Dame Kiri Te Kanawa & Kathleen Battle - Duet - "Arabella"
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- Опубліковано 13 кві 2008
- Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (as Arabella) & Kathleen Battle (as Zdenka) sing the Sisters' Duet "Ich danke Fräulein...aber der Richtige" from the act I of the opera "Arabella" by Richard Strauss (1864-1949). From a Broadcast of Metropolitan Opera House, Erich Leinsdorf / conductor. New York, USA, 1983.
Breath taking! The two most beutiful voices of their generation together! Wish they could have done more things together!
This is one of the most beautifully sung duets that I have ever heard. No matter the circumstances, it is a true compliment to them both.
Absolutely gorgeous singing!!! This is the definitive rendition!
I just love both of these ladies. I agree with comments that they should have sung more together.
Both great sopranos xoxoxo
First opera I ever saw performed live was Kiri Te Kanawa in Arabella in 1984 at the Chicago Lyric Opera. I was hooked immediately. Brilliant
You know a duet is great when its decades later and people still reference it on the internet when it comes to any other paring the MET tries to put together, lol. people still have these notes stuck in their mind, thats greatness/beauty
Kathleen battle became famous for secodary roles like this, opera fans became enthralled with the clear beautiful sound she had, and people would come and see this opera at the MET over and over again for this very duet alone! and its in the first act, lol. It does not get any better than these two ladies. this opera had not been performed for almost half a century before the MET decided to take a gamble, and anyone will tell you this 1983 version was worth the Gamble!
I saw Battle just a few years ago, and she could still deliver. Sang the Mozart 'Alleluia' and sounded great, voice filled the sizable hall with no problem. Her onstage demeanor was everything you have heard/read it to be- indifferent attitude, weird mouth positions, rudely conducting with her hands behind the conductor's back. But, as always has been her saving grace, that gorgeous voice.
THEY SOUND BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER!!!
its sublime
I disagree. This role has been sung by light sopranos and in my opinion, Kathleen was perfect for that role. She is able to project the voice over the orchestra and does not let Kiri's bigger voice overpower her.
omg! omg! omg! omg! omg!!!!!! How did you get this? I have wanted to hear them sing this duet for YEARS. I am overwhelmed, yay!
They r both so fab here
Kiri is divine!!! It was as if Strauss wrote the role of Arabella for her!!! Renee Fleming is a great Arabella too IMHO, but I think Kiri is just even more sublime and creamily divine :)
Kiri's the greatest. Battle holds her own, but Kiri is the best Arabella in decades.
@@hawaiilawhawaii6174 Both Kiri Te Kanawa and Lisa Della Casa have been the greatest exponents of ARABELLA of the XX Century
The beauty of these two voices complement each other so well.
BRAVE !
@evildell Jessye Norman toured mostly in Europe, not the US. She went oversea's big difference, BTW Jessye was known as being difficult/Diva as well. THEY ALL WERE! including Dame Kiri
@ yesblanche
It may be like that in the US or in the record industry. But in a normal German opera house it isn´t. Remember when Grace Bumbry made her debut in Beyreuth - Wagner, could it be more German, more blonde hair and white skin? But as far as I remember she began to sing there in the very early seventies. Kathleen Battle was intruduced in a big German TV show as a hopeful talent in the very beginning of her career and everybody, me and collegues, were overwhelmed by her voice.
Regardless of the back story, this is an interesting duo together.
@DavidoffGustav Naw she had performed Daughter of the Regiment at the Opera house in Sanfrancisco for weeks before she was to perform it at the MET, so she was already ready to go sorta speak
@judycadana I saw her too at that last Carnegie Hall recital. She was really wonderful. Schubert songs and spirituals mostly. I don't know how she would have sounded had she tried to do any of the fast coloratura stuff but the voice is definitely a bit more lyric-ky lol
Ohhhh!!!!!!!!
couture. I agree with what you are saying. I think that many black opera singers have phenomenal talent, and particularly love Leontyne Price. The two featured here, Kathleen Battle and Kiri te Kanawa are also very good. I still cannot see why Americans so love people like Beyonce, Rihanna and Carey.
