Mad Margaret song and dialogue

Elise Curran playing Mad Margaret in Buxton '07's Festival Production of Ruddigore.

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Category:

Education

Tags:

• mad
• margaret
• ruddigore
• buxton
• elise
• curran
• gilbert
• sullivan

[RossiniSoprano]

Thanks, Oke! There are videos on Youtube of me singing my usual high repertoire....very high!

[drama1980queen]

I think this is a fantastic portrayal. Well done! Such an emotional portrayal.

This part has got to be the most fun to play from Ruddigore.

I'm auditioning for this part in October - Any tips Rossini?

[RossiniSoprano]

Thanks for your comments. It's always hard to give tips to someone you've never seen or heard perform, but in general, I can tell you that my portrayal was determined by how the lyrics and the music compliment each other. There are so many little poignant musical moments, which you will see me react to. A lot of people only react to the words, but in G&S, BOTH words and music are equally important, and were written as if by ONE mind.

[aminmontrose]

Look I don't mean to sound horrible but I've been trying to find an example of this song sound well, and I can't on YouTube. So I'm beginning to think maybe it's just a rubbish song. I like 'Glitter and be gay' because it has a story arch and high bits and low bits, and shows off the singer's voice and has comedy in it too, but this song is a YAWN-FEST. Search 'Some People' by Liza Minnelli, and tell me you wouldn't rather watch that instead.

[RossiniSoprano]

I think the reason you don't like it is that you don't understand the background of the song.....you have no emotional connection to the character and what she's going through.

I know what you mean about the range not showing off anything (I'm a coloratura soprano and know all about that...check out my other videos), but that's not what the composers were trying to do here.

Maybe when you learn the whole opera it will illuminate this character for you, as it did for me.

[susannahmcdnld]

Her voice is similar to the type of mezzo found on the old wax gramaphone recordings - lighter than the modern mezzo. More of a soubrette type. A good interpretations.

[LWall2000]

This is a very difficult bit to pull off, but very beautiful when done right. This was a very good version.

[tommyopera]

Admirable attempt by a dramatic coloratura soprano :) I have to wonder why no dialect? A lot of American vowel sounds. Did your Richard Dauntless attempt a Bristol dialect?

I have to say very good job dealing with an incredibly spartan set.

[racehorse87]

Fantastic portrayal of mad Margaret! I like the use of the baby carriage. :)

[rwexelblat]

So it's like: "I want to sound superior so I'll make some sort of negative comment so obscure as to be irrefutable".

She's good.

[rwexelblat]

ah! you understand!

[okebaram]

I don't know what the play is about but your acting and singing is great. And as for being a coloatura soprano, it seems perfectly clear to me from hearing your smooth, flowing soprano voice, even without hearing very high notes. And this was your chest voice not head voice. I'm sure you can sing high ranging soprano opera pieces, and in your real voice.