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Mary Chambers
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« on: 21:50:06, 11-06-2007 » |
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Did anyone see this evening's programme on BBC 4? I was glad Elizabeth Watts won this round, or whatever it's called, not because she's English but because I thought she was the best. Toby Spence made some interesting and intelligent comments.
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Il Grande Inquisitor
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« Reply #1 on: 21:56:13, 11-06-2007 » |
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Yes, I watched it too, Mary. I agree that Elizabeth Watts should have won - her programme was the best, I felt, although I've a feeling her programme was the only one shown complete which, for me, rather gave away the judges' decision. Her Susanna was delightful and I thought the Manon similarly charming. Toby Spence made some excellent comments, especially re the Hungarian baritone, showing how some of us can be swayed by the choice of programme - sure, Rossini's Figaro is a crowd-pleaser, but it didn't show his range and I didn't think he actually sang it that well (but it got the biggest ovation of the night). His Ford monologue was much better, though.
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Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency
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Andy D
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« Reply #2 on: 22:06:22, 11-06-2007 » |
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I watched most of the prog - missed the first singer - but I really enjoyed it, didn't really care who "won".  |
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BobbyZ
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« Reply #3 on: 22:17:58, 11-06-2007 » |
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I agree that Elizabeth Watts had the most interesting programme by a country mile, although I wasn't convinced by her performance of the Handel. Hope the standard of guest reviewer remains as high through the week.
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Dreams, schemes and themes
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Mary Chambers
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« Reply #4 on: 09:26:50, 12-06-2007 » |
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Blimey, she's got a first class degree in archaeology as well! Toby Spence did say she was a "clever girl".
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Mary Chambers
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« Reply #5 on: 22:46:40, 12-06-2007 » |
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I found the counter-tenor tonight a bit irritating, but I suppose he was the best. Original choice of programme too. I think I'd probably have given it to the Ukrainian (?) mezzo, Julia something.
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Soundwave
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« Reply #6 on: 23:19:55, 12-06-2007 » |
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Ho! I thought the soprano was the one who best communicated musically and emotionally with me and should have been first.. The counter tenor, who won, was gimmicky, and on the top sounded more like a woman than a counter tenor. He also lacked a "bottom" to his voice. The Norwegian baritone was not very good at all and the Ukrainian mezzo seemed rather "doughy" and swayed annoyingly. The Uzbeck baritone I put second. Not as good as the first programme.
Cheers
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Ho! I may be old yet I am still lusty
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Mary Chambers
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« Reply #7 on: 11:25:41, 13-06-2007 » |
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The counter tenor, who won, was gimmicky, and on the top sounded more like a woman than a counter tenor. He also lacked a "bottom" to his voice. The Norwegian baritone was not very good at all I agree on these points, except I didn't think he sounded much like a woman. I felt sorry for the Norwegian baritone, but I think they said he was unwell. He seemed only average to me. |
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eruanto
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« Reply #8 on: 19:56:35, 13-06-2007 » |
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RCM website has CSOTW info plastered all over it at the moment. it's an annoying thing to see updates every time i log on to the system!
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Mary Chambers
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« Reply #9 on: 09:45:30, 14-06-2007 » |
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Since there are now more messages about this on the official R3 boards than there are here, I shall post something out of loyalty, even though I don't really feel very strongly about last night's offering. The commentators and jury seemed very sure about the Chinese bass-baritone, but I actually found the Dutch baritone a more intelligent singer, even though I know his voice was a bit strained at times. This could be because I liked his repertoire - he did the owen Wingrave piece very well = and because I don't much like bass voices. Not being a professional judge of these things, I find my own likes and dislikes in voices/repertoire will keep creeping into my opinions. I liked the Estonian's voice at first, but the pieces he sang sounded exactly the same! The Welsh soprano had the sort of operatic voice I dislike - strong vibrato (wobble??) and a bit shrill.
Am I alone in noticing a good few pitch problems in some of these singers?
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BobbyZ
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« Reply #10 on: 10:17:05, 14-06-2007 » |
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No Mary, I thought there were pitch problems too which I put down to nerves in many cases. I also thought the Chinese singer veered a little towards the novelty act like the counter tenor of Tuesday, although that may have just been coloured by the choice of the Faust to conclude.
I had forgotten that the final doesn't necessarily feature the individual night's winners but the best overall, so it will be interesting to see if any runners up get in and if any "winners" are jettisoned. Monday night certainly seems to have been the strongest so far.
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Dreams, schemes and themes
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Mary Chambers
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« Reply #11 on: 20:40:15, 16-06-2007 » |
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Almost the end of the Song Prize final - well, I know whose recital I'd want to go to!
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Andy D
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« Reply #12 on: 21:10:04, 16-06-2007 » |
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Didn't see the first 2 but Elizabeth Watts was very good and I'd love to hear her in a live recital.
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MabelJane
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« Reply #13 on: 21:13:55, 16-06-2007 » |
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I didn't see any of them - but heard them all on the radio!
That Hungarian seemed to be almost shouting at times - perhaps I needed to watch him and read the translation to appreciate him more.
I agree that Elizabeth Watts sang beautifully. I do like the Chinese bass-baritone though.
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Merely corroborative detail, intended to give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and unconvincing narrative.
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Mary Chambers
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« Reply #14 on: 21:37:54, 16-06-2007 » |
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I heard it on the radio, and when the television coverage started I tried to combine the two, which was tricky! I thought she was miles ahead of anyone else, including the Chinese one. I don't think I've seen such talent for a very long time - she's alive, she's genuine, and she can sing. No phoneyness there.
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