I had this on an album as a little girl; it sent chills through me before I even knew what opera is and was possibly my first experience with opera. But with all the Hansel and Gretel renditions out there and no idea who sang this duet, I didn’t think I’d be able to find it. 40 years later, chills again! And I’m tearing up a little too, remembering how my grandmother liked listening to this with me.
This Opera was in the 4th Grade Music Book -- We Sing Published by Boston. C C Birchard and Company in the 1940's. My twin brother and I sang this at our elementary school production. It has remained with us for many years and will be sung at our memorial services someday. One of the most beautiful duets in the world of Opera.
You're right Lesley (as usual) a truly beautiful duet I remember singing at school for an interhouse music competition (I didn't look quite so good in shorts, but then again mine weren't Westwood Couture..) two beautiful voices too. I do wish she'd move next door x
Lesley is a mezzo, Renee is a soprano. Has nothing to do with "minor part". Each part is integral and equally important. The parts are assigned by vocal fach/type.
I notice that Lesley dresses for the part but Renee doesn't. That is the difference between a singer who is also a dramatic actress and a singer who belongs more on the concert platform
+MrSidTaylor That's rather a sweeping generalisation. It's not true of opera singers such as Jonas Kaufmann, Cecilia Bartoli, Danielle de Niese etc. and it certainly wasn't true of Maria Callas.
Yes there are exceptions but Lesley still stands out in a class of her own. None of those could present their own TV show and chat to camera in that easy way. That is why she stuck to television - she has to be seen in closeup. The only one who could do that well was Dame Margot Fonteyn who presented the TV series The Magic of Dance in the 1970s. For someone who never spoke in her performances, she amazed everyone.
This has always been a favorite of mine. I lost a pregnancy late in my reproductive years and this piece brings back memories and always a tear.
This has always been one of my favorite pieces of music since I was a young boy
Such a beautiful scene from the opera, maybe one of my favorite opera scenes.
I had this on an album as a little girl; it sent chills through me before I even knew what opera is and was possibly my first experience with opera. But with all the Hansel and Gretel renditions out there and no idea who sang this duet, I didn’t think I’d be able to find it. 40 years later, chills again! And I’m tearing up a little too, remembering how my grandmother liked listening to this with me.
This Opera was in the 4th Grade Music Book -- We Sing Published by Boston. C C Birchard and Company in the 1940's. My twin brother and I sang this at our elementary school production. It has remained with us for many years and will be sung at our memorial services someday. One of the most beautiful duets in the world of Opera.
what a delight
thanx
Beautiful rendition.
You're right Lesley (as usual) a truly beautiful duet I remember singing at school for an interhouse music competition (I didn't look quite so good in shorts, but then again mine weren't Westwood Couture..) two beautiful voices too. I do wish she'd move next door x
I listen to Renee but I watch Lesley.
I notice that for once Lesley is taking the minor part, no doubt in recognition of Renee's international status.
Lesley is a mezzo, Renee is a soprano. Has nothing to do with "minor part". Each part is integral and equally important. The parts are assigned by vocal fach/type.
Did Renee not get the "dress as Gretel" memo? lol
I think Hansel and Gretel in the original language German Much nicer!
I notice that Lesley dresses for the part but Renee doesn't. That is the difference between a singer who is also a dramatic actress and a singer who belongs more on the concert platform
Duh! The concert platform? Renée is an OPERA singer!
Yes - opera singers are notoriously wooden actors and are really just musicians. What sets Lesley Garrett apart is her unique visual personality.
+MrSidTaylor That's rather a sweeping generalisation. It's not true of opera singers such as Jonas Kaufmann, Cecilia Bartoli, Danielle de Niese etc. and it certainly wasn't true of Maria Callas.
Yes there are exceptions but Lesley still stands out in a class of her own. None of those could present their own TV show and chat to camera in that easy way. That is why she stuck to television - she has to be seen in closeup.
The only one who could do that well was Dame Margot Fonteyn who presented the TV series The Magic of Dance in the 1970s. For someone who never spoke in her performances, she amazed everyone.
Your comment is notoriously ignorant