Actually, this is better than most Turandot's we have today. Bumbry comes from a time when singers knew how to really sing, not wobble and scream! I was surprised at how well sung this was.
MrNeilsy Absolutely. Perhaps one might say she doesn't compare to such and such, but compared to those in this role at the to houses today, she kicks butt.
Làtszik hogy szerette a kihivàsokat és mindegyikkel meg is birkozott! Azt hiszem nàla jobban egyik mezzoszopràn sem tudnà jobban elénekelni ezt a szoprànoknak is nehéz àriàt! BRAVO!!
These have to be some of the absolute silliest comments I have read . She is not a this, and she was a that. This is the huge problem with classical music now, especially where singers are concerned. Too many know it alls. This was a solid performance.
I just did a Questa Reggia marathon. Eve Turner, Birgit Nilson, Gina Cigna, Eva Marton, and so on - even Caballe and Sutherland for variety. Hands down, Bumbry is my favourite, and this recording is unbelievable. Also, her technique as regards her facial muscles is very plain here (it had to be, to sing this back in '76), so it's also a great learning experience. Bravissima.
I remember Bumbry singing a Turandot at Covent Garden in 1991 where the B's and C's either didn't come at all, or were tiny and fried. I personally wish she had stayed a mezzo. A singer friend of mine who sang with her said about her, "Grace just can't let anyone else be prima donna." That about sums it up for me.
I think too many people are trained to comment based on what they are told in conservatories and instructors who no longer sing. On Bumbry's worst days, she could bid any singer to have a seat. Bumbry's top at forte was always an exclamation...and mostly sharp, BUT she conquers no matter what the taste. Turandot? No, but the image is realized in this presentation.
She is not this, she is that???... who the hell are you all to say what she is or she isn't? ... if she thought she could sing this, (which here she sounds FABULOUS), then it is her business. And boy, did she do it good!!!.... Brava Miss Bumbry!!!Thanks for posting!
@Adonister87 think this is a false category given to a singer who lost her voice in 5 years for singing to high for too long..Falcon was probably really a mezzo. This is actually rare for Bumbry because she usually sounds constricted after High Bflat.
and i don't think this role is well suited to Grace in a full production but she is wonderful with this aria as a recital piece. I am BLOWN AWAY by her expression and voice! brava diva!
People please! The next opera vocal recital/performance, I will gladly pay the UA-cam claque to attend. This way, it will save some of you arm chair critics the trouble.
I'm surprised that this was in black & white for the year 1976. I thought colour TV viewings were official come the late 1960s. Anyways, that was an awesome performance.
@jibbyjane I don´t care about comparing with anybody. I liked what I heard here and I think people exagerate and are lying. She doesn´t look like she´s in a lot of trouble and she sounds perfectly fine to me.
I never knew Ms Bumbry sang this. A difficult piece to sing, very difficult with only the piano backing her up. The faster tempo aided her with the height. Very well executed.
Not every great singer should attempt to sing everything. Grace is one of the greatest ever. But... Need a break from this? Listen to her sing "He was despised" from MESSIAH. Stunning...
Well certainly one of Grace's better days! She must have felt the same judging by her arm movement just after nailing the impressive high C at 6:12 Still, her Amnerises and Ebolis were legendary, her Normas and Abigailes were not. I prefer to here her at her best (which is sensational). But I was nevertheless curious and so thank you for the clip. It is really a gem and as I said, the lady is in good shape (in every aspect!!) here,
Then how did she fare with the blood thirsty princess? How did the critics make of her foray into this fach? Did you attend any one of her performances?
Grace was an excellent Gioconda ,Abigaile,L.Macbeth ,Ariane,Selika,Tosca,Elvira,Aida.in the soprano range she has given more personal depth. She has followed advices of L.Lehman ,& she has worked a lot to conquer a steel-solid technique ,perfect pitch.she excelled in Verdi &verismo. If someone has studied correctly the history of the singers could see that the last century gave huge voiced Giocondas.Cigna,Arangi Lombardi, Pacetti,Cavalieri,Cerquetti,Milanov,Farrell,Gulin,Suliotis,Ross,....the list is long of opulent drammatic sopranos.it's always the same problem.if some persons are stuck only on one singer......
Grace sang those roles quite well, although her high notes had too much steel, were too lacking in accurate pitch, and there was little room to play on top there with ease. Shirley Verrett who WAS a soprano sang these role much better and with real finess- big difference between the two of them.
