The tempo is ridiculously fast. The singing is excellent. But the high-water mark for this sextet was set by Karajan with Callas, di Stefano etc. in1956(?)
... agreed. the tempo was indeed at the upper limit (wonder why some conductors think they must rush). I believe those voices could have made more of it, had they just a bit more space. Particularly I liked Paverotti who showed incredibly agreesive presence, but also Flemming for her juvenile interpretation of Lucia, just the way it ought to be.
sounds a bit too rushed for me.NOTE. i'm not making any negative comments about these fabulous singers...just moving a little faster than I'm accustomed to. anyone else feel that way?
Watching this, like another commentator said, one wonders why Renee didn't sing the whole Lucia ? Immediately one thinks "she doesn't have the voice for it.". It must be true because to my ears Fleming lacks florid coloratura so she wouldn't be able to pull of the razzle-dazzle in Quando Rapito, the Mad Scene flute duet & Spagi D'amaro. If she never sang Lucia it was for a reason; if she had it would have been the "original" a la Caballe or Andrea Rost
@OperaMystery80 Renee Fleming actually has one of the best coloratura techniques hence her tackling successfully the role of Rossini's Armida, one of the most demanding coloratura roles.
@robertdonkers But I'm not talking about Armida. Why didn't she sing Lucia ? What is your theory ? Lucia is a far more popular and bigger box office opera hit than Armida; more people would come to see Renee sing Lucia, which has been sung by all the big names Callas, Sutherland, Sills, Gruberova, etc. Why didn't Renee sing Lucia ? Just wanna know! My theory is she can't!!
@OperaMystery80 But there are already so many wonderful Lucias, the ones you mention are all fantastic and all of them have not performed particular roles, not because they could not do it simply because it was never offered to them or other logistical reasons. eg Callas never performed R Devereux, Gruberova never performed Armida, Sutherland never did Il Pirata and Sills never perfomed B di Tenda. I am sure they could all have done justice to the roles
@robertdonkers I think it's odd; for instance Violetta in Traviata Renee sang late in her career only sang it recently a few years ago, but why wasn't she singing these roles in her prime and when she had more energy and ability ?She's over the hill now! She would have made a fine Traviata 16 years ago, or Lucia. She has a weird career: singing roles she should have earlier later!
@OperaMystery80 My word, over the hill, that woman is in her prime right now. I find her sooooo exciting her intepretations completely memorable. With her maturity she gives characterisations to roles one can not expect from some young canary. For me definately the leading soprano on the 21st century
@robertdonkers I consider Fleming as a late 20th century soprano 1990's. In the last 10 years of our current century, although she has been singing opera, I consider her already a veteran. I'm a fan but I think she oversings and jazzes up opera, even changing the original music to arias to suit her specific style (which is wrong). She'stalented but I see her and Cecilia Bartoli as being late 20th century sopranos who made it big in the past 16 yrs. Bartoli also sings with too much ornamentation
@OperaMystery80 Ah, no she is a fine mature artist now who still is exploring. About Cecilia, she probably comes nearest to what we have to come close to all the embellishments the castraties threw in at the time. She too is one of my favourites. specially now in the maturer part of her career.
@littlechildren01 Dflat? I am sure you have heard higher from Ne-ne. Check out the video of her singing "Merce, Dilette Amiche" from I Vespri Sicilliani. She sings an E natural. Better than most Coloratura sopranos I might add.
@Rcoppin91 ehhh, you are right... i have completely forget about that, however, i think she sounds a lotmore natural here, maybe it´s the age she had when she recorded this.... jus my opinion, je
@Rcoppin91 Actually, in some of her earlier performances, Fleming even touches a high G above high C in (her own) flourish between the two verses in Era desso from Lucrezia Borgia.
PLEASE bring back the teezed-out side pony just once more!! Maybe at your next Carnegie Hall Concert? For old times' sake? Oh, and that Oscar Meyer themed gallon of fabric you're wearing wouldn't go amiss either ;)
I've listened to this twice and think that there must be a technical error in the recording, though I don't know what it is. Compare it with Moffo and Bergonzi who, to me, set the "modern" standard as Galli-Curci and Gigli set it earlier in the century. And for brilliant casting, the voices of Sills and Dallapozza are uniquely beautiful together. Just one man's opinion; our brains all respond differently to sound.
LA IMPORTANCIA DE LOS CANTANTES.Y EL SWING DEBIDO OPERISTICO.JAMAS VOLVEREMOS A OIR ESTA ARIA EN EL PODEROSO SONIDO QUE JOAN SUTHERLAND CONTENIA.Y EXPULSABA POR SU GARGANTA.DANDO CLASE Y PRESTIGIO A TENORES Y BARITONOS Y AL PROPIO DONNIZETTI.
Horrible performance. Pavarotti sounds as if he's trying to out yell evryone else, and Fleming's vocal range is not suitable to such a demanding role. I'll take Callas' and DiStefanos' renditions any day.
Renee as Lucia ? Never. That's why she stick to concert versions of arias/scenes. She never had a good bel canto voice eventhough she wishes she had. The only good singer here is Pavarotti's Edgardo. Fleming can't sing Norma either so she limits that to concerts. Good for her. She'd be a disaster if she actually dared to sing Lucia or Norma in opera houses.
