NormanH

Just watched the song final and was very disappointed that the Turkish tenor didn't win. He gave one of the best performances of Nacht und Traume that I have ever heard and listen to him singing Schumann in an earlier round http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02v3b2m The Korean so-called 'bass' has no bottom notes to his voice as he showed woefully in the first round (as opposed to the superb German http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02tw4l8  ) , and I can't think for the life of me how he has been chosen as a 'wild card' for the full final..

Have now watched round 2 and two  things strike me. 1) How much better the WNO orchestra is 2) Singers shouldn't choose French repertoire..it is almost always the kiss of death, and they can never pronounce the text convincingly.

Just watched the first round (disappointed that  the Song round is only on radio till tonight's final since that is my preferred part). I agree that the tenor gave the most committed performance, but WHAT a voice the German bass has. He was outstanding from that point of view.

Hadn't realised it had started....will look on iplayer. Thanks for the information.[:D]

Thank you. He and the opera are completely new to me too....

Ibsen believed Per Gynt, the Norwegian fairy tale on which the play is loosely based, to be rooted in fact, and several of the characters are modelled after Ibsen's own family, notably his parents Knud Ibsen and Marichen Altenburg. He was also generally inspired by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen's collection of Norwegian fairy tales, published in 1845 (Huldre-Eventyr og Folkesagn). (also from Wiki) It is a magical play, but has to be adapted for modern performance. I think it could make a wonderful series of films.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8AD75_sNJM&html5=1 I made a practiacl performence version of Peer Gynt (the original would take about 5 hours) which was put on with Grieg's music. The music which can seem  a little over-sweet out of context gets an extra dimension when heard in the drama. Asa's death and the the Mountain King music especially so but this song also when you see her on stage with her spinning wheel all alone... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJTJDNGBkC8 As his mother ASA lies dying Peer answers her fearful questions with fantastical answers from the imagination which sometimes leads him astray, but here serves to ease her passage...

is ist this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbVgaywheEA

I love the Britten arrangement, but I also enjoy this if only for the accent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PcuGnNdCzo as an encore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JScrL4bpJ9c

Great .I really enjoyed it last time. I hope they have kept the Song category (as opposed to Opera)

This looks as if the recordings might be very beautiful: https://www.klassik.tv/videos/teodor-currentzis-records-mozart-teodor-currentzis-das-mozart-da-ponte-projekt-01/

This is a bit 'popular' in the selection of the music, but I enjoy it. I have more than a passing acquaintance with the building.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRwhkBAeheM

You should be able to watch Arte+7 (catch-up) on your computer. As I have sad before some simple external speakers or earphones transform the sound... http://concert.arte.tv/fr

Did you catch this? http://concert.arte.tv/fr/les-arts-florissants-jouent-la-philharmonie-de-paris

My favorite memory of his young 'golden' voice is this, when he was under the wing of Richard Bonynge Listen to how he can sing top notes softly and tenderly [:D] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkcEdTpbP9E

I can but echo Big Mac's admiration for your skill. I can't imagine how anyone can achieve that.

Thank you

I heard the whole opera later, but this afternoon there are the gems...

Yes heard it:)  didn't much like the Cole piece though..

Hopping mad about the presentation of the keyboard finale! Just as the piece begins the editor cut away to a clip of the performer talking  GRRRRRRR

Sorry was offline for a couple of days with SFR..

Will have a mesmerised listen [:D]

Those days are lovely:) Have you ever watched this version? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LsZpitl-cI&feature=em-subs_digest-vrecs&html5=1

Thank you for that...I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was for me too just what was needed..

Not my usual style but this is exceptional vocal virtuosity and great performance. First the standard Cole Porter song then the new version La version 'standard'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXnRmRi-kpQLove for saleappetizing young love for salelove thats fresh and still unspoiledlove thats only slightly soiledlove for salewho will buywho would like to sample my supplywho's prepared to pay the pricefor a trip to paradiselove for salelet the poets pipe of lovein their childish waysI know every type of lovebetter far than theyif you want the thrill of loveI have been through the mill of loveold lovenew loveevery love but true lovelove for saleappetizing young love for saleif you want to buy my wares follow me and clime the stairslove for saleVersion Dee dee Bridgwater:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_KLCZG0bro&html5=1