I wanna be clear that of course, I know composers make art when they write music, and that their art is AWESOME. It just requires some assembly to share that art. ✨What's YOUR favourite Sondheim piece? For me, there's no contest: it's Sunday from Sunday in the Park with George - a piece about art itself. Drop yours here!
@@nikkicafeina Hard same! The first time I saw the opening of the Bryn Terfel/Emma Thompson version, I finished the piece with my jaw on the floor. That piece gets me EVERY time.
I’m a massive opera nerd and lover, and I just discovered your channel which I love! We need more opera content online! I’m going the through a Sondheim phase right now, and my personal favorites are Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, and Company!
Favourite Sondheim factoid (prepare for feels): when the Tick Tick Boom movie came out, just weeks before Sondheim's death, Lin Manuel Miranda (who directed the movie) got a ton of comments from aspiring and now professional composers, musicians, performers, and assorted theatre people on how much Sondheim helped them in their career, how much support he gave them, and how he was fundamental in getting their careers. Sondheim's response when Lin told him about all the heaps of praise? "Maybe I've finally paid back some of the debt I owe Oscar." 😭😭😭😭
Loved this! I personally came to know about opera through RENT. To me, opera and musical theater have always been essentially sisters. Being a theatre kid, I'm all about reimagining shows--if you're not trying to SAY something with a staging (even if what you're saying is just "hey, wouldn't it be really cool if...") then are you really doing the most? And as theatre people, isn't Doing the Most like, our raison d'etre?
THANK YOU for putting so much time & effort (and so many of your spoons) into this stellar project! I've been looking forward to learning more about Sondheim from you since you first mentioned the project! And a special shout-out to the return of Camera Two 😁
This is very timely as I just watched Tim Burton's version of Sweeney Todd last night, my first time watching a rendition of one of his plays. I honestly did not enjoy it, but it had more to do with how awkward the film felt than anything, the score is wonderful. I had no interest in his work before, but I visited a music teacher the other day, who suggested I learn something from Sweeney Todd. I had been trying to teach myself to sing, and I was singing in the mezzo soprano range. She said this was the wrong vocal type for me and that I needed to use more head voice. I started working on Green Finch and Linnet bird but I'm a little intimidated, I have to try and sing a such a detailed song in a register I am not used to, while somehow managing to look crazy and also my sheet music reading skills are lacking... If anyone knows an easier Sondheim song for beginner sopranos I'd love for you to let me know about it... Thank you Robin, I am a new viewer and really enjoying your content!
Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed it! :) I'm sure your new teacher is confident Green Finch is within your capabilities, but if you want another suggestion to dip your toes in the water and feel a little more secure in the upper range, I DO love On The Steps Of The Palace from Into The Woods! It's a hair lower than Green Finch, and doesn't have the trill, but the interpretation required is very detailed and the rhythm is often a good challenge. Hope that helps!
@@robinhahnsopran thank you so much for the suggestion, starting out a little lower will probably be helpful so I will see about finding some sheet music for it. I find I have barely any vibrato when using high notes and I feel like I sound like a child! It's a little frustrating but I'm hoping I can overcome this!
What a fabulous video, Robin! I really enjoyed your commentary on the benefit of change in the face of changing social ideas, audiences, and needs of artists. I agree that the opera industry and opera performers can learn a lot from the late great Sondheim!
They're ring splints! :) I have a video about them on my channel called "What's Wrong With My Hands?" if you want to find out more about what they're for
I wanna be clear that of course, I know composers make art when they write music, and that their art is AWESOME. It just requires some assembly to share that art. ✨What's YOUR favourite Sondheim piece? For me, there's no contest: it's Sunday from Sunday in the Park with George - a piece about art itself. Drop yours here!
I'm very new to Sondheim, but I enjoy "Johanna," particularly when Bernadette Peters sings it.
I love his big ensemble pieces. The opening of Sweeney Todd? Gets me every time.