You're very right. I totally agree with you. When she sang Il Pirata here in Paris 2 or 3 years ago, she was dersevedly booed. Lots of ugly glottal attacks...
I am sure the tempo is too fast - the sextett is the encounter of 6 most different characters - an outburst of the drama to come; before Lucia goes mad and can't hold back!
I have been listening to opera for over 50 years. Very few soprano's reach the high note at the end, preferring to drop down. Well done Renee. Excellent recording. Thank you.
Could do with being a touch slower, I would agree. Great singing, though. It's always such a singing competition this one!! Phenomenal when you are in a chorus behind it - love it!
@veritasincaritate@veritasincaritate That's not a bad thing for us. We don't have to look at Renée's dipshit hairdo and Petticoat Junction dress. And her voice has too much vibrato, not to mention that she doesn't understand the rhythm of Donizetti. Her vocal color is totally wrong for this. It is not a Strauss waltz!
oh Lucia, Elvira, Norma, Mimi, Lucrezia, Butterfly, Tosca, Rosina, Violetta, Aida, Gilda, Carmen, Dalila, Giorgetta, Elizabetta, Eboli, Marie, you name it, my school corridor has heard it all :D
she is such an esteemed lady that she already knows that she is going to sound amaaazing regardless of her hair. but really, what a ballsy move. i do love it as well
This may indeed be more Can Belto than Bel Canto, in the words of the old joke, but I for one find it quite exciting and the audience seemed to like it.
What a bunch of noise. Other then Fleming, who was the only musical one, it just seemed like everyone was trying to out sing everyone else. I'm a huge Pav fan but really he wasn't being a team player here.
It is a sextet. That means 6 voices. Unfortunately, the parts vary so much, it does sound like they are competing. As for Pavarotti, he is singing the way his part was written; he is the male lead among all those guys.
Pretty good sextet. I think it's funny how in this one, at the end, you can basically hear everyone equally; but in any recording with Joan Sutherland, all you hear is her! :)
America's Beautiful Voice", soprano Renée Fleming has a devoted international following wherever she appears, whether on the operatic stage, in concert or recital, on television, radio or on disc. 1999 brought a Grammy Award for her Decca recording, The Beautiful Voice which follows honours from Musical America (1997 Vocalist of the Year) and L'Academie du Disque Lyrique (1996, inaugural Solti Prize)
Um...wow. I'm new to opera appreciation but I really have to say, this was noise and nothing but. And it really felt like Pavarotti was shouting through the whole thing. I thought it was VERY unbalanced.
Perhaps, out of context, this piece just doesn't work.
I would have to disagree with the "noise" you hear. But I do have to agree with martello79 that even though Pavarotti was an amazing performer his individualism really gets in the way in this complicated sextet. Perhaps that is the issue you are having with this. Other than that I find that the other voices are beautiful together.
Hearing Flemming again when she was young is treat. She has a splendid voice. I think that Pavarotti had a fine voice but the criticism do sometimes seem to apply. Still, it is great to see this!
Wonderful energy and how relieving and wonderful to hear this very young and natural Fleming: no manierisms at all, brava!!
But to me it's not the best sextet ever, because of the inbalance caused by Pavarotti's continuous fortissimo. Did he wanna really felt the need to show he still had the biggest voice? And Miss Zajick could have saved us that last note I guess.....
Look i couldnt careless one way or another about you and life to waste time sending messages to others bout things which have nothing to do with you, i couldnt careless about how you got through school so just take that chip off your shoulder, thats what got me through school. Oh yes, And as always Pavarotti has NO musicality WHAT SO EVER!!!!!!!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Fleming is so awesome in this it's sick. Such simple elegance in that vocal production. Just sheer beauty and legato. It really stood out as something special. Her hairstyle, however, is a completely different story. If this were me, I would be horrified that someone put this video up. Paul Plishka was pretty fantastic too, although Mr. Pavarotti was sort of yelling, no? It seemed he was trying to prove a point somehow. Maybe I'm wrong. He's always wonderful, regardless.
Es uno de los sextetos mejor cantado , en eso no podemos discutirlo , ya que todos los cantantes comenzando desde pavarotti dejan el alma en esta aria que de por si es una belleza.
I must say its best Sextet I have ever seen yet of Chi mi frena! Wooow! and a chinese baritone is handling the Great Pavarotti quite well, I mpressive! Woow!
This is way to fast. What's wrong with the conductor? He should show some symplathy for the singers, since they're the ones struggling with the tempo!
Superb. Quite possibly the best version of the sextet I've heard. I think Pavarotti around 1990-91 (the 3 Tenors era!) was really at the height of his powers. Also, I know some people prefer a slower tempo but I like the brisk versions - much more tension. And finally - I like the absence of the choir - it makes you appreciate the subtle quality of the soloists' inter-action from 2.25 onwards (choir usually drowns them out). Quite brilliant. Thankyou for posting.
I particularly appreciated the tempo and conducting helping to prevent powerful stars from getting a little "hammy". Excellent ensemble work. Soprano's hair and dress irrelevant and trivial to this art.