By the way, both of these beautiful singers ADORE Leontyne Price.
@jacksvoice Ms. Battle's career was curtailed by Joseph Volpe wanting to flex his muscle as general director and show James Levine who was boss....NOT by an inability to deliver.
naters81 I think you prove my point in that out of all the "many fine African American opera singers" that purportedly appear reguarly you are only able to name 2 (one of whom is rather famous) both of which are sopranos (any tenors other than Brownlee praytell). 2 prominent singers appearing reguarly doesn't constitute "many".
Yes, they were not fond of each other.
My wife workes with Ms. Battle in Washington, D.C. and she was perfectly lovely to her...and my wife is another soprano. They got on famously. And her voice is STILL fresh and young and beautiful sounding. There is no reason that Ms. Battle, as one of the great AMERICAN lyric sopranos should not be working at the MET today. BUT the MET is whiter or more "Vanilla" than it was in even 1957. When AMERICAN artists cannot get hired in THEIR OWN greatest opera house because of the color of their skin- there is a problem. The talent IS there in ABUNDANCE in AMERICAN singers of every color and flavor, but are largely ignored in favor of the influx of Eastern European artists who will work for practically zero cash. Back in the days of the great impressario Rudolph Bing, the Metropolitan Opera was truly a jewel in the crown of opera around the entire world. The best singers got the jobs. Period. It didn't matter WHERE they were from or what they looked like. Talent, substance, artistry, voices-mattered. And Bing broke the mold by giving great African American singers leading roles...Leontyne Price made her debut in the house the SAME night as legendary Italian tenor Franco Corelli. We should have MOVED ON from there- yet we have not. We have gone backwards. I mean forget it if you are an African American MAN and you wish to have an opera career in America. Or Asian. Or anything that isn't WHITE. Talent should equal work in classical music. Period. THIS IS TALENT. Who cares who got t-shirts made or who did what...If THIS kind of glorious singing is the result...PLAY ON!
Oh my goodness, such rancor and bitterness. I guess you have not been to the opera in more than a couple of decades because there are quite a few people of color singing at the Met and on an International level! I will pray for you.
I know this is old, but what the fuck are you jabbering about? Loud and wrong. Rudolph Bing was notorious for not hiring Americans, in their own Opera House. He felt, outside of a few instances, that a European artform should be practiced best by Europeans. He had a very low opinion of Americans. Look him up. Research what the singers of that era said of him. Not very flattering.
Good grief, you couldn’t be more wrong about why she doesn’t work at the MET. She was fired because of a long chain of despicable behavior to her fellow singers, conductor, and staff.
@@danielhughes441 Thank you for those frank and HONEST words!!!
@@danielhughes441 I find it very strange that ONLY in reference to Kathleen Battle do you negative trolls find it necessary to over emphasize her alleged behaviors. Go to Callas videos and you NEVER hear mention of her notorious diva tantrums, blatantly unprofessional behaviors and clashes with fellow cast members and conductors the world over! Toscanini at one point refused to work with her. At least Kathleen Battle, unlike Callas, had the professional decency to not show up for rehearsals and performances quite obviously inebriated!!! Why don't you all ever make mention of that fact? Yeah, it's called racism and selective demonizing!
Its unfortunate that McLaughlin was chosen for the video recording/broadcast. She never had a secure top and her high notes SUCK on the DVD... This pairing would have been sooo much better.
@DavidoffGustav : this is not true... please listen to the clips here on youtube of Kathy singing Marie. Kathy was a FINE Marie!
Yes, piggy. I know Kiri is not liked in China. But she is admired in plenty of other countries, like Brazil and Japan, for example. The Chinese market is important, but not the only one in the world.
Its to bad they didnt use Battle for the telecast. McLaughlin could not handle the testitura.
Was this from the Met? There's a famous story about these two in this production, right?
