KATHLEEN BATTLE GOT FAT!!
Karma, baby.
-E
Edit: Also note the MICROPHONE!?
La Boheme in 10 seconds according to Rolando Villazon.
Pretty much sums it up! =)
-E
Okay, so I’m auditioning for the Summerscape Meyerbeer opera this tuesday, and I was going to touch up “Je Veux Vivre.” However, I really didn’t want to do that, because I don’t like that piece that much, so I’m sort of back to square one, here. Luckily, I’m going to choose one of my most accomplished pieces, so that it shows off what I can do. There is, of course, O Zittre Nicht, but I’m SO SICK of that effing piece. Unfortunately for me, I’m really good at it. There’s also Glitter and be Gay, but I’m afraid that’s a bit too musical theatre-y. Then there’s all of that other crap I sing.
SOMEONE (Jesse Brown?) help me choose!
-E
A follow-up blog to the one on August 18, 2008
Placido Domingo.
Not only did he used to be hot, but DAMN, THAT VOICE! His technique is flawless, his voice like delicious maple syrup, and his sound absolutely gorgeous. Placido, I’d let your voice do me any day.
Bryn Terfel
Do I even need to explain? The most amazing bass-baritone I’ve yet heard. He sings Welsh lullabys, does a kickass Leporello, and was Sweeney fucking Todd. Bryn, is there anything you can’t sing?
And a little bonus: Bryn as Sweeney. *gets a bit wet*
Sing, my pretty…….
Creepily yours,
E
Newsweek Interviewer: Do you think about retiring? Are you scared of singing after your voice goes?
Domingo: I do not wish to to sing one day longer than I should but also not one day less than I could.
Newsweek Interviewer: What do you say to people who say that opera is boring?
Domingo: I don’t think it’s boring.
Newsweek Interviewer: Of course you don’t!
Domingo: But let me tell you, you are right. There is nothing better than a great opera performance, but there’s nothing worse than a bad opera performance.
*fawns*
-E
I have been told that I should become an opera critic. And although it is very certain that I am no M in the department of harsh criticism and sheer ability to tear one a new asshole, I was thinking I’d bring music back to my inherently soprano-owned blog and rock the opera critic title once in a while. So here’s to my new series of posts: Lala Rants About Opera!
So for my first endeavor, let’s just talk about Rene Fleming.
Okay, I get it. She’s pretty. She sings high, her voice is agile, and she can errm… *sort of* act. But seriously, where the hell is opera going? Rene was the first MODERN (not Callas, people) opera singer to start this craze of supermodel opera singers (followed by De Niese, Garanca, and of course, Netrebko). Her appearance has followed the precise pattern of what is beautiful at the time. She used to be a bit filled out, and now she’s become another stick-figure cookie cut out soprano. And the worst part of all is, she’s the height of mediocrity. Her vibrato is nothing but a tiny tremolo, she’s got absolutely no power behind her voice, and she sings things like STRAUSS. I mean, come on. I hate when sopranos become delusional about what they can sing just because they’ve been told they’re good. It would be like me pretending I could sing Puccini. Desirable, but not really possible. If you want to show off your voice, stick to things that flatter you! You wouldn’t want to hear Domingo singing Monteverdi, so why are we subjected to a soprano who wants what she can’t have? And WHY in God’s name is she famous!? I’ve heard way better sopranos than her not only at the Met singing far inferior roles with far less reknown, but in the Bard College Music Department! I am sick of hearing singers who have pleasing voices rather than good voices. It makes me wonder if opera is going in the way of broadway - sacrificing the slightly better (or infinitely better) voice for the prettier face. All I can say about that is, God I hope not.
-E
