I'm a fan of David Lynch although I'e never seen Mulholland Drive, so that had completely passed me by.

That's a fantastic performance, thanks for sharing.. I think even Roy Orbison would have loved it too. Makes me want to find out more about the singer.

On the subject of film "opera" anyone who's ever seen Hannibal will be familiar with this. The actual clip from the film featuring the performance seems to have been deleted, but this is the original version (audio).

I've lost count of the number of people who've asked what opera this is from, but it was written by Patrick Cassidy specially for the film, and its based on one of Dante's sonnets.

As a result of the success of this song, he was commissioned to write a complete opera around it, but as far as I know it's not complete yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ycjy...eature=related

Anybody who scoffs at Ennio Morricone's credentials as a classical composer better be prepared for a fight! The man was a composing genius, who just happened to channel his efforts into music for film. His collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma on that reworking of his scores was totally inspired.

And on the subject of film scores, one of my faves in recent years was Thomas Newman's score for Meet Joe Black.

Call me a sentimental old fool, but I love this film, and the score is beyond gorgeous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYVQI...eature=related

Oh, and not to mention the gorgeous Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana which has been used in so many films, including Raging Bull and The Godfather III.

And how could I forget Mahler's Adagietto used so beautifully in Death in Venice?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfXoA...AF3EA5B537F421

Now...where did I put my DVD of Somewhere in Time?

Thanks Holli, I will look out for it. I enjoyed Twin Peaks ofcourse and Blue Velvet too, if I remember rightly, so I am pretty confident I can handle not having a clue. It's probably a semi-permanent state with me, as you can tell from my "I don't think so" comment earlier I completely missed what you and Pet recognised.



Smokey is perfect, yes.

And I do believe...yes, this is the first cat reference in the thread. We need a little fanfare to honour the moment



Hi Aida!

*Unsubtle hint* Find anything nice?



It's everyone's gaff. Go mad with the colours

I was feeling a little bereft last night as the big hand crept towards the bottom of the hour of ten, so I hope we can all enjoy our second home.

But deal with some kind of devil? I knew there was something fishy about DFI.

Uh oh, and speak of the devil...in he strolls with a cannibalistic serial killer for company



Hi DFI. Thank you for giving me the kick needed to lay the first brick.

As an Irish Catholic, I do love a good Mass, and that's a good Mass. Complex and dramatic stuff.

In fact, there's soooooo much great religious and quasi-religious (if that makes sense) music out there from all manner of faiths. John Tavener (as opposed to John Taverner) has written some gorgeous music based around the music of the Greek Orthodox Church (although he's always going to be most famous for the "Song for Athene" that was played at Diana's funeral) and there are composers like Arvo Part and Henryk Gorecki too, to name but a couple.

What do you think the D stands for?


Oi..that's my mate you're talking about

Filmscores! Time for some Hitchcock.

OK, this is one of my favourite films of all time. It's creaky, it's gorgeous, it's full of dark intent. And to match that, mannered, dated and utterly sumptuous, Waxman's score. I give you: Rebecca!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qangv...eature=related

Another favourite of all time... Hermann this time. Here's Vertigo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8GP8iOWkYU&feature=

And more Vertigo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC5AzFc3coo&feature=

And here, briefly, a discussion of the music in Hitchcock:

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

Great suggestions, you sentimental old fool, particularly the Mahler. Incidentally, it's bad genetics (is it Linnaeus I'm searching for?) but sooner or later, all conductors end up with exactly the same nose. (I'll find the evidence shortly).

There is already a classical music thread that is fairly well used. Maybe you should combine the 2 so we don't split our forces so to speak?

Same here, and a cat with more attitude you can't imagine...

She even fancied her chances against a Great Dane that was visiting the house next door! It was quite hilarious watching her sitting on the fence growling at it. Sadly we lost her earlier this year.


I love that whole production...

It's one of those times when everything just comes together perfectly.

Hi Dave, can we have time to think please? Trouble is that we've just come from a thread that was merged and tho it seemed a good idea, there were disadvantages. Broad identifiable groups wanted different kinds of thread. So we are refugees. We annoyed folk on the popstar to opera star thread by talking about opera too much (amongst other things). But I'm not a spokesperson or anything and there are lots of opinions to hear both on your thread and here before deciding. Hope I don't seem awkward. Just being careful. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for visiting

Hmmmm, I think I possibly would have worded that less tactfully, especially as I started one of the two threads that were merged....

Hah, I'm rarely accused of tact! Did the mods give you a choice?

I think I asked to be merged....

PS. It feels a bit wicked alerting your own post

There are worse ways of spending an hour or so than playing this game.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYmlqV2JzaQ

(you need to click on "show more" just under the video to open it up and show the whole game

Hands down the best Rigoletto I've ever seen on stage was Paolo Gavanelli, who is on that list , but not in the same production. Can't find a Cortigiani from that production but these will do...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PeVK0XcA8M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63DoPGKjudk

It was one of those opening nights when everyone went so wild for it that BBC2 cleared their schedules at a couple of days notice and broadcast the next show live on TV and recorded it for DVD release. Gavanelli was mesmeric, like a stick insect, or like Anthony Sher's Richard III if anyone saw that.

Also on that list, Peter Glossop is rarely a name on many people's lips but he was (IMO) the finest Verdi baritone this country ever produced. I love the sound of his voice. He had that resonance like Bastianini and Zancanaro that sounded like somebody cutting down a tree with a chainsaw (in a good way!) I believe he was the first non-Italian ever to be allowed to sing Rigoletto at La Scala, and he was English!

