Why isn't this woman a major star? This performance alone should have launched her into the stratosphere of Great Singing/Actors. Donna Murphy should be recording albums and appearing in films and TV shows as a leading Lady !She gives this music such sincerity and feeling !No one comes close to making this role live or this music matter as much as she does! I am amazed each time I watch this clip by how incredibly gifted she is!
I agree. Funny how that is with some performers: they're truly brilliant, yet their star remains somehow hidden. I thought she was also great in "The Nannie Diaries".
I don't understand this comment. Donna Murphy IS a star. You're right - she's phenomenal. The issue is not that she isn't all over various media. The issue is that so relatively few people actually go to the theatre any more. And I pity them greatly. Theatre and amazing actors enrich and broaden our lives. Films and television, at least the films and television that modern audiences consider entertaining, are vapid and mindless.
The line " loving you is not a choice and not much reason to rejoice " I think is one of the strongest line. She is basically saying' I don't like this anymore then you do'.Like she may love him and be willing too die for him but part of her resents it maybe.
I think lyrically, it speaks to a much simpler universal truth.we don't always pick whom we love sometimes theres no intent justoganic.as how she fell in love with Giorgio I think as she suggest here that kind of love is the most defining of who we are.and how/ why welove in the context of the show she means live or die quite literally but I feel in the scheme of things it could be less literal. she's already admitted the love she feels defines her you take live or die less literal it plays into the idea of love being my essence ofliving and my journey for dieing love be it real and not returned dosent diminish itsvalue in the heart this show exemplifies for me that unrequited love can be the most organic it requiresnothing in return to exist.
@@jamesteague I think both those are valid and true but I would add that it’s also a little self deflating as though she is referencing her homely reputation. She makes no apologies for how her looks are perceived but I do believe she is saying it’s “not much reason ‘for you’ to rejoice” as thou she understands her loving someone is not what they would want. It’s a powerful line... and song.
Absolutely! I don’t think anyone else will ever be able to come close to her performance. So glad they filmed it as it’s an absolute master class in acting.
Look who's talking? I have had the absolute pleasure (understatement) of seeing you perform twice and I walked out of the theatre both times speechless. Not to mention how often your incredible voice is coming out of my stereo speakers! You are one of the best!
Mine too! And only to think, it was not so long ago I was really sure Sondheim was something I didn't really like, too strange, too different maybe. Then I discovered his beautiful love songs, phenomenal lyrics in them... And then... I discovered "Passion". And can't get it out of my head probably ever again! It's the 1996/97 London cast I've been listening to and envy you so much for having seen it live! Though I must say it's emotionally so tense I can't imagine how I would have survived it live (probably weeping very much all through it). The closing "Your love will live in me" is at the moment for me the most beautiful music piece ever.
I played this CD soundtrack so many times. The music and the story... a tragic Fosca finds her heart's desire just before her life comes to an end. Giorgio Bachetti's life will never be the same.
Loving you is not a choice, It's who I am. Loving you is not a choice And not much reason to rejoice, But it gives me purpose Gives me voice to say to the world: This is why I live You are why I live. Loving you is why I do The things I do Loving you is not in my control. But loving you, I have a goal For what's left of my life... I would live, And I would die for you.
This is the key moment of this profound musical theatre piece. It tore my heart out when I saw it on stage in London in 1996. Passion is about the transformative and overwhelming nature of love. I have never ceased to be moved by it. It brings tears to my opens from the very opening to the end. Thank you Stephen Sondheim
So envious of you! I may want to watch it but I may not be as strong as you. I’m afraid I would not be able to control myself from sobbing hysterically.
I only recently discovered "Passion" - through the duet with Barbra Streisand and Patrick Wilson - and was immediately struck by the intensity and beauty of this story. Both Ms. Murphy's and Mr. Shea's performances moved me so deeply, rendering me at time virtually speechless. Watching her achingly express her love and seeing the metamorphosis of Giorgio's love for her...some of the scenes overwhelm you with emotion and empathy. A masterpiece of theater.
@Alan Mundy Hello Alan - Thank you for responding: it's great to share thoughts about such emotionally charged and beautiful talent/performances. I have since written to Jere Shea, expressing my praise. I even wrote Mr. Sondheim (mainly to ask about some lyrics I wrote), and he responded. It is a GREAT joy and even an honor - if I can name it as such - to experience such moving beauty and glorious pathos. It inspires one to create and reminds you of what man is capable of...