VERY TRUE yesblanche.
when you listen to this do you really care? =)
Janotiwz e Gruberova su un altro pianeta, ricordatevelo!
No, per niente!
@Bahia82 Thank-you, that's very interesting. But I prefer to use my own ears.
@pfhrsharp here are "a few facts"...KB was not the first nor the last 'difficult' singer to appear at the MET...also how can you state that 'nobody else who was before her acted like she did' given the company's 100 plus year history and the notorious tales of Nilsson, Corelli, and others. Based on reporting surrounding this event it really seems like it was primarily a power move by Volpe (whose tenure was marked by some of the company's least impressive presentations).
Well good for Seattle....we certainly don't see them here in New York....though Gotham chamber opera did recently stage a charming interracial L'sola disabitata this past winter. Didn't mean to attack you, but I simply won't submit to anyone who claims this isn't an issue. You might wish to view the documentary "Aida's brothers and sisters" for more insight before you claim this problem is relegated to just the NY opera community.
@ yesblanche
Another reason may be the German theatre system, what means opera, play and ballet in one house, in one ensemble. You can´t show a play by Goethe or Shakespeare and be a racist at the same time. There is a deep ethic and humanistic background in our theatres. And Adorno (German philosopher) wrote in the 60s: the art in general has to be a critical mirror for the whole society, that´s it´s duty. And I guess many artists took that in.
@pfhrsharp and you being African-American yourself does not affect how I responded.
@bcom11 That is one thing you could never accuse me of being is ill informed!
@jacksvoice Just so know if you go back and look at the NYT and others review of this staged production, you'll find Battle not Kiri got the most accolades during its run.
It is hard to discern who is singing but certainly beautifully sung by both.
You made that up. lol
Wow...there really is no need to respond to a comment that contains the phrase 'Battle's not even that black'. Anyone writing something that offensive and racially insensitive isn't worth my time.
Well, she is not that "black" for many people. Her mother looked very white and Ms. Battle is very light-skinned with European facial features. She does not have the same facial features attributed to non-mixed African or black people. I do not find those words about her "not being that black" to be offensive. Maybe you need to accept and love yourself.
@ yesblanche
I don´t think that the African-American aspect could be a reason for Kathleen Battle´s behavior. I worked long enough in the opera to say that this is a place where you hardly find any racism or discrimination. If it wouldn´t be like that how could everyone work on so many works with ethic and moral contents? I don´t say that the opera is an ideal place but it surely is a much better place according to those sad conditions you mentioned.
@yesblanche
Just a few facts. Before Kathleen there were at least three African American female opera singers who were performing when Kathleen started or had just finished their careers. Nobody, nobody else who was before her acted like she did. I liked Kathleen Battle. She was my inspiration to singing opera. She was the first African American female opera singer I heard. And it gave me hope as an African American woman myself to believe that it was possible.
You’re an ignorant idiot
@@armongolliday9866 Well, with that intelligent comment, I....oh wait...that wasn't intelligent...oh, I get it!!! Your comment was to show your communication skills....yeah... Thanks so much for your...uh,... mature dialogue! ;)
@@pfhrsharp You’re right. That wasn’t a very mature comment. I apologize. My issue is that folks act like they’re Mother Theresa when it comes to Kathleen Battle. Given that she deals with bipolar disorder, it almost comes across as mental health shaming. Furthermore, as a professional singer who has performed with everyone from Samuel Ramey, Renee Fleming, Kathleen Battle, Frederica von Stade, Thomas Hampton, Ruth Ann Swenson…the list goes on, I can personally attest to the fact that other singers act much worse than Miss Battle allegedly acted, and they only get a slap on the wrist (and who have far less talent). Miss Battle was to be an example to any other black artist who got too ahead of themselves.