This is a live performance from Attila from Buenos Aires which, although it starts off sounding like it was recorded from the foyer, does lose a lot of the mushy recording quality as the performance progresses, and the audience absolutely love it (the aria starts at about 1:55)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHhTN...eature=related

How to put this.......

YES!!!!!!!!!

Its gorgeous stuff, and there's plenty of it around. Youtube is your friend, and you'll find as you listen to more of it from different singers and different productions what it is that you like about some more than others.

Absolutely agree. And I happened to notice that one of those very compliation DVDs that's available is also currently being broadcast on Sky.

For those that are Sky customers, Sky Arts 2 (245 in HD, 256 if you're non-HD) is broadcasting a programme several times over the next few days called Great Tenor Performances. This is the same compliation that was released on video and DVD over the past few years and features, as it says on the tin, a compliation of a number of live tenor arias.

Excellent way to find out what it is that might appeal, although it's now a few years old, so features slightly more old school singers like Domingo and Pavarotti rather than more Johnny cum Latelys (no loss there, generally)

The next broadcast is Tuesday at 8.00am and then 2.00pm and I'm sure it will be on after that too.......get your Sky+ working for you!

Heavenly… The two singers’ voices are embracing each other so softly.

I’m not worried about the dress not looking silvery and pretty as long as she can keep her skirt tidy and dry while picking the flowers.


I think the chocolate Ad was for American TV. Tbh, I hardly buy Ghirardelli, but thought I would mention it just to go with the flow of what I was writing. I didn’t know BA was mentioned on the show because I’ve only watched the singing parts. I used to be able to watch the full program with all the bits on YouTube, but I don’t think the YouTuber will bother to upload the final since his/her favourite was no longer in the competition. I’m going to have to be content with what is available.

Purists? I don’t believe in purists. Well... I can be picky at times, but... I am a music junky and proudly so.


Totally agree

Sorry dave, the last thing I intended was to step on anyone's toes.

I did do a search for opera threads and the last seemed a little out of date, which I felt allowed for a new thread to be made. I never thought to search "classical" as its purpose in the title, along with the knitted Rolandos, was to stave off cries of "off-topic" not usurp a current thread.

How would you feel if I asked the mods to remove or replace Classical Music in the thread title?* Would that be acceptable?


*A cue for everyone else to get their thinking caps on.

De lurking to say hi! Lurked all through the PSTOS thread, but didn't post because I had nothing to add I was there because of Joe being on the show. Have found I actually like/love a lot more opera/classical than I thought I did - despite being good friends with a pro tenor for years I always dismissed it as not for me. So looking forward to lurking and sometimes posting here as I learn more.

I do hope the threads aren't merged, this one isn't going over my head, and most of the PSTOS didn't (I say 'most' lol) and I feel familiar with a lot of the posters there, I'll never get involved in the other one - too intimidating.

Anyway, I like the noise KJ makes, Aflie left me untouched, but Rolando was great to listen too (and how could you not love him, he's bonkers) I like the aria from Madam Butterfly that Cheryl did, and the duet in the final, will look at who I like singing those later maybe (suggestions?). I think I prefer soprano voices generally, maybe, I don't know.... I've always liked Nick Sales doing Nessun Dorma (but not sure if that's me being biased) I hadn't realised how much I was listening to and liking apart from that though.

Back to lurking....

Welcome to our new home, glad you found us....


I posted it earlier, but it's so good I'll give it another plug... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpT7pK9A61A it's the whole piece as opposed to the cut down version you saw on the show.

And for those who like female duets, this is probably my favourite - Mira, o Norma, from Norma strangely enough just divine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8iOeHhf4ws


Even more welcome, I fear I'm outnumbered here at times

How about Nessun Dorma sung by a soprano... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inV3RlOTOXM Oh, and in English.

So many links to catch up on!

Ahh, gorgeous Mahler. It starts like it's finishing, so softly... Even at this time of the day, that's dreamy. Ta DFI

Gneiss, do I dare click on the soprano Nessun Dorma? You've got an evil glint in your eye today... Oh, it's Deanna For some reason it seems more strong and poignant as a wartime recording.

Windsock, I love Hitchcock. The Vertigo score in particular, the way it keeps swooning in and out of recollection... Terrific film and great filmmaker too. His 39 Steps is simply unsurpassable. Fantastic Donat

Did someone mention Bastianini? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyxSbxzumpQ
I wonder if this is enough 'dark resonance' for Smokey and Aida?

Welcome to Lindaw, make yourself at home. What kind of music is your friend involved in? I agree with you in liking the 'noise Katherine Jenkins' makes. As soon as she starts singing, I'm dazzled by her and she's a genuinely nice person. It's just as the song goes on, I feel she doesn't quite have the song-craft or something to hold onto attention... But I'm hoping this is a temporary situation. One thing that PS2OS shows is how singers have to keep working at their voices and their music generally.

Belated “Hullo!” back to you Pet Monkey

As much as I like Joe’s voice and am looking forward to seeing how his career develops, I enjoyed all of Cheryl’s performances especially the duet with Katherine. It was lovely.

And yes, I’m so happy it is open to all things classical so that we can also talk about Bach, Tartini and Brahms and of course more of Beethoven.

Quick reply from work

PM this is Nick - he's my daughters godmothers hubby. Good bloke as well as a good voice

http://www.nicholassales.com/


I'm going to have a listen to the link Gneiss posted when I get home tonight (thanks for posting and the welcome!!!) along with the others on this thread. Not sure I have any real opinions yet, I just don't know enough and haven't listened to enough, but will do.

thank you for that ..... fame at last


good for her, sorry to hear that you lost her this year, how old was she?


hello Lindaw, well done for de-lurking

I like the noise that KJ makes too and I particularly like to hear her speak as Welsh is my favourite accent