Rob had classical opera training in college but had not sung it 15 years and Austin was trained in musical theatre in college. I think he was exposed a little to opera because his teachers push him to go opera instead of musical theatre. They did a great job on this. Thank for your reaction and have a blessed day.
Maggie Renee (who is a professional Opera singer at Juilliard) did a breakdown during her reaction. She was extremely impressed with Rob and his classical Opera training and made a good point that even though Austin is not classically trained in opera, he did a great job and the fact they are bringing Opera to a new audience is amazing.
I don't think Maggie is really aware of the currents in opera in the last 50 years in the world's opera houses. The fluidity of the lines between 'classical' opera, musical theatre, musicals and almost unclassifiable contemporary mayhem like Birtwhistle and Glass means that the old rules have been breaking down. She might also be surprised to learn that the old-fashioned German fans of Wagner rather look down on the "Italian" style of singing as just not powerful enough! Austin, as a lyric tenor, would be totally employable in roles specifically written for a younger, brighter voice - some of Puccini's romantic leads or Lensky in Eugene Onegin (which is in Russian, so much for the apparent belief in some quarters that all 'real' opera is in Italian).
This is not a duet, it is sung as a solo, so that is also something amazing that Rob & Austin accomplished, besides singing just singing beautifully. 🥰
I looked for duets of this. I found one. Pavarotti and Sarah Brightman. I can't find any of 2 men. So this seems to be a first, at least a recorded first. Pav and Brightman are both classical. Rob and Austin did the first opera/crossover -- another first. Dang, I love these guys. They've brought great joy to so many. Thanks Austin and Rob and all of Home Free!
Rob was actually trained in Opera. Austin's musical theater background helped. In the premier they were both really nervous about it. Truly enjoyed watching your reaction to this song.
During the premiere release of this video, both Rob and Austin were in the chat (it's worth reading), and both were extremely nervous about releasing this. Thus the "try" in the title. But there's no "try" here - they nailed it (imo). Turns out Rob studied/sang opera for 4 years in college (15 years ago), and Austin has musical theatre training (which isn't exactly the same, but allows him to produce a "crossover" sound that is beautiful). I love that they did this - "Nessun Dorma" is a classic aria, and it brings a whole new genre of music to all Home Fries! What can't these guys do??? Bravo!
This is insane. It is so extremely good. Fantastic. Both are doing great. But Rob, I'm perplexed!!! His voice is just magical, so rich, so warm and powerful. Chills just ran through my body. It flows into my heart. For me he will be able to stand with the greatest of opera singers. It's not often that I listen to songs by opera singers 5 times and more in a row. But here it is. Of course I hope that both will always continue to do Home Free, but I wouldn't think it wrong that such "trips" are made more often. Opera, country, ballads, soul etc. I think anything is possible. Even if you don't like opera, you have to like it. Maybe because it's so amazingly good, but not 100% perfect.
There's it is the face of enjoyment, amazement and surprise. Rob who study opera in college, but hasn't sung it in 15 and Austin as you know has a musical theater background. Both were nervous about how well this would go over with their fans......Homerun!! Checking out other reactors and the face is always the same.
Rob, studied opera in college, but as he said it had been 15 years since he'd really sung it when Austin approached him about this project. We all know Austin has had musical theatre & classical musical theatre training
Way back when they did the Sea Shanty Medley and Rob was singing lead on the Cape Cod portion, we heard a hint of this "other voice" coming through, so I kinda thought there was an operatic voice hiding somewhere! So glad he finally let us hear it!