You know what? I just read your comment on my former comment, and I must concede, you are right. I had forgotten posting that bizarre comment. I was definitely having an "off" night, and my comments were uncalled for. I really don't care for the tempo, but the peeing and spanking should have been left out of this picture. Yes, Rudel is a great conductor, but I just disagreed with his choice of tempi. Thanks for pointing this out to me.
I would watch anything with Renee and Pavarotti on the same stage, although her hair and dress made me laugh, but she scored that final high E. Brava, Renee!!! That being said, who in hell is this awful conductor???? HE should be spanked without mercy for 1 full day for taking the tempo that fast....He must have needed to pee??? It was absurdly quick. BAD, BAD,BAD conducting. The singers pulled it off, but he needs chastisement.
I like FLeming even though she does some crazy shit lol. honestly though with I kinda would expect her to nail that high note if she decided to take it. she is one of those people who has it all.
I don't care who he is. Being the GREAT Julius Rudel in no way makes his tempi selection favorable with everyone who listens. Tell you what, Elsa, you read it for me and get the hell off my case. I stated an OPINION, and now you have stated yours. I attack no one on here, and I expect the same from other members. I am not the first to feel this way about Maestro Rudel. Geez. Closed.
I'm confused by something. Your earlier post asked who this awful conductor is, then you say you're not the first to feel this way about Mestro Rudel (who, like it or not, is one of the BEST opera conductors ever, and far more knowledgeable about tempi than you or I). Maybe it was just how you stated your opinion that was flawed. We all have them, but to blast someone for a choice you disagree with is silly, as are the comments about needing to pee and spanking.
If you know anything about the story, you'd realize that the main character expressing his emotion is Edgardo. He realizes that he's been swindled, and he storms into the party with this angry banter: "Who can hold me back at such a moment?" The others are mostly giving their private comments. Does this help you understand why he's so loud?
Then you obviously don't like art or artists, which makes one suspect very much whether you can ever be edified by the 'concord of sweet sound' or by the extraordinary efforts of people like (but rarely as gifted as) Pavorotti on your behalf... what a shame!
You may be perfectly right in defence of which I can only say that, like all dilettantes and pedants, I will remain so until my accuser rescues me from his striking blows by enlightening me with reason. Otherwise I am doomed and you are forever cruel -- hardly a desireable condition! Yes,no?
Have you ever stopped to think that this music was written before microphones? Flaunting your ignorance and proudly declaiming you "have a life" is just a sad social commentary.
If this were the first recording of Fleming I had ever heard, she would definitely have been more appreciated by me (I can't stand any of her current stuff). It was a good sextet. By no means the best, but it was excellent.
Amazing and polifonic! Donizetti really knew how to make opera-lovers mad like Lucia. Everbody sing fantastic. Such a pleasure to listen to a really good and professional aria. It is very difficult to sing properly. So, Bravooooo!!!!
Phenomenal video. Talk about star casting. Forget the dress, I prefer Renee here than now. What I would not have given for this exact casting back then.
Oh dear god what is she wearing? She looks like the great pumpkin with bad hair. It's so bad I almost threw up in my mouth. She sounds good though; I see stuff like this and remember how much I used to like her; before she became so...artistic. She's overpowered just a bit tho. Lots of big male voices onstage with her. Pav was in great voice that night, and Plishka sings like a god; as usual.
What a surprising video! I never realized Fleming had sung any excerpt of Lucia ... And she's joined by such great singers (even Alisa is sung by the wonderful Zajick!). I find her very compelling, the voice was lighter but already had the same richness and distinctive quality that are her trademark ... And Pavarotti is still wonderful, btw very expressive as well!
Wow! realmente grandes.
j13277 3 days ago
nice and fast...
PGijsbertsen 3 days ago
MICROPHONIES!!!!!!!
LUV IT
brq17115mora 1 week ago
Looney Tunes and Three Stooges bought me here.
jazzalex22 1 week ago
Grazie,thank you,merci,spassiba,danke,arigato,gracias,obrigado
cityroam 4 weeks ago
It's ..., it's...., I dont'n have words to describe it. Regards from Mexico City
Joser1956 1 month ago
is celestal music ..
sulekk 1 month ago
The tempo is ridiculously fast. The singing is excellent. But the high-water mark for this sextet was set by Karajan with Callas, di Stefano etc. in1956(?)
redbaropera 4 months ago
... agreed. the tempo was indeed at the upper limit (wonder why some conductors think they must rush). I believe those voices could have made more of it, had they just a bit more space. Particularly I liked Paverotti who showed incredibly agreesive presence, but also Flemming for her juvenile interpretation of Lucia, just the way it ought to be.
isispartners1 4 months ago
sounds a bit too rushed for me.NOTE. i'm not making any negative comments about these fabulous singers...just moving a little faster than I'm accustomed to. anyone else feel that way?
pointemeout 4 months ago
Fleming should defninitely bring that outfit back at her next recital. Dear god that's amazing.
blackolds33 5 months ago in playlist 33-Opera-trio, quartet, quintet, sextet
The baritone and tenor have no similarities in sound whatsoever... it's tragically awful. The rest is good though.
musictman 6 months ago
Maybe I judged too soon. Should have listened through!
disneylandman66 6 months ago
BAD. Pavarotti is too loud and greedy. Tempo is too chipper. This is not a sextet but a bunch of hoggy solos.
