Melissa Batalles performs as Cunegonde in Candide by Leonard Bernstein

Melissa Batalles, coloratura soprano, brings to life in excellent comic staging the aria "Glitter and be Gay" from the Operetta "Candide" by Leonard Bernstein, April 2009, McCallum Theatre Open Call, Palm Desert CA. Born in Buenos Aires Argentina, trained in the US from 15 on.

This aria poses considerable difficulties. Technically, it is among the most fiendishly challenging coloratura soprano arias. If sung as written throughout (alternative phrases are provided at several points in the score), there are three high E-flats (above high C), two staccato and one sustained; there are also numerous uses of high C and D-flat. Some of the florid passages are very intricate, calling for marksmanship of the highest order. Theatrically, it demands an elaborate comic staging (in which Cunegonde adorns herself with jewelry while singing and dancing around the stage -- much as does Marguerite in the "Jewel Song" of Gounod's Faust) and has a satirical quality that is a challenge to perform.

(An unknown magnet in Melissa's necklace unexpectedly interrupted the mic transmition in parts.)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Glitter and be Gay
• Candide
• Operetta
• Opera
• Open Call
• McCallum Theatre
• Palm Desert
• coloratura soprano
• comic staging
• Biola
• Argentina
• Desert Christian High School

[1115derick]

melissa performed form us at the village country club last night. i am a marine stationed in twentynine palms, and i loved her. not only is she beautiful, but she has a beautiful voice. she is an amazing artist. and shedoes great in duets as well!!!!!... .. . i love melissa batalles... .. .

[cynamom]

@1115derick Thank you Derick for your comment! It was such a joy to sing for you last night at the Vintage!! Having you and your fellow Marines there as the honored guests sure made my evening! Thank you again for YOUR service! ~~ Melissa Batalles

[skitzo429]

Shes not a coloratura, theres a lot more to it than just high notes. Counting also seems to be a little bit of a problem

[nbguitar90]

bravo!!!!!

[1115derick]

dont thank me...im only doing what i love,

just like yourself

i wish i could watch you perform again,it would be an honor...

do you by any chance know if you will be performing anywhere near aurora colorado in the near future... ?????..

i got stationed at buckley airforce base and i would love to show all my friends here and everybody else in the area how great you really are...

for now all i can do is listen to you on youtube...

hopefully i get to listen to you live one more time... .. .

[mashedpotatoes97]

I was here to see this! She was amazing, my favorite! I'm so excited, I made it to the live auditions for open call this year:)