Granted that Bumbry is not a full-fletched Turandot (she has never essayed the role on stage) her monologue of the Chinese princess is simply stunning. She penetrates the psyche of the blood-crazed woman like a forensic officer, delving into the reason of her vengeance, on why she behaved the way she did and what made her become the psychopath that she was. That Bumbry did to superb result. And technically she navigates the difficult tessitura with spot on accuracy and immense legato.
@@mannail888 her top really wasn’t working. The high B on quel “grido” failed to arrive at all, and neither did the high C’s for “Figlio del cielo” I think after the first accident her mind was on sheer survival. I enjoyed her in several things on stage including L’Africaine and Tosca, but this was not a good performance for her. It happens: artists are human. The one time I saw her as Aïda, she had to withdraw after Act 1 Scene 1 because of hay fever.
Sorry for my language but... Why is people such fucking liars???. Some said she´s struggling mightly, others she is uncomfortable and so on.... This is hardly a comfortable role even for sopranos and they don´t look like, ok, let´s sing "La Isla Bonita" from Madonna. They look concentrate because is difficult and Grace looks exactly like that too. I liked what she did here. I think she was fabulous!
@MastersoftheOpera I agree with Bcomm if you dont like her thats fine but what does her being black have to do with it? she's an excellent artist hands down, and thats also what recitals are for to experiment with certain arias that you would probably never do the whole role on stage,,,,
LOL its kind of amazing how she's working with those sharp high notes. You can really see how what Nilsson did in this role was by no means easy, in seeing a great singer like Grace struggle mightily.
@ezayi I LOVE Grace Bumbry, but this isn't her best. Yes, Turandot is a real challenge, but the tongue wobble at the top tells you all you need to know. There is too much lower weight and rich tone quality in her voice to get there healthily. She manages the aria AMAZINGLY when you consider her voice type, and does FAR better than many sopranos. But compare to Nilsson or Turner- less tone and more blade is the ONLY way to approach Turandot. Before you say I'm talking rubbish.... I sing it! ;-)
LOL that “tongue wobble” is indicative of lack of tension. Her voice is relaxed here, and you can hear it. Leontyne had that same relaxed tongue root too, and you never heard her voice get edgy or ugly. And if you sang Turadot WELL you’d be all over UA-cam. Clearly you’re not, so….
@MastersoftheOpera Yes being african american myself... I'm fully aware of her being black what importance that has, as well as the leontyne price's and Marion Anderson's, George shirley's ect. what i was asking was what does her being black to do with the interpretation of the aria? the music looks the same, it doesnt look different if your back or white, Im sure she would like to be respected as an excellent musician, not a black excellent musician.
@MastersoftheOpera why does this suddenly have to include her being a Black soprano and comparing her to other Black sopranos? Why does race need to be brought into the discussion. -_- =/ Grace stands on her own solid ground as one of the greatest artists in the world, without the title of race
I thought this was a fine performance from a fine singer, but seriously, peeps need to stop getting butthurt over people who don't like it. people are allowed to view videos and give negative critiques if that's the impression they got. all this childish shushing of "how dare you say something negative!" is just silly and censor-y.
there's not denying her middle and low passages are richer and more "vibrant". Just my opinion. Sounds pushed and one-note w/o nuance at the top (not to mention out of tune a few places). Barely hangs on to the top notes- But I do love this artist....just in other arias/parts. Not claiming to be right or wrong- just my thoughts. Compare this to her Carmen or Eboli- wow was she amazing in those roles.
I totally agree with you. She just hits those high notes and cannot play with the sound; there is very little room for finess on those high notes. Her middle is too wide for a soprano. However I must say I love her voice and talent.
@jibbyjane There is nothing wrong with the tongue wobble. When a tongue is relaxed, it can move naturally with loud sound coming. (Dimitrova did the same.) Anyway, I agree with you. Bumbry sings this aria well, but this is not her best. I recall one critic expressed about her as "From the first class mezzo to the second class dramatic soprano." She was one of the best Ebolis but as Turandot or Tosca, she was not the best, but just very good.
A tongue wobble is indeed not okay. It’s different than depression of the tongue when singing, which produces a throaty, swallowed sound. The tongue should be relaxed. If it’s warbling about, it’s trying to compensate for something that the tissue of the abdominal muscles are supposed to be doing. That being said, I still think she sings well. She had a great career, but I think this role is just too high for her.