disneylandman66 6 months ago
mm it doesn't nedd to be that loud..,!!! haha but i love it anyway
mumularatona 6 months ago
Thank you, 1991, for providing that stunning orange bow dress. GREAT sextet!
spicks26 6 months ago
Watching this, like another commentator said, one wonders why Renee didn't sing the whole Lucia ? Immediately one thinks "she doesn't have the voice for it.". It must be true because to my ears Fleming lacks florid coloratura so she wouldn't be able to pull of the razzle-dazzle in Quando Rapito, the Mad Scene flute duet & Spagi D'amaro. If she never sang Lucia it was for a reason; if she had it would have been the "original" a la Caballe or Andrea Rost
OperaMystery80 8 months ago
@OperaMystery80 Renee Fleming actually has one of the best coloratura techniques hence her tackling successfully the role of Rossini's Armida, one of the most demanding coloratura roles.
robertdonkers 7 months ago
@robertdonkers But I'm not talking about Armida. Why didn't she sing Lucia ? What is your theory ? Lucia is a far more popular and bigger box office opera hit than Armida; more people would come to see Renee sing Lucia, which has been sung by all the big names Callas, Sutherland, Sills, Gruberova, etc. Why didn't Renee sing Lucia ? Just wanna know! My theory is she can't!!
OperaMystery80 6 months ago
@OperaMystery80 But there are already so many wonderful Lucias, the ones you mention are all fantastic and all of them have not performed particular roles, not because they could not do it simply because it was never offered to them or other logistical reasons. eg Callas never performed R Devereux, Gruberova never performed Armida, Sutherland never did Il Pirata and Sills never perfomed B di Tenda. I am sure they could all have done justice to the roles
robertdonkers 6 months ago
@robertdonkers I think it's odd; for instance Violetta in Traviata Renee sang late in her career only sang it recently a few years ago, but why wasn't she singing these roles in her prime and when she had more energy and ability ?She's over the hill now! She would have made a fine Traviata 16 years ago, or Lucia. She has a weird career: singing roles she should have earlier later!
OperaMystery80 6 months ago
@OperaMystery80 My word, over the hill, that woman is in her prime right now. I find her sooooo exciting her intepretations completely memorable. With her maturity she gives characterisations to roles one can not expect from some young canary. For me definately the leading soprano on the 21st century
robertdonkers 6 months ago
@robertdonkers I consider Fleming as a late 20th century soprano 1990's. In the last 10 years of our current century, although she has been singing opera, I consider her already a veteran. I'm a fan but I think she oversings and jazzes up opera, even changing the original music to arias to suit her specific style (which is wrong). She'stalented but I see her and Cecilia Bartoli as being late 20th century sopranos who made it big in the past 16 yrs. Bartoli also sings with too much ornamentation
OperaMystery80 6 months ago
@OperaMystery80 Ah, no she is a fine mature artist now who still is exploring. About Cecilia, she probably comes nearest to what we have to come close to all the embellishments the castraties threw in at the time. She too is one of my favourites. specially now in the maturer part of her career.
robertdonkers 6 months ago
perfect !
verdgner1 8 months ago
I love the potato sack dress and the off to the side napp. lmao
leangesdemoi 9 months ago
i think this is the highest note i´ve ever heard of fléming
littlechildren01 10 months ago
@littlechildren01 Dflat? I am sure you have heard higher from Ne-ne. Check out the video of her singing "Merce, Dilette Amiche" from I Vespri Sicilliani. She sings an E natural. Better than most Coloratura sopranos I might add.
Rcoppin91 10 months ago
@Rcoppin91 ehhh, you are right... i have completely forget about that, however, i think she sounds a lotmore natural here, maybe it´s the age she had when she recorded this.... jus my opinion, je
littlechildren01 10 months ago
@littlechildren01 Yeah, I agree with you. To me it sounds like she brings up more weight to her top than she did when she was younger.
Rcoppin91 10 months ago
@Rcoppin91 Actually, in some of her earlier performances, Fleming even touches a high G above high C in (her own) flourish between the two verses in Era desso from Lucrezia Borgia.
VivaMariaCallas 9 months ago
@VivaMariaCallas yeah, but she doesn't really sit on it. I was talking about something longer than a 16th note.
Rcoppin91 9 months ago
Haijing Fu, what a great voice! :)
slack1more1 10 months ago
own that ponytail. Work that updo gurl.
Kevinthommiller 11 months ago 6
magnificent. and yet luciano still shines through like no other.
bercg 11 months ago
pavarotti è il numero 1 degli edgardo.difficilmente si può discutere
alexanderpuritano 11 months ago
Think I just wet myself this was that good.
braveinoz 1 year ago
Has Ms. Fleming ever done Lucia on stage?
orfeo2003 1 year ago
Pavarotti at 3:16! hiccup?
