Rob's rolling "R"s and diction in Italian is near perfection .... even if the damned and determine folk want to "correct" the lapse in Opera acceptable enunciation etc ..... yup he is great here. Austin no experience as Rob had is just plain great for Talent so great he manages to sing* Opera, In Italian, In Harmony over the Aria anchor Baritone- Tenor lead ..... and if you think that's not hard ..... Go for it ! Just so talented both these Tenors of Home Free !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GBjj
Austin's training and technique is more musical theater oriented, while Rob did focus on opera more while pursuing his degree in vocal performance. This shows in their different techniques and vocal tones, as the two styles are very different. Of course, they are both incredibly gifted. And should be lauded for stepping out of the box and stretching their musical muscles.
Too much is made of different techniques for opera/ music theatre. A soprano friend of mine moved between them according to where the work was, with no change of technique. My singing teacher did much the same. Austin is a lyric tenor, and perfectly able to sing opera, like all the other lyric tenors out there. And believe me, by the time you've graduated from years of music theatre training, your voice is equipped to handle anything. Austin's tutor wanted him to go somewhere like Juillard for opera but it never happened. I've heard plenty of tenors on opera stages in London with less talent/power than Austin, and in fact he would be ideal for romantic leads in Puccini, Verdi and Rossini, where a heavier voice would sound ridiculous.
Rob said he made his dad cry when he showed it to him on fathers day. Can tell Austin is so happy to show off his band mates talent no one knew about. He studied in college but not done in 15 years and said he was afraid he sounded rusty. but he was jaw dropping amazing. They both blew me away!
I heard it the first time yesterday, and every time I listen, Rob's voice makes me cry with the combined power and beauty. These men of Home Free are so incredibly gifted. I hope they ALL fly with everything they love to sing.
Beautiful reaction! Rob has been holding out on the Homefries. Just Wow, we have had glimpses of that smooth tenor voice, but this shows a depth, richness and power that has been truly held back, phenomenal. Austin's gorgeous voice pairs so well with Rob's, this is amazing.
What just happened? I just became a HUGE Rob Lundquist fan. I could listen to him sing like that all day. WOW. Austin is also great, but I knew what he could do, so I wasn’t surprised here. Gobsmacked is a really good word for it. Great reaction.
My first reaction was freezing with my jaw dropped, tears in my eyes (also frozen), and chills all over. I noticed my frozen state at least a minute after it ended and it took several more minutes before I was able to actually close my mouth and the years started to run down my cheeks, and I'm not exaggerating. Rob completely blew me away, and so did Austin, but together - with Rob's warm, rich and full opera voice with that, in my opinion, perfect vibrato and Austin bright, angelic voice lifting it all, it's most definitely over of the most beautiful things I've ever heard. It took a good while before I was able to listen to it again. It's been three weeks and I still have tears running down my cheeks hearing it. I do think Stacy is wrong, though, I don't think it's the last time we get to hear Rob, or Austin, sing like this, I think (or at least I hope) we will hear them again. How could they not? Thanks for a great reaction, Dennis. 🙏❤️
I thought the same Dennis. I thought ok, I’m going to be rickrolled. Then this happened. I knew Austin was classically trained with the Les Mis stuff but apparently Rob studied opera in college. They decided to “try” opera. WOW!!! Well, well, well. They certainly succeeded. Loved it. I got goosebumps. Good reaction Dennis!🥰😍
Nessun Dorma translates to no one sleeps(in Italian). this is from the opera Turandot by Puccini(famous for La Boheme, tosca, and madame Butterfly). in the opera - the virgin empress, Turandot does not want to be married to any prince and makes all suitors answer 3 riddles. Calaf(who sings the aria) tells everyone not to sleep tonight in anticipation of his answering the 3 riddles the next day. oh, by the way....if you don't answer, you get your head cut off!!! enjoy!
Ain't Pavarotti ... yet ... but still, quite good ... an issue these guys face is what they want to do with their talent. i am quite happy with their diverse choices. but still, you gotta wonder ... it will be a joy to watch their careers unfold. Rob shows here that he is definitely Austin's peer ... but of course we knew that, it is what makes Home Free so great ... every one of them is outstanding. Also, I love how Austin was willing to showcase his friend, who dominates (rightly so) this performance. That is not to say that Austin's performance was not outstanding - it was!.
I agree about Austin showcasing his good friend. I think he held back a bit on this one. He has that gracious quality. Beautiful rendition of this aria.
I wish people would stop with the Pavarotti stuff. It's a bit silly to say that anybody could approach probably the greatest tenor the world has ever know, Besides, he's been dead for ages - aren't there any current tenor stars to compare the guys with? As to what they do now, they cannot leave Home Free if they want to pay the mortgage and feed the kids. Streaming has killed off album sales, and unless you tour and sell lots of merch, no income. YT is useful to build a name but unless you take the name on the road, it pays peanuts. And the music industry can't cope with people who sing more than one style. if you can't be pigeonholed, the record labels and the radio stations don't want to know. Sad but true. There is tremendous respect and friendship between these guys, dating back to Austin's first contacts with HF. They are both kind and funny, with happy lives at home, and their character shows in their willingness to put the work in on this aria with no certainty of a good reception. They have both said in the past how much they enjoy singing together and how it was one of the things they missed most in lockdown.