If Austin had stayed in training after college, he was being pushed towards opera. Some years ago he started to work with a high level vocal coach (as all serious singers do), which has made a real difference in his tone and vibrato, as well as improving. his lower register. He expressed interest in this aria over a year ago, but clearly didn't feel quite up to it alone. Rob was very doubtful too and in the end I think it was "I'll do it if you do it". In the live chat for the premiere they were both horribly apprehensive about how it would be received. As explained below this (solo) aria is from Puccini's Turandot, his last opera. Prince Calaf is awaiting the dawn when the Princess must either guess his name, and he will be killed, or he will gain her hand in marriage. Quite why he wants to marry her is a mystery, when she is sadistic to the point of psychopathy, but i guess that's love for you. The aria expresses his thoughts, impatient for dawn and finally confident of winning. It was written as a blockbuster aria to get the blood flowing after two acts of complex plot, and is always an emotional ride when performed well. And Rob and Austin did just that. American opera training and performance is rather hidebound compared to a comparatively lively scene in Europe, so a lot of "experts" who have reacted and commented have been very snooty and dismissive of Austin, who they insist is not quite whatever they mean by operatic. On concert stages in Europe, we love us a lyric tenor, particularly if he's good-looking, and the bright expressive tone of Austin's voice, with such sweet effortless upper notes, is a perfect foil to Rob's richer, deeper sound. And he would do a wonderful job of one of Puccini's romantic heroes (except for his unfortunate habit of forgetting the words).
Your last comment is hilarious! I can picture Austin being in the middle of a phrase and then breaking into another "I forgot the words" without missing a beat. I liked Rob's "Gulp" right b4 the premier started. Edit: I just realized all he has to do is learn "I forgot the words" in Italian. Easy!
Well said! I do suspect some of the carping by some has been mostly sour grapes. Austin and Rob did a terrific job and are introducing people to the beauty of opera. It must have taken not only a lot of work and talent but also real courage to record and release this.
I love what Pete Barber did in his reaction to this piece. He was, I thought, respectful of the style of opera without being precious to it. He gave full credit to both Rob and Austin for the effort they made, the courage it took to step outside their usual comfort zone. He also, I think, treated them with the serious respect they deserve by pointing out the differences in styles, training, and technique between what they typically do and what's done in opera regularly. To hold someone who is, in essence, an amature in what they are doing in that moment to the standards of the professional OF that thing, and not find them completely wanting, is the highest compliment, in my estimation. And, Pete did that with a respect for the gentlemen themselves and their talent, IMO.
I've watched 2 classically trained opera singers react to this and they weren't snooty about Austin. In fact they both praised him highly while giving their analysis. They weren't saying he isn't capable of opera they were just saying it's obvious to their trained ear that he hasn't had specific or significant operatic training. If he were to sing opera as a career he would need a little more refining which is basically all they were saying. There's ALWAYS room for improvement. I rather enjoyed their analysis because they know how hard it is and they both appreciated the result while teaching proper technique and giving Austin praise for what he accomplished in this recording. And of course they both loved Rob and one in fact held him to a higher standard after quickly realizing that he's had significant training even if it has been 15 years since he's sang opera.
@@n_beth They were commenters who claimed to love opera and were upset about this, that and whatever. "Not pure enough opera" was the attitude, not reactioners.
I loved this! So it turns out that Rob studied opera in college and Austin is classically trained so I expected their performance to as good as any Home Free song always is - but not this good! I thought it was beautiful, wonderful, and incredible!
Enjoyed your reaction! A number of reactors anticipated some typical Home Free comedic shenanigans or felt it was being lipsync'd. (I wouldn't have been opposed to them performing while still in tees and hats just keep the HF 'country' touch.) Not even a fan of opera, although have heard this performed many times on TV so have a certain appreciation for it. Knew Rob had previously sung opera many years ago, so while not completely surprised, was impressed by how comfortably he stepped back into this role after so long showing us just how much more he's capable of. With Rob being the more proficient, was still pleasantly surprised by Austin, as well. Others have commented that Austin was the one to encourage Rob to give this a try. Both were really nervous going in. Applaud them both for doing something different and hopefully taking the overwhelmingly positive response to perhaps tackle even more. (Enlist the other HF guys? Can Adam do violin?)