Kivimusic 1 year ago
Dear Naynay,
PLEASE bring back the teezed-out side pony just once more!! Maybe at your next Carnegie Hall Concert? For old times' sake? Oh, and that Oscar Meyer themed gallon of fabric you're wearing wouldn't go amiss either ;)
OperaLover84 1 year ago 3
Is this fast or what??!!
andrecooper555 1 year ago
Such stunningly glorious music -- beyond amazing -- if that is possible... Not the best dress I have ever seen on La Donna Fleming.
seattleladt 1 year ago
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wholeNwon 1 year ago
I've listened to this twice and think that there must be a technical error in the recording, though I don't know what it is. Compare it with Moffo and Bergonzi who, to me, set the "modern" standard as Galli-Curci and Gigli set it earlier in the century. And for brilliant casting, the voices of Sills and Dallapozza are uniquely beautiful together. Just one man's opinion; our brains all respond differently to sound.
wholeNwon 1 year ago
I think Renee Fleming is beautiful and they all sing magnificently. However, the spitting row must have been drenched.
bluconure 1 year ago
WOW
USoeyadi 1 year ago
LA IMPORTANCIA DE LOS CANTANTES.Y EL SWING DEBIDO OPERISTICO.JAMAS VOLVEREMOS A OIR ESTA ARIA EN EL PODEROSO SONIDO QUE JOAN SUTHERLAND CONTENIA.Y EXPULSABA POR SU GARGANTA.DANDO CLASE Y PRESTIGIO A TENORES Y BARITONOS Y AL PROPIO DONNIZETTI.
bellini7verdi 1 year ago
Rewelacja!
komputerola3 1 year ago
The camerawork sucked, as usual. It looked like just a trio And, yes, alot of noise.
chorus8 1 year ago
Pav was always powerful. maybe mic was too close to him.lol
neutronbob22 1 year ago
I think that might have to do with mic location. Pav was powerful and everyone knew it.
neutronbob22 1 year ago
musica celestiale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!voto8.
MrFrancogianni 1 year ago
Ummm orange dress?! What?!?!?! Side rag doll ponytail?!?! Why?!?!?
lkazakis 2 years ago
Horrible performance. Pavarotti sounds as if he's trying to out yell evryone else, and Fleming's vocal range is not suitable to such a demanding role. I'll take Callas' and DiStefanos' renditions any day.
Ozarks0108 2 years ago
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that fat dago Pavarotti has to out yell everyone else
cwecub 2 years ago
Renee as Lucia ? Never. That's why she stick to concert versions of arias/scenes. She never had a good bel canto voice eventhough she wishes she had. The only good singer here is Pavarotti's Edgardo. Fleming can't sing Norma either so she limits that to concerts. Good for her. She'd be a disaster if she actually dared to sing Lucia or Norma in opera houses.
MastersoftheOpera 2 years ago 2
You're very right. I totally agree with you. When she sang Il Pirata here in Paris 2 or 3 years ago, she was dersevedly booed. Lots of ugly glottal attacks...
breton2 2 years ago
I am sure the tempo is too fast - the sextett is the encounter of 6 most different characters - an outburst of the drama to come; before Lucia goes mad and can't hold back!
FerencPattaya 2 years ago
I Just love Renee. God bless her!
alloutiu 2 years ago
I have been listening to opera for over 50 years. Very few soprano's reach the high note at the end, preferring to drop down. Well done Renee. Excellent recording. Thank you.
24126277 2 years ago
They're singing way too fast!!!
veritasincaritate 2 years ago
Could do with being a touch slower, I would agree. Great singing, though. It's always such a singing competition this one!! Phenomenal when you are in a chorus behind it - love it!
colino72 2 years ago
Comment removed
sillyboydeux 2 years ago
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@veritasincaritate @veritasincaritate That's not a bad thing for us. We don't have to look at Renée's dipshit hairdo and Petticoat Junction dress. And her voice has too much vibrato, not to mention that she doesn't understand the rhythm of Donizetti. Her vocal color is totally wrong for this. It is not a Strauss waltz!
sillyboydeux 2 years ago
Pavarotti was spectacular! Fleming is fantastic! Whatever happened to her? I have not heard much of her.
alloutiu 2 years ago 2
She's still pretty busy, appearing in solo concerts as well as with opera companies around the world. See the Wikipedia article about her.
frankkatus 2 years ago
Thank you for the information. She is one of my few favorites. I wish you a Happy New Year filled with God's blessings.
alloutiu 2 years ago
OMG, Fleeming is spectacular! and all of them.
kalaf29 2 years ago
Renee is wonderful but where does she get these dresses?
rumpwrestler 2 years ago
Love it!!
rossmcl177 2 years ago
I sing this in the hals at school. I guess it makes me a nerd. hehe
Char1esP 2 years ago 3
I used to do the very same thing while I was at school.
Mooorhe 2 years ago 2
Smart :)
cjpeters90 2 years ago
Me too! At vocational school ha ha. ;-)
ShawDAMAN 2 years ago
Nothing wrong with singing this at school. Its beautiful. More people should sing this in school! I catch myself humming it at work often.
clarksc1988 2 years ago
I sing anthames at work and stuff like this at school
cjpeters90 2 years ago
oh Lucia, Elvira, Norma, Mimi, Lucrezia, Butterfly, Tosca, Rosina, Violetta, Aida, Gilda, Carmen, Dalila, Giorgetta, Elizabetta, Eboli, Marie, you name it, my school corridor has heard it all :D
Drelnis 2 years ago
pavarotti was a god.
