The opera houses from the time period when this was written only sat on average, 500-700 at most...Their “jewel box” configuration means the audience is very intimate with the stage...A period orchestra playing at Baroque pitch-with string section that plays on cat gut rather than modern steel strings wasn’t as “loud” as our modern orchestras. Singing “loudly” is far less desirable than singing in the RESONANCE-which LIVE always wins the rock, paper, scissors competition with people who just yell. We have become far to acclimatized to folks who get up and just yell with one volume, one color, no expression of line, no ability to paint the text-which is pretty much the point of this music. Having heard Mme. Bartoli sing live both in concert and in opera (and as Angelina in Rossini’s “La Cenerentola”)- in person it DOES carry-just fine. She is a singular artist and her sheer excitement and the sheer LOVE she has for every single note she sings, I personally find contagious. I admit I prefer the big romantic music...but I found myself totally enamored of Vivaldi because SHE IS and it shows on stage. This is art, which is subjective, and everyone is entitled to their opinion and thanks to social media, everyone gets to share their opinion as loudly as they wish. My opinion is that if how “loud” i a classical singer can sing is the ONLY criteria that they are judged by...then our beloved art is truly doomed. An audience will just tune out after a short time with people screaming at them from the stage. At least to me, it just becomes white noise and boredom sets in... Anyway, I digress. Truly, I had preconceived notions about Bartoli being merely a “studio” creation that wouldn’t be able to sing “for real” (not that you COULD possibly sing ANY of her repertoire for fake, HA!). I was VERY pleasantly surprised. So, yep. You can hear her just fine in a live context.
I saw her as not only Semele, but Norma as well, in Salzburg and had no problem hearing her voice clearly in either part. I don’t know what people are talking about.
Yes, Cecilia is more concert singer than opera's, her voice is small, but it doesn't change my opinion about her as the most gifted and talented divas of our time. And baroque itself was performed is small halls. I'd better listen her with mic than other "loud" singer without style and technique.
You would be surprised how good Congreve's words are, if you could hear them. Thay are what all these people on stage should be trying to make sure you hear. Ince upon a time, an irish tenor or two could manage that,and still dislay one or two of the finest voicesin the world.
Pardon? Can you sing that a little louder? I've heard Bartoli only twice, once in recital and once at covent garden, and both times assured me that this woman miked at the Met. You barley hear anything when she opens her mouth, and these both at acoustically ideal halls. Even Fleming