Thrilled by Ryan's performance only to be crushed by the end credits. A beautiful, steady, controlled voice and by all appearances a wonderful, friendly fellow. RIP brother.
Shanice, Ryan Smith and Angela Meade were my favorites. I just watched The Audition and was greatly saddened at the end when I learned of his passing. But I am so glad he won and loved when he called his mother to tell her. A beautiful young man...
I watched this the other day and I got so attached to Ryan. All of the performances were wonderful, but after watching his growth after struggling with his own self esteem, his performance made me cry. Everyone in the classroom got really emotional and sad when we found out he had passed away.
Heard your name in my spirit this afternoon and decided to google your name to see if I could find you. It's been 16 years since I've seen or spoken to you. So shocked and sadden to hear of your passing, but EXTREMELY proud of your accomplisments. Your life ministers to me. Rest in peace, sweet boy!
THe first one you see? Ryan Smith. Sadly, he died a year or so after this documentary was filmed from lymphoma, just as his career was getting started. Those of us who watched it, it was quite a shock to read it at the end in credits "dedicated to Ryan Smith who..." . Before that, at the end of the actual ducumentary, he calls his mother on the phone and says "Mama I won"... Very moving and then the tragedy.
Alex's high C at the end gives me chills everytime. Michael is an incredible singer with an incredible career, but man he sounds like a whiny only child 😂
"E la Solita Storia del pastore" from L'arlesiana by Cilea. Ryan did a fabulous job communicating this piece. It is so horrible that he died. God Bless him
This was such a great way to spend the evening last night watching this! I agree, Alek was a shining star and we were crushed to see that Ryan passed away.
Great documentary -- I am fortunate enough to know one of these wonderful singers, Jamie Barton (she was a winner). Wait until you hear what has become of her voice since this was filmed -- unbelievable! She is the next big thing..
No, all I knew was Ryan Smith from here in Atlanta. I saw him in the met regional auditions here in 2007, he swept everyone away. He developed Lymphona with was extremely agressive and he died in Chicago less than 2 months later. I think he could have had a huge career so sad for his family. He had made a debut at the met in a small part in Ernani.
I was also looking for Ryan's singing here, there is nothing. What a loss! For people who missed last broadcast or want to watch it again (I sure do) it'll be rebroadcast in some areas on 2/7 at noon on PBS (channel 13 in NY area), also at 3pm on WLIW (channel 21 in NY area). Not sure about other areas - check pbs website for local listings.
I saw it on PBS. It was brilliant. Very sad about Ryan. Am I the only one who is upset about public's ignoring this documentary and these so very talented young singers while going wild over a badly sung aria on this-or-that-country got talent shows? I think this documentary is a must for all of the viewers of popular talent shows, so that they know what real talent is as well as what it takes to make it in opera. I hope they broadcast it again so more people can watch it.
I believe the DVD of the entire competition is still available to buy. I bought it a couple years ago. It is worth having. Check the Metropolitan gift shop online.
@Lovelytenor1: Excellent comment! More young singers need to know that competition winning singers aren't always the ones who end up having careers in opera. Some of us who didn't win the Met auditions are doing quite well. I'm personally acquainted with several past winners who are now doing nothing. Every voice matures at its own pace. Don't give up. My old voice teacher, Richard Miller used to tell me. "It takes more than just a beautiful voice to have a career in opera."
The love the look on the other singers faces at 1:51 listening to Michael sing ! They know they're in big trouble. It's easy to read their lips with the soprano saying "wow!" and the baritone"what a voice." I found it funny that Michael wasn't sure that he was going to win. If anything, he was the best one of all.
Last year she sang in Anna Bolena, and then Elvira in Ernani again. I heard her live in Ernani and before in Caramoor as Norma, she was wonderful. Next year she gets to lead the first cast, the one in an HD broadcast. If I remember correctly, it'll be Il Trovatore.
@SoHoPizza143 About the only place I can think of is the Met opera website - either as a DVD from their "shop" or webcast rental via Met player. No free way, now... unless PBS rebroadcasts it.
@celloguy The only two ways I can sing of is either buy the DVD from the Metropolitan opera website (not sure if they deliver to the UK); or use Met player feature (if your browser and system supports it) where you could either "rent" the webcast of use their 7-day trial feature. Go to Met website, click "Watch and Listen" and then "Met player". Try Met player on HD samples first to see how it works for you. Then click on "The Audition". If you want a DVD, try Met Opera Shop there.
