Der Rosenkavalier - Final Trio

[thamestango]

It keeps sticking.. can you load it again please ?

[kca1988]

This is really a lovely version. But go check out the 1983 100th anniversary for the Met version with Soderstrom. She's a rock star. Also with Flicka and Battle.

[Napoleontas]

The Wagner influence on Strauss is overwhelmingly obvious

[MuscleDaddyCMH]

Lovely. It's so sad to have to hear Kathy's unearthly wonderful singing, knowing what a total bitch she is in real life.....if only her life matched that voice. And yes, before you go off on me, I know her.

[yesblanche]

Wonderful singing! Devestating 90s fashions!

[0001beppe]

Sometimes the "melomani" are very intolerables with their fanaticals discussions that (how in Italy we say) " TO SPLIT A HAIR IN 4 " :-)

This is a great performance! They are great singers with wonderful voices and the music....!!! One of the best masterpiece of Art that Humans never produced!!!

Thank you Strauss!!! ( Forgive my bad English) :-)

[edro3638]

Just listen to the singing and shut up!

[butlertyrek]

this was absolutely FANTASTIC!!!! I think out of all the trio's that sing this aria, this combination is the best that I have ever heard!!!!

[celloguy]

What's the date of this?

[mradaChris]

This sounds wonderful!

[mkurnat]

Man... Battle was so talented... it's a damn shame that she was such a pain in the ass.

[RRydnew]

@mkurnat

True that! Not only with the other singers but with the fans (so Im told).

[45r2d2]

I am generally not a big Strauss fan, but this piece is superb.

Especially, when its sung by a a breathtaking trio like this one!

[bflobred]

This is a "Concert Performance"! Only a moron would expect to see acting. The only attempt at acting is the Marchelin's "walk away" at the end which helps the listener better undersatnd the drama of the scene.

What's important here is the quality of the singing (magnificent) and the balance of the voices to orchestra. Since we were not there to judge it actually, we must depend on the recording engineer to do his job. In this case, the voices sound great but the orchestra is way too loud.

[delusionsofmind]

Possibly the GREATEST thing ever written for opera!

[obromrob]

che meraviglia!

[giordanengo1]

Merveileuse musique et merveilleuses cantatrices !

[Greatfan]

Thank you violinthief. This is absolutely GLORIUS. Words fail me. Please I would lkie more data as to what is the concert or opera house, the conductor ( Abbado ) etc. A bit more data if you can. Many thanks !

[whit838]

@Greatfan This is from the New Year's Eve Concert, December 31st, 1992. The Berlin Philharmonic played an all Strauss program that night in Berlin including Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel, and Burleske for Piano and orchestra, which is also on Youtube played by Martha Argerich. I recommend checking it out!

[bassfanne45]

VonStade sounds positively marvelous. Always the consumate singer and actress.

[daamqc]

Wow! Where has this clip been? It's obviously older, but new to me. Talk about a dream cast. Years ago I thought my dream cast would be Renee and Kathleen, but I would substitute Anne Sophie von Otter with von Stade. Flicka's great, though. Nothing to complain about.

[Denuhm]

I love renee flemming... listen to her voice just tank away...

[Bigman240]

When Renée wasn't yet a BIG STAR and she was a beefier gal...but those languid portamenti and slurs were already there.

[giorgioot]

il vestito della signora Fleming è terribile!!!

[MelBird777]

Very Beautiful!!!

[starlingbirds]

Absolutely wonderful! Knowing the story at this point where the older princess, Renee' Fleming, is choosing to relinquish her younger lover, Frederica von Stade in a trouser role, to his true love, Kathleen Battle. We all cried at the live performance as we understood intimately, their love and their pain. It still brings tears to my eyes with it's beauty... Thank you for posting it.

[cantanteporsiempre]

what a beautiful trio, I guess this is one of my favourites versions. Battle sings a beautiful Sophie, the voices mixed perfectly.

[jrakg]

At last! Here is something that enables me to SEE who is singing what. Grateful thanks, violinthief. - John Austin, Australia

[avalokiteshivara]

a voz de katleen battle é o céu!

perfeito! donde está a continução?

[dermotafan]

Oh dear, they are singing/screaming their parts to their own heart's content. No interacting. A concert performance, ok.

[Farnik01]

Well, they're singing to themselves in this part of the opera. Plus, it is a concert performance. And they sing it wonderfully.

[113121]

@dermotafan I Totally agree with you

[jlfajardo1]

Es un anticipo del cielo. What a beauty! If you love Music you will fade with these notes.

[bawlmerbuoy1]

Magnificent and perfect music. A dream combinatin.

[rexlbumbum]

Miss Battle's dress is opulent; her wardrobe always was. This heavenly combination of perfect voices is a gift from God to us. Let us enjoy and not post anything negative!

