O M G !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 WHAT A PERFORMANCE. JUST BREATHTAKING AND TEARJERKING. BIZET AT ITS ABSOLUTELY VERY BEST. LOVE THIS PERFORMANCE - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT. HOW CAN TWO VOICES SOUND SO PERFECTLY IN SUCH A SWEET BLEND. SORRY BUT CAN'T HELP CRYING, ESPECIALLY HAVING A FRIEND WHO IS LIKE MY BROTHER.
look ,just appreciate each performer for their talent ,their interpretation ,not by comparing ,for my part these two are wonderful but equally are/were any other tenor or baritone ,who have given their lives to singing for the general public ,great ,well done xxx
Wonderful performance. Was lucky enough to see them both last year in Tosca at the ROH. Both in fine form in 2009. On here I also like the Kraus/McDaniel version
For me, when there are lovely voices, as here--and in all opera--less orchestra is better. (Less is more!) Opera, to me, is essentially for the human voice, but it often seems to be that the orchestra thinks it should dominate. It doesn't dominate here, but sometimes it sounds to me as if it's masking the voices, as if it thinks they or the audience need a little loud help with the melody--an all-too-audible underestimation, perhaps, of both parties.
I like the jussi/Merrill one best but also the Gigli/De luca but not quite as well as the bjorling however Hadley did a great job in it, true with Hampson. Terfel is always a treat for me. They both give the duet some fire here.
Their singing is very beautiful. I noticed that Alvarez really rolls all of his R's, almost to the extent that it sounds like Spanish music. Either way, they're both still great.
I wonder why people feel the overriding need to criticise and compare, this is a superb version, the voices are magnificent. Why not just say so instead of carping?
This is one of my all-time favorite operatic pieces. I've seen Pearl Fishers at least twice.
(I confess, I might carp IF one of the singers had a G0D-Awful vibrato like Cornell MacNeil or Renata Scotto in her later days. That I can't listen to!)
sorry -- it's not a need to criticize . . . it's that you can identify true greatness only by comparing, and we're always comparing things whether we recognize it or not . . . it's also that pleasure is immeasurably increased by really careful analytical listening, by noting how singers attack and sustain notes; how their timbres blend and how they shade their vibrato . . . if all of these aspects of singing seem trivial to you then you're losing out on the heart of appreciating greatness
This doesn't even compare to Jussi and Robert. Both of them aren't at their best - I heard Alvarez as Don Jose about a month ago and he was spot on, much better than he was in this.
I don't get why you say this. Sure, Jussi and Robert were wonderful, but this is an excellent, sensitive and moving performance- and it's the whole piece.
I videocam'd them singing this in the outdoor Greek Theater, from the 1st row, in Berkeley, and they winked as I was recording, on a monopod in 90 degree weather, in 1997. I will have to look for the super8 film and convert it. Caught most of the concert, which was a beautiful one.
There are many good interpretations of this duet on youtube. But the voice and singing of Alvarez is especially suitable for the tenor part. Will he sing Nadir in the future?
Indeed, it is a fantastic recording. There aren't many good recordings of this duet, unfortunately. Russel Watson and Bocelli being among my least favorites, closely followed by Jussi Bjoerling.
O M G !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 WHAT A PERFORMANCE. JUST BREATHTAKING AND TEARJERKING. BIZET AT ITS ABSOLUTELY VERY BEST. LOVE THIS PERFORMANCE - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT. HOW CAN TWO VOICES SOUND SO PERFECTLY IN SUCH A SWEET BLEND. SORRY BUT CAN'T HELP CRYING, ESPECIALLY HAVING A FRIEND WHO IS LIKE MY BROTHER.
dchemaly396 7 months ago
I do love Börling-Merril´s interpretation more. However, this performance is of a very high quality. Sensitive and musically performed.
ForAll23 9 months ago
SUPERB !!!!!!
tukilala 1 year ago
look ,just appreciate each performer for their talent ,their interpretation ,not by comparing ,for my part these two are wonderful but equally are/were any other tenor or baritone ,who have given their lives to singing for the general public ,great ,well done xxx
elliniwendy 1 year ago
what is wrong with the sound?
elinac50 1 year ago
Wonderful performance. Was lucky enough to see them both last year in Tosca at the ROH. Both in fine form in 2009. On here I also like the Kraus/McDaniel version
elephantbarbiegirl 1 year ago
Another beautiful duet with Mr. Alvarez, is O Soave Fanciulla with Anna Netrebko. Really, really nice surprise ending to a bring-tears-to-eyes duet.
rexxcarz 2 years ago
For me, when there are lovely voices, as here--and in all opera--less orchestra is better. (Less is more!) Opera, to me, is essentially for the human voice, but it often seems to be that the orchestra thinks it should dominate. It doesn't dominate here, but sometimes it sounds to me as if it's masking the voices, as if it thinks they or the audience need a little loud help with the melody--an all-too-audible underestimation, perhaps, of both parties.