Considering the great singers of the PAST, there are none today for these young people to learn from because the Voice Teachers (?) only have an Academic Degree while being accoustically challenged. Listen to SERGEI LEMESHEV, FLORENCE QUARTARARO, ANITA CERQUETTI, BENIAMINO GIGLI, GIUSEPPE DE LUGO, MADO ROBIN, ADA SARI, JOSEPH SCHMIDT, GIUSEPPE DE LUCA, ELIZABETH RETHBERG, MARJORIE LAWRENCE,not to mention TITO SCHIPA, and so MANY more.
Oh my gosh!!! I TOTALLY 100% agree with you! Shows like American Idol make me SOOO angry sometimes bc while there are some truly talented ppl there, it seems like the demographic america doesn't REALLY know what REAL singing is. Real singing is THIS!!! To be selected as a finalist on for this competition is SOOO difficult that when one does, it is TRULY special and really means something. This documentary really captures that and all the ppl need to watch this!!
Exactly, and there are fantastic singers today. I heard Aida, La Clemenza di Tito and Maria Stuarda this season at the Met, and I thought the singers were fantastic. Monastyrska, Borodina, Garanca, Polenzani, Di Donato sounded absolutely fantastic and every bit as good as past singers. I bet 80 years ago some people said "but she isn't as good as Ponselle" (or Pasta or Galli-Curci). None of past singers were perfect either, but people tend to forget flaws.
With this type of things, if you see them, you need to watch asap or they'll disappear. You have two choices now - buy a DVD or watch through the "video on demand" from the Met website - they has a week free trial (you'll need to cancel if you don't want a subscription) or you can "rent" single videos. Just go to their website, click "watch and listen" then click "video on demand".
@vincedean : I concur with you a thousand percent about Michael Fabiano. I've seen "Audition" four times, and find him to be incredibly intense and electric singer. His voice, to my ears anyway, is "red hot". I wish him every success and I am already paying a lot of attention to his work. I "tracking" him because I think he has the vocal equipment to set the opera world on fire. He's yet very young and I hope he takes great care of his god-given gift. He's a REAL artist!
I just sent a note to PBS (WNET/Thirteen in my area) asking about when this will air. They sent me a reply saying that it's been offered to them but they haven't scheduled it yet, and that they'll take my email as a request to do so. If you are interested, please find the PBS website or the one of "thirteen" and write to them. The more people do so the most likely it'll be aired on TV. I missed it during HD broadcast season and I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for it to air on TV...
@Pslm91v14n15 True. I agree with you on all points. Opera does require training because it's so difficult, like being an Olympic athlete. There were some spectacular early opera debuts in the past like Ponselle, Resnik, Patti, dal Monte (at La Scala), but most of them did have private instructions. Ponselle had very little traiing I think when she made her debut as Leonora in La Forza del Destino at 20, but it's an exceptional case.
I think we'd agree on a lot of stuff, and besides, you are a singer, and you have interesting insights. It's an interesting conversation. As to the universities, in the past (late 19th - early 20th century) many singers just had years of private instructions. But back then they met virtually every day with a teacher, even lived with their teacher. But even today, you don't need a degree to audition. Nadine Sierra won Met Council at 20 in 2009, she hadn't yet had a degree then.
You are right - she was talking about being ahead of the orchestra. It's just that taken out of context the exchange is easily misunderstood. Showing it out of context as here is not fair to this contestant but potentially intriguing to some perspective viewers - those brought up by reality shows.
I wish, would've been a nice link to post to all of those fans of (pop)era singers on tv talent shows to show how young opera singers sound like and how competitive opera is, maybe even "video response". I doubt it'd be because of copyright issues. Sad really because it has such a great educational value for people who don't know much about opera. Oh well, you can watch it via video on demand from the Met website or buy a DVD.
It's gone. It was just the matter of time. I really hoped it'd be around a little longer: it's a great educational video for people who don't realize how much talent and dedication opera requires and who go wild over anybody who sings arias on tv talent shows. I think the Met should consider making it available here (they can earn money from ads) as here it reaches people who aren't really opera fans (yet) and who wouldn't even think of looking up an opera-related DVD or the Met player.