I don't know why they were nervous about doing this. First, they nailed it (which is no surprise at all). Second, they are bringing a new style of music to people who haven't really heard it much before. I'm certainly not an opera fan to the exclusion of all else, but there is so much wonderful, wonderful music from opera and I think many people would really enjoy it (even though they think they wouldn't like it) if they simply listened to it. Rob and Austin have given people that opportunity. I'd love to hear them do more! I'd especially love to hear them do La donna è mobile from Verdi's Rigoletto. And the whole group work with Diana Damrau on the Queen of the Night aria (from Mozart's The Magic Flute). I bet Diana Damrau would jump at the chance to work with Home Free being her "orchestra" on this. If you do watch her doing Queen of the Night, rest assured, she is really a very nice lady. The queen character definitely is NOT and she does a wonderful job with the character's evilness and jealousy so she comes across here as not nice at all.
Loved the reaction! I was so taken back when this came out because like you I just didn't believe that was Rob. However, he had classical training but hasn't sung it for about 15 years.
I've been waiting forever (it seems like) for you to react to this!😴 This made me cry the first 15 times I watched it because it was so powerful. Yes, Rob's normally silky smooth voice has that rich, powerful opera tenor sound here! I think Pavarotti would be a bit jealous that he studied & sang opera his entire life but Rob walks off the Home Free street & sings like a pro when he hasn't sung opera in 15 years! Austin's voice is always beautiful & sounded more like Bocelli so we're all used to him singing like this but I think the difference in Rob's normal voice & this gigantic voice was surprising!😲 I love everything about this video!😊💖
Austin has such an unique sound, that I don't think there is any style he'll be able to do, without being recognizable. His highs just cut like a blade. I have waited a very long time for Rob to do opera. He did a liitle tease in one of their 'from the vault' videos. This was just beautiful.
The Three Tenors sang it as a trio, as did IL Volo, actually someone merged those two groups of men and had them singing together, Placido Domingo sang with the Three Tenors and conducted for IL Volo, it was very cleverly done.
I told you this would happen some day. Didn't quite think it would happen this soon. They surprised a lot of people. Including you, obviously. Clearly they can sing everything. So talented.
For some context: "Nessun dorma" is an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot and one of the best-known tenor arias in all opera. It is sung by Calaf, il principe ignoto, who falls in love at first sight with the beautiful but cold Princess Turandot. Any man who wishes to wed Turandot must first answer her three riddles; if he fails, he will be beheaded. In the aria, Calaf expresses his triumphant assurance that he will win the princess.. "Rob doesn't sound like Rob" because he's using the real opera technique, with chiaroscuro (loosely translated as light dark), and far more rounded vowels. Austin still uses the more "pop"technique, with vowels being more wide that vertical and more forward placed voice. Rob has said he did study opera in college, but hasn't sung it in about 15 years. Austin of course, trained in musical theater. They did a great job. One of the thins I really like about this is that it may introduce the genre to a lot of people who wouldn't otherwise be interested simply because it IS Rob and Austin.
The usual 19th century belief that 'opera" can only mean the old Italian warhorses. In fact another reactor with wide experience of vocal music and training in opera said that Austin's voice type, a true lyric tenor, was in far more demand in opera houses than the heavy vibrato Italian style. It's really weird to imagine an Italian-style tenor singing Tchaikovsky, Britten , Glass or Turnage.
I'm so glad you did this one I was wanting to know your thoughts about it. I've probably watched it 100 times now and proud of it. I just can't het enough of it. I was in tears and didn't breath during the premier. Even tho I don't know Italian this is a powerful song. They performed it beautifully and brought so much emotion to the song which is what an artist should do.
*This is why music is such an amazing language, all in itself.......* I do not understand one word they sang, but I felt every lyric, every note, and every emotion, which says a lot about their amazing artistry, talent & delivery❣❣❣
I read awhile back that Rob's vocal coach from yrs ago talked about his amazing abilities to sing any style of song including opera and he could have probably made a career out of singing opera.
Rob is apparently the 'perfect pitch' guy in HF. I absolutely believe that. Seen 2 live concerts and never heard Rob sing a sour note. I have heard him sing really sour notes when goofing around in the bts's.
@@janhankins911 I hardly think he would have spent so long barkeeping if he was a shoo-in for the Met., as you imply. The competition for young singers is so intense that many aren't willing to go on keeping the voice in a perfect state for auditions (few and far between) while working two jobs to stay alive. No shame in deciding not to do that. Others take on whatever singing work presents itself, as Austin did.
