Comments on: Daughter of the Regiment in HD – April 26, 2008 http://medicine-opera.com/2008/04/daughter-of-the-regiment-in-hd-april-26-2008/ Comments and reviews of opera, music, and medicine Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:09:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: robert grant http://medicine-opera.com/2008/04/daughter-of-the-regiment-in-hd-april-26-2008/#comment-41 robert grant Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:21:49 +0000 http://nkurtzman.wordpress.com/?p=163#comment-41 hmmmm. Which presentation and which Juan Diego Florez did you see? It certainly wasn't the one I did, via HD movie I have to admit, but as far as I know, and could tell, the transmission did little if anything to diminish the vocal skills of both Dessay and Florez. Couldn't agree more about Dessay, couldn't disagree more about Florez. At least, thank God, we have current tenors, sopranos, who look like and are of the age the characters they are, who act like their characters might, who don't stand flagpole stiff and belt out their signature arias. Yes, Mr. Florez is a looker, has a lithe and loveable body type, but beyond that, he has a great gift in his instrument. I'll take him ANY day over the forever ballyhooed Pavarotti, who sang too long and who had the acting sklls of a dust mop, plus looking like the "before" ad for Weight Watchers. Unfortunately, the laughable stereotype, no matter the high range and stentorian bellow of the voice. Of the two, in my opinion, Florez comes out the better. And, BTW, how about the 68-year-old Domingo and his "Adriana Lecouvreur"? Artistry, acting, taste, and common sense use of the voice all in one. Mr. Florez, and all other current aspiring tenors, should take note. hmmmm. Which presentation and which Juan Diego Florez did you see? It certainly wasn’t the one I did, via HD movie I have to admit, but as far as I know, and could tell, the transmission did little if anything to diminish the vocal skills of both Dessay and Florez. Couldn’t agree more about Dessay, couldn’t disagree more about Florez. At least, thank God, we have current tenors, sopranos, who look like and are of the age the characters they are, who act like their characters might, who don’t stand flagpole stiff and belt out their signature arias. Yes, Mr. Florez is a looker, has a lithe and loveable body type, but beyond that, he has a great gift in his instrument. I’ll take him ANY day over the forever ballyhooed Pavarotti, who sang too long and who had the acting sklls of a dust mop, plus looking like the “before” ad for Weight Watchers. Unfortunately, the laughable stereotype, no matter the high range and stentorian bellow of the voice. Of the two, in my opinion, Florez comes out the better. And, BTW, how about the 68-year-old Domingo and his “Adriana Lecouvreur”? Artistry, acting, taste, and common sense use of the voice all in one. Mr. Florez, and all other current aspiring tenors, should take note.

]]> By: Sylvia Burrage http://medicine-opera.com/2008/04/daughter-of-the-regiment-in-hd-april-26-2008/#comment-40 Sylvia Burrage Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:21:35 +0000 http://nkurtzman.wordpress.com/?p=163#comment-40 I have been a Dessay fanatic since her Orphee aux Enfers dvd. Her Olympia in Hoffmann dancing with the giant dolls was incredible. Just as a guest performer in Fledermaus she got more applause than others in the entire operetta put together which included Mattila and Prey. I also have 12 dvds of Fille including 2 of this production from Covent Garden and Austria. While the other sopranos are from good to excellent, the only one comparable to Natalie is Ruth Welting, having similar energy level, personality, and lots of extra high notes. The second tenor aria "Pour me rapproche" is for me the most beautiful aria Donizetti ever wrote. I have an old video clip of Luca Canonici singing this far better than anyone else I've ever heard. While I admire Florez ability, I prefer a more sumptious sound. I have converted some non opera people to elegant and coloratura singing with Natalie's cd, Vocalises. A must for any canary fanciers. I have been a Dessay fanatic since her Orphee aux Enfers dvd. Her Olympia in Hoffmann dancing with the giant dolls was incredible. Just as a guest performer in Fledermaus she got more applause than others in the entire operetta put together which included Mattila and Prey.

I also have 12 dvds of Fille including 2 of this production from Covent Garden and Austria. While the other sopranos are from good to excellent, the only one comparable to Natalie is Ruth Welting, having similar energy level, personality, and lots of extra high notes.

The second tenor aria “Pour me rapproche” is for me the most beautiful aria Donizetti ever wrote. I have an old video clip of Luca Canonici singing this far better than anyone else I’ve ever heard. While I admire Florez ability, I prefer a more sumptious sound.

I have converted some non opera people to elegant and coloratura singing with Natalie’s cd, Vocalises. A must for any canary fanciers.

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