A wonderful documentary. Interestingly, there is no footage of Jamie Barton except for a snippet of her final performance no interviews, no rehearsals, no chitchat
Connoisseurs do not attend the opera today indeed not for a very long while. It is not living in the past. It is the recognition of quality which is non-existent today
Also, I am not sure you know about this competition. They aren't trying to "pigeonhole" singers into slots, they are trying to identify singers with most potential. There are usually 4-6 winners and they get money prizes and exposure, but they aren't guaranteed jobs. Even finalists get exposure. In terms of all types of music - operatic technique is different, good pop singers will not be able to sing operatic repertory (or even be heard in opera) and opera singers aren't usually good at pop.
My local symphony orchestra used you tube to screen contestants for it's first ever talent competition (instrumentalists and singers). This is good because it puts more control in the hands of the singer/musician. The next step is to eliminate the audition/competition, along with it's stepsister, the university system. I have my other reasons for my unorthodox views, such as music being used as a tool of cultural revolution particularly since Wagner. We probably agree on everything else. Cheers.
Could someone please give me the full names of Angela and Michael. It's such a shame that the opera world is currently experiencing such a stark deterioration of its audiences, and I certainly doubt that it's revival will stem simply through cinema screenings of the MET. We need to be able to outsource artists of such caliber from a number of different avenues and steer away from becoming this superficial generation obsessed with gratifying image before talent.
Have you ever been to opera? There really is room for interpretation. The singers can vary dynamics, color their voices, act. Opera also requires amazing voices AND years of training, and then there is no guarantee. people who do it, do it for the love of the art. Yes, top singers do fine financially, but the chance of getting to the top is low, and the path there is difficult. As to "purer" and "better" - do you really think that pop is purer and better than Verdi or Puccini?
@jewelmarkess I indeed tend to agree on the talent-from-some-country but I finally heard one on America's got talent that has promise! then the ruined it by singing rock songs >.< but the audition was beautiful [lys Agnes] I did love this program when I saw it on PBS. Amazing talent these people have and I love that the people choosing really do have an ear for talent unlike voters who don't seem to know what talent is most of the time
Incidentally, I know (from you tube videos) an absolutely amazing singer who is singing mostly Broadway but clearly has a huge voice that would've been fine for opera too given training. She is I believe sings mostly for you tube audience. This is fine, but I suspect she'd preferred a role on Broadway. But really both you tube and live theater has its place. But I seriously doubt if Angela Meade or Michael Fabiano or Alec Shrader would trade their careers for it.
Without auditions and competitions, how would young singers show themselves? You Tube is great, but as you know opera is about live unamplified sound, and you tube doesn't tell how a singer would sound in a theater, how big one's voice is or even if a singer freezes in front of the audience. In terms of the university system, no audition or competition requires a degree, one of the judges of the Met Council Auditions at district level said "if you can sign your name, you can sing for us".
I have a feeling that you don't really know much about opera - please tell me if I am wrong or else you don't like it. Have you ever heard how beautiful the unamplified voices are? Also, it's a lot more than being "adequately reproduce", the singers need to express the emotions, to play the characters. But one thing I want to mention is that this is what these singers want to do. They don't want to crossover, they don't want to sing pop. If they did, they hadn't spent years training.
Can someone please let me know when this is going to air on television? Thanks. (There's no Met HD in my area.) Please let me know before it airs, in plenty of time. Thanks again!
How do you propose they get rid of competitions? There are about 10,000 people who graduate each year with degrees in classical voice. There are about 500 people in the US who earn a living singing in operas. It's not the issue of gatekeepers, but the facts. There are certain number of opera theaters, there are certain number of operas produced every year. They can "just sing" at home, but if they want to make a living they need to stand out from others. And opera singers' careers last decades.
I think you misinterpreted my question. I mean when will it air on TV? The Met said that it would air on TV sometime this fall, but they didn't know when and they didn't know what program it would be aired as part of, or whether it would be a stand-alone feature.
The best way to "stand out from others" is to sing, first and foremost, with beauty of tone, and these all or nothing stakes competitions do not encourage this. They are looking to pigeon hole singers into slots at those certain number of opera theaters. The result is that in opera, and in all genres of music, we are in serious cultural decline. Singers should sing all types of "good" music, not just opera, with true beauty, and sing it anywhere and anytime then can. Forget about the money.