I LOVE GRACE BUMBRY! why she chose to sing thisrep when this sooo not her voice type and should be left to dramatic sopranos likes EVA MARTON is beyond me. She sounds lovely. her voice just doesnt cut the way a Nillson or a Marton would in this role.
Have you ever heard Grace live? I have and it’s a huge voice and all of it carried over the orchestra. Unless you have heard both Nilsson and Grace live you can’t make assumptions based solely on recordings.
These have to be some of the absolute silliest comments I have read . She is not a this, and she was a that. This is the huge problem with classical music now, especially where singers are concerned. Too many know it alls. This was a solid performance.
Actually, this is better than most Turandot's we have today. Bumbry comes from a time when singers knew how to really sing, not wobble and scream! I was surprised at how well sung this was.
MrNeilsy Absolutely. Perhaps one might say she doesn't compare to such and such, but compared to those in this role at the to houses today, she kicks butt.
Làtszik hogy szerette a kihivàsokat és mindegyikkel meg is birkozott! Azt hiszem nàla jobban egyik mezzoszopràn sem tudnà jobban elénekelni ezt a szoprànoknak is nehéz àriàt! BRAVO!!
BRAVA!!! What else can one say about such an exciting vocally perfect performance except Thank You Mme. Bumbry
These have to be some of the absolute silliest comments I have read . She is not a this, and she was a that. This is the huge problem with classical music now, especially where singers are concerned. Too many know it alls. This was a solid performance.
Oh I say, well said!
This is Horror your comment is by far the siiliest...
I just did a Questa Reggia marathon. Eve Turner, Birgit Nilson, Gina Cigna, Eva Marton, and so on - even Caballe and Sutherland for variety. Hands down, Bumbry is my favourite, and this recording is unbelievable. Also, her technique as regards her facial muscles is very plain here (it had to be, to sing this back in '76), so it's also a great learning experience. Bravissima.
If I heard this in concert or in performance I would be walking home with a big smile on my face! Brava, Ms. Grace!
Grace was definitely a dramatic soprano capable of singing dramatic repertoire. This is an excellent interpretation of this aria. Bravo Grace.
Agree
I remember Bumbry singing a Turandot at Covent Garden in 1991 where the B's and C's either didn't come at all, or were tiny and fried. I personally wish she had stayed a mezzo. A singer friend of mine who sang with her said about her, "Grace just can't let anyone else be prima donna." That about sums it up for me.
OMG， This is the first time I hear Grace Bumbry sing In questa Reggia
ziran Chen same!!!
I think too many people are trained to comment based on what they are told in conservatories and instructors who no longer sing. On Bumbry's worst days, she could bid any singer to have a seat. Bumbry's top at forte was always an exclamation...and mostly sharp, BUT she conquers no matter what the taste. Turandot? No, but the image is realized in this presentation.
She is not this, she is that???... who the hell are you all to say what she is or she isn't? ... if she thought she could sing this, (which here she sounds FABULOUS), then it is her business. And boy, did she do it good!!!....
Brava Miss Bumbry!!!Thanks for posting!
Wow Grace, Wow!
Fantastica, Thank YOU !!!!!!!!!!
Amazing!!!!!
Super!!!! Bravissima cara Maestra!
She is a Mezzo-Soprano and he handles that high B like she owns it!!!!!!
@Adonister87 think this is a false category given to a singer who lost her voice in 5 years for singing to high for too long..Falcon was probably really a mezzo.
This is actually rare for Bumbry because she usually sounds constricted after High Bflat.
This is a great performance. I wish I was there.
and i don't think this role is well suited to Grace in a full production but she is wonderful with this aria as a recital piece. I am BLOWN AWAY by her expression and voice! brava diva!
His is wonderful.
People please! The next opera vocal recital/performance, I will gladly pay the UA-cam claque to attend. This way, it will save some of you arm chair critics the trouble.
I'm surprised that this was in black & white for the year 1976. I thought colour TV viewings were official come the late 1960s. Anyways, that was an awesome performance.
Loved it...the best soprano role I have heard her sing....
P.s.for Grace's range , listen what she is doing at the end of the big concertato in Massenet's ....Le Cid
i love this video, but why is the audio only one channel?????