SundanceCrave 2 years ago
Renee Fleming w/ a side ponytail.
Priceless.
Love her.
irregularverb37 2 years ago 16
It's the coolest thing I've ever seen...seriously. Especially with the orange dress and front bow. She's adorable no matter what she's wearing... :-)
blackolds33 2 years ago
@irregularverb37
she is such an esteemed lady that she already knows that she is going to sound amaaazing regardless of her hair. but really, what a ballsy move. i do love it as well
pointemeout 4 months ago
@irregularverb37 who care what her hair looks like, what a voice.
b3a5t1e 4 months ago
..Pav looks skinnier here....1991...but he lost and gained 200 lbs dozens of times.....
j72050 2 years ago
This may indeed be more Can Belto than Bel Canto, in the words of the old joke, but I for one find it quite exciting and the audience seemed to like it.
wooshywoo 2 years ago
What a bunch of noise. Other then Fleming, who was the only musical one, it just seemed like everyone was trying to out sing everyone else. I'm a huge Pav fan but really he wasn't being a team player here.
naters81 2 years ago 4
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goodchessactor 2 years ago
It is a sextet. That means 6 voices. Unfortunately, the parts vary so much, it does sound like they are competing. As for Pavarotti, he is singing the way his part was written; he is the male lead among all those guys.
UnknownOperaStar 1 year ago
PS to naters81: You are right, it could be smoother. Check out the version with Beverly Sills.
UnknownOperaStar 1 year ago
I just wish Fleming would have stopped the whole thing, barked out 'Would you kindly quit with the shouting already!' and restarted it.
Lindow 2 years ago 2
Hmm.. kind of fast though
voicefan 2 years ago
Pretty good sextet. I think it's funny how in this one, at the end, you can basically hear everyone equally; but in any recording with Joan Sutherland, all you hear is her! :)
ChrisStockslager 2 years ago
La Stupenda had a powerful voice and not only could drown the singers around her but also the entire orchestra.
tklogan11809 2 years ago
What the hell is Fleming wearing? And the birdsnest in her hair needs a bird!
PecsMstr 2 years ago 7
America's Beautiful Voice", soprano Renée Fleming has a devoted international following wherever she appears, whether on the operatic stage, in concert or recital, on television, radio or on disc. 1999 brought a Grammy Award for her Decca recording, The Beautiful Voice which follows honours from Musical America (1997 Vocalist of the Year) and L'Academie du Disque Lyrique (1996, inaugural Solti Prize)
compaqunu 2 years ago
@PecsMstr she is wearing a very very ugly dress!
kgarmaker123 1 year ago 2
Gosh, the singers aren't mixing at all. It sounds like they're all trying to prove something, especially Pavarotti.
JeeRant 2 years ago
Spot on. Pav and the bloke next to him are just trying to smash each other. Singularly unmusical but pretty bloody funny.
tom4101 2 years ago
Surprise, surprise.
ChrisStockslager 2 years ago
¿Y la version de Pavarotti con Sutherland no la tiene nadie?
Khaymansete 2 years ago
Un poco heterodoxo aqui Pavarotti, pero es sentido y bien cantado, se lo perdono como le perdono a Fleta cantar Tosca como le salga de los filetos.
Muy elegante Fleming aqui aunque quiza un poco a destiempo.
¿De ese baritono no hay nada mas en el youtube? Es realmente notable.
Khaymansete 2 years ago
De Haijing Fu no encuentro nada :S
Khaymansete 2 years ago
Um...wow. I'm new to opera appreciation but I really have to say, this was noise and nothing but. And it really felt like Pavarotti was shouting through the whole thing. I thought it was VERY unbalanced.
Perhaps, out of context, this piece just doesn't work.
sebastian122 2 years ago
I would have to disagree with the "noise" you hear. But I do have to agree with martello79 that even though Pavarotti was an amazing performer his individualism really gets in the way in this complicated sextet. Perhaps that is the issue you are having with this. Other than that I find that the other voices are beautiful together.
operababe2010 2 years ago
Hearing Flemming again when she was young is treat. She has a splendid voice. I think that Pavarotti had a fine voice but the criticism do sometimes seem to apply. Still, it is great to see this!
TedMichaelMorgan 2 years ago
Wonderful energy and how relieving and wonderful to hear this very young and natural Fleming: no manierisms at all, brava!!
But to me it's not the best sextet ever, because of the inbalance caused by Pavarotti's continuous fortissimo. Did he wanna really felt the need to show he still had the biggest voice? And Miss Zajick could have saved us that last note I guess.....
martello79 2 years ago
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As always Pavarotti has NO musicality WHAT SO EVER!!!!!!!
jeliacsh 2 years ago
No one needs your opinion. If you've got nothing nice to say, don't say anything. that's what got me through school.
triplethreat614 2 years ago 2
Look i couldnt careless one way or another about you and life to waste time sending messages to others bout things which have nothing to do with you, i couldnt careless about how you got through school so just take that chip off your shoulder, thats what got me through school. Oh yes, And as always Pavarotti has NO musicality WHAT SO EVER!!!!!!!
Yours sincerely
you cunt.
jeliacsh 2 years ago
Wow. That was mature. Grow up and learn how to communicate with people.