Thrilled by Ryan's performance only to be crushed by the end credits.
A beautiful, steady, controlled voice and by all appearances a wonderful, friendly fellow. RIP brother.
Shanice, Ryan Smith and Angela Meade were my favorites. I just watched The Audition and was greatly saddened at the end when I learned of his passing. But I am so glad he won and loved when he called his mother to tell her. A beautiful young man...
I watched this the other day and I got so attached to Ryan. All of the performances were wonderful, but after watching his growth after struggling with his own self esteem, his performance made me cry. Everyone in the classroom got really emotional and sad when we found out he had passed away.
Heard your name in my spirit this afternoon and decided to google your name to see if I could find you. It's been 16 years since I've seen or spoken to you. So shocked and sadden to hear of your passing, but EXTREMELY proud of your accomplisments. Your life ministers to me. Rest in peace, sweet boy!
I dated Ryan when he was at Morehouse and I was at Spelman. He was a great talent and he will be missed. Rest In Peace.
THe first one you see? Ryan Smith. Sadly, he died a year or so after this documentary was filmed from lymphoma, just as his career was getting started. Those of us who watched it, it was quite a shock to read it at the end in credits "dedicated to Ryan Smith who..." . Before that, at the end of the actual ducumentary, he calls his mother on the phone and says "Mama I won"... Very moving and then the tragedy.
Alex's high C at the end gives me chills everytime. Michael is an incredible singer with an incredible career, but man he sounds like a whiny only child 😂
"E la Solita Storia del pastore" from L'arlesiana by Cilea.
Ryan did a fabulous job communicating this piece. It is so horrible that he died. God Bless him
Rest In Peace Ryan Smith💞
Just saw this film...very good.
Ryan R.I.P.
This was such a great way to spend the evening last night watching this! I agree, Alek was a shining star and we were crushed to see that Ryan passed away.
It seems, like it is finally going to be on PBS. I just checked my local listings, and its listed on January 20th.
This was hard to watch. I LOVE singing and performing. I HATE auditioning and competing.
I saw this film at the IDFA in November. Brilliant!!!
Great documentary -- I am fortunate enough to know one of these wonderful singers, Jamie Barton (she was a winner). Wait until you hear what has become of her voice since this was filmed -- unbelievable! She is the next big thing..
No, all I knew was Ryan Smith from here in Atlanta. I saw him in the met regional auditions here in 2007, he swept everyone away. He developed Lymphona with was extremely agressive and he died in Chicago less than 2 months later. I think he could have had a huge career so sad for his family. He had made a debut at the met in a small part in Ernani.
@carapbin: The aria is : Tornami a vagheggiar from Handel's Alcina.
I was also looking for Ryan's singing here, there is nothing. What a loss!
For people who missed last broadcast or want to watch it again (I sure do) it'll be rebroadcast in some areas on 2/7 at noon on PBS (channel 13 in NY area), also at 3pm on WLIW (channel 21 in NY area). Not sure about other areas - check pbs website for local listings.
I LOVED this in the theatre. I really hope they release it on DVD or on PBS
I saw it on PBS. It was brilliant. Very sad about Ryan.
Am I the only one who is upset about public's ignoring this documentary and these so very talented young singers while going wild over a badly sung aria on this-or-that-country got talent shows? I think this documentary is a must for all of the viewers of popular talent shows, so that they know what real talent is as well as what it takes to make it in opera. I hope they broadcast it again so more people can watch it.
@BlazenSong At 1:23 is Casta Diva from Bellini's Norma.
I believe the DVD of the entire competition is still available to buy. I bought it a couple years ago. It is worth having. Check the Metropolitan gift shop online.
In my area they area, WNET/Thirteen shows it again on the 15th at 9pm.
@Lovelytenor1: Excellent comment! More young singers need to know that competition winning singers aren't always the ones who end up having careers in opera. Some of us who didn't win the Met auditions are doing quite well. I'm personally acquainted with several past winners who are now doing nothing.
Every voice matures at its own pace. Don't give up. My old voice teacher, Richard Miller used to tell me. "It takes more than just a beautiful voice to have a career in opera."
The love the look on the other singers faces at 1:51 listening to Michael sing ! They know they're in big trouble. It's easy to read their lips with the soprano saying "wow!" and the baritone"what a voice." I found it funny that Michael wasn't sure that he was going to win. If anything, he was the best one of all.
