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For all you opera fans (and everyone else too)

Phil_musc

By Phil_musc
in The Lounge

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Phil_musc Mentor

Phil_musc

Posted
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Gentlemen, after all this talk, talk, and more talk about sex and escorts, massage therapists, scintillating luncheons as well as karaoke stars and other stuff, I thought it was time to elevate the level of tone on the board. Here, for your listening pleasure as well as your intellectual edification is an invaluable clip for explaining opera to you! Yes, here in one short Youtube clip it's all there! Amaze your friends, amuse your family, add to your locker room banter. Watch, listen (closely) and learn:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebpmL8q9bLE

leigh.bess.toad Mentor

leigh.bess.toad

Posted
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One of the truly great arias in all of opera. And so ripe for comedy. Well done, Mr. Hersch.

 

I wouldn't put him on the Mt. Rushmore of Musical comedians/parodists yet. Those four seem secure for now: Spike Jones, Victor Borge, Anna Russell and Peter Schickele. But just a few days ago I was wondering where would the next one come from. Perhaps a new one is emerging.

 

Thanks for sharing this, phil.

Lookin Grand Master

Lookin

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And who can forget the wonderful performances of Darlene and Jonathan Edwards -

the alter egos of Jo Stafford and Paul Weston.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxZbukUEyXk

I had despaired of hearing them again! Never thought of looking for them on YouTube. Thanks! http://www.maleescortreview.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.png I remember a friend telling me that they couldn't have been so bad unless they were really good.

 

And Anna Russell. La!

 

http://www.mikanet.com/museum/images/anna_russel2.jpg

Phil_musc Mentor

Phil_musc

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Hey Cash4 - thanks for digging that one up. About 10-15 years ago a dear friend had mentioned this in passing to me and how funny (in a strangely subtle way) Jo Stafford's recording as the alter-ego was. I had forgotten all about this, except for the mentioning. Thanks for giving me the chance to hear it. It's strangely amazing in a truly awful way.

leigh.bess.toad Mentor

leigh.bess.toad

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I got to see Anna Russell on one of her tours at Wolf Trap Farm Park many years ago. Of course, the Ring Cycle description is, to me, the gold standard of musical parody. Every student in conservatory when I was there learned the ring cycle using Anna's recording. And the "How to Write Your Own Gilbert and Sullivan" is brilliant.

 

But for me, one of the simplest, and greatest pieces she had was the 2nd half of her description of the coloratura soprano. A simple blues song called "Miserable". The description and song starts at about the 5:30 mark on the video. The "lyrics" are great:

 

I gave you my heart and you made miserable

So miserable, you made miserable and blue

And now we’re apart, I haven’t been miserable

I’m feeling so happy, so happy without you.

 

But who wants this happiness? I’d rather you instead

With all the hurt you give me, those horrible things you said

Oh, I was so happy when you made me miserable

Come back, and miserable again.

 

[video=youtube;ScsQa9kGl-E]

 

I would give anything to have the piano accompaniment so I could do this song myself.

 

I'm not making this up, you know :)

Phil_musc Mentor

Phil_musc

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Lee, I too had the good fortune to see Anna Russell on one of her farewell tours. The house was packed with everyone who already knew her material. It was kinda like the musical connoisseur's version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (without all the crazy, inane audience participation). I too learned the Ring Cycle through her recording. Did you also hear her version of the different types of vocal music in which she did parodies of German Lied, French song, etc? My god, her French song was hysterical.

 

And yes - you're not making this up, I know.

 

But the original youtube thing actually works - when you listen to what Rainer is singing, damn if what the soprano sings right after him doesn't sound exactly like what he said!

leigh.bess.toad Mentor

leigh.bess.toad

Posted
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Did you also hear her version of the different types of vocal music in which she did parodies of German Lied, French song, etc? My god, her French song was hysterical.

 

Ask and ye shall receive: THE GERMAN LIED AND FRENCH ART SONG:

 

[video=youtube;wz47EtitT0I]

 

 

And the English and Russian songs:

 

[video=youtube;cSduWYqB0A8]

 

 

But yes, you are right about Mr. Hersh's lyrics to Die Holle Rache. Of course, having Edita Gruberova doing it made it easier for him since she appeared to be so "challenged" with the enunciation. It would have been more difficult with Lucia Popp or Diana Damrau or Christina Deutekom.

whipped guy Grand Master

whipped guy

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Now I m not making this up... but...

 

Regarding Xaf's posting, it reminded me of the relative who had a now departed pooch that would get so excited when he was in the car and being taken for a ride that he began barking in a pattern that sounded exactly like the Queen of the Night's second act aria. Actually I think the dog gave a somewhat better rendition than Xaf's first posting... but was about on par with the Florence Foster Jenkins version!

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