Comments on: filth a deux http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/ where opera is king and you, the readers, are queens Sun, 27 May 2012 00:25:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Hans Lick http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-4/#comment-34671 Hans Lick Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:57:28 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34671 It's a fine cabaletta, and dramatically necessary - Eleazar thinks of sparing Rachel in the aria, then hears a Christian mob exulting at the deaths of Jews and changes his mind, represented by the cabaletta. Too bad Shicoff could not manage it at the Met. (I forget whether Casanova sang it for Queler.) As for Merritt ... what a falling off was here. I remember his first Puritani at NYCO in ... well, must be 78 or 82 or so ... anyway, he had a lovely lyric tenor and easy E (did not attempt the F) trapped in a body the size of a brownstone with less stream lines. June Anderson was a spectacular Elvira too. Them was the days. This is ... just awful ... just ... oh dear. Was he substituting for somebody sick in Vienna? couldn't they get Rockwell Blake or Aquiles Machado? Ann Drummond-Grant - not a Turandot, but one HELL of a Dame Carruthers! And Queen of the Fairies! And Katisha! Them was the days. I'd have paid to hear Nilsson as Katisha. She HAD the costume. It’s a fine cabaletta, and dramatically necessary – Eleazar thinks of sparing Rachel in the aria, then hears a Christian mob exulting at the deaths of Jews and changes his mind, represented by the cabaletta. Too bad Shicoff could not manage it at the Met. (I forget whether Casanova sang it for Queler.)

As for Merritt … what a falling off was here. I remember his first Puritani at NYCO in … well, must be 78 or 82 or so … anyway, he had a lovely lyric tenor and easy E (did not attempt the F) trapped in a body the size of a brownstone with less stream lines. June Anderson was a spectacular Elvira too. Them was the days. This is … just awful … just … oh dear. Was he substituting for somebody sick in Vienna? couldn’t they get Rockwell Blake or Aquiles Machado?

Ann Drummond-Grant – not a Turandot, but one HELL of a Dame Carruthers! And Queen of the Fairies! And Katisha! Them was the days. I’d have paid to hear Nilsson as Katisha. She HAD the costume.

]]> By: Zinka the Kunc http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-4/#comment-34626 Zinka the Kunc Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:09:49 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34626 ......and we thought Stefan Zucker was a joke!!!!!!!!!....I heard that already 768 Jews converted (even without plastic surgery on their....) because of this horrrrrrendous singing... ……and we thought Stefan Zucker was a joke!!!!!!!!!….I heard that already 768 Jews converted (even without plastic surgery on their….) because of this horrrrrrendous singing…

]]> By: Tenorguy http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-4/#comment-34586 Tenorguy Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:20:42 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34586 Stages of singing: bel canto > can belto > can't belto > can't canto Obvious that Mr Merrit has entered fully into the last stage. Where oh where is his self-respect? Stages of singing: bel canto > can belto > can’t belto > can’t canto

Obvious that Mr Merrit has entered fully into the last stage. Where oh where is his self-respect?

]]> By: CerquettiFarrell http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34585 CerquettiFarrell Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:17:09 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34585 This is awful singing and the BRAVOs are embarrassing. Obviously his boyfriend. Actually I quite like this cabaletta and Carreras pulled it off OK in the complete set under De Almeida. Also I think Ben Heppner was quite good, also Alagna in his French arias album. This is awful singing and the BRAVOs are embarrassing. Obviously his boyfriend.

Actually I quite like this cabaletta and Carreras pulled it off OK in the complete set under De Almeida. Also I think Ben Heppner was quite good, also Alagna in his French arias album.

]]> By: Cassandra http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34569 Cassandra Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:42:03 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34569 Merritt's career was over years ago. At least a decade. He is singing character roles now, and not even really pulling that off. Who on earth hired him for this. Merritt’s career was over years ago. At least a decade. He is singing character roles now, and not even really pulling that off. Who on earth hired him for this.