Last year she sang in Anna Bolena, and then Elvira in Ernani again. I heard her live in Ernani and before in Caramoor as Norma, she was wonderful. Next year she gets to lead the first cast, the one in an HD broadcast. If I remember correctly, it'll be Il Trovatore.
@SoHoPizza143 About the only place I can think of is the Met opera website - either as a DVD from their "shop" or webcast rental via Met player. No free way, now... unless PBS rebroadcasts it.
@celloguy The only two ways I can sing of is either buy the DVD from the Metropolitan opera website (not sure if they deliver to the UK); or use Met player feature (if your browser and system supports it) where you could either "rent" the webcast of use their 7-day trial feature. Go to Met website, click "Watch and Listen" and then "Met player". Try Met player on HD samples first to see how it works for you. Then click on "The Audition". If you want a DVD, try Met Opera Shop there.
Considering the great singers of the PAST, there are none today for these young people to learn from because the Voice Teachers (?) only have an Academic Degree while being accoustically challenged. Listen to SERGEI LEMESHEV, FLORENCE QUARTARARO, ANITA CERQUETTI, BENIAMINO GIGLI, GIUSEPPE DE LUGO, MADO ROBIN, ADA SARI, JOSEPH SCHMIDT, GIUSEPPE DE LUCA, ELIZABETH RETHBERG, MARJORIE LAWRENCE,not to mention TITO SCHIPA, and so MANY more.
Michael is fantastic!
i saw this in my music literature class. at first i was like : this is gona be boring. but this documentary is AMAZING
Thank you very much.
There is a reason the past is described as the "GOLDEN ERA of SINGING," as all connoisseurs know
Oh my gosh!!! I TOTALLY 100% agree with you! Shows like American Idol make me SOOO angry sometimes bc while there are some truly talented ppl there, it seems like the demographic america doesn't REALLY know what REAL singing is. Real singing is THIS!!! To be selected as a finalist on for this competition is SOOO difficult that when one does, it is TRULY special and really means something. This documentary really captures that and all the ppl need to watch this!!
Exactly, and there are fantastic singers today. I heard Aida, La Clemenza di Tito and Maria Stuarda this season at the Met, and I thought the singers were fantastic. Monastyrska, Borodina, Garanca, Polenzani, Di Donato sounded absolutely fantastic and every bit as good as past singers. I bet 80 years ago some people said "but she isn't as good as Ponselle" (or Pasta or Galli-Curci). None of past singers were perfect either, but people tend to forget flaws.
Ryan is amazing, what aria is he singing at the beginning?
With this type of things, if you see them, you need to watch asap or they'll disappear. You have two choices now - buy a DVD or watch through the "video on demand" from the Met website - they has a week free trial (you'll need to cancel if you don't want a subscription) or you can "rent" single videos. Just go to their website, click "watch and listen" then click "video on demand".
@vincedean : I concur with you a thousand percent about Michael Fabiano. I've seen "Audition" four times, and find him to be incredibly intense and electric singer. His voice, to my ears anyway, is "red hot". I wish him every success and I am already paying a lot of attention to his work. I "tracking" him because I think he has the vocal equipment to set the opera world on fire. He's yet very young and I hope he takes great care of his god-given gift. He's a REAL artist!
I just sent a note to PBS (WNET/Thirteen in my area) asking about when this will air. They sent me a reply saying that it's been offered to them but they haven't scheduled it yet, and that they'll take my email as a request to do so. If you are interested, please find the PBS website or the one of "thirteen" and write to them. The more people do so the most likely it'll be aired on TV. I missed it during HD broadcast season and I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for it to air on TV...
I hope they release this on dvd or something..... I didnt get to see it i was heart brokem
Thank you so much, I really love this aria!
oh my heck! that's amazing! I didn't know that! Thanks for letting me know :) I couldn't make the HD show so now I'm super excited!
awesome!
What is the aria that Ryan Smith is singing in the beginning!
@Pslm91v14n15 True. I agree with you on all points. Opera does require training because it's so difficult, like being an Olympic athlete. There were some spectacular early opera debuts in the past like Ponselle, Resnik, Patti, dal Monte (at La Scala), but most of them did have private instructions. Ponselle had very little traiing I think when she made her debut as Leonora in La Forza del Destino at 20, but it's an exceptional case.
