What Are You Listening To? - October, 2024
- Thread starter dino
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Well, I did listen to "Carmen" today. As mentioned above I chose a decent performance with French subtitles because I'm semi-able to read some French. Having played the opera twice, I sort of new it too, but that was quite a while ago. The three highlights were a very strong Carmen, who played the coquettish side of the part to the hilt, was a very good singer and an even better actor. The conductor was excellent - he was in synch the whole way through, and having seen enough idiots on the podium in real life, I'd play under him any time. The orchestra responded to him magnificently. The third noticeable star in the cast was the dancer in the interlude - incredibly agile and his motions suited the action perfectly, as did the choreography in general. This was all born out in the applause at the end. These three got yells and calls. The rest of the cast was politely applauded and at best, average.OK, getting a little ahead of the celebration here, but as tomorrow is World Opera Day, I decided to listen to some tonight. I've got some favorites but in the last few years I've become a big fan of Elina Garanca, a Latvian mezzo soprano that has become one of my favorites. So I got some of her recorded music out as well as her performance as Carmen with the Met on Blue-Ray, which shows her amazing acting talent as well as her singing. Second only to Maria Callas as far as I'm concerned, no matter what Angelina Jolie says!But then I haven't hear Angelina sing yet...
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After watching the entire opera, I took a break, and took out the only YouTube video of Carmen with Elina Garanca as Carmen that I was able to download . . . . the rest were verboten. It was subtitled in German, but I was able to play it on my speakers, a big plus. It was a modern setting, in the 50s in Cuba, with Garanca as a motorcycle type trashy babe. I listened to a large segment of her solo sections, in particular the Habanera.
My initial assessment? SHE IS MAGNIFICENT, probably the best soprano to hit the planet since Victoria de Losangeles. Her intonation was instrumental in it's precision with a perfect vibrato (pitch back, with an impulse rate of between 6-7 impulses per second - that's what we look for in a violinist in auditions btw, and I've sat in on at least 15 of those as head of committee as concertmaster). She didn't mis-pitch one note, at least in the excerpts I heard.
Her acting skills matched her vocal craftsmanship. She played Carmen as a bitch with malice, and she was totally convincing. Best of all, she has the power in her voice to sing Wagner when she gets old and plump. Even now I can see her singing Isolde. Maybe she already has . . . don't know her discography.
I've been out of the loop for about eight years now, and she was the best surprise I've had in years, actually since Perlman hit the violin scene when I was in University back in the '70s.
Thanks agnosticdude for bringing her to my attention. I was indeed paying attention to your comment and the whole World Opera Day was for me a big success, and I'd also like to thank Dino for bringing that to my attention as well. Salute, guys.
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As a post script, I checked out her discography - she is obviously thinking in the same terms I said above . . . . she has recorded the Wagner "Wesendonck Lieder" at least twice. That's prep for a stint as a Valkerie or Brunhilde in the Ring. It's a long road but she certainly has the tools.
Currently listening to The Grateful Dead ~ Europe ‘72. Rest In Peace Phil.
Last night I enjoyed some more Stan Getz though I struggled a bit with the 'with strings' parts. I love Stan Getz & I love strings, but not on the same plate
This was followed by some cracking guitar jazz from Grant Green and the boys, a great way to finish an evening.
Jay.
This was followed by some cracking guitar jazz from Grant Green and the boys, a great way to finish an evening.
Jay.
Turn this up real loud for Phil, RIP brother
Currently listening to Frank Zappa ~ Zoot Allures.
Looks like a great site with a ton of variety. I do have a SW Radio stored in my basement somewhere. Might resurrect it and give it a dial. Never was a radio guy, but never was afraid to experiment, either.
Today's Classical Selection - I like to keep track of what is happening in the student field. This is Elliot Sloss, a student at Curtis, opening a recital with the Bach Unaccompanied Suite for Cello, really a fine performance which gets better and better as he warms into the program. He's at a pro level already. Quite an experience being all alone on a stage playing unaccompanied Bach, I assure you.
The Suite, the most played of Bach's 6 Solo Suites for Cello, lasts just shy of 20 minutes. I'd suggest a smallish bowl with a mellow tobacco of your choice.
The Suite, the most played of Bach's 6 Solo Suites for Cello, lasts just shy of 20 minutes. I'd suggest a smallish bowl with a mellow tobacco of your choice.
Glad you found some of Elina's recordings. I've only seen parts of the Carmen that she's in that's placed in 1950's Cuba, and it's kind of shocking to see compared to the other settings usually seen, a strong performance though to be sure. The Blue Ray that I have is in a different era from the original setting too, as it appears to be maybe WWII or slightly thereafter. The Metropolitan Opera version here is very well done with an interesting set that rotates and has access down into the floor. But man, what a performance Elina and really the rest of the cast put out! I don't think I've ever seen such strong acting in an opera before, but then I haven't really seen that many fully staged operas before either. So much music and so little time...Well, I did listen to "Carmen" today. As mentioned above I chose a decent performance with French subtitles because I'm semi-able to read some French. Having played the opera twice, I sort of new it too, but that was quite a while ago. The three highlights were a very strong Carmen, who played the coquettish side of the part to the hilt, was a very good singer and an even better actor. The conductor was excellent - he was in synch the whole way through, and having seen enough idiots on the podium in real life, I'd play under him any time. The orchestra responded to him magnificently. The third noticeable star in the cast was the dancer in the interlude - incredibly agile and his motions suited the action perfectly, as did the choreography in general. This was all born out in the applause at the end. These three got yells and calls. The rest of the cast was politely applauded and at best, average.
After watching the entire opera, I took a break, and took out the only YouTube video of Carmen with Elina Garanca as Carmen that I was able to download . . . . the rest were verboten. It was subtitled in German, but I was able to play it on my speakers, a big plus. It was a modern setting, in the 50s in Cuba, with Garanca as a motorcycle type trashy babe. I listened to a large segment of her solo sections, in particular the Habanera.
My initial assessment? SHE IS MAGNIFICENT, probably the best soprano to hit the planet since Victoria de Losangeles. Her intonation was instrumental in it's precision with a perfect vibrato (pitch back, with an impulse rate of between 6-7 impulses per second - that's what we look for in a violinist in auditions btw, and I've sat in on at least 15 of those as head of committee as concertmaster). She didn't mis-pitch one note, at least in the excerpts I heard.
Her acting skills matched her vocal craftsmanship. She played Carmen as a bitch with malice, and she was totally convincing. Best of all, she has the power in her voice to sing Wagner when she gets old and plump. Even now I can see her singing Isolde. Maybe she already has . . . don't know her discography.
I've been out of the loop for about eight years now, and she was the best surprise I've had in years, actually since Perlman hit the violin scene when I was in University back in the '70s.
Thanks agnosticdude for bringing her to my attention. I was indeed paying attention to your comment and the whole World Opera Day was for me a big success, and I'd also like to thank Dino for bringing that to my attention as well. Salute, guys.