This is a real master class! Glenn is a theatre actress turned screen actress - she's learned how to work for an intense inner focus in front of the camera and knows about the energy it takes to fill a stage. Here she perfectly blends both worlds leaving us with a spellbinding performance that makes it impossible to take your eyes off her for even a split second. I bow to you Miss Close.
Glen Close is a commensurate actress. However, I never knew she could sing. Yes, what a powerful, passionate voice. I would have loved to have seen her on Broadway in “Sunset Boulevard”!!!
Say what you want about the technical aspect of her singing but she was the definite Norma - no other actress who played the part was as electrifying a presence as was her Norma though they might have sung it better.
@edirne1972 It’s not a fake British accent. What Glenn Close affects is an accent called “mid-Atlantic”, very commonly heard in older Hollywood movies featuring the likes of Katherine Hepburn. It is a true American regional accent more commonly heard on the east coast amongst people of the upper classes, and more commonly heard during an earlier era.
In 1983 I saw Mrs. Lupone in Norma in London and then past 20 years through youtube I've seen excerpts of the same piece by different actresses or singers leave 3 for consideration: Lupone, Close and Betty! Analyzing the character I must say that Norma was haughty, manipulative, cold, calculating and contemptuous! Betty wants this behavior (exellent voice) Close or not given! His interpretations are sometimes a little brushing clownescas sometimes burlesque! Patti Lupone's true to a character and a total field of stage and balanced voice Norm!'Passado All this time I understand that Mrs. Lupone was the great creator of Norma Desmond with an advantage over all the others that followed! Proof still hear the soundtrack as log and think Mrs. Lupone admirable! Weigh to admirers of Mrs. Close in cinema ha analyzed in depth to know what a character and not leaving snatch by fanaticism to make a review! Mrs. Lupone did not know until the have seen in London then be avontade my appreciation ! Jose Maximian
I suppose it takes all types. I will say, though, that overall my favorite Norma is Betty Buckley. I do prefer Patti over Glenn, but I'll take Buckley over either of them.
It just looks like she's trying so hard. The technical stuff gets in her way. When you have a powerhouse like Patti LuPone or Betty Buckley who's got the voice and can then let go and let soar, that's an electrifying performance. Everything I've seen of Close in the role leaves me cold.
betty buckley is sensational! as is elainge paige I just feel that glen close is just more stunt casting!!! look at what happened in london, and that was only a 5 week run!!! wearing 9 mic picks miss close!!! thats not good really!!!
Any role Patti Lupone sings consists of yelling to orchestral accompaniment for two and a half hours. You can make many criticisms, but to suggest that Glenn and Betty are overstated in comparison to Patti is simply inaccurate.
This is a real master class! Glenn is a theatre actress turned screen actress - she's learned how to work for an intense inner focus in front of the camera and knows about the energy it takes to fill a stage. Here she perfectly blends both worlds leaving us with a spellbinding performance that makes it impossible to take your eyes off her for even a split second. I bow to you Miss Close.
She is a genius. God, I wish this Woman knew how much I adore her.
Man, I can watch her in this role over and over!!!! Thanks SO MUCH!!!! LOVE IT
she's incredible.
Glen Close is a commensurate actress. However, I never knew she could sing. Yes, what a powerful, passionate voice. I would have loved to have seen her on Broadway in “Sunset Boulevard”!!!
Really incredible. I love Glenn Close -- She and Betty Buckley are my fav Normas.
What amazing quality! Very impressive, thanks so much for sharing. I love all the Normas, but especially Glenn's delivery of this song.
How anyone can say she can't sing or doesn't have power in her voice.... 3.33 -- I think that's pretty impressive :)
Anymore from this performance? It’s incredible quality
The best and most heartbreaking score of Andrew Lloyd Webber's. Glenn Glose did it proud
Say what you want about the technical aspect of her singing but she was the definite Norma - no other actress who played the part was as electrifying a presence as was her Norma though they might have sung it better.
Just AMAZING!!!!!
new as in i've never seen it surface before until stan discovered it..thanks stan!
Huzzah! Thank you!
"Aren't you Norma Desmond?! You used to be in pictures! You used to be.....big"
"I am Big! Its the pictures that got small"
Great Norma
@edirne1972 It’s not a fake British accent. What Glenn Close affects is an accent called “mid-Atlantic”, very commonly heard in older Hollywood movies featuring the likes of Katherine Hepburn. It is a true American regional accent more commonly heard on the east coast amongst people of the upper classes, and more commonly heard during an earlier era.
In 1983 I saw Mrs. Lupone in Norma in London and then past 20 years through youtube I've seen excerpts of the same piece by different actresses or singers leave 3 for consideration: Lupone, Close and Betty! Analyzing the character I must say that Norma was haughty, manipulative, cold, calculating and contemptuous! Betty wants this behavior (exellent voice) Close or not given! His interpretations are sometimes a little brushing clownescas sometimes burlesque! Patti Lupone's true to a character and a total field of stage and balanced voice Norm!'Passado All this time I understand that Mrs. Lupone was the great creator of Norma Desmond with an advantage over all the others that followed! Proof still hear the soundtrack as log and think Mrs. Lupone admirable! Weigh to admirers of Mrs. Close in cinema ha analyzed in depth to know what a character and not leaving snatch by fanaticism to make a review! Mrs. Lupone did not know until the have seen in London then be avontade my appreciation ! Jose Maximian
I suppose it takes all types. I will say, though, that overall my favorite Norma is Betty Buckley. I do prefer Patti over Glenn, but I'll take Buckley over either of them.
Excellently acted. But I prefer Betty for voice and acting combined. Patti comes third and Elaine Paige fourth. This must ne die a comeback surely.
Agreed! Betty out shines them all!!
Elaine paige wipes the floor with the rest of them. ...
It just looks like she's trying so hard. The technical stuff gets in her way. When you have a powerhouse like Patti LuPone or Betty Buckley who's got the voice and can then let go and let soar, that's an electrifying performance. Everything I've seen of Close in the role leaves me cold.
betty buckley is sensational! as is elainge paige I just feel that glen close is just more stunt casting!!! look at what happened in london, and that was only a 5 week run!!! wearing 9 mic picks miss close!!! thats not good really!!!
Betty is MUCH better!!!!
mrs. close is overacting as Betty! Patti is perfect Norma!
I don't think you understand this show.
Any role Patti Lupone sings consists of yelling to orchestral accompaniment for two and a half hours. You can make many criticisms, but to suggest that Glenn and Betty are overstated in comparison to Patti is simply inaccurate.