shabby little shocker
Not Tosca, of course, cher public — La Cieca could never say that about her dear, dear Tosca. But it does seem both shabby and shocking that the combined forces of The New York Philharmonic and Charles Zachary Bornstein, the Philharmonic’s Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence would not at the very least ask for a retake of the following video clip embedded in the NYP’s site. Wait patiently through the early platitudinizing for the final thirty seconds or so of the clip, when soprano (?) Courtenay Schowalter bravely attempts to sight-read the spiky intervals of that rarely-heard vocal work “Vissi d’arte” whilst Maestro Bornstein fakes the accompaniment by ear. (What, the New York Philharmonic couldn’t afford a vocal score of Tosca? Or couldn’t they afford a Scholar-in-Residence who can read six flats?)
Entrenched mediocrity.
She does get one note wrong toward the end of descending line quante miserie conobbi aiutai, but I suspect it’s because at that point her ear can’t keep up with an accompaniment that started in Puccini, meandered to Poulenc, stopped by Stravisnky, closed in on Berg and wound up somewhere around “Kitten on the Keys.”
And I love the little “SPOILER AHEAD” in the plot synopsis.
“Kitten on the keys” – hilarious – thanks for the chuckle
Veezy d’arte, the political prisoner Angelo, the “Viennese style” of Non la sospiri…
The singer is a vocal cripple. She’s obviously wrecked her voice, quit singing, got a yob at the NYPhil and has come out of retirement to share her vocal stylings including wobbles on F natural.
He’s got a score in front of him, but he obviously can’t read music thinking the piece is in D flat. The NY Phil should revoke his salary. No; they should sue him.
It is rather laughable.
I find it odd that the NY Phil couldn’t get their Tosca (Hee Haw) to sing a bit for this video, rather than one of the secretaries who used to sing. That said, she does hold on rather well considering what he’s doing at the piano. I almost feel sorry for her. Almost.
Didn’t anyone at the NY Phil watch/listen before they put this up?
At one point near the end of the second talky section he seems to be drunk.
It’s gratifying to see the NY Phil doing a concert version of Tosca, as that work is so rarely performed that the New York public might never otherwise have a chance to experience a live performance of that obscure work.
Just like Washington Opera’s presenting a concert version of Cavalleria, this week, as if otherwise one might never have the opportunity to experience this rare Mascagni work (No offense to Dolora Zajick and Salvatore Licitra who were both in excellent voice last Sunday). Nevertheless, why couldn’t have some other deserving Mascagni work have been essayed. “Iris”, perhaps?
What language was she singing in?
I’m wondering why a lyric who sings Zerlina and Euridice is even singing Puccini. She had to take a breath in the middle of the “connobi” phrase? Anyone who sings Puccini should have the support to get through that phrase.
C FLAT! C FLAT! *bangs head repeatedly against wall*
I’ve totally played that better myself.