I think we'd agree on a lot of stuff, and besides, you are a singer, and you have interesting insights. It's an interesting conversation. As to the universities, in the past (late 19th - early 20th century) many singers just had years of private instructions. But back then they met virtually every day with a teacher, even lived with their teacher. But even today, you don't need a degree to audition. Nadine Sierra won Met Council at 20 in 2009, she hadn't yet had a degree then.
You are right - she was talking about being ahead of the orchestra. It's just that taken out of context the exchange is easily misunderstood. Showing it out of context as here is not fair to this contestant but potentially intriguing to some perspective viewers - those brought up by reality shows.
@jewelmarkess BTW - I meant to say "the only way I can THINK of" not "I can sing of"...
who,s the man on the begin (beautiful voice)
Ryan E. Smith. Tragically died of cancer not long after the National Council Auditions. RIP.
I wish, would've been a nice link to post to all of those fans of (pop)era singers on tv talent shows to show how young opera singers sound like and how competitive opera is, maybe even "video response". I doubt it'd be because of copyright issues. Sad really because it has such a great educational value for people who don't know much about opera. Oh well, you can watch it via video on demand from the Met website or buy a DVD.
Does anyone have the names of the singers and their arias? Also more recent auditions? Thanks everybody! Oh and what these singers are doing now.
Thanks for clarifying about that comment being out of context. . I saw the Audition, but I didn't remember that part.
@GilGalad236
and of course it is written tornami a vagheggiar
It's gone. It was just the matter of time. I really hoped it'd be around a little longer: it's a great educational video for people who don't realize how much talent and dedication opera requires and who go wild over anybody who sings arias on tv talent shows. I think the Met should consider making it available here (they can earn money from ads) as here it reaches people who aren't really opera fans (yet) and who wouldn't even think of looking up an opera-related DVD or the Met player.
@Lovelytenor1 Thank you for letting me know. I love your voice.
2:04 "I just feel like I'm really ahead...You're not."
A wonderful documentary. Interestingly, there is no footage of Jamie Barton except for a snippet of her final performance no interviews, no rehearsals, no chitchat
Connoisseurs do not attend the opera today indeed not for a very long while. It is not living in the past. It is the recognition of quality which is non-existent today
Also, I am not sure you know about this competition. They aren't trying to "pigeonhole" singers into slots, they are trying to identify singers with most potential. There are usually 4-6 winners and they get money prizes and exposure, but they aren't guaranteed jobs. Even finalists get exposure. In terms of all types of music - operatic technique is different, good pop singers will not be able to sing operatic repertory (or even be heard in opera) and opera singers aren't usually good at pop.
This already aired. Not sure when it will again, or if it will.
Ok! Thank you so much!
Names fach voice types, opera and role characters , composers, authors please. Is there an audition for opera pianists, choral, song accompanists.?
at 1:11 it's french..?
What is the aria that the slim blond girl begins at 1:38? I've heard it before but don't know the name.
It was so terrible that Ryan died so unexpectedly- a terrible tragedy
Somebody knows the name of the first aria that appears in this video??
Thanks
Ryan McKinney, in my opinion, is the best Dutchman since George London.
My local symphony orchestra used you tube to screen contestants for it's first ever talent competition (instrumentalists and singers). This is good because it puts more control in the hands of the singer/musician. The next step is to eliminate the audition/competition, along with it's stepsister, the university system. I have my other reasons for my unorthodox views, such as music being used as a tool of cultural revolution particularly since Wagner. We probably agree on everything else. Cheers.
It's gone! And I was about to finish it yesterday! WHAT A SHAME!!!
Does anyone know the song that the soprano is singing at 1:23 ?
What's the name of the first aria that starts at 0:13?
"E la Solita Storia del pastore" from L'arlesiana by Cilea. Jussi Bjorling does a particularly nice rendition.
full version of the documentary: czcams.com/video/5UO0zB77I5U/video.html&feature=endscreen&NR=1
i heard he passed away :(
M Kandil same😭😔
I would like to know what year did you win that competition?
@bmayes09 Lamento di Federico ("E' la solita storia...") from Cilea L'Arlesiana.