Wow! Home Free on a Wednesday! So glad you reacted to this one! Knowing how nervous the guys were prior to the premier, and then them seeing so many positive comments eased their worries. Rob even posted a “thank you” message on FB & IG. I think they did a phenomenal performance considering Rob hasn’t sung opera in 15 years and Austin had very little opera training. Most everyone I seen that has reacted to this has been more shocked and surprised at Rob than Austin. We all know Austin has musical theatre training and schooling. What I didn’t know until I saw the Behind the scenes for this that Rob had studied and performed opera during his 4 years of college.
2 Opera singers both stated Rob would probly need 2 - 3 years to sing Pro Opera since he mainly needs to just lern Italian. Austin would need 3 - 5 years since he is trained as a Theater Singer and would need to Retrain his voice for Opera and also to learn Italian. BUT for WHAT they are and their attempt is just INSANE ! considering that they are mainly Country Singers. Both stated they WANT to get their Opera Conductors/Coaches to get with both Rob and Austin even if it is just to maybe so they can bring more people to Opera through them.
The idea that you need to learn Italian would come as a shock to the great German, Russian and British singers, none of whom are Italian speakers. Opera houses have coaches to help singers learn any unfamiliar language. The hottest ticket in London theatre right now is the Royal Opera in a new opera sung in 9 languages. Maggie Renee needs to come into the 21st century and stop talking nonsense.
@@patriciamcl54 Yah I forgot there were many Operas in German, French , English and Russian. I was reminded about those after this post and felt stupid when I realized about them. Like Beethoven was known for his.
Austin does have a degree in musical theater. One of his video outside of Home Free under his own name is Bring Him Home from Les Miz. His musical theater train shines through beautifully in this song.
Rob did have training for operatic singing back in college but chose not to pursue it. He hadn't sung it in 15 years. Austin had a bit while going to school for musical theater. If you want to delve into a breakdown of techniques that a lay person can understand, Peter Barber, an opera singer, does what I think is an interesting critique of them. It's around 45 minutes long. Overall he was very impressed with them both, but definitely Rob. He said if Rob had stayed with operatic training or took it back up seriously and trained professionally, that he could see Rob being successful at it. Some people didn't like Peter's review, but as I listened to his breakdown I found that I understood it and he was very fair. And as I said, very complimentary as a whole. I was glad to see your reaction, full shock at the start! You were definitely not alone! So many times Home Free pulls something unexpected, that none of us knew what to expect. Something comedic was definitely on my mind as an option. But, having heard Austin's Bring Him Home, and catching a few times where Rob has employed a bit of that richer tone, I felt it could be the real thing. I was ready for either one! Loved your reaction! ❤
A better bet than Barber (who I found patronising in his attitude) is Jen Glatzhofer, who has an up to date knowledge of opera and total understanding of how the voie works.
Great reaction! I have never been a fan of opera except maybe some Andrea Bocelli & a few others. But I have always appreciated the talent it takes to sing opera. I was pretty impressed with Rob & Austin's version of Nessun Dorma. I have heard this famous song done by Pavarotti. I think I was more surprised by Rob's range & powerful delivery than even Austin's. Pretty good for a couple of country boys! Nice to see them dressed up in suits & looking classy. I think the look on their faces at the end was relief that they actually pulled it off. I think they both were very nervous doing opera & how it would be received. Rob has had some opera training about 15 years ago & Austin is trained in musical theatre.
I knew right away it was actually Rob because of the way he sings with his tongue position that gives his voice something very recognizable. This was a real treat.
The difference in sound is nothing to do with training. Austin could have had the exact same training as Rob and still would not have sounded the same. It's about physiology and the formation of the cords. So after his years of classical training he emerged a glorious lyric tenor, a fairly rare breed and much in demand in the opera houses and concert stages of Europe.
What I am getting amazed about with watching reactors responding to this is that so many reactors seem to have failed to actually listen to how much Rob holds back while singing in a group. His tonality and projection are amazing. Not just here but with everything they sing.. I'm glad he chose to do acapella instead of opera even though he would have made a very good career if he had chosen that path. Austin's musical theater training is very clear and lovely he's doing more of a crossover classical while Rob is doing opera. Nicely done.
