Wonderful rendition. I used to listen to this recording in the car when given the task of learning it. This was the vocal coach's favourite aria and the first she gave us to learn. It is a much more difficult piece to master than people realise.
Alagna was a fine singer who didn’t get the critical acclaim he deserved. This clip illustrates his abundant talent. Oh, Terfel is also a great singer.
I think this is great, but it's the eternal hunt for that perfect (to one's own ear) rendition. the fun part is you never find it but you keep looking. it's a bit like golf.
@@dellonman For me a lot of the joy comes in imagining how it sounded in the composer's head. Separated from performance in real life. Pure as it was conceived. Probably not, but maybe up among the stars the music and the words exist and they're nothing to do with how they're performed down here.
i have lived long enough to hear a better performance than Gigli and De Luca it is absolutely divine in many ways a beautiful thing a Welshman and a Sicilian both full of passion which makes this aria from Bizet so beautiful
The opera The Pearl Fishers is defined by this spectacular duet, but the remainder of the opera is filled with glorious French music, too. I have seen it three times, the last time at the Metropolitan Opera. Their production was wonderful!
excellent Roberto and Bryn, honestly, the best I've heard, in perfect harmony, no competition, no overdoing. just harmonious flowing of a beautiful song in admiration to a goddess
Did you listen to Jonas Kaufman and Dmitri Hvorostovsky sing this. They do not compete with each other on this area, they just complemented each other.
Ohh now I'm all confused. Merrill and Bjorling were always my favourite voices for this duet. I've just followed the link, found this and loved it. Oh sod it,. Who is better than who is purely subjective. I've just added another two superb singers, with a superb rendition to my favourites. Headphones on, beer in hand, listening to the most fabulous music. What a bonus.!
@@brookeggleston9314 No. I don’t. Most modern singers are sub-par, that is a fact. There are, of course, a handful who are great singers, but they are few and far between. And I don’t have a ‘very sad life’ simply because I have a more discerning ear than, say, you do.
This so stunningly beautiful at so many levels...the singing, the lyrics, the mystical quality...and the finale'...the reaffirmation of undying friendship! Noble, uplifting, inspirational!
Young would-be opera singers, take note! It's possible to sing beautifully without writhing, grimacing, flailing, or screaming. Let the technique do the work. Terfel isn't even breathing heavy at the end. Beautifully balanced rendition; my favorite.
I've NEVER been a fan of opera (and never will be), but there are two pieces which get me -EVERY single time. This one, and the 'Flower Duet' by Delibes. In both, one of the most striking aspects is the wonderful contrast between the two voices - tenor and baritone, soprano and mezzo-soprano, respectively. It just DOES not work for me if both parts are sung by the same voices. It isn't just a question of performers singing the right notes; without that contrast in timbre, so much of the magic is gone - like seeing a rainbow in black and white. Why so many highly talented brass players - such as Robert and David Childs - insist on playing these pieces with identical instruments just defies belief. It's sheer musical BUTCHERY!
Lovely! Appreciate the gentle, flowing line, the sweetness of Alagna. Terfel-terrific, of course. Both appropriately passionate as the text & dynamics indicate at app.4.30. A gem of a duo! Opera scheduled for Met Live in HD broadcast 1/16.
Roberto Alagna sure does a great impersonation of Jussi Björling. Just heard this tenor for the very first time; I think I’ll need to listen to some more of his work. My goodness.
Too all those saying that Alagna doesn't match Terfel here - I'd like to disagree respectfully. Just to be sure, I adore Terfel, he is a force of nature and almost always great. But Alagna is superb here, too. I would even go so far as to say that Alagna does a somewhat better job here. First, Alagna's French diction is downright perfect. (Terfel's diction is good for a foreigner, but still lacks sometimes and the vowels are much more muffled throughout). Second, Alagna's legato is far better than Terfel's and much more in line with common Italian/French belcanto singing style. Finally, this duett is arguably more difficult for the Tenor (this is almost always true, because the higher voice has to project both melody and meaning, whereas the lower voice tends to "merely" build the fundament). As such, the tenor has the much wider and more difficult tessitura to cover in this piece, and he also introduces the sudden change in atmosphere (around 4:20). Alagna does all this great! He expresses everything through his sound and doesn't need any overly theatric demeanor. His instrument resonates freely; never does he shout or apply too much pressure (not even in the more dramatic moments, which is very difficult to accomplish). Yes, you may find his voice somewhat too open (I tend to agree), but this is more a matter of style/personal liking; he masters his technique brilliantly in this piece. If anything, Terfel is the one applying too much pressure sometimes (for instance the "ta main repousse ma main" at 4:30, where he goes overboard into falsely understood dramatic demeanor imho). Alagna fully trust his technique and remains strictly within the natural expressability of his voice. In all, there is very much to like about Alagna's performance in my opinion, and he more than matches his mighty singing partner. Final note: I usually do not see much sense in comparing singers like that. But having read so many (in my opinion wrong) statements about Alagna's flaws here, I thought I'd share my insights and perspective. At the end of the day, both singers here are world class, and despite their very different singing styles and techniques, they resonate together beautifully and do this heartwarming duet much justice.
tenchinhanu / Thank you so very much for your Commentary! Thank you for taking the time so ! could enjoy this Masterpiece even more.( Sorry for my Evervescense. I have,maybe too much excitement,for the music!)
By George, I think they've got it........matching tonal qualities and vibratos, goo timing under Levine, and true musicianship.....a felicitous cooperation.
I have just watched this again...and it has gone up in my estimation...1. Within tessitura 2. No competition between singers 3. Acting/living the action (Alagna is palpably SEEING the action) 4.No bloody eggs in their mouths
This is so good, so beautiful, so deep, I literally had goosebumps, and tears. Thank you for the marvelous post. This certainly one of the most beautiful live versions extant!
I agree! I often watch this duet between Alagna and Terfel on the DVD that I have of the concert in which they sung it. I have always loved this opera and, in particular, the duet. I've heard many great tenors and baritones sing it, but I do believe that this rendition is the most beautiful I have ever heard! What magnificent voices! I just doesn't get any better.
Absolutely brilliant. After the break at 4:15 they burst into perfect spirit of the song. Alagna sings so comfortably, naturally, and sweetly in French, he enjoyed this as much as the audience. They loved it themselves, you could tell at the end, they knew they nailed it. While I still prefer the sound and the performance of Bjoerling and Merrill, it was better to watch these two on stage. because you knew they were enjoying it themselves.
I totally agree. Bjoerling and Merrill is divine, but this is a joy to watch and hear. My favourite bit starts at 5.06, they harmonise so well. and the look on Bryn's face at the end that just says 'damn, I nailed it!' True love of music, and appreciation for each other's talent.
True griffcats. It is very good. I suspect the chaps studied Bjoerling and Merrill and understand the dialogue. These are two chaps to follow, for sure.
So many wonderful versions of this piece, past and present. Alagna and Terfel have to be close to the top if not thee top. Two marvelous singing actors, wonderful!
Joel Barry The critics are on his singgin of dramatics roles without having the voice for it. He should stay in this kind of roles. Liryc and light roles. His Alfredo on La Traviata is the best.
Stunning version and first time I've seen the video. Roberto Alagna has become my favourite all round tenor - everything he does is stunning...and what more can be said of Terfel.Since hearing this version in the late 90's, I have analysed and enjoyed many versions including the iconic Bjorling/Merrill version. Even though Bjorlings vocal was not as good as Alagna's, and Merrill not as powerful as Terfel (although arguably Merrill was more lyrical), their voices blended better together than any other combination has.Personally because I prefer Alagna's vocal, this is my favourite version.
Another thing I really like about Alagna is his acting ability too and his emoting. I know that might come second to the singing, but when you watch him versus some others in the same role...he's just way more interesting to me than the others. I had the privilege of being in Paris for a year (2015) and made a point to see everything he was in there, while I was there! (I guess it was only three things, Le Cid, Le Roi Arthus and then a concert he gave)...I feel like I'm forgetting one, but anyway...very cool :)
Interesting, compering Bjoerling to Alangna, they are very similar in delivery, Listen to Bjoerlings E la solita storia del pastore, In my judgement the definitive version, power, pitch, legato, emotional projection, it has got it all, its textbook. let me know what you think.....
DIVINE VOICES !!! EBRAVO !!! ENDLESS THANKS FOR VERY, VERY, VERY THE BEAUTIFUL EMOTIONS FOR US - THE FANS IN ALL World !!! BRAVO Dear FANS !!! VERY HEART GREETINGS FROM BULGARIA
I have never heard (even on RU-vid uploads) a 'bad' rendition of this piece. Then, who would truly I be to pass sonic judgement? I have no training or expertise in the matter to judge this as 'good' or 'bad'. What we only offer, is our reaction to it...not its technical execution. We only express personal opinions....
Every time someone sings this on RU-vid it descends into tenor wars and the music itself gets lost. So far I haven't heard a dud version, so just sit back, enjoy, and marvel that Bizet could have written such a perfect duet.
Alagna looked scruffy here because he was at the Met performing in La Bohême at the time of the Gala - and the outfit he is wearing is his "wedding suit" because he had gotten married the day before...
ABso;utely wonderfil! One of the best voice combinations for this - and perfectly matched. But I think my favourite is still Gigli and Jussi Bjorling!! But this is definitely right up there!
A few years ago I had initially appreciated this version, but then I eard the Jussi Bioerling and Robert Merrill version, in my opinion so far the ultimate version. Biorling and Merrill, what a togetherness and celestial voices, no forcing, just pure bliss. Just listen to their version, you may also like it.
Ouvi vários duetos dessa ária Les Pêcheurs, as duas que me impressionam é a de Roberto Alagna e Bryn Terfel e Jonas Kauffman com Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Essa peça musical ela é perfeita para um barítono e tenor…é alto nível demais….Acho que ela foi escrita para eles…. É de tirar o fôlego!🇧🇷👏👏👏👏