@@patriciamcl54 I actually agree with everyting you said. i knew the topic of Pavarotti would be raised, and wanted to suggest each musical performance be appreciated on its own merit. I was not suggesting they leave Home Free. It is the perfect base for each of them to do side projects to the extent they wish.
you may not be crying, and you didn't fall out of your chair, but your brain definitely went into reboot. lol. loved the reaction and love to hear this side of Rob and Austin.
Rob said that they were in Hawaii for a private gig. Both were pretty nervous about what people would think. They have 500 subs in the live premiere. They performed flawlessly.
This performance doesn't surprise me in any way. I've often wondered how long it would be before one or both of them was gonna tackle an opera selection. Rob studied classical music in college and Austin's voice is suited to it. Just listening to them and the versatility and strength of their voices, it's not a huge leap to imagining them doing what ever the heck style of music they want. They crushed this. I've heard this aria by other opera singers and I have to say, Rob and Austin's performance was by far more relatable and beautiful. Loved your reaction. Did you have to retrieve your socks? lol
Loved your reaction, Dennis! I totally get how you feel! I also get why you may have been expecting some humor since sometimes they catch us off guard. Lol I said on Patrol Gaming’s channel, I would love for Rob to sing “Ave Maria”! I also wasn’t surprised as much with Austin since we’ve seen him perform “Bring Him Home” so beautifully. Rob totally blew me away! My mouth was probably wide open for the first half of the song. Lol So happy you reacted to this one!
It was so cute how nervous Rob was in the premiere in the live chat. He was afraid we might not like it. But oh how fantastic they both sounded in this. I've really not heard anything negative about this performance. Oh maybe those who don't really know these two but most all HomeFries and reactors have praised this performance. Your reaction was similar to mine. Surprise!! 😲😲😲🎶😊
Have a look at the comments on the original on Austin's channel. Very few familiar names there. Besides, what people are responding to is a magical performance, not the fact that we know them from elsewhere.
Dennis, great reaction!😲 This is one of the few opera songs I love & have heard both Pavarotti & Bocelli sing it many times, but they were lifelong trained, experienced opera singers! Rob & Austin did as beautiful a performance & Rob hasn't done opera in 15 years & Austin is trained in musical theater, NOT opera. I've said this since I first heard it, Pavarotti & Bocelli would either be proud or jealous because 2 a cappella singers did such an amazing performance with little to no training & are incredible in every other genre as well! Someone commented that Rob was Pavarotti & Austin was Bocelli & that sounds right to me! Rob & Austin might just be two of the NEW "Three Tenors"! That's OK as long as they don't leave Home Free!💖🎼🎵🎶😊🤗😘
There is not much difference in training for opera and music theatre, and young singers move between them with great ease and no change of technique. The main difference is that in music theatre you need to be able to act and not move like a three=legged hippo.
Have met these 2 (well, all of HF) and never would I have ever thought........ I am telling you this BLEW ME AWAY!!! WOW! They are usually sooooooo funny and dont take themselves seriously ..............what a surprise at the hidden talents they (all) have! Love HOME FREE~
Wow, wow and again wow. This is insane.This is extremely good. Fantastic. Both are doing great. But Rob, I'm perplexed. His voice is just magical and so rich Chills just ran through my body. It flows into my heart. 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..
Gobsmacked is pretty close to how I would have described it had I thought of it. I was Shut The Front Door stunned and very moved emotionally by the beauty of their voices.
In the BTS video Rob and Austin both said they studied opera in college. Rob also said that he sang this to his father on Father's Day. No genre is off limits!
I'm not so sure they were lucky. Home Free has given them an income, true, but at what cost to family life? If Austin and Amberly eventually marry and have children, how can they manage if he is absent for 200 days of the year. Adam's wife Ericha always looks exhausted by the demands of her work and two small children (3 if you count Adam) Amberly already gets lonely and I can't see much likely improvement.
Rob excelled at Opera in college. As Opera was my area of study for over 20 years, I can tell you their Italian was spot on... and that could not have been easy for Austin. This was MAGNFICANT!!!!
Great reaction!!! I'm in love with Home Free and Rob and Austin killed it!!! Rob studied opera in college and Austin studied musical theater. Loved loved loved this!!!
The coolest thing to me is that they’ve introduced opera - which is VERY different from almost all other genres - to their whole audience. A new door is opened to lots of folks.
I first thought that Rob's singing voice was being dubbed...just cause I couldn't believe he knew how to sing Opera. LOL Boy was I wrong! Well done boys! BRAVO!!
Really enjoyed your shocked reaction, Dennis. Given the times you've seen Home Free live, you're perhaps looking back and thinking 'Who knew!?' Not a fan of opera but have heard this sung many times. Initially didn't have the reaction I was hoping for, having anticipated it from a small Rob tease. I was distracted by Rob's resemblance to my cousin who is an opera singer and being too busy watching. Once I just listened, was able to fully appreciate the magic of their voices. Huge props to both guys for venturing out, blessing us with this vocal treasure.
The first time I watched this I was stunned. I mean I froze, my mouth dropped open and the tears started. I loved Pavarotti so much. This was always his signatures piece. All I can say is oh.my.God. Thank you Rob and Austin. You made this grown man cry tears of joy. Simply spectacular.
Even your computer tried to warn you by not starting right away. You are not alone! I think you didn't fully react, like you said, because you were paralyzed by shock and awe! I have not seen a single reactor that wasn't speechless throughout and afterwards. And many that thought that it couldn't possibly be real. Since we've heard Austin do Bring Him Home from Les Miserables, we are all more apt to believe this performance from him. But Rob has everyone dumbfounded. It's great fun bouncing from reactor to reactor watching everyone doubt their eyes and ears. And it only gets better the more you listen to it. Great reaction! ❤
You probably just heard the best performance of this piece, especially since it's by our favorite guys! Rob is right up there with the best of the tenors and Austin has no trouble holding his own.
I hope Peter Barber reacts to this. He is an operatic bass who does reaction/analysis videos. Mi remember that one of the judges on The Sing-Off said they should take every possible opportunity to take risks and step off the ledge. They did that here and landed on their feet!
For anyone that's curious What is the English translation of ‘Nessun dorma’? None shall sleep, None shall sleep! Even you, oh Princess, In your cold room, Watch the stars, That tremble with love And with hope. But my secret is hidden within me, My name no one shall know, No... no... On your mouth, I will tell it, When the light shines. And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine! (No one will know his name and we must, alas, die.) Vanish, o night! Set, stars! Set, stars! At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win! What are the original Italian lyrics for ‘Nessun dorma’? Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma! Tu pure, o Principessa Nella tua fredda stanza Guardi le stelle che tremano D'amore e di speranza! Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me Il nome mio nessun saprà! No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò Quando la luce splenderà! Ed il mio bacio scioglierà Il silenzio che ti fa mia! ll nome suo nessun saprà E noi dovrem, ahimè! Morir! Morir! Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle! Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!
Thank you for this dawn. I have always wondered and of course with Google at our fingertips I usually forget to look things up lol. With that being said, with opera songs, especially, you don't have to know the words you can feel what they intend for you to feel through the emotions of the artists.
@@staceysmith8173 exactly I like it though when someone gets my learning brain engaged which leads me to look things up so I figured maybe some one out here might like the info too. I always feel the music 1st but then I get the itch to know what they were saying. I Love Words.
I did NOT expect this. It was AMAZING. But I laugh at myself too. I have spent years saying that these guys are GREAT A Cappella singers and nothing would surprise me. But I was not including Opera. That is my fault. FANTASTIC. Thank you for sharing with us, Dennis.
All my long life I have held music in my heart and head, all forms. I say that because I hor people will come to realize just how great the Home Free group is. I have seen and heard many music productions, some come and quickly disapear, are forgotten and others stick around for awhile then fade. Almost all the greats were single genre, groups or individuals.but very very damn few have had the persona onstage as Home Free.
I think Home Free fans know that they have beautiful voices, singing anything. So of course no one should be surprised at the talent and quality of their voices singing opera. It was quite a change from the usual, and just as fantastic as how they normally perform. A lot of shocked faces from reactors, remember never underestimate what to expect with these guys.
My eyes were glued on your face Dennis, as I have watched the original and watched so many reactors responding to this one. Your face said it all. Your eyes truly told so much... what am I watching 👀 🤔 😳!!! Your face was like mine !!! Great reaction!!
All I can say is WOW! I am sure that Pavarotti would be proud! You both can sing anything! I have the cd of Pavarotti singing Nessus Dorma, my favorite!!! Thank you!❤
I've always loved Homefree and now after this performance love them even more. The blend of their voices was just on point. Thanks for sharing this and for being stunned as the rest of us.
Rob took opera on college but hasn't sung it fir 15 Years. Yes, that's YEARS Not too shabby for not keeping up with it I think most of us were waiting for Rob to go "gotcha" even tho we don't know the words this is such an emotional song when sung right.
Its a good reaction when your audience about falls out of their chair laughing at your amazement. If I were on camera when I heard this you would be laughing at me. LOL This is what all of us Home Fries love about Home Free, their extremely flexible talent and knowledge of how to use it. Not just one of them but all of them and that is rare.
I have heard that Rob was actually nervous to record this because it has been 15 years since he has sung any opera. He didn't know how well he would do. I think we all need to let him know how much we appreciate his hidden talent. Austin had recorded his part, then heard Rob and went back and re-recorded his part. To me that is high praise indeed. They are both so very talented. I just love it when they can take me by surprise. WOW!!!
