The Metropolitan Opera, November 7, 2009. The Russian soprano Marina Poplavskaya as Liu, Andris Nelsons, conductor. (And yes, that's Sam Ramey standing behind the soprano.)
Marina Poplavskaya was the true star of this production; the simple beauty of her voice completely overshadowed the heavy and labored tone of Maria Guleghina in the title role.
Well done, very well done. Liu's role sung by Poplavskaya is without a doubt the only role worth hearing in this particular production. Most disappointing was Turandot. I've asked this question before.....why the play from which the libretto was written, the librettists themselves or Puccini didn't have Calaf hook up with Liu instead of Turandot I'll never know.
I’m glad you said that. I saw it for the first time the other day, and I couldn’t believe he immediately returned to Turandot after Liu’s sacrifice. He lost all credibility for me
@@vickielberfeld2014 There was a production in Freiburg, Germany, many years ago, in which Calaf, after Liù's death, disdained Turandot, whereupon she stabbed him to death - a conclusion more or less borrowed from Puccini's wonderful, but hardly known second opera "Edgar" (see ruclips.net/video/qecelZQmTgQ/видео.html for Puccini's only recently unearthed original version). Of course the happenings onstage at the close of the Freiburg production didn't match Alfano's music in the least - but it WAS interesting. Addressing your point directly: Calaf IS a prince, Turandot IS a princess, and Liù is "only" a slave, whose feelings and whose death don't count. The plot basically denounces a social hierarchy which in many respects unfortunately still exists. Perhaps Puccini was unable to finish the opera precisely because he couldn't bear how the humanity of Liù, and the untold millions whom she personifies, is trampled underfoot.
@@vickielberfeld2014 Many thanks for your reply! You might be interested in my own operas, see for instance ruclips.net/video/oEcJysA7-QE/видео.html. In case you would like to stay in touch, I can be reached at fredrickroll06@aol.com.
Marina Poplavskaya was the true star of this production; the simple beauty of her voice completely overshadowed the heavy and labored tone of Maria Guleghina in the title role.
Wow - so beautiful and touching!
Really beautiful. Can't wait to watch the DVD.
Лю моей мечты❤️
I feel like I have been waiting for ever for someone to post this! Thank you so much!
STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Восхитительно !
Beautiful.
Beautifully sung.
Good Lord, how uniquely beautiful. Unbelievable.
Heavenly!
c'est magnifique...
She is wonderful. Why haven't we heard from her lately?
She is not wonderful she lost her voice
Strange connection between lower middle and her tight higher register.
Брависсима!!!
Well done, very well done. Liu's role sung by Poplavskaya is without a doubt the only role worth hearing in this particular production. Most disappointing was Turandot. I've asked this question before.....why the play from which the libretto was written, the librettists themselves or Puccini didn't have Calaf hook up with Liu instead of Turandot I'll never know.
I’m glad you said that. I saw it for the first time the other day, and I couldn’t believe he immediately returned to Turandot after Liu’s sacrifice. He lost all credibility for me
@@vickielberfeld2014 There was a production in Freiburg, Germany, many years ago, in which Calaf, after Liù's death, disdained Turandot, whereupon she stabbed him to death - a conclusion more or less borrowed from Puccini's wonderful, but hardly known second opera "Edgar" (see ruclips.net/video/qecelZQmTgQ/видео.html for Puccini's only recently unearthed original version). Of course the happenings onstage at the close of the Freiburg production didn't match Alfano's music in the least - but it WAS interesting. Addressing your point directly: Calaf IS a prince, Turandot IS a princess, and Liù is "only" a slave, whose feelings and whose death don't count. The plot basically denounces a social hierarchy which in many respects unfortunately still exists. Perhaps Puccini was unable to finish the opera precisely because he couldn't bear how the humanity of Liù, and the untold millions whom she personifies, is trampled underfoot.
Fredric Kroll Many thanks. I really appreciate your response, your link and of course your final speculation
@@vickielberfeld2014 Many thanks for your reply! You might be interested in my own operas, see for instance ruclips.net/video/oEcJysA7-QE/видео.html. In case you would like to stay in touch, I can be reached at fredrickroll06@aol.com.
This is so beautiful，I have to look her up after listening to this production.
Thank god for her or I would have run screaming from the ghastly Turandot who never sang a single note in tune.
The Liu of my dreams!
Bravissima!
Auch schön!
Wunderknabe76
Wunderbare und schön geführte Stimme.
MonsieurLu77
Ich bin kein Fachmann, darum kann ich über die Feinheiten nichts sagen. Mir gefällt es einfach nur.
La voix n'est pas assez flexible pour cet air.La couleur ne convient pas et les aigus grincent...Déjà..!