Wagner´s Ring part1

Anna Russell - The (First) Farewell Concert (1984) To end a long, hilarious career, classical music comedienne Anna Russell revived some of her best and funniest routines and took them on the road. This special PBS production, taped in Baltimore at the beginning of that 1984 tour, is a treasure for music lovers who understand that the thing they love can be charmingly goofy. The highlight of the disc, and the routine that most fans remember most fondly, is her discussion of the Ring cycle. She tells the convoluted story of Wagner's four-installment epic, with careful attention to its absurdities, and she sings all the roles in a voice ranging shakily but with determination through soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. She does the same in her parody of a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta, and the advantage of a video recording becomes obvious when she changes funny hats while singing to show whether she is acting the heroine, villain, or chorus.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Anna
• Russell
• classical
• music
• comedienne
• Parodie

[dodi132]

I LOVE her!!!

[CONTESTAR]

I would be disappointed too if I went to an appearance of hers and didn't get "her Wagner"!!

What an ingenious presentation. I think this should be shown to schools BUT NOT for pupils; instead it should be shown to all Teachers -of every faculty- in order for them to see and learn HOW IT'S DONE!!!

[McPrfctday]

That is (that genius) Benny from ABBA at 3.18 isn't it?

[Malaikat31]

My god I love her. But, bless her heart, it's like I'm watching a Pythons sketch, totaly seeing Chapman instead of her xD

[swimmerman1]

Having said that, let me qualify by saying that, of course, there are students who would appreciate this, even in the inner city. My point is that a teacher cannot assume that his/her students will find something engaging or entertaining simply because he or she did. In that case it's the teacher who would be dumb, not the students.

[swimmerman1]

pjhspcatcher: no I did not think my students were all dumb. Are you saying that anyone who doesn't appreciate this is dumb? If that's what you are saying, I think you are the one who would be be surprised.

[TheLydianRocks]

@swimmerman1 I'm a teacher and i completely disagree with you. This can be useful to adolescents unless they're the kind that loot shops.

[OperaBracelets]

I can't hear this enough times!

[pjhspcatcher]

@swimmerman,

I first heard it when I was in grade school. I fell in love with it. It all depends on the intelligence level of the child. And frankly, inner city kids are just as smart as any other. Have you ever TRIED to get them interested or did you just say "Oh they won't be interested" aka They are too dumb to get it. You might be surprised if you give them half a chance.

[FLYNNMBF]

The point about teaching is that she makes it very entertaining and still includes all the relevant information. I think she is masterful and I teach adults, college students, and adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities.

[MaskedMan66]

@swimmerman1 I first heard it as an adolescent, and I loved it!