[omar505]

this is the best final trio on youtube. but i agree, Renee has def had so botox because she looks awfull here. And Kathleens dress is ugly. But i love all 3 of these women!

[Damuzikal1]

OOOO SO PRETTY!

[juanpeople]

genial!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......­.......

[scronx]

This is a truly rare gem of a video. I like the loud, visible orchestra and rapt camera work, esp after seeing another known superb rendition in Youtube. It was probably as great but the sound was set too low.

[jmahlon]

This is before Renee's botox...look she has wrinkles on her forehead..lol

[yegorsh]

thank you.

[ChoirBoyOC]

von Stade's jewelry really undermines the conceit that she's playing a BOY. But the singing is glorious.

[lovezyah67]

They all have really ugly outfits on, but Renee is amazing as usual. haha

[crybabyland]

This is just FANTASTIC! Wow. Kathy was ON POINT! Flicka sounds heavenly and Renee's voice was so beautifully robust!

[JessyeNormanFan]

I think the orchestra is too loud.

[PianistandFencer]

yeah I really agree...I was sitting there trying to listen to their voices and the orchestra seems to be interrupting more than accompanying :P

[carbonado71]

What I find so thrilling about this performance is the depths to which all the performers, soloists, orchestra and conductor alike, have truly mined the emotional depths of the music (arguably the BEST moment in all opera). I've listened to every version on this site and I have to say none comes within even a light year of this gem (even the Karajan which I own is top-notch but just "nicely" done in comparison.) Like real emotions, this is rich, complicated, complex and thoroughly satisfying.

[ronaldkessler]

I so agree with you, carbonado; I have been playing it all day and getting goose bumps each time. Do you know if it is available on a CD?

[tsw5ctc]

Need I say more? It's beautiful!

[Bahia82]

They all sound good, i often wonder if people disdain for battle diva attitude gets in their way of their ability to judge her talent in a honest way, on this post alone 2 people attack battle, one person says she is drowned out and dissapears in this aria, while another says she is to loud and trying to upstage. 2 different views, both attacks makes you wonder if either is true, or is it their disdain for battle makes people see things that aren't their?

[musikenergy]

I agree.

[Bahia82]

You dont make it to the MET and become a prime attraction their( which she was)  beacause your overrated. Their are many youtube videos of her singing this selection, their are many for a reason, because she was GREAT at what she did, dont let your disdain for personality flaws cloud your judging of talent Battle was GREAT

[lamusicahera]

BRAVE!

Fantastic...

Here we can listen to Flemings timbre and great singing without to much darkening!

FANTASTIC!

[suzanneetmoi]

OMG, it's hard to believe what I am reading here! We all have favorite artists, but it's great to have this outlet to compare. Of course Flicka is wearing pants- it's called a "trouser role"- and she can be forgiven that hideos green striped dress of the 80's!- and Renee was still growing into the role of the Countess (and yes, my fave in that role will always be Dame Kiri), but for heaven's sake, stop picking at hair color, clothing.etc. If you don't like it, turn it off.

[as6146273]

Why don´t you listen to Frederica von Stade? Wow!!!

[shaun20483]

Role to heavy for BAttle- she busts her nut projecting and singing long phrases which is chopped up-bad choice

[TheAleph74]

You don't know what you are talking about. This was one of Kathleen's signature roles. She was called the best Sophie in the history of the opera.

[Laeliapurpurata]

It's great... I don't care for Battle nor Stade.

[operadivo17]

wow Renee with brown hair!!!!!

WTF!!

[UranusRising]

Right?! She is one that physically improves with age. And she is one of those rare birds who actually looks better as a blonde.

[390204]

what's wrong with Battle here? she's far less overwhelming in the Met final trio with flicka and soderstrom and when she sings the heavenly duet with flicka in the finale.

[paulotomaso]

Battle and Fleming sound great, but I hate watching them. such terrible actresses. Kiri's performance as Marschallain makes them look like high-schoolers.

[violinthief]

In other words, you are so obsessed with Te Kanawa that you troll posts that have nothing to do with her just so you can trash them and praise your goddess. As you wrote in another thread, "NO classical artist, male or female, can touch Te Kanawas ability to sing perfectly and give as good a live performance as any great actor. She is alone in her ability to do that, which is why shes the only soprano I would call myself a fan of." You are not a fan, you're a fanatic, and delusional to boot.

[bekendbrt]

Bravo!

I can't stand these people that leave extremist comments about how singers suck and whatnot. You can't simultaneously suck and sustain an international career in opera. There would be tons of singers out there to replace you. Every singer has their weaknesses, as does Dame Kiri. And, as an FYI, paulotomaso, in concert settings, you don't act as outwardly or with the same technique as you would in a full production. You are clearly not a singer- and if you are, not a very educated one.

[ciociosan]

@violinthief Or maybe even Kiri Te Kanawa herself.

[JSBach5000]

@violinthief -- Usually I am not happy to see negative comments about other commentators, but in this case I agree with you absolutely. 