@@nikkicafeina Hard same! The first time I saw the opening of the Bryn Terfel/Emma Thompson version, I finished the piece with my jaw on the floor. That piece gets me EVERY time.
I’m a massive opera nerd and lover, and I just discovered your channel which I love! We need more opera content online! I’m going the through a Sondheim phase right now, and my personal favorites are Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, and Company!
Favourite Sondheim factoid (prepare for feels): when the Tick Tick Boom movie came out, just weeks before Sondheim's death, Lin Manuel Miranda (who directed the movie) got a ton of comments from aspiring and now professional composers, musicians, performers, and assorted theatre people on how much Sondheim helped them in their career, how much support he gave them, and how he was fundamental in getting their careers. Sondheim's response when Lin told him about all the heaps of praise? "Maybe I've finally paid back some of the debt I owe Oscar." 😭😭😭😭
My heart just burst out of my chest
@@robinhahnsopran RIGHT IN THE FEELS!
This is such a good RUclips channel explaining opera. I’m so happy I found this.
Loved this!
I personally came to know about opera through RENT. To me, opera and musical theater have always been essentially sisters.
Being a theatre kid, I'm all about reimagining shows--if you're not trying to SAY something with a staging (even if what you're saying is just "hey, wouldn't it be really cool if...") then are you really doing the most? And as theatre people, isn't Doing the Most like, our raison d'etre?
Hard agree to all of this! 👏
THANK YOU for putting so much time & effort (and so many of your spoons) into this stellar project! I've been looking forward to learning more about Sondheim from you since you first mentioned the project! And a special shout-out to the return of Camera Two 😁
Aww, thank you! :) Camera two may occasionally leave us, but is never truly forgotten! 😁
This is very timely as I just watched Tim Burton's version of Sweeney Todd last night, my first time watching a rendition of one of his plays. I honestly did not enjoy it, but it had more to do with how awkward the film felt than anything, the score is wonderful. I had no interest in his work before, but I visited a music teacher the other day, who suggested I learn something from Sweeney Todd. I had been trying to teach myself to sing, and I was singing in the mezzo soprano range. She said this was the wrong vocal type for me and that I needed to use more head voice. I started working on Green Finch and Linnet bird but I'm a little intimidated, I have to try and sing a such a detailed song in a register I am not used to, while somehow managing to look crazy and also my sheet music reading skills are lacking... If anyone knows an easier Sondheim song for beginner sopranos I'd love for you to let me know about it...
Thank you Robin, I am a new viewer and really enjoying your content!
Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed it! :) I'm sure your new teacher is confident Green Finch is within your capabilities, but if you want another suggestion to dip your toes in the water and feel a little more secure in the upper range, I DO love On The Steps Of The Palace from Into The Woods! It's a hair lower than Green Finch, and doesn't have the trill, but the interpretation required is very detailed and the rhythm is often a good challenge. Hope that helps!
@@robinhahnsopran thank you so much for the suggestion, starting out a little lower will probably be helpful so I will see about finding some sheet music for it. I find I have barely any vibrato when using high notes and I feel like I sound like a child! It's a little frustrating but I'm hoping I can overcome this!
Thanks for all your hard work in making this in-depth video! We love blurring the line between opera and broadway. 🤩
So impressed with all the hard work you put into this, Robin!
You deserve way more views. Great video
Thank you! :)
What a fabulous video, Robin! I really enjoyed your commentary on the benefit of change in the face of changing social ideas, audiences, and needs of artists. I agree that the opera industry and opera performers can learn a lot from the late great Sondheim!
Thanks so much! :)
Big Sondheim fan here, and I learned stuff about him in this video I never knew. Super well researched!
Thank you! :)
what are those things on your finger
They're ring splints! :) I have a video about them on my channel called "What's Wrong With My Hands?" if you want to find out more about what they're for
Yes.
The only correct answer :)
Love Sondheim. +