I think Nessun Dorma is the name of the song and the opera is Turandot or something like that. Puccini wrote it. Pavarotti is most famous for singing it I believe. Rob studied opera in college but that was years ago. Austin studied musical theater. There is an opera singer who is a reactor who said with more study Rob could be a professional opera singer. I have no doubt about that. I knew they could sing but this was something else. Boy can they project their voices. I thought I was going to be rickrolled but not this! Great reaction BC!😍
I have no clue what all you reactors are talking about with Rob not sounding like Rob ??? I hear Rob's voice well yeah even this he has dropped into it off an on over the years. It is STUNNING and BEAUTIFUL but it's still Rob.
Nessum Dorms is such a classic tenor aria. I highly recommend checking out Diana Damrau performing DER Holler Roche. (The queen of the night's Aria from The Magic flute)
Rob - Is singing in true Classical style. Austin - Is singing in Crossover (Theatrical) style. That's why the totally different larynx placement gave you the different sound from Rob. Rob was Classically Trained in college and considered a career in Opera. Austin was Theatrically Trained in college.
Rob’s instrument has the space for the darker tenor 2 register. Austin’s instrument doesn’t have that. Hence he’s a lyric tenor. Austin was singing the chorus’s part of the aria
Nessun Dorma is an aria from Puccini's opera Turandot (most notably performed by the late, incomparable Luciano Pavarotti). It's one of my favourites and I've heard lots of professional opera singers perform it - Austin and Rob are better than a good many of them! I love their version! You might want to watch Austin's video of "Ain't No Sunshine", especially the dialogue at the end of it.
Nessun Dorma is a traditional Italian Opera Tenor Solo by Giacomo Puccini - - - You have to understand that when singing OPERA the singer opens their mouth, their upper palate, and using the power of their lungs is totally different than singing more lyrical music like country or rock so Rob sounds totally different as it should be. . . . . listen to Michael Bolton who is in no way an Opera singer. . . ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-l8f0thS-VAg.html
In fact Rob did not open his mouth quite enough to project the voice properly. Understandable, since it is so long since he trained. Rob trained in one form of opera singing, the traditional Italian, which is going out of fashion in international opera houses. Btw you cannot "open" your upper palate. The traditional Italian opera voice is achieved by lowering the larynx.
Another one bites the dust! Of course they're lip-syncing in the video. But they recorded separately with Sebastian pulling up the orchestration. With this you could gain insight by watching Peter Barber and Maggie Renee's reactions and critiques.
Both of which I found rather patronising. Praising someone for effort is no praise at all, as any teacher could tell you. Maggie Renee often talks nonsense, like that every opera singer has to learn Italian, which is garbage and would be news to the great Russian, British and German singers of the world.
@@patriciamcl54 I kind of agree. Peter seems to have little appreciation for Austin's lyric/crossover part. He also seemed a bit dismissive of Rob's abilities. And Maggie took way too long to get to the aria. But, they both added a few good points.
YOU HAVE TO REACT TO DIMASH KUDAIBERGEN SINGING "OGNI PIETRA". THIS GUY HAS AN 6 OCTAVE RANGE AND HE IS TRAINED SINCE THE AGE OF 5 YEARS OLD. IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND. ALL THE BEST FROM GERMANY AND STAY SAFE 🇩🇪PETRA
I don't find it weird that you say you love Broadway but never got into opera, I'm from the other perpective, I've always loved opera, I never got into musicals. They are vastly different genres.
Austin was classically trained from the age of 15, and the vocal training for musicals is in many ways tougher than for opera. You clearly don't actually know what opera is.
@@patriciamcl54 the reply was based on the title two country boy try to sing opera Austin was singing classical crossover and sorry but his Georgia accent was showing up Rob was singing opera
No, the difference is physiological. In any case, there is a lot more to opera than the Italian workhorses like Puccini. Lyric tenors like Austin, with his bright incisive style, are much in demand in opera outside the hidebound American opera world.
