After dawdling through the tenors these past few days, I almost abandoned them completely once the Tokyo Olympics had begun. Whenever the worldâs greatest athletes come together to compete, I become a complete sports nut. I root for the home team at all times. The better part, though, is seeing people from almost every corner of the earth come together in unity, friendship and peace.
The Tokyo Olympics have been weird and wacky from the start. Yet there is much to admire about Japan, and the hospitality she has extended to a world caught in the grip of a global pandemic. As evidenced by ongoing protests, the Japanese people are divided over the games. âThe show must go on!â has come into direct conflict with rising Covid infection rates.
I pray that these Olympics will not become a super spreader event. Meanwhile, out of honor and respect, I watch. Iâm making a conscious effort to follow the Olympic sports which don't get the marquee headlines. Sports like archery, foil, badminton, taekwondo, kendo or air pistol are where medalists emerge from developing or smaller nations like Cameroon, Estonia and Kosovo. Iâll check out the new sports like surfing, motocross and skateboarding. But my heart belongs to dressage, not only because men and women on horseback compete on an equal footing against each other, but because itâs a performing art â beautiful, elegant and refined at its best.
Having recently witnessed two billionaires compete to see how high they could fly to the edge of the sky, Iâll gladly settle for these more down to earth races.
Returning to the selections for this past week's Opera Daily, like Puccini, Bizet knew how to play the heartstrings. âJe crois entendre encoreâ*, from Act 1 of âLes pĂȘcheurs de perlesâ (The Pearl Fishers) is so full of Nadir's love, lamentation and longing for Leila that the more I listened to it, the more I felt like crying. Each tenor voice was lyrical and sweet, but with a flavor all its own. Here are my takes.
LAWRENCE BROWNLEE Red Velvet Cake (rich, lush, once savored you just want more)
ohhhhh I love what you've done with the tenors and the sweets. And my GOD you are SPOT ON. I can't stop thinking about this now. I can't help it, I want more đ
I know it wasn't a comparison but I think Opera singers and Olympians have so much in common. Opera is a sport and these singers are world-class athletes! (also, the life of training is similar - both require so much discipline).
When I watch some of these athletes compete - I am incredibly excited but also terrified! I think competing at the highest level - where you are constantly pushing your edge - is awe-inspiring. I talked about this a bit when we listened to the Queen of the Night sing
Heather Johnson also mentioned something like this in her interview when discussing her most controversial opinion about opera.
"I believe that opera was not meant to be seen up close. The actual act of singing opera isnât always âprettyâ up close when working hard through a challenging role. Itâs such a physical act, like being an athlete, that having a camera up close isnât always pleasant. I think it has upped singersâ game as far as acting is concerned on the flip side."
This also reminds me of when a friend was talking about Corelli's performance in Parma - âThis is opera as an athletic event!!!!" https://youtu.be/T-RrG4sfdis
My sweet tooth clearly inspired those comments.đ Thank you for your reply and especially for reminding me of that thrilling performance of "E lucevan le stelle". Franco Corelli has convince me he is one of the greatest tenors of all time.
What a delivery from Lawrence Brownlee! So enjoyed it
FYI the Met is streaming a free performance of Les pĂȘcheurs des perles from 2016.
You can watch here:
https://metoperafree.brightcove-services.com/?videoId=6263841144001
After dawdling through the tenors these past few days, I almost abandoned them completely once the Tokyo Olympics had begun. Whenever the worldâs greatest athletes come together to compete, I become a complete sports nut. I root for the home team at all times. The better part, though, is seeing people from almost every corner of the earth come together in unity, friendship and peace.
The Tokyo Olympics have been weird and wacky from the start. Yet there is much to admire about Japan, and the hospitality she has extended to a world caught in the grip of a global pandemic. As evidenced by ongoing protests, the Japanese people are divided over the games. âThe show must go on!â has come into direct conflict with rising Covid infection rates.
I pray that these Olympics will not become a super spreader event. Meanwhile, out of honor and respect, I watch. Iâm making a conscious effort to follow the Olympic sports which don't get the marquee headlines. Sports like archery, foil, badminton, taekwondo, kendo or air pistol are where medalists emerge from developing or smaller nations like Cameroon, Estonia and Kosovo. Iâll check out the new sports like surfing, motocross and skateboarding. But my heart belongs to dressage, not only because men and women on horseback compete on an equal footing against each other, but because itâs a performing art â beautiful, elegant and refined at its best.