]]> By: armerjacquino http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34546 armerjacquino Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:17:02 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34546 Thanks, la Cieca! Thanks, la Cieca!

]]> By: martello79 http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34544 martello79 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:11:48 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34544 I agree, this is horrible singing.... It's a bit painful for me to hear, because here in Amsterdam we know Chris Merritt for some great interpretations of character roles like Loge, Herodes and Sjoesjki. But also in that Fach I notice intonation problems becoming bigger over time; his last month Sjoesjki was absolutely less better than in 2001 and the same holds true for his 2005 Loge as compared to 1999.... But he really really should not sing this lyrical dramatical stuff anymore..... I agree, this is horrible singing….

It’s a bit painful for me to hear, because here in Amsterdam we know Chris Merritt for some great interpretations of character roles like Loge, Herodes and Sjoesjki. But also in that Fach I notice intonation problems becoming bigger over time; his last month Sjoesjki was absolutely less better than in 2001 and the same holds true for his 2005 Loge as compared to 1999….

But he really really should not sing this lyrical dramatical stuff anymore…..

]]> By: Brooklynpunk http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34534 Brooklynpunk Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:25:13 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34534 Amerjacquino(#22)---thanks for inquiring...and La Cieca (#23)---THANKS FOR PROVIDING..!!!--it is a lovely cabaletta--when done well... Amerjacquino(#22)—thanks for inquiring…and La Cieca (#23)—THANKS FOR PROVIDING..!!!–it is a lovely cabaletta–when done well…

]]> By: aghast in the USA http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34532 aghast in the USA Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:02:12 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34532 from both Chris and Vezzani, they both sound like they are signing not knowing the piece. I think the fault is also the composer. cabaletta's are not his strong suit. Chris wasn't helped by a faulty pheglm ridden note acute just before finisihing. Pity from both Chris and Vezzani, they both sound like they are signing not knowing the piece. I think the fault is also the composer. cabaletta’s are not his strong suit. Chris wasn’t helped by a faulty pheglm ridden note acute just before finisihing. Pity

]]> By: DirtyErda http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34530 DirtyErda Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:55:05 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34530 Well dears I think the BRAVO!!!!!! was because he was finished, the tenor that is. I mean who could stand anymore of that nonsense. Well dears I think the BRAVO!!!!!! was because he was finished, the tenor that is. I mean who could stand anymore of that nonsense.

]]> By: La Cieca http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34527 La Cieca Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:45:08 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34527 armerjacquino: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fGdPcW3n0Wo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fGdPcW3n0Wo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> armerjacquino:

]]> By: armerjacquino http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34517 armerjacquino Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:53:45 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34517 The cabaletta itself is quite exciting though, a shame it's not better known. I'd love to hear someone sing it sometime. The cabaletta itself is quite exciting though, a shame it’s not better known. I’d love to hear someone sing it sometime.

]]> By: Sanford http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-3/#comment-34516 Sanford Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:49:15 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34516 Well. I have to say that that is just about the filthiest filth you've ever posted. where is Wenarto when we need him most. Well. I have to say that that is just about the filthiest filth you’ve ever posted. where is Wenarto when we need him most.

]]> By: Les Hugenuts http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34496 Les Hugenuts Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:18:04 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34496 A little on the Flo Fo Jen side of taste. Who let the claque out of the poofter's palace? A little on the Flo Fo Jen side of taste. Who let the claque out of the poofter’s palace?

]]> By: Violetta D. Pensataci http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34495 Violetta D. Pensataci Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:12:33 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34495 Some of the finest <i>shoutstimme</i> I've ever heard. Some of the finest shoutstimme I’ve ever heard.

]]> By: Maury D'Annato http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34490 Maury D'Annato Sun, 09 Nov 2008 04:27:39 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34490 I'm a little in love with the phrase "not much worse than you might expect." It's not damning with faint praise; it's damning with slightly-more-than-half-hearted derision. I’m a little in love with the phrase “not much worse than you might expect.” It’s not damning with faint praise; it’s damning with slightly-more-than-half-hearted derision.