@@armongolliday9866 I understand your perspective. I started looking for information on Kathleen Battle being diagnosed with bipolar disorder but haven't found anything online. Can you provide that information please? I will say, though, that looking at some famous people who have been diagnosed with that disorder who were able to not be overly rude and difficult to work with. You say she allegedly acted a certain way. It may be alleged to us, but it was a fact for those who dealt with her. There are a lot of black singers who are very good, both before her and after her, and that lesson would mean nothing to them, because they would never act in an unprofessional way. The amount of talent does not give anyone carte blanche to act any kind of way. Again, I'd love to see the information about her diagnosis.
I will also say that I have personally seen her behave in a completely unprofessional way during a concert she gave. It sealed the deal for me personally, because it was as if she didn't care that there were people in the audience watching her perform. She will always be the first source of inspiration for me. But from the time I began to hear of her being difficult, she stopped being that for me. It could be beneficial to know that once she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she began to get help for that and became much easier to work with. But I'd have to read that somewhere to believe it.
@@pfhrsharp I have spoken to both her sister, Sharon, and nephew, Jason, who have verified that information. I also read it someplace, which I will post once I find it. Do you like Maria Callas? If so, are you aware that not only was she rude to her colleagues, she was also known to be physically violent? That she, like Battle, was also fired from the Met at one point for “unprofessional behaviors”? Why is she not vilified? There seems to be a double-standard when it comes to Battle. Furthermore, we have all been horrible at one point or another (many times), but we don’t want our lives reduced to our shortcomings. I suppose I choose to look at her with a little more grace and compassion. It’s likely at the time that she was acting out due to fear and insecurity. Being a “diva” is often a defense mechanism. Not making excuses for the alleged behaviors from almost three decades ago. Just don’t think any of us have the right to crucify her or anyone else.
@yesblanche I care little for behind the scenes tittle tattle - it's the performance that stands the test of time. Kiri's assumption here is intelligent and complete (the best Arabella I've heard), Kathleen, though evoking a younger sister very well in this case, wouldn't have had her career curtailed, had she not pressed her voice out so much. All singers have to survive their fame and rise to always meet expectations. Sadly, that's something that can break even the greatest of talents.
@yesblanche
Perhaps, there is really no excuse for talking about anyone in that fashion. However, Jessye Norman was under the same constraints, and she managed to maintain a sense of great dignity and warmth that drew people to her..
I suspect that this was just a slightly off night, I've never heard her struggle with the high tessitura like she did towards the end of this clip. Her Zdenka was reviewed EXTREMELY positively. I think she sounds GREAT in the solo part of her duet, just some off breathing I think at the end.
music. I never said that black singers aren't popular. It is just that they don't see the big money in classical that there is in pop. The probmen is that the big promoters like Barack Obama, Ellen De Generes and Oprah Winfrey feature black pop stars and not black opera singers. I feel this is killing opera.
Please... all these defenses of Kathleen Battle. Before her... there was Leontyne Price, Shirley Verret, Grace Bumbry, Reri Grist, Florence Quivar, Leona Mitchell, and yes Jesse Norman.... Battle's behavior was impossible.
Andrew Rudin - Do you go to videos of the Queen of "behavior was impossible", Maria Callas and make your venomous comments about her notoriously unprofessional, quite intoxicated diva tantrums and conflicts with fellow cast members, musicians and conductors the world over? Yet, despite the extremely consistent horrible behaviors of Callas, she is still celebrated as "great" while only Kathleen Battle is criticized!
@@ChagoWilson Maria was fired from the Met as well. Also, MANY people don't consider Callas' voice to be beautiful, whereas most agree about the beauty of Battle's voice.
Mattiwilda Dobbs, Isola Jones, etc.
I don't know about them being plentiful. Not in this day and age. More African Americans in the 1970's had more successful operatic careers than today.
@16toulousse don't you dare compare their two separate struggles as one in the same. that is careless, ill-informed and irresponsible.
Again you prove my point "not many black opera singers"....bollocks....."black men I have seen in operas tend to be basses or bass baritones"....because THOSE ARE THE ONLY ONES THEY HIRE. Tenors are generally heroic, virile, sexually desired characters in opera and white folks aren't very comfortable seeing black men in such roles. "...possibly culture"....how condescending. This discussion should end. I feel bad monopolizing so much space on an argument falling on ignorant ears.