Iareto 2 years ago
The sextet a bit too scatered to bundle up the tone as one might prefer.... but , all in all, Fab, Fab, Fab... thank you!
sebreathnach 2 years ago
is somebody playing politics? what is that voiceless baritone doing there. where is kim josephson when we need him?
musedirec 3 years ago
Pavarotti se roba la pelicula.
Gotthard38 3 years ago
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Fleming is so awesome in this it's sick. Such simple elegance in that vocal production. Just sheer beauty and legato. It really stood out as something special. Her hairstyle, however, is a completely different story. If this were me, I would be horrified that someone put this video up. Paul Plishka was pretty fantastic too, although Mr. Pavarotti was sort of yelling, no? It seemed he was trying to prove a point somehow. Maybe I'm wrong. He's always wonderful, regardless.
lizmexico 3 years ago
Es uno de los sextetos mejor cantado , en eso no podemos discutirlo , ya que todos los cantantes comenzando desde pavarotti dejan el alma en esta aria que de por si es una belleza.
verderiano 3 years ago
I must say its best Sextet I have ever seen yet of Chi mi frena! Wooow! and a chinese baritone is handling the Great Pavarotti quite well, I mpressive! Woow!
Leporello001 3 years ago
one of the lady's was a lil bit sharp at the end, but one of the best sextet's I've ever heard
operastar18 3 years ago
This is way to fast. What's wrong with the conductor? He should show some symplathy for the singers, since they're the ones struggling with the tempo!
orfeo2003 3 years ago
Superb. Quite possibly the best version of the sextet I've heard. I think Pavarotti around 1990-91 (the 3 Tenors era!) was really at the height of his powers. Also, I know some people prefer a slower tempo but I like the brisk versions - much more tension. And finally - I like the absence of the choir - it makes you appreciate the subtle quality of the soloists' inter-action from 2.25 onwards (choir usually drowns them out). Quite brilliant. Thankyou for posting.
rossmcl177 3 years ago
This is wonderful!
And I love how in the first half it is like Pavarotti and his backup singers.
pianoandpipes 3 years ago
The great baritone is Fu Haijing from China and graduate from the Central Conservatory Of Music.
xulei315 3 years ago
beautiful performance of the sextet. especially luciano pavarotti and renee fleming in the end with the high note.
loveluciano1 3 years ago
I thought this was divine, Luciano looked thin, Fleming looked short, and the other guy, well he sang great! Loved it!
janicesoprano 3 years ago
Oh Renee I sure love your hair and dress and super sharp high D
DoinItClassy 3 years ago
Ahhhh young Marcello Giordani! [swoons]
LaMostraESopra 3 years ago
great job...a bit brisk with the tempo - Maybe our dear Renee was late for her hair salon appointment!!!
beefnotfish 3 years ago
Pales in comparison to Nelson Eddy's version in the Disney cartoon Willie The Whale That Wanted To Sing At The MET.
tklogan11809 3 years ago
I particularly appreciated the tempo and conducting helping to prevent powerful stars from getting a little "hammy". Excellent ensemble work. Soprano's hair and dress irrelevant and trivial to this art.
oegaziz43 3 years ago
You know what? I just read your comment on my former comment, and I must concede, you are right. I had forgotten posting that bizarre comment. I was definitely having an "off" night, and my comments were uncalled for. I really don't care for the tempo, but the peeing and spanking should have been left out of this picture. Yes, Rudel is a great conductor, but I just disagreed with his choice of tempi. Thanks for pointing this out to me.
htshoward 3 years ago
I would watch anything with Renee and Pavarotti on the same stage, although her hair and dress made me laugh, but she scored that final high E. Brava, Renee!!! That being said, who in hell is this awful conductor???? HE should be spanked without mercy for 1 full day for taking the tempo that fast....He must have needed to pee??? It was absurdly quick. BAD, BAD,BAD conducting. The singers pulled it off, but he needs chastisement.
htshoward 3 years ago
Final D flat
sour7lemon 3 years ago
Sour7lemon is right. It's a D flat that she sings, but it's still remarkable given that Renee is a full lyric. Gotta love her hairdo at the time.
dougbalt 3 years ago
I like FLeming even though she does some crazy shit lol. honestly though with I kinda would expect her to nail that high note if she decided to take it. she is one of those people who has it all.
moghedien13 3 years ago
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flat,of course and bad for Fleming.Orchestra and conductor a bit strange...
saverioorlando 2 years ago
That "awful" conductor is the great Julius Rudel. And who says the tempo was "too fast"? Read the score.
elsa425 3 years ago
I don't care who he is. Being the GREAT Julius Rudel in no way makes his tempi selection favorable with everyone who listens. Tell you what, Elsa, you read it for me and get the hell off my case. I stated an OPINION, and now you have stated yours. I attack no one on here, and I expect the same from other members. I am not the first to feel this way about Maestro Rudel. Geez. Closed.
htshoward 3 years ago
I'm confused by something. Your earlier post asked who this awful conductor is, then you say you're not the first to feel this way about Mestro Rudel (who, like it or not, is one of the BEST opera conductors ever, and far more knowledgeable about tempi than you or I). Maybe it was just how you stated your opinion that was flawed. We all have them, but to blast someone for a choice you disagree with is silly, as are the comments about needing to pee and spanking.
