Thread: How far can you make it?

OK, to put things in perspective - and to put poor David Gilmour on his place (although I do like him a lot) - let's listen to the same aria with Placido Domingo:

Originally Posted by Almaviva

Well, sure, Roger Waters is a better composer and musician and more creative than Gilmour, who is on the other hand a better performer, in my opinion.

Gilmour is definetely a better musician (ie better at playing his instrument) than Waters. Waters does excell in the conceptualization/creative dept. as you mentioned.

Originally Posted by Almaviva

I've just played again the Gilmour clip... I really like it. I wonder what the surely opera-naïve audience thought of it. Probably they found it to be very beautiful (and it is) and would be surprised to know that it comes from an opera.

That's the problem with Pink Floyd post Waters: Gilmour's a beautiful musician, but he's playing rock, not classical music. Waters was the one who added the grit to Pink Floyd that made them much more emotionally powerful than many of their overpolished prog rock peers of the 70's. Without him they are just yet another boring guitar/keyboard mashing setup. Waters wasn't wrong to say that Pink Floyd was a spent force when he left them, but so too was Genesis, Yes and all of their peers. Their era was over already, and it took the new generation of prog rock artists (Porcupine Tree, Riverside, Spock's Beard etc) to revive the genre.

Originally Posted by tdc

Gilmour is definetely a better musician (ie better at playing his instrument) than Waters. Waters does excell in the conceptualization/creative dept. as you mentioned.

Maybe I chose poorly my words, but when I said performer, I meant that Gilmour plays his instrument well. I think we agree, it's just that I didn't say it properly.

Oh, dear . . . I won't even attempt it. What I find truly disturbing are the number of major opera houses of late that are allowing this man on their stages - the Wiener Staatsoper and the Met are two that come to mind. Granted, his appearances at these houses appear to be as concerts; he isn't being engaged for roles in any operas. But I'm afraid such appearances lend legitimacy to efforts by his promoters and at least some of his fans to pass him off as a bona fide opera singer -- something he is not and never has been.

As a side note, I'm a newcomer to this forum. I've very much enjoyed reading all of the other members' posts. This is going to become addictive . . .

Originally Posted by MAuer

Oh, dear . . . I won't even attempt it. What I find truly disturbing are the number of major opera houses of late that are allowing this man on their stages - the Wiener Staatsoper and the Met are two that come to mind. Granted, his appearances at these houses appear to be as concerts; he isn't being engaged for roles in any operas. But I'm afraid such appearances lend legitimacy to efforts by his promoters and at least some of his fans to pass him off as a bona fide opera singer -- something he is not and never has been.

As a side note, I'm a newcomer to this forum. I've very much enjoyed reading all of the other members' posts. This is going to become addictive . . .

A very warm welcome MAuer from a bona fide opera addict. There are many poor souls here who are similarly afflicted so you'll feel right at home.

Welcome MAuer, come and vote, look forward t reading yur coributios.

And yes, it is addictive, it's 6.45am and I'm checking out new posts.

Originally Posted by Almaviva

Maybe I chose poorly my words, but when I said performer, I meant that Gilmour plays his instrument well. I think we agree, it's just that I didn't say it properly.

Thats what I thought you meant, just clarifying. Anyway not intending to derail the topic here. Im quietly lurking and educating myself on opera a little before I chime in more. Carry on!

Originally Posted by MAuer

Oh, dear . . . I won't even attempt it. What I find truly disturbing are the number of major opera houses of late that are allowing this man on their stages - the Wiener Staatsoper and the Met are two that come to mind. Granted, his appearances at these houses appear to be as concerts; he isn't being engaged for roles in any operas. But I'm afraid such appearances lend legitimacy to efforts by his promoters and at least some of his fans to pass him off as a bona fide opera singer -- something he is not and never has been.

As a side note, I'm a newcomer to this forum. I've very much enjoyed reading all of the other members' posts. This is going to become addictive . . .

Oh wow, it's good to have another member interested in opera joining our forum. Welcome, it's been fun and the more contributors, the more fun we'll all have.

Like MAuer, I am new to this forum, although a longtime lurker. The answer is not long, of course, but I while searching for a download of "Au fond du temple saint," I discovered David Byrne's version. Egad! The worst thing I have heard since the Sarah Brightman ads for some CD on which she apparently tried her hand at opera. Any suggestions as to what I next listen in order to cleanse my ears?

Originally Posted by Sistersheila

Like MAuer, I am new to this forum, although a longtime lurker. The answer is not long, of course, but I while searching for a download of "Au fond du temple saint," I discovered David Byrne's version. Egad! The worst thing I have heard since the Sarah Brightman ads for some CD on which she apparently tried her hand at opera. Any suggestions as to what I next listen in order to cleanse my ears?

Welcome to active membership, ex-lurker!

Try this, from the same opera (but in Italian version):

Originally Posted by Sistersheila

Like MAuer, I am new to this forum, although a longtime lurker. The answer is not long, of course, but I while searching for a download of "Au fond du temple saint," I discovered David Byrne's version. Egad! The worst thing I have heard since the Sarah Brightman ads for some CD on which she apparently tried her hand at opera. Any suggestions as to what I next listen in order to cleanse my ears?

Welcome Sistersheila. I don't know David Byrne but I certainly can sympathise about Sarah Brightman. I had an opera compilation from the library on the other day and everything was going tickety-boo until I got startled out of my happy reverie by her "singing opera" and had to make a mad dash to the CD payer to skip the track.

Thank you for the welcomes. One may have complaints against the Catholic Church, but you have to admire the authoritativeness and taste of the late archbishop of NYC, Francis Spellman, who, I once read, told the Kennedy family and Andy Williams that Williams could NOT sing the Shubert Ave Maria at RFK's funeral because he was not an operatic tenor.

Hello Sistersheila & welcome to the forum

You'll find lots of goodies in the YouTube thread to clean out your ears

Originally Posted by Sistersheila

Thank you for the welcomes. One may have complaints against the Catholic Church, but you have to admire the authoritativeness and taste of the late archbishop of NYC, Francis Spellman, who, I once read, told the Kennedy family and Andy Williams that Williams could NOT sing the Shubert Ave Maria at RFK's funeral because he was not an operatic tenor.

Oh, how I wish owners/managers of local retail establishments would follow Cardinal Spellman's example during the weeks preceding Christmas. It seems one can't enter a mall, book shop, or other store during December without one's ears being assaulted by some pop singer's rendition of either the Schubert "Ave Maria" or the Cantique de Noel.