[FCO0710]

@violinthief

This is absolutely hilarious to me to read. I have been playing trumpet for 11 years, have a degree in trumpet performance and am working on my Masters in education. I had no idea that vocalists were so passionate about such things. Who knew! I've never heard of ANY of these artists until now!

[tenor220]

@FCO0710 Are you kidding me? You must have been living under a rock.

[Jegermeistern]

@FCO0710 Welcome back to the Earth after more than 50 years in outher space!

When you left us (in 1957?), we had exellent artist like Bjoerling, Callas and Robeson.

There has been a lot of gifted singers since then, these 3 are of the very best!

[unamusicman]

to quote the pianist Martin Katz, Kiri is as dumb as dirt and if she is an actress it's quite by accident... Battle and Fleming are wonderful...

[wjsumral]

I actually heard that her ear is AWFUL and that her pianists would have to PLUNK her notes over and over again in order for her to get it.

[390204]

I hope youtube participants won't resort to ad hominem statements. It's really far stretched to label KTK as 'dumb as dirt'. I doubt Martin Katz would have made this kind of ridiculous statements. You supposedly quoted him; but when and where he said this? If you yourself want to malign KTK at least have the courage to admit that it's your own view and let others judge its value.

[cmhmuscle]

yes well, Martin is only the nastiest bitter man on earth. Though it is pretty well known that she tended to have troubles learning things

[Jellyboby]

@paulotomaso  it's an opera, not operetta,

opera SINGERS dont need to act great

[45r2d2]

@Jellyboby I beg to differ. Good opera singers have a great voice, but great opera singers can also act :D

[JO876mDH]

@paulotomaso I would have to disagree. Flemming is an outstanding actress. Her performance in Eugine is outstanding along with many others. As far as Battle, she is just ok. When it comes to Kiri, I saw her in concert and was less than pleased.

[gmr2broadway]

@paulotomaso I worked with a Met director a couple of years ago, at a summer program. He loved to trade war stories of the divas. Fun Fact: Apparently Kiri never has her recitative memorized, and there's a big "Will she pull it off?" question at each opening night. Those prompters are working extra hard when she's onstage!

That said - Kiri's a BEAUTIFUL singer. I prefer Renee though. She's a true professional, and a gorgeous talent.

[slsherwoodwells]

@paulotomaso This a concert presentation-too much "re-action" would be inappropriate; also staging for this this scene,are responding to their dilemma as if not together -read the libretto!!! 

[disneylandman66]

@paulotomaso I might agree that in this clip, Renee's acting is not quite there. But since this clip was made, she has eased into, and I might say, inhabited the role very beautifully. Her 2010 Met Marschallin was absolutely lovely.

[briviona]

me fascinan !!!! a exepcion del rostro de la Battle....

[tonycody]

Why do they all look so old. . . and WHAT is Renee wearing?

[PianistandFencer]

I think that's just the way Kathy is...She just loves the music so much she wants to make sure the audience hears it as she imagined it, and she is kind of afraid to trust others with something so precious. Oh and by the way, that short clip of the interview isn't a good portrayal at ALL! Kathy was promised they would not talk about her 'bad experiences' and that interviewer lulled her into a state of false security, then lied right to her face for a story..it was she, not kathy that did wrong

[tamerlano]

Oh dear, Battle is such a weirdo! She clearly refuses to play with the others. Her entrance is louder than the others and she doesn't back off once...ridiculous.

[lalalissaleigh73]

TOTALLY! Have you seen the interview where she walks out...check it out!:)

[ruffnation]

You are quite possibly the only person in the world to ever accuse Miss Battle of singing too loudly.

[northboy69]

Thank you for that! Some people on here are totally "unreal".

[hwhap13]

Brilliant! It's at the level of Stemme, Kasarova, Hartelius. The best I've heard anyone singing it is Damrau, Garanca and Pieczonka.

[alsonoonasmra]

battle is a little bit of a stage hog

[OperaLover84]

There's Flicka in her man-suit. Love it! ;)

[Babs22h]

eww it looks icky

[sopran21]

Richard Strauss is not one of my favorite composers but this piece is so beatifull.

[iubanne]

In Gottes Namen...In Nomine Domini...

[camitaliano]

Sweet!!! Who knew these three sang together? Wow!

[rmegna]

Absolutely sublime- what music in heaven must be like!

[CHerbek]

Wow, it is so moving to see Renee with tears in her eyes at the end. What an artist! Beautiful...

[00000ppp]

Could strongly recommend you to listen to the same trio with elisabeth söderström instead of fleming.

[musicadei]

Yes this is the trio of life........Battle, Fleming and Von Stade!!!!! Brava!!!!!

[fernandobicudo]

This is a close look at Paradise... heavenly sounds...

Thank you for posting this magical Trio.

Bravissimi!!!!!!!!!!