BeauTenor 3 years ago
You better sound like Dame Joan Renee Fleming!!!!
mll20829 3 years ago
I LOVE renee fleming. Her hair is amazing as well hahaha good old ninteys. I love pav's, giordani!!!
Rostrover123 3 years ago
I just wsnt to tell you cwecub You are an idiot if you don´t know nothing about opera is better that you ¡¡¡¡SHUT UP¡¡¡¡¡
fredtenor 3 years ago
I agree she looks a fright here..and she's gorgeous looking normally. But what a voice..so full and creamy and rich..I just drank this up!
CandyHaleLinton 4 years ago 3
i like it, lots of energy and feeling
nothing for sunday school
raw sex, that's it.
slingarde 4 years ago
The Woman has no gay friends...or a mirror.
BeauTenor 4 years ago 2
HAHAHAHAHHAAHHA!
or she does not want to listen to her gay friends!
ciociosan 4 years ago
I really hope it wasn't as loud and abrasive sounding as this recording. Check out the one with June Anderson. My eardrums are bleeding.
whnew 4 years ago
Geez, Renee... Napoleon Dynamite, anyone?
Jokanaan 4 years ago 2
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jesus! a screaming match..when that bastard wrote this he should have made the men's parts much quieter so you can hear the music and the soprano!..
cwecub 4 years ago
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that hog Pavarotti always has to be the center of attention, drowning everyone else out
cwecub 4 years ago
I hop you're kidding....
bcggx2 4 years ago
If you know anything about the story, you'd realize that the main character expressing his emotion is Edgardo. He realizes that he's been swindled, and he storms into the party with this angry banter: "Who can hold me back at such a moment?" The others are mostly giving their private comments. Does this help you understand why he's so loud?
InformedListener 3 years ago
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who cares...i actually have a life, and it doesn't involve understanding opera i just know i don't like that fatty Pavarotti
cwecub 3 years ago
ignoramus magnus!
jfc1941 3 years ago
Then why are you here ?
kngiht84 3 years ago
Then you obviously don't like art or artists, which makes one suspect very much whether you can ever be edified by the 'concord of sweet sound' or by the extraordinary efforts of people like (but rarely as gifted as) Pavorotti on your behalf... what a shame!
sebreathnach 3 years ago
and you're a pedantic dilettante
cwecub 3 years ago
You may be perfectly right in defence of which I can only say that, like all dilettantes and pedants, I will remain so until my accuser rescues me from his striking blows by enlightening me with reason. Otherwise I am doomed and you are forever cruel -- hardly a desireable condition! Yes,no?
sebreathnach 3 years ago
Have you ever stopped to think that this music was written before microphones? Flaunting your ignorance and proudly declaiming you "have a life" is just a sad social commentary.
amadeus1791 3 years ago
If you don't even TRY understand opera than you obviously aren't intelligent enough to understand the art that Pavarotti created.
Iareto 3 years ago
oh renee.
who did your hair...
burnskj190 4 years ago 2
the year 1991 did... lol
jjcbss 4 years ago
whoah, check out that hair!
thisizjoey 4 years ago
If this were the first recording of Fleming I had ever heard, she would definitely have been more appreciated by me (I can't stand any of her current stuff). It was a good sextet. By no means the best, but it was excellent.
Iareto 4 years ago
Amazing and polifonic! Donizetti really knew how to make opera-lovers mad like Lucia. Everbody sing fantastic. Such a pleasure to listen to a really good and professional aria. It is very difficult to sing properly. So, Bravooooo!!!!
zurriuss 4 years ago
Phenomenal video. Talk about star casting. Forget the dress, I prefer Renee here than now. What I would not have given for this exact casting back then.
Toreadorssong 4 years ago
loud does not =good. To much screaming on this imo
jmahlon 4 years ago
It would be so tempting to push. Do you hear how loud the tenors are singing. It just sounds like a bunch of tenors. My goodness. Brava Renee!
fuzmiq 4 years ago
Oh dear god what is she wearing? She looks like the great pumpkin with bad hair. It's so bad I almost threw up in my mouth. She sounds good though; I see stuff like this and remember how much I used to like her; before she became so...artistic. She's overpowered just a bit tho. Lots of big male voices onstage with her. Pav was in great voice that night, and Plishka sings like a god; as usual.
BeauTenor 4 years ago
Bravo Renee!!!!!
citlalliguevara 4 years ago
Thanks for posting, what a great Renee Fleming, even by then. Bravo Renee!!!
moniquetb 4 years ago
What on earth is on Renee's head?! Lovely singing all around. The guys totally overpower her though.
liedvogel 4 years ago
Wow!! Wonderful wonderful!! i love fleming but when she walked out, I couldn't help laughing.. *snicker* Thanks for posting!! It was breathtaking!
trekkie2006 4 years ago
What a surprising video! I never realized Fleming had sung any excerpt of Lucia ... And she's joined by such great singers (even Alisa is sung by the wonderful Zajick!). I find her very compelling, the voice was lighter but already had the same richness and distinctive quality that are her trademark ... And Pavarotti is still wonderful, btw very expressive as well!
Homoclassicus 4 years ago 2