]]> By: jatm2063 http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34479 jatm2063 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:28:50 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34479 Okay, I listened again. The first time through I wondered if he was drunk. The second time through I wondered if he even knew the piece at all, at times it seems as if he is composing as he goes along, or just completely forgot it in the moment and was flailing his way through behind the orchestra. Okay, I listened again.

The first time through I wondered if he was drunk.

The second time through I wondered if he even knew the piece at all, at times it seems as if he is composing as he goes along, or just completely forgot it in the moment and was flailing his way through behind the orchestra.

]]> By: actfive http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34478 actfive Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:28:41 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34478 Good Lord. This is AWFUL. He was not in the same county as the pitch. WHY sing this??? Good Lord. This is AWFUL. He was not in the same county as the pitch. WHY sing this???

]]> By: jatm2063 http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34477 jatm2063 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:26:13 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34477 What in the hell.....I must listen again. Its funny, aside from the screaming maniac (his boyfriend?) the rather faint sounding applause seems polite at best, and you do hear scattered boos in the distance. Time to join the faculty at IU. What in the hell…..I must listen again.

Its funny, aside from the screaming maniac (his boyfriend?) the rather faint sounding applause seems polite at best, and you do hear scattered boos in the distance.

Time to join the faculty at IU.

]]> By: mrmyster http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34471 mrmyster Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:00:30 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34471 Who in the world would hire Chris to sing arias with orchestra? Where was this? We hear Chris at Santa Fe as a comprimario - at most. He could barely sing Herod and he did not get by at all in The Tempest -- in this aria we hear exactly the problem: he can make the noise but he has no pitch; he seems either sharp or flat and the voice has little dynamic control. Time to re-tire, as the Firestone ads used to say. MrM/sfe Who in the world would hire Chris to sing arias with orchestra? Where was this? We hear Chris at Santa Fe as a comprimario – at most. He could barely sing Herod and he did not get by at all in The Tempest — in this aria we hear exactly the problem: he can make the noise but he has no pitch; he seems either sharp or flat and the voice has little dynamic control. Time to re-tire, as the Firestone ads used to say.
MrM/sfe

]]> By: rysanekfreak http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34464 rysanekfreak Sun, 09 Nov 2008 02:39:03 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34464 The fool yelling Bravo! must be Merritt's agent or manager or personal assistant. Let's go with P.A., and part of his job is to record everything Merritt sings with his little recorder hidden in his jacket pocket and to yell Bravo! after every aria. Even so, I'm sure he is not paid nearly enough. Some jobs are clearly worse than other jobs. Is this really from 2008? The last time I saw Merritt was in San Francisco in St. Francois d'Assise as The Leper and I saw in the program that Herod in Salome was another one of his roles. I thought he had safely entered the "character tenor" fach, and it dismays me to see that he is trying to go back to the big tenor roles that actually require good, secure, polished vocalism. What next?--another attempt at the Puritani Arturo? The fool yelling Bravo! must be Merritt’s agent or manager or personal assistant. Let’s go with P.A., and part of his job is to record everything Merritt sings with his little recorder hidden in his jacket pocket and to yell Bravo! after every aria. Even so, I’m sure he is not paid nearly enough. Some jobs are clearly worse than other jobs.

Is this really from 2008? The last time I saw Merritt was in San Francisco in St. Francois d’Assise as The Leper and I saw in the program that Herod in Salome was another one of his roles. I thought he had safely entered the “character tenor” fach, and it dismays me to see that he is trying to go back to the big tenor roles that actually require good, secure, polished vocalism. What next?–another attempt at the Puritani Arturo?