Absolutely stunning but why doesn't he or she fix the atrocious video?
Sehr schön gesungenes Duett,aber für mich bleiben Lisa Della Casa und Anneliese Rothenberger in diesem Duett unerreicht, Lisa Della Casa war die Arabella
I know I'm going to take heat for this but the opera industry is not an even playing field....particularly when it comes to black men (specifically tenors...and before you start shouting about Brownlee...who is terrific...try to name another one who is a prominent figure on the international scene). I don't work in this profession but I have plenty of friends who are artists of color working in your business and I think they'd laugh out loud if you told them there was no racism or discrimination
swanning, I did not say anything about popularity. I am confused about your comment in general. Barack Obama is the President of the US, not a music promoter. LOL! Never mind. I will be more confused if I get another response.
At first I wondered why a Jussie Smollett video linked to this, and after reading the comment that follows mine and remembering Battle's repulsive character, it makes perfect sense
you = poop.
Hopefully, you are learning Otello....Take a page from Leontyne Price and sing the h*** out of this role! Set the bar so high that they say "Placido who?"
musikenergy. Obama always invites as his guest to sing people like Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Rihanna. He unfortunately does not encourage opera. You are unlikely to see an invite from him Ms. Battle.
Thanks for posting this clip...beautiful...When Kathleen Battle was "on" she was on. Having seen and heard her live many times, there were/are definite inconsistencies with her voice. It's sad that the "machine" who made her is the same machine that destroyed her. They over hyped her abilities so much even she began to believe it and thus act like she possessed those over hyped talents. Talented yes but to the realm she reached...no. I've heard many Soubrettes who were far more talented.
And maybe you could be more polite to express your opinion.
@yesblanche but had her talent been so great, why should a firing by one company end her career? Wouldn't she have been snapped up elsewhere?
NOT true. Where I live, there are a plethora of African American opera singers, who many don't know exist. It is NOT a cultural thing. Many white singers don't turn to opera either. I don't see your point.
1st, the singers you mention sing pop, not gospel. The only one who have the instrument for opera would be Mariah Carey. As far as your comment on the best African American singers, I know a plethora of INCREDIBLE African American singers who sing classical. They just aren't famous. There is a whole world of talented people who are of all races, white, black, etc that are incredible singers period. All of the best isn't always famous. FAME is alot of sacrifice. Not all singers want that.
Beyonce could have possibly sung opera, if she had started out studying it and not pop music.
musikenergy. The problem is that the best African Americans singers don't go into classical music any more - no money. Look at Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Beyonce. They all sing gospel.
The tempo is too slow, seems both of them sang this duet boredly.
WRONG swanningaround. 1st of all, Denyce Graves has already performed there. Grace Bumbry has been honored there. I've sung with an opera singer who's sung there more than once. I'm done with this conversation. Apparently you get your information from unreliable tabloid sources. I'm an opera singer and a real fan of opera. I don't know where you got your resources from, but its laughable that you actually believe that. LOL!
@yesblanche
...But I didn't just like her singing, it was her personality and how I thought she handled herself and others. When I learned a few years later that she was basically acting like a B, I couldn't look at her the same way. Nobody wants to work with a difficult person. Also, there was a comment on here about why being dismissed from one opera house should be a problem and why she can't get picked up by someone else. Bottom line...when you've been kicked out of the Met, that's it..
@yesblanche Kiri has experienced racism herself being called half cast being part maorietc and doesn't behave like that so....
Maori are really black people.
@@mariomazzi7894 you’re a moron.
@yesblanche here's another fact, KB was thrown out of the MET!!! ok? Never allowed to come back!!! That's not just her being 'difficult', that's her being down right stupid!!! There's no reason ANYONE should have to act that way!! I've seen her in concert. And she did a few things that were completely unprofessional. So I know what I'm talking about.