Could someone please give me the full names of Angela and Michael. It's such a shame that the opera world is currently experiencing such a stark deterioration of its audiences, and I certainly doubt that it's revival will stem simply through cinema screenings of the MET. We need to be able to outsource artists of such caliber from a number of different avenues and steer away from becoming this superficial generation obsessed with gratifying image before talent.
Have you ever been to opera? There really is room for interpretation. The singers can vary dynamics, color their voices, act. Opera also requires amazing voices AND years of training, and then there is no guarantee. people who do it, do it for the love of the art. Yes, top singers do fine financially, but the chance of getting to the top is low, and the path there is difficult. As to "purer" and "better" - do you really think that pop is purer and better than Verdi or Puccini?
awesoooome! I wanna see this! :D
@DigaoHagar Lamento di Federico from L'arlesiana by Cilea.
It's not what it appears when you hear it in context. Don't want to say more without giving out spoilers...
What is the name of this aria(1:39)?
does anyone know what the name of the aria Ryan sing s at the beginning.
No you are not..I saw the documentary yesterday...absoloutly great!
@jewelmarkess I indeed tend to agree on the talent-from-some-country but I finally heard one on America's got talent that has promise! then the ruined it by singing rock songs >.< but the audition was beautiful [lys Agnes]
I did love this program when I saw it on PBS. Amazing talent these people have and I love that the people choosing really do have an ear for talent unlike voters who don't seem to know what talent is most of the time
Incidentally, I know (from you tube videos) an absolutely amazing singer who is singing mostly Broadway but clearly has a huge voice that would've been fine for opera too given training. She is I believe sings mostly for you tube audience. This is fine, but I suspect she'd preferred a role on Broadway. But really both you tube and live theater has its place. But I seriously doubt if Angela Meade or Michael Fabiano or Alec Shrader would trade their careers for it.
Without auditions and competitions, how would young singers show themselves? You Tube is great, but as you know opera is about live unamplified sound, and you tube doesn't tell how a singer would sound in a theater, how big one's voice is or even if a singer freezes in front of the audience. In terms of the university system, no audition or competition requires a degree, one of the judges of the Met Council Auditions at district level said "if you can sign your name, you can sing for us".
Hello!! I just wanted to know what was the first aria we hear in this video? Wonderful cast!
Thank all very much!
What makes you think that singing Opera or singing in general or that matter has nothing to do with lung capacity? It absolutely does.
@GilGalad236
tornami a vaghehhiar from Handels Alcina. you should check out dessay singing it in Paris. LOVE IT
I have a feeling that you don't really know much about opera - please tell me if I am wrong or else you don't like it. Have you ever heard how beautiful the unamplified voices are? Also, it's a lot more than being "adequately reproduce", the singers need to express the emotions, to play the characters. But one thing I want to mention is that this is what these singers want to do. They don't want to crossover, they don't want to sing pop. If they did, they hadn't spent years training.
Can someone please let me know when this is going to air on television? Thanks. (There's no Met HD in my area.) Please let me know before it airs, in plenty of time. Thanks again!
@jewelmarkess I agree with you totally. On every point.
@jaketaz
Thank you
Unfortunately he did. He was diagnosed with lymphoma and died November 2008. Its terrible.
@phatphace Angela Meade. Michael Fabiano.
How do you propose they get rid of competitions? There are about 10,000 people who graduate each year with degrees in classical voice. There are about 500 people in the US who earn a living singing in operas. It's not the issue of gatekeepers, but the facts. There are certain number of opera theaters, there are certain number of operas produced every year. They can "just sing" at home, but if they want to make a living they need to stand out from others. And opera singers' careers last decades.
@MrSkylark1
YOU ARE SO RIGHT
I think you misinterpreted my question. I mean when will it air on TV? The Met said that it would air on TV sometime this fall, but they didn't know when and they didn't know what program it would be aired as part of, or whether it would be a stand-alone feature.
OK, I just sent e-mails to both PBS and to my local station. Please everyone, do the same! Thanks.
The best way to "stand out from others" is to sing, first and foremost, with beauty of tone, and these all or nothing stakes competitions do not encourage this. They are looking to pigeon hole singers into slots at those certain number of opera theaters. The result is that in opera, and in all genres of music, we are in serious cultural decline. Singers should sing all types of "good" music, not just opera, with true beauty, and sing it anywhere and anytime then can. Forget about the money.
I know!