude 1 year ago
I have worshipped ragtime all my 53 years so this is a happiness for me i get emotional its embarasing!!
brianradomski 2 years ago
What a gift from God!
elmo007millie 2 years ago
Great Great Great !!!
Danskantvzw 2 years ago
Did you hear a high C at the end of that last encore?
Maestrojosh87 2 years ago
Yes, Andy (tenor) at the and of opera made a high C.
0zenith 2 years ago
Fantastic! This has been my favorite Opera since I was 11. I studied opera at a predom white school...never got the opportunity to perform it :-( But I did write a big research paper on it and educated my Music History professor lol.
BUprettygirl 2 years ago
this is awsome!!!!!!!!
ragtimest 2 years ago
DIVA!!!! Carmen Balttrhop!!!!!! WHAT A GLORIOUS VOICE SHE HAS, GOD!!!!!!
AND WHAT A DELICOUS NUMBER FROM EVERYBODY ON STAGE!!!!!!
lelecoloco 2 years ago 2
There's something incredibly moving about this. There's just nothing else that sounds like it and when you think of the circumstances whence it came...
IDTFG 2 years ago 2
It's been a while since attending Carmen's wedding here in The Bahamas so finding this bit of Treemonisha with Carmen is an absolute treat for me. The piece has recently been performed at our regional theatre and was very successful. I wish her continued success in all her endeavours.
therasp 2 years ago
is there ANY way I can get a video of this performance . . . I am in Australia!
OzJohn666 2 years ago
There is a performance of this on August 1 in Newark, NJ. Tickets are free. Thanks for sharing.
missmeehan 2 years ago
May I have a video recording of this new performance of Treemonisha? I would come to see it but for me the distance is a problem: I am an Italian admirator of Scott Joplin.
0zenith 2 years ago
WHERE!?!?
at njpac? when? i cant seem to find it on google... =/
plz tell me more!
1Hannah730 2 years ago
I can't tell you what it means to me to find this.
janiscortese 2 years ago 8
Awesome!
dfthompson 2 years ago 6
Well may God bless you. This is truely one of the best operas/musicals every written. I read how Mr. Joplin was broke, depressed, bankrupt and discouraged after he tried to launch this production before his death in 1917. It was not successful. But oh what a glorious day this must of been when HE was looking down from heaven on this performance!!!
treemonisha2006 2 years ago 12
ditto
wetus2000 2 years ago
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treemonisha2006 2 years ago
thanks so much!! so hard to find this opera1 wonderful version! you are the man! (or woman) ;/
zachpiano 2 years ago
Parabéns a quem adicionou este vídeo, é uma linda raridade. Eu adoraria obter esta apresentação completa. Sou um brasileiro grande admirador de Scott Joplin, sua hístória e sua arte. Eu não sabia que havia vídeo gravado desta apresentação histórica. Possuo aqui esta apresentação inteira, só que apenas em áudio.
Obrigado pela surpresa agradável.
Sidney
sidneyclfonseca 2 years ago 4
IT IS THE BEST INTERPRETATION OF TREEMONISHA!!!! GREAT SCOTT JOPLIN, GREAT CARMEN BALTHROP!!!!
It's absurd that a wonderful opera like this is almost forgotten.Thanks for posting this! I hope that Treemonisha may one day find the right collocation in musical culture.
0zenith 2 years ago
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0zenith 2 years ago
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this. I love this and was a little dismayed it wasn't on youtube. One small word of advice, you should re-name it "Real Slow Drag-Treemonisha-Balthrop" That will get it the most hits. Again THANKS!!!!!!!!
FoggyRoad81 2 years ago 13
The BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cpbsaunders1965 2 years ago 16