]]> By: MissJohnsonFromLondon http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34460 MissJohnsonFromLondon Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:16:54 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34460 Dear jdjeff-- I didn't mean to impugn individuals who suffer from conditions such as yours--I meant those who cannot discriminate good singing from bad. Having perfect hearing doesn't mean that he who has it also has perfect taste; nor does having compromised hearing mean that one cannot hear perfectly what an artist is about. One hears at the altitude of one's consciousness. I knew someone who heard Birgit's Turandot many times, but always longed instead for Anne Drummond-Grant's Katisha (a great assumption, by the way), but still... Dear jdjeff–
I didn’t mean to impugn individuals who suffer from conditions such as yours–I meant those who cannot
discriminate good singing from bad. Having perfect hearing
doesn’t mean that he who has it also has perfect taste; nor does having compromised hearing mean that one cannot
hear perfectly what an artist is about. One hears at the
altitude of one’s consciousness. I knew someone who heard Birgit’s Turandot many times, but always longed instead for Anne Drummond-Grant’s Katisha (a great assumption, by the way), but still…

]]> By: tohunga54 http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-2/#comment-34457 tohunga54 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:27:20 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34457 Perfect. I have suffered 7 months of "statutory noise nuisance" by "neighbors from Hell". And you have now provided me the ultimate deterrent. Or failing that, Mutually Assured Destruction. Perfect. I have suffered 7 months of “statutory noise nuisance” by “neighbors from Hell”. And you have now provided me the ultimate deterrent. Or failing that, Mutually Assured Destruction.

]]> By: jdjeff http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-34456 jdjeff Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:20:11 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34456 In response to no.8. I'm partially deaf in one ear and I could still tell it was bad! Maybe I have a chance at a career in opera after all. Apparently ability is not a prerequisite... just some noisy person to yell bravo when you are finished. In response to no.8. I’m partially deaf in one ear and I could still tell it was bad! Maybe I have a chance at a career in opera after all. Apparently ability is not a prerequisite… just some noisy person to yell bravo when you are finished.

]]> By: Chacowhacko http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-34446 Chacowhacko Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:53:48 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34446 Is he still famous? Is he still famous?

]]> By: MissJohnsonFromLondon http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-34443 MissJohnsonFromLondon Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:10:21 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34443 Why do people who cannot hear choose to go to the opera? Why do people who cannot hear choose to go to the opera?

]]> By: Andy http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-34439 Andy Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:36:25 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34439 It reminded me of "Jour et nuit" from <i>Les Contes d'Hoffmann</i>. C'est la methode... It reminded me of “Jour et nuit” from Les Contes d’Hoffmann. C’est la methode…

]]> By: High C's @ 4:20 http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-34433 High C's @ 4:20 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:36:16 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34433 HOLY SHIT Chris Merritt's STALKER scared the hell out of me with that first BRAVO!!!!!!!!!... Im guessing the rest of the applause was cuz he perhaps left the stage??? HOLY SHIT Chris Merritt’s STALKER scared the hell out of me with that first BRAVO!!!!!!!!!…

Im guessing the rest of the applause was cuz he perhaps left the stage???

]]> By: Harold http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-34428 Harold Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:02:28 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34428 This reminds me of Anna Moffo's later attempts at singing. Also of Stefan Zucker's early attempts at singing. This reminds me of Anna Moffo’s later attempts at singing. Also of Stefan Zucker’s early attempts at singing.

]]> By: Gualtier Maldè http://parterre.com/2008/11/08/filth-a-deux/comment-page-1/#comment-34424 Gualtier Maldè Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:40:38 +0000 http://parterre.com/?p=1689#comment-34424 Clearly the man who recorded this performance in house is same person who is screaming bravo. I heard some boos faintly in the distance while he screams his head off. Neil Shicoff dropped this cabaletta when he did "La Juive" at the Met. There are multiple high C's in it. Clearly the man who recorded this performance in house is same person who is screaming bravo. I heard some boos faintly in the distance while he screams his head off. Neil Shicoff dropped this cabaletta when he did “La Juive” at the Met. There are multiple high C’s in it.

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