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
FYI, she did sing this role in the early 1990's, in sydney, london/covent garden and (i think) italy. but in 1976, the voice was in great shape...
totally exciting pure vocalism
The piano leaves me cold... The orchestra is neccesary mainly in the second part of the aria
@jibbyjane I don´t care about comparing with anybody. I liked what I heard here and I think people exagerate and are lying. She doesn´t look like she´s in a lot of trouble and she sounds perfectly fine to me.
Brava!!!!!!
I never knew Ms Bumbry sang this. A difficult piece to sing, very difficult with only the piano backing her up. The faster tempo aided her with the height. Very well executed.
hi mannai,
bumbry sang turandot on stage in london (1993), sydney (1991) and at the arena di verona (1991?).
wow, just wow
Not every great singer should attempt to sing everything. Grace is one of the greatest ever. But... Need a break from this? Listen to her sing "He was despised" from MESSIAH. Stunning...
@jibbyjane Less tone and more blade is absolutely correct. In fact, that could be the main difference between dramatic and spinto voices.
Well certainly one of Grace's better days! She must have felt the same judging by her arm movement just after nailing the impressive high C at 6:12 Still, her Amnerises and Ebolis were legendary, her Normas and Abigailes were not. I prefer to here her at her best (which is sensational). But I was nevertheless curious and so thank you for the clip. It is really a gem and as I said, the lady is in good shape (in every aspect!!) here,
Agreed
Couldn’t they afford an orchestra to accompany the great Grace Bumbry? This powerhouse aria should only be heard with only a piano in REHEARSAL!
Then how did she fare with the blood thirsty princess? How did the critics make of her foray into this fach? Did you attend any one of her performances?
Grace was an excellent Gioconda ,Abigaile,L.Macbeth ,Ariane,Selika,Tosca,Elvira,Aida.in the soprano range she has given more personal depth.
She has followed advices of L.Lehman ,& she has worked a lot to conquer a steel-solid technique ,perfect pitch.she excelled in Verdi &verismo.
If someone has studied correctly the history of the singers could see that the last century gave huge voiced Giocondas.Cigna,Arangi Lombardi, Pacetti,Cavalieri,Cerquetti,Milanov,Farrell,Gulin,Suliotis,Ross,....the list is long of opulent drammatic sopranos.it's always the same problem.if some persons are stuck only on one singer......
Grace sang those roles quite well, although her high notes had too much steel, were too lacking in accurate pitch, and there was little room to play on top there with ease. Shirley Verrett who WAS a soprano sang these role much better and with real finess- big difference between the two of them.
Granted that Bumbry is not a full-fletched Turandot (she has never essayed the role on stage) her monologue of the Chinese princess is simply stunning. She penetrates the psyche of the blood-crazed woman like a forensic officer, delving into the reason of her vengeance, on why she behaved the way she did and what made her become the psychopath that she was. That Bumbry did to superb result. And technically she navigates the difficult tessitura with spot on accuracy and immense legato.
She has certainly essayed the role on stage. I saw her sing this at the Royal Opera House, London, in 1991. It wasn’t much of a success,,,,
@@jamesrhblack How did Bumbry fare technically, dramatically and musically other than not much of a success?
@@mannail888 her top really wasn’t working. The high B on quel “grido” failed to arrive at all, and neither did the high C’s for “Figlio del cielo” I think after the first accident her mind was on sheer survival. I enjoyed her in several things on stage including L’Africaine and Tosca, but this was not a good performance for her. It happens: artists are human. The one time I saw her as Aïda, she had to withdraw after Act 1 Scene 1 because of hay fever.
Am. Partial. To. Bumbry.
Sorry for my language but... Why is people such fucking liars???. Some said she´s struggling mightly, others she is uncomfortable and so on.... This is hardly a comfortable role even for sopranos and they don´t look like, ok, let´s sing "La Isla Bonita" from Madonna. They look concentrate because is difficult and Grace looks exactly like that too. I liked what she did here. I think she was fabulous!
@MastersoftheOpera I agree with Bcomm if you dont like her thats fine but what does her being black have to do with it? she's an excellent artist hands down, and thats also what recitals are for to experiment with certain arias that you would probably never do the whole role on stage,,,,
LOL its kind of amazing how she's working with those sharp high notes. You can really see how what Nilsson did in this role was by no means easy, in seeing a great singer like Grace struggle mightily.
Just different voice types. Nilsson would struggle harder singing Carmen.
