I had the incredible privilege of having two weeks of lessons with Jimmy not long before he passed. He was a Titan but also incredibly kind and generous. I would never have become the teacher I am today without him. There is no heldentenor like him today. I guess we just have to wait a little.
I envy you. I'm 75 and first heard him when his first 2 vinyls were released. And then Das Lied von der Erde with Bernstein. Absolutely unique in tenor history to sing the Strauss roles flawlessly for a long career and then come to Tote Stadt. This 8 minutes is an opera in itself--the first minute I think I'm hearing part of Elektra I somehow forgot and a couple minutes later we arrive in J Strauss's Vienna. Not saying it's derivative in the least--Korngold was a great composer and orchestrator IMO. King shows what a great actor he was; nobody seems to notice this. The terror on his face is totally convincing and I especially like the little adjustments that he makes to his cuffs. I think his very best role was Herod; there's a complete performance from the Chicago opera. The singing is of course heroic (Herod is a king after all) but his portrayal of Herod's various mental illnesses is uncanny. (I know all about this firsthand.) His Aegisthus is similarly great but it's so much shorter. Thank heaven he lived in an era of good sound recordings.
I am also a big fan of Mr. King. He was suffering with Alzheimer. When you say things about the lessons with him at the end of his life, the reality was a lot more than the fact of his early alzheimer stage that he did not remember who was who in front of him. Whatever you said about the influence you had from the lessons were probably all in your head only. Stop exaggerating things like your comment here, when you teach btw. King had his healthy voice kept because he was "honest" about his vocal limit without going too far.
The most moving interpretation of Paul,and the only one that is convincing in voice and acting!!! Also the best production of this wonderful and not often played opera! So many wonderful singers, they all fit in very well! Thank you very much!
Overwhelming. One of the best performances of Die Tote Stadt ever. I only wish this (and Korngold's other operas for that matter) was performed more often, and in all major cities (not just Vienna).
James King was one of the great Wagnerian Heldentenors of the 20th century. I didn't know that he performed the role of Paul in Die Tote Stadt. Great voice and performance. The director's choice to end the opera with Paul about to commit suicide is a very different interpretation of the libretto, in which Paul finally moves past his grief and with "Ich will's versuchen" states that he wants to move on from the city of the dead.
Saw another production that ends with Paul's suicide and felt it was wrong because the music says to me that he's ready to move on. I mentioned this to singer Angela Denoke and she told me that is how the play on which this is based ends. Well, who knew? Incidentally, I had one voice lesson from Mr. King in the early '90's. Very kind man.
There's two ways to interpret "ready to move on". One is to go live a new life. Another is to end the current life. The suicide route is the sadder interpretation, of course, but can be justified as a way to interpret the ending.
One of my favorite clips on UA-cam. The only problem is that this is like peanuts. I can't just hear it once. I play it over and over and over. My soul mate said: Any wonder you're depressed all the time. Turn that off. Not a chance
It's pretty obvious why this opera is not produced more often. The role of Paul is so very difficult. King is one of the very few who could sing it with ease. Plenty of Mariettas around, but I can't imagine any currently singing tenor surviving the role of Paul.
This opera deserves more productions, I can't for the life of me figure out why it is so seldom staged. And Korngold deserves more composing credit than he is normally given. He was once very popular.
Kaum zu glauben, daß Götz Friedrich James King überreden mußte, da dieser glaubte nicht der geeignete Sänger für den Paul in der Tote Stadt zu sein. Götz Friedrich war davon fest überzeugt. Zu recht, wie sich zeigte. - Heinz
Dragan Vidic A giant amongst even other vocal greats. (What I also find personally fascinating is the sheer size of his head and also the extent to which his neck expands to accommodate the sound. The physical phenomenon of the man is just fantastic to behold, in addition to his artistry of course!
How do people feel that this man (Korngold) doesn't even get a MENTION in your typical undergraduate music history course? It infuriates me. I understand and can appreciate the accomplishments of Schoenberg and his compatriots but I believe it is largely thanks to them Korngold is ignored in the study of music history!