Having recently witnessed two billionaires compete to see how high they could fly to the edge of the sky, Iâll gladly settle for these more down to earth races.
Returning to the selections for this past week's Opera Daily, like Puccini, Bizet knew how to play the heartstrings. âJe crois entendre encoreâ*, from Act 1 of âLes pĂȘcheurs de perlesâ (The Pearl Fishers) is so full of Nadir's love, lamentation and longing for Leila that the more I listened to it, the more I felt like crying. Each tenor voice was lyrical and sweet, but with a flavor all its own. Here are my takes.
LAWRENCE BROWNLEE Red Velvet Cake (rich, lush, once savored you just want more)
Latest News: https://en.martincid.com/2021/07/23/patricia-petibon-and-lawrence-brownlee-at-the-star-gala-in-the-park/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Brownlee
ALFREDO KRAUS Spanish Flan (perfection and consistency through endless variations)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1rTaw3O1wI
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfredo_Kraus
ALAIN VANZO CrĂšpes Suzette (light, airy, easy to digest)
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/July13/Vanzo_Francais_CDRG201.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alain_Vanzo
JUSSI BJĂRLING Rum Cake (intoxicating and highly addictive)
https://edisoneffect.blogspot.com/2007/07/jussi-bjrling-1911-1960-perhaps.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jussi_Bj%C3%B6rling
JAVIER CAMARENA Cherries Jubilee Flambé (filling, flamboyant, can set hearts afire)
https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwopera/article/Best-of-BWW-Interviews-Tenor-Javier-Camarena-High-Cs-and-High-Fives-at-the-Met-20200318
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javier_Camarena
JERRY HADLEY Apple Pie (quintessentially American, once tasted never to be forgotten)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7DY9ADRrTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIQvceRWjxo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Hadley
MATTHEW POLENZANI Lemon Meringue (for my taste, too light, insubstantial, lacks depth)
https://www.schmopera.com/talking-with-singers-matthew-polenzani/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Polenzani
_______________________________________________
Je crois entendre encore,
Caché sous les palmiers,
Sa voix tendre et sonore
Comme un chant de ramier!
O nuit enchanteresse!
Divin ravissement!
O souvenir charmant!
Folle ivresse! doux rĂȘve!
Aux clartés des étoiles,
Je crois encore la voir,
Entr'ouvrir ses longs voiles
Aux vents tiĂšdes du soir!
O nuit enchanteresse!
Divin ravissement!
O souvenir charmant!
Folle ivresse! doux rĂȘve!
Charmant souvenir!
ohhhhh I love what you've done with the tenors and the sweets. And my GOD you are SPOT ON. I can't stop thinking about this now. I can't help it, I want more đ
I know it wasn't a comparison but I think Opera singers and Olympians have so much in common. Opera is a sport and these singers are world-class athletes! (also, the life of training is similar - both require so much discipline).
When I watch some of these athletes compete - I am incredibly excited but also terrified! I think competing at the highest level - where you are constantly pushing your edge - is awe-inspiring. I talked about this a bit when we listened to the Queen of the Night sing
âDer Hölle Racheâ from Act II of the opera The Magic Flute (https://www.youroperadaily.com/p/opera-daily-july-28-2020).
Heather Johnson also mentioned something like this in her interview when discussing her most controversial opinion about opera.
"I believe that opera was not meant to be seen up close. The actual act of singing opera isnât always âprettyâ up close when working hard through a challenging role. Itâs such a physical act, like being an athlete, that having a camera up close isnât always pleasant. I think it has upped singersâ game as far as acting is concerned on the flip side."
This also reminds me of when a friend was talking about Corelli's performance in Parma - âThis is opera as an athletic event!!!!" https://youtu.be/T-RrG4sfdis
My sweet tooth clearly inspired those comments.đ Thank you for your reply and especially for reminding me of that thrilling performance of "E lucevan le stelle". Franco Corelli has convince me he is one of the greatest tenors of all time.