URLy2Rise 2 years ago
I like the jussi/Merrill one best but also the Gigli/De luca but not quite as well as the bjorling however Hadley did a great job in it, true with Hampson. Terfel is always a treat for me. They both give the duet some fire here.
halavey 2 years ago
Ti amo, Bryn.
NedRorem 3 years ago 7
Their singing is very beautiful. I noticed that Alvarez really rolls all of his R's, almost to the extent that it sounds like Spanish music. Either way, they're both still great.
PhiliptheFace 3 years ago
I wonder why people feel the overriding need to criticise and compare, this is a superb version, the voices are magnificent. Why not just say so instead of carping?
Waitakeredame 3 years ago 2
Good for you. I agree. Just enjoy
This is one of my all-time favorite operatic pieces. I've seen Pearl Fishers at least twice.
(I confess, I might carp IF one of the singers had a G0D-Awful vibrato like Cornell MacNeil or Renata Scotto in her later days. That I can't listen to!)
AmoreHL 2 years ago
sorry -- it's not a need to criticize . . . it's that you can identify true greatness only by comparing, and we're always comparing things whether we recognize it or not . . . it's also that pleasure is immeasurably increased by really careful analytical listening, by noting how singers attack and sustain notes; how their timbres blend and how they shade their vibrato . . . if all of these aspects of singing seem trivial to you then you're losing out on the heart of appreciating greatness
koonafoony 2 years ago 5
This doesn't even compare to Jussi and Robert. Both of them aren't at their best - I heard Alvarez as Don Jose about a month ago and he was spot on, much better than he was in this.
His French is sort of Italianized, too.
Belcore14 3 years ago
Well, don't know as I agree, maybe I do, maybe not. Don't know Alvarez' voice well enough to judge. Or Terfel's for that matter.
Just wrote to say I like your screen name!
AmoreHL 2 years ago
I don't get why you say this. Sure, Jussi and Robert were wonderful, but this is an excellent, sensitive and moving performance- and it's the whole piece.
chantdonchant 2 years ago
Check out Hampson and Hadley. Wish there were a video...
vbigelow 4 years ago
I videocam'd them singing this in the outdoor Greek Theater, from the 1st row, in Berkeley, and they winked as I was recording, on a monopod in 90 degree weather, in 1997. I will have to look for the super8 film and convert it. Caught most of the concert, which was a beautiful one.
anieb 3 years ago
The Most beautifull recording is the recording in italian by Gigli and Deluca. The ending is slightly different but so beautifull. Elias
tenorismo 4 years ago
Esto es sencillamente maravilloso. Gracias a estos dos gigantes lo podemos apreciar y maravillar en nuestras vidas.
tenorspinto 4 years ago 2
There are many good interpretations of this duet on youtube. But the voice and singing of Alvarez is especially suitable for the tenor part. Will he sing Nadir in the future?
alvarezfan 4 years ago
alvarezfan, I agree, but this performance was 7 years ago. I wished, nowadays his voice were just so suitable to this role than in 2000 .
canzonettasullaria 4 years ago
Well they are good but...
Check maestro's Kraus and Mc.Daniel's version to this song
Even Bizett him self cried when he heard them
xarissof 4 years ago
xarissof, you´re joking, aren´t you? Bizet died in 1875. How could he hear singing Kraus and McDaniel?
canzonettasullaria 4 years ago 3
they sing as beautiful as björling and merrill.
canzonettasullaria 4 years ago
bjorling and merrill ftw
all else fail.
jibberjabber 4 years ago
this is one of the best readings I've heard by the contemporary artists.
tenorote 4 years ago
how can bjoerling be among one's least favourites?
Bryn spits at 2:02 :P
steainsy 4 years ago
Indeed, it is a fantastic recording. There aren't many good recordings of this duet, unfortunately. Russel Watson and Bocelli being among my least favorites, closely followed by Jussi Bjoerling.
SexyOperaGuy76 4 years ago
I love this - and thank you for posting! But has anyone heard this with Bryn and Andrea Bocelli?
angenut 5 years ago
Ooo. Where can I get a recording of THAT?!?
starvingmusician21 4 years ago
Yes - that's my favourite version but can't find it anywhere!!
HeleddMai 4 years ago
I have that on CD!! I love it!
fightthespoons 4 years ago
im in the same boat i cant find it anywere :(:(
themusic6 3 years ago
Incredible! My favorite duet of all time!
ThorSings 5 years ago
Oh, I love this duet with these two men. Thank you for posting!
agirlforbryn 5 years ago