@billyguns2 I have three versions of this opera including the one you mention and I certainly wouldn't describe Kollo's voice as "pinched, nasal, and whiny." He's not at his best but he has a lovely lyrical voice. Your comment is mean-spirited. Cheer up! I'm sure Kollo sings much better than you do.
Burn in hell, indeed. I think true fans of opera want to see productions closer to the composer/libbretists intent and not the circus performances such as they are doing today (The Ring for one is so distorted that you have to close your eyes to enjoy the music).
but of course! kollo's voice "pinched, nasal and whiny". some people should have their ears sewn shut as punishment. or maybe pried open. yes, maybe that's the case.
I had the incredible privilege of having two weeks of lessons with Jimmy not long before he passed. He was a Titan but also incredibly kind and generous. I would never have become the teacher I am today without him. There is no heldentenor like him today. I guess we just have to wait a little.
I envy you. I'm 75 and first heard him when his first 2 vinyls were released. And then Das Lied von der Erde with Bernstein. Absolutely unique in tenor history to sing the Strauss roles flawlessly for a long career and then come to Tote Stadt. This 8 minutes is an opera in itself--the first minute I think I'm hearing part of Elektra I somehow forgot and a couple minutes later we arrive in J Strauss's Vienna. Not saying it's derivative in the least--Korngold was a great composer and orchestrator IMO. King shows what a great actor he was; nobody seems to notice this. The terror on his face is totally convincing and I especially like the little adjustments that he makes to his cuffs. I think his very best role was Herod; there's a complete performance from the Chicago opera. The singing is of course heroic (Herod is a king after all) but his portrayal of Herod's various mental illnesses is uncanny. (I know all about this firsthand.) His Aegisthus is similarly great but it's so much shorter. Thank heaven he lived in an era of good sound recordings.
I am also a big fan of Mr. King. He was suffering with Alzheimer. When you say things about the lessons with him at the end of his life, the reality was a lot more than the fact of his early alzheimer stage that he did not remember who was who in front of him. Whatever you said about the influence you had from the lessons were probably all in your head only. Stop exaggerating things like your comment here, when you teach btw. King had his healthy voice kept because he was "honest" about his vocal limit without going too far.
James King! Increíble ❤️
The most moving interpretation of Paul,and the only one that is convincing in voice and acting!!! Also the best production of this wonderful and not often played opera! So many wonderful singers, they all fit in very well! Thank you very much!
Overwhelming. One of the best performances of Die Tote Stadt ever. I only wish this (and Korngold's other operas for that matter) was performed more often, and in all major cities (not just Vienna).
James King/ Thomas Moser waren Glücksgriffe ..
A masterpiece of interpretation. James King IS Paul.
One of the most moving scenes in opera.
Thank you very much for posting this finale to a gorgeous opera, which deserves to be produced much more often.
It's getting singers with big enough voices to cut through the orchestra.
Marvelous James King!!! BRAVISSIMO!!!
Inouï !!! Sublime....merci de cette merveille !!! Et dire que j'a eu la chance d'écouter King en concert à la Monnaie.......
Amazing! Probably the most convincing Paul I ever heard. Thanks for posting this!!
Michael Dahmen , try and listen to Torsten Kerl. Then you will hopefully change your mind. this doesn't come close to his version really.
@@tenor82 much better than torsten
Wow. Incredible performance by King. Definitive. Definitive.
Definitive performance from James King. The ending with the gun is genius. The look in his eyes is unforgettable.
Its literally all in his eyes. You could just hear the music and see that and you'd see the world of pain this man has been through.
Un vrai heldentenor dans ce rôle très exigeant.Admirable !
James King was one of the great Wagnerian Heldentenors of the 20th century. I didn't know that he performed the role of Paul in Die Tote Stadt. Great voice and performance. The director's choice to end the opera with Paul about to commit suicide is a very different interpretation of the libretto, in which Paul finally moves past his grief and with "Ich will's versuchen" states that he wants to move on from the city of the dead.
Saw another production that ends with Paul's suicide and felt it was wrong because the music says to me that he's ready to move on. I mentioned this to singer Angela Denoke and she told me that is how the play on which this is based ends. Well, who knew? Incidentally, I had one voice lesson from Mr. King in the early '90's. Very kind man.
