I was in the Childrens' Chorus in the late 70s and early 80s. Stillwell as Budd and Cassily as Vere and Morris as Claggart. Morris was a force of nature, absolutely terrifying to us powder monkeys on stage. Backstage, he was a gentleman.
I was also in the Met Children's chorus at that time. I was too afraid to do Billy Budd because the director, John Dexter, was such a bastard and he scared me. In retrospect, I was wrong. Wish I did it. Glad you did. :)
I saw Morris in so many roles. Tiny roles in Thais, Luisa Miller, then Giovanni, Hoffmann, Otello, and of course his incomparable Wotan, Dutchman, and Sachs. Great artist.
Yeah, I gotta agree with you. I actually got to see this at the MET in '97. It was such a treat. Hearing his voice in person was much better than listening on recordings...and I was in the NOSE BLEED SEATS!!!
I cannot understand Morris's detractors here: he's great in this part, as he was in the Ring operas. A great voice,wonderful interpreter, and by all accounts, a thoroughly decent man liked by all his colleagues. Bravo maestro!
He's not a basso profondo, but he does the role pretty damn well. And he was the first American Claggart. Pears even said in his diary that this young man will be great.
I meant to click the thumbs up button, but accidentally clicked the other one... Sorry! You're absolutely right, that line sums up Claggart's inner torment.
@@gypsyassassin2004 There's a recording from the 1979 Cincinnati May Festival right here on UA-cam. He's probably the best Blitch I've heard. I prefer him over Ramey in the part, despite that Morris lacks the low notes. Very underrated role of his.
This excerpt from Britten's "Billy Budd" is another showcase for the formidable artistry of James Morris.
"But alas, alas! A light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehends it, and suffers..."
One of the most chilling lines in all opera.
I was in the Childrens' Chorus in the late 70s and early 80s. Stillwell as Budd and Cassily as Vere and Morris as Claggart. Morris was a force of nature, absolutely terrifying to us powder monkeys on stage. Backstage, he was a gentleman.
I was also in the Met Children's chorus at that time. I was too afraid to do Billy Budd because the director, John Dexter, was such a bastard and he scared me. In retrospect, I was wrong. Wish I did it. Glad you did. :)
I saw Morris in so many roles. Tiny roles in Thais, Luisa Miller, then Giovanni, Hoffmann, Otello, and of course his incomparable Wotan, Dutchman, and Sachs. Great artist.
Yeah, I gotta agree with you. I actually got to see this at the MET in '97. It was such a treat. Hearing his voice in person was much better than listening on recordings...and I was in the NOSE BLEED SEATS!!!
I cannot understand Morris's detractors here: he's great in this part, as he was in the Ring operas. A great voice,wonderful interpreter, and by all accounts, a thoroughly decent man liked by all his colleagues. Bravo maestro!
He's not a basso profondo, but he does the role pretty damn well. And he was the first American Claggart. Pears even said in his diary that this young man will be great.
adamastorBassBar Morris was the finest Claggart, Wotan, Scarpia, Dutchman, that i ever heard live in the House
@@draparks INCOMPARABLE Wotan. Damn good in the Verdi bass roles too.
@MrMenyc Almost certainly, and in love with Billy Budd.
I meant to click the thumbs up button, but accidentally clicked the other one... Sorry! You're absolutely right, that line sums up Claggart's inner torment.
If you think about it, this song (mostly lyrics/situation wise) would be interesting to compare with Hellfire.
And the "Te Deum" from "Tosca." There are a lot of baritone arias like this. ;)
I was just thinking of that. This aria is like a gay Hellfire.
Did he ever do Rev. Olin Blitch in Carlisle Floyd's opera SUSANNAH?
@@gypsyassassin2004 There's a recording from the 1979 Cincinnati May Festival right here on UA-cam. He's probably the best Blitch I've heard. I prefer him over Ramey in the part, despite that Morris lacks the low notes. Very underrated role of his.
Chilling
Agreed, I think the voice of Claggart has to be very English.
Well, that is kind of the whole point of the story.
Il mio rispeto per Mo.Britten e James Morris ma il buon dio non ha creato la lingua inglese per arte lirica.