I enjoy seeing the faces of the reactors that I watched, Rob study opera in college but hasn't sung it in 15 years and Austin has a musical theater background. I love seeing the face of surprise, enjoyment and amazement. I enjoyed your reaction and they nervous about how well this would go over. 👊🏾🖖🏾
They took a lot of people by surprise. There are a couple of reactors who break it down into exactly how true to opera it is, but they are still very complimentary. Clearly Rob had operatic training in the past, whereas Austin has not, so lacks the depth of tone , but still makes a very good job of this. I love it. More than any actual opera singer's version I've heard before. And yes it brings me to tears too.
You need to listen to the reaction to this of the Bangkok Vocal Coach, a very experienced and knowledgeable singer including in opera. He explains that a lyric tenor like Austin is much more in demand than a traditional Italianate tenor like Rob, being more versatile. Just as the 19th -early 20th century Italian operas are slightly out of fashion in Europe, so the singers produced to sing in them are not so much in demand. There seems to be a very old-fashioned idea in the US as to what constitutes opera! You also overlook the fact that Austin was classically trained from his mid-teens and that any college musical theatre course will train the voice to a very high standard. But no amount of opera training will turn a high lyric tenor into a dramatic tenor. The reactor Jen Glatzhofer , a singer herself but with incredibly detailed knowledge of how the voice works, is very helpful in explaining the difference between Rob and Austin's voices.
IKR?!!! Phenomenal and Perfection! Not bad for a couple of country music singers! Our guy's are so much more than that! I believe people should never judge a book (or person) by the cover! So many layers to Home Free, they are incredibly talented!. I second the suggestion from Dot Wyness to check out 'WHAT'S LEFT OF MY HEART'! It's beautiful and written by Tim Foust the bass singer. Thank you for reacting! Have you heard Austin sing "BRING HIM HOME" from Les Miserables? I recommend it highly, it's on his RU-vid channel. Also "IF I MET YOU NOW" written by Austin. Love from South Georgia, USA ♥️😀🍟
Rob had some classical opera training in college but had not sung any in 15 years. Austin was trained in musical theatre but must been exposed to some opera as his teachers tried to switch to opera. They did a great job. You have a blessed day
I agree, this was beautiful and my mind was blown. As heretical as it might seem to some, I actually prefer their performance to the one of Pavarotti’s that is usually seen. The contrast of Rob’s rich, powerful dramatic tenor with Austin’s clear, light lyric tenor works well and I love the way they project the emotions of the words they are singing. Their own friendship comes through too, so much warm positivity. To me, that Pavarotti performance is lacking in the lower registers and seems more technically focused, almost perfunctory even though he seems near tears at the end. Maybe he performed it differently earlier in his long career, I don’t know. Of course Pavarotti not only sang this one aria but many entire operas for decades and did so live, an awesome achievement, whereas Rob and Austin are performing this one aria and doing so with modern sound recording technology. But for this one aria performance, I do strongly prefer listening to them even if they may not be technically perfect. What courage it must have taken for them to put this out there, and I have heard that they were very nervous about its reception. They needn’t have worried. Who knows how many people listened to opera for the first time with this video, and they were introduced to it by familiar, admired singers daring to perform one of the most beautiful and difficult tenor arias. There’s never too much beauty in your life, and finding it in a new place lifts you up. I really enjoyed your obviously genuine surprise and delight with what Rob and Austin did here as well as your thoughtful comments. Thank you for sharing this.
High praise for these two guys! Your look of surprise and smile, at the end, spoke volumes. You've seen a variety of Home Free videos so, as with many, most likely came into this with a preconceived notion as to what they might do. A good number of reactors fully expected some classic HF comedy, or lipsyncing given the 'try to sing opera' in the title. You've mentioned, previously, being a HUGE fan of Rob. You're witnessing some of his vocal versatility. If you're looking for HF songs with Rob doing lead or playing a prominent role, we Home Fries are more than willing to offer suggestions (you may have already received numerous). 'End of the Road.' 'Go Rest High on that Mountain' (I prefer their 'Church Sessions' version). Also, 'In the Blood,' 'Castle on the Hill,' 'Take me Home Country Roads,' 'Workin' 9 to 5,' 'Blue ain't Your Color,' 'Catch Me if you Can,' 'Cross that Bridge.'