Kenneth Wayne But isn’t that suicide “to move on”? It is the only way Paul can escape the city of the dead...
There's two ways to interpret "ready to move on". One is to go live a new life. Another is to end the current life. The suicide route is the sadder interpretation, of course, but can be justified as a way to interpret the ending.
Aber er stimmt das"alte" Lied an..
Die ganze Oper ist in yt zu geniessen! Einfach grossartig!
One of my favorite clips on UA-cam. The only problem is that this is like peanuts. I can't just hear it once. I play it over and over and over. My soul mate said: Any wonder you're depressed all the time. Turn that off.
Not a chance
a tip : watch movies at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching a lot of movies these days.
@Trenton Turner Yup, have been using flixzone} for months myself :)
@Trenton Turner Yup, I have been watching on flixzone} for since december myself :D
King are good.d Armstrong are soooooo good. Saw King several times at the Old Met
It's pretty obvious why this opera is not produced more often. The role of Paul is so very difficult. King is one of the very few who could sing it with ease. Plenty of Mariettas around, but I can't imagine any currently singing tenor surviving the role of Paul.
ploplisphilin try Torsten kerl. He is sublime!!
@@tenor82 not as good as King or Kollo
@@WelshHomo87 Kollo is unlistenable.
Torsten Karl is incredible.
Da war King in Wien auch noch mit 64 stimmlich überzeugender, als Kerl in wesentlich jüngeren Jahren in Straßburg @@tenor82
Outstanding 🙏
My favourite die tote start which I own !!
King’s great perfomance.
This opera deserves more productions, I can't for the life of me figure out why it is so seldom staged. And Korngold deserves more composing credit than he is normally given. He was once very popular.
cpanati Paul is impossibly difficult to cast. The tenor role in this is absolutely relentless, on top of it being a major emotional roller coaster!
Selbst JK musste überredet werden Siegfried Jerusalem lehnte damals ab @@johnkunpark
This is a tremendous performance by all concerned. Is this available on DVD?
Kaum zu glauben, daß Götz Friedrich James King überreden mußte, da dieser glaubte nicht der geeignete Sänger für den Paul in der Tote Stadt zu sein. Götz Friedrich war davon fest überzeugt. Zu recht, wie sich zeigte. - Heinz
Eigentlich ist er sogar eingesprungen... Unglaublich
Thank
This man is a very good singer
James King is maybe old here but check his technique and listen to that FLOOD of sound...
Dragan Vidic A giant amongst even other vocal greats. (What I also find personally fascinating is the sheer size of his head and also the extent to which his neck expands to accommodate the sound. The physical phenomenon of the man is just fantastic to behold, in addition to his artistry of course!
Simplemente hermosa Opera
How do people feel that this man (Korngold) doesn't even get a MENTION in your typical undergraduate music history course? It infuriates me. I understand and can appreciate the accomplishments of Schoenberg and his compatriots but I believe it is largely thanks to them Korngold is ignored in the study of music history!
Is this the Berlin production?
Jimmy!!!!!;;
@billyguns2 : I think King died prior to the RCA Recording
Die Tote Stdt Aria final
3:44
@billyguns2 I have three versions of this opera including the one you mention and I certainly wouldn't describe Kollo's voice as "pinched, nasal, and whiny." He's not at his best but he has a lovely lyrical voice. Your comment is mean-spirited. Cheer up! I'm sure Kollo sings much better than you do.
...allerdings in einer anderen Auffuehrung!
Jerusalem
Burn in hell, indeed. I think true fans of opera want to see productions closer to the composer/libbretists intent and not the circus performances such as they are doing today (The Ring for one is so distorted that you have to close your eyes to enjoy the music).
La voz muy potente perfecto ,pero Kaufman sin ser una gra voz pone más sentimiento
but of course! kollo's voice "pinched, nasal and whiny". some people should have their ears sewn shut as punishment. or maybe pried open. yes, maybe that's the case.
listen to Torsten Kerl. That is how it's done!! this is OK. Torsten Kerl is just amazing and the best I've heard.
Rasmus Jupin nowhere close to James King or René Kollo