Saw Room with a view in the theater in the 80’s just when I was discovering I could do this with my voice, too. I’ve sung this aria many times and I owe these artists everything. Te Kanawa made magic.
My mom used to listen to her songs a lot so I was used to her lovely voice. What a legend! I watched documentaries about her life only a few years ago. I do not know Mandarin but I can sing her songs because these songs were part of my childhood in Asia. Her best friend was Russian and she was saved by her. They managed to meet up again in Russia before they died. I think one of her grandmothers was French.
These are very challenging conditions for a singer: open air, and a breeze blowing. Yet Kiri nails this aria (almost )perfectly. I wish I'd been there to give her a rapturous applause.
I still think it can fit in the show, or to be more specific, before the show. Since it's 4min 48secs long, it could play 5mins before the show starts and the remaining 12 seconds could be used by the actors to quickly get in place before the prologue
Thank you for sharing. My Dad bought this Lp vinyl record. This is a memorable video which celebrates the amazing life of Ms Zhou Xiao Yan the famous Soprano and a wonderful music teacher too.
Kiri is the only person to record this live so far as I know. Not just a great singer but also gutsy! Listen to all these high notes - LIVE. This is why I adore her!