Rob & Austin, and all the members of Home Free are amazing. Definitely react to Austin singing "Georgia on my mind" It was filmed while they were on tour in Canada earlier this year......the scenery is stunning & not Georgia but Austin *SLAYS* this Ray Charles classic....
These two were never just Country Boys. They both have serious training and education, Rob in Opera, Austin in Musical Theater. No surprise to me that their performance was pleasing to the ear, even if not technically correct as straight on opera. Bravo to both for their chutzpa to even try this.
Watch Jen Glatzofer's reaction and analysis for a full technical appraisal from someone less hidebound than most of those presenting themselves as "opera singers." But glad to find someone else who knows that these beautiful men were never just country singers, and that what is surprising is not that they did this, nor even that it's done well, but that it is deeply affecting as only great performances are..
I agree totally! It really bothers me when people refer to them as "country singers" ... obviously they can do anything they wish and nail it, in any genre!
Such a good reaction North. I was expecting to be rickrolled and then this happened. Rob had studied opera in college but that was years ago. Austin studied musical theater. Austin talked Rob into doing this and I’m so glad. I mean I knew they could sing but project like this? Wow! One of the opera singers who reacted said with a little more training Rob could be an opera singer. They were both amazing. Just so much fun!🥰
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 could not find a male duet of this anywhere. Nor could I find the classical style (Rob) and the classical cross-over style (Austin) combined. Fabulous isn't it? Thanks for the surprised look and reaction we all knew would come!
😊Watching reactors being surprised drew me to watch a couple of dozen. Every one has been blown away. I too find it more enjoyable than Pavarotti. I also agree that Rob’s performance is a more classical operatic style. However, I feel more emotion (even tears) listening to Austin’s part.
Thank you so much for your genuine and heartfelt reaction. New sub. There aren't many non-American reactors on YT so it's great for me to find another who sounds like me!
Thank you (as an opera fan) for giving them their dues. Many will say, not bad for country singers, or pretty good - with some training… , or talk about the placement of various mouth and throat parts and pronunciation. (Are there no different dialects from Seracusa to LaSpetchia?) - pardon the spelling. It’s nice to hear appreciation for a beautiful performance without complaining they don’t sound like Poverotie. I don’t think they were trying to imitate, but rather be themselves.
This is tremendous tho, is it not? :) Emotional indeed. It's a great composition. There's a reason it's probably the best known tenor aria. Rob is giving it the full bel canto *beans* here! Dropped larynx, plenty dropped-jaw vertical space for the sound to flow out of, & I'm guessing moving enough air to be heard over an orchestra in an opera house! i.e. a real opera performance. Given that he's not sung opera for 15yrs since his college days, I'm saying the lad has a God-given gift for this. :)
I'm so glad that you did this and were so moved by it. For yet another side if the group, and especially Rob, try their cover of End of the Road by Boyz to Men. They are so versatile and they sing pretty much anything. And do it well. Have a great weekend!
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 this one
We get quite enough country and ballads already with Home Free, some of us would say too much recently. They said they didn't want to do more opera, but if they change their minds, the duet from the Pearl Fishers is gorgeous, particularly because their voices blend so well.
In an interview with the Patrol Gaming channel Austin said that he'd really wanted to show off "opera Rob"; however, Rob said he wouldn't unless Austin sang it with him. Austin went on to say he thought he'd been okay butt that Rob was fantastic. One of the (many) things I love about Home Free is how they support each other and actively promote other singers (Texas Hill, Brooke Eden, Maggie Baugh, Straight No Chaser, The Bass Gang, et al). Rob had extensive opera training, Austin's degree in Musical Theater included opera but wasn't limited to it.
Sorry, I found that disappointing and rather predictable melodically. If they ever release a video of "Stargazer Lilies", that's definitely worth a listen - a sweet melody and really touching lyrics. Clearly a favourite with live audiences already.