Now sound coming from left speaker output
she nailed it
@ezayi I LOVE Grace Bumbry, but this isn't her best. Yes, Turandot is a real challenge, but the tongue wobble at the top tells you all you need to know. There is too much lower weight and rich tone quality in her voice to get there healthily. She manages the aria AMAZINGLY when you consider her voice type, and does FAR better than many sopranos. But compare to Nilsson or Turner- less tone and more blade is the ONLY way to approach Turandot. Before you say I'm talking rubbish.... I sing it! ;-)
LOL that “tongue wobble” is indicative of lack of tension. Her voice is relaxed here, and you can hear it.
Leontyne had that same relaxed tongue root too, and you never heard her voice get edgy or ugly.
And if you sang Turadot WELL you’d be all over UA-cam. Clearly you’re not, so….
@MastersoftheOpera Yes being african american myself... I'm fully aware of her being black what importance that has, as well as the leontyne price's and Marion Anderson's, George shirley's ect. what i was asking was what does her being black to do with the interpretation of the aria? the music looks the same, it doesnt look different if your back or white, Im sure she would like to be respected as an excellent musician, not a black excellent musician.
@MastersoftheOpera why does this suddenly have to include her being a Black soprano and comparing her to other Black sopranos? Why does race need to be brought into the discussion. -_-
=/ Grace stands on her own solid ground as one of the greatest artists in the world, without the title of race
Excellent comment.
I thought this was a fine performance from a fine singer, but seriously, peeps need to stop getting butthurt over people who don't like it. people are allowed to view videos and give negative critiques if that's the impression they got. all this childish shushing of "how dare you say something negative!" is just silly and censor-y.
there's not denying her middle and low passages are richer and more "vibrant".
Just my opinion. Sounds pushed and one-note w/o nuance at the top (not to mention out of tune a few places). Barely hangs on to the top notes- But I do love this artist....just in other arias/parts. Not claiming to be right or wrong- just my thoughts.
Compare this to her Carmen or Eboli- wow was she amazing in those roles.
I totally agree with you. She just hits those high notes and cannot play with the sound; there is very little room for finess on those high notes. Her middle is too wide for a soprano. However I must say I love her voice and talent.
É doida ! Prá que cantar essa ária, sendo mezzo ?... Pura vaidade. Mas, por incrível que pareça, ela consegue chegar ao fim.
Ela é uma legítima soprano Dramática!
@jibbyjane There is nothing wrong with the tongue wobble. When a tongue is relaxed, it can move naturally with loud sound coming. (Dimitrova did the same.) Anyway, I agree with you. Bumbry sings this aria well, but this is not her best. I recall one critic expressed about her as "From the first class mezzo to the second class dramatic soprano." She was one of the best Ebolis but as Turandot or Tosca, she was not the best, but just very good.
Am. Partial . To . Bumbry .
A tongue wobble is indeed not okay. It’s different than depression of the tongue when singing, which produces a throaty, swallowed sound. The tongue should be relaxed. If it’s warbling about, it’s trying to compensate for something that the tissue of the abdominal muscles are supposed to be doing. That being said, I still think she sings well. She had a great career, but I think this role is just too high for her.
The truth is exactly the opposite.
I love Bumbry but she is not a dramatic soprano.. the tesistura of this aria and this role is too high for her.
this is too much.
Alcune parole le dice sbagliate🤭
I LOVE GRACE BUMBRY! why she chose to sing thisrep when this sooo not her voice type and should be left to dramatic sopranos likes EVA MARTON is beyond me. She sounds lovely. her voice just doesnt cut the way a Nillson or a Marton would in this role.
I strongly agree definately not like a Nillson could nail this role.. I too love GRace though!
Have you ever heard Grace live? I have and it’s a huge voice and all of it carried over the orchestra. Unless you have heard both Nilsson and Grace live you can’t make assumptions based solely on recordings.
El pianista es malísimo...
Non mi piace in questo ruolo. Urla troppo.
Not the role for her. I like her but her she can not nal the high tones here and off tune on many :(( Sorry.
Grace,
You shouldn't have.
Ich glaube, das könnte selbst ich besser singen.. Die Gute trifft nicht einen einzigen Ton.
Ouch.... this happens when you scream parts that you are not vocally equipped for. What a poor performance and people applauding like mad....
HORRIBLE!!
Horror!!!
These have to be some of the absolute silliest comments I have read . She is not a this, and she was a that. This is the huge problem with classical music now, especially where singers are concerned. Too many know it alls. This was a solid performance.