Magisterial interpretation... this LADY is a true genius actress/singer... whatever she touches turns to gold. She has my complete and total admiration....
So often it seems that we fall in love with someone where the relationship is difficult and maybe impossible. Never the less they have our heart and we would die for them. If one is lucky, the difficulties pass and the two of you get to enjoy a love that is a slice of heaven. Other times, you have to let them go so you both can live. Love is not for the faint of heart.
Funny you should say that, I was thinking the same thing. Out of context from the play itself - this could apply to couples, parent to child - grandparent to grandchild. I am sorry for your loss. I lost my mother in Jan 2018.
I was trying to find songs similar to All I've Ever Known from Hadestown and *somehow* ended up here. Not what I was looking for but definitely something I wanted to see. Her performance is so beautiful and realistic, and the lyrics are true to life.
@@rr7firefly Late response here. I agree that Streisand's arrangement of this song didn't need to be so big, but I admit to liking it. It is her style. I'm guessing Streisand probably didn't want to strictly follow the context and mood of the original and chose to make this cover a more dramatic version for her and Patrick Wilson. I did like the added dialogue and the opportunity for Wilson to show his range. I feel the album version is better than the live performance when Streisand was on tour.
@@suebob16 Barbra has the ability to sing a song in any number of ways. I always think of her "Simply Streisand" album, in particular her delivery on "More Than You Know." Or her reflective "Love Is Only Love" from Hello Dolly. Some people prefer the big numbers. And that's fine with me.
This is stunningly performed. It breaks your heart in such simple words; yet those words take hold of your emotions, rattle your senses and condemn you to their profound beauty. Loving oneself is vital in life, but finding this kind of passion is a gift we can most of us only ever dream of...
Today, four years after you wrote this post, the same rings true. I can't stop the tears, from beginning to end. The original cast, full show is here on RU-vid as well!
This moves me so.much that I have to to watch this clip most days for some reason. It compels me to watch and each time it gets more beautiful. Donna Murphy is mind blowing. Im insta.tly drawn in.
This song is just amazing ..can’t put into words how much I love this musical Thank you Mr Sondheim Donna is just amazing ... beautiful beautiful beautiful songs and performance
Donna Murphy is one of the most amazing artists of our or time. She proves time and time again how gloriously talented she is. And now she's about to tear it up on "The Gilded Age." Get ready Emmy!
The truest kind....happily....in the end you will finally see what is beautiful about me.....how many woman want their man....their love to “get them” that way....we are not the enemy....
Fosca Loving you is not a choice, It's who I am. Loving you is not a choice And not much reason to rejoice, But it gives me purpose Gives me voice to say to the world: This is why I live You are why I live. Loving you is why I do The things I do Loving you is not in my control. But loving you, I have a goal For what's left of my life...
Happy Birthday Donna Murphy! You are such a wonderful singer and actress. I remember when I first saw this. I remembering thinking why can't he see her> What is wrong with him! I saw this same musical years later with Patti Lapone. A wonderful singer and actress. But I could see his point. I could see Forca's beauty in you. I could see her longing and sadness. Her want and need. I could not see it in Patti's performance of Forsca. Nothing wrong with Miss Lapone, but I saw Forca's soul in your performance and understood her. I hope you come back to Broadway soon.
Very impressive singing and acting. I'm learning about artists I've never seen before and I can see how much I have missed. Thank you RU-vid for the education. But as for the love part... SPARE ME THIS TYPE OF LOVE. BARF! I AINT DYIN FOR NOBODY. EXCEPT MY TWO CHIHUAHUAS!! 1
She's supposed to be only in her 20s, but has been ravaged by physical and mental ailments for years, and wasn't supposed to be attractive to begin with, so is usually portrayed be an actress in her 40s.
I feel the same...have watched this production numerous times simply for Donna and Marrin's brilliant performances, but from the start, this character is so manipulative...she falls in love with a man she knows absolutely NOTHING about, and relentlessly, obsessively chases him even while he tells her no over and over...if it were reversed and a man were pusuing a woman like that, it would be stalking, creepy, and the cops called....but this? Just bc the character is sickly, this is supposed to be love? I dislike the charcter of fosca so much, however Donna is transcendent...
Ah, you don't get it. This is art. It's not like Phantom or Chicago where song and story lays it all out; easily understood. This is old school musical theater about love, in poetic form. Interpretations can be complicated, but that's how life is, right? Stories like this is suppose to stir all sorts of emotions and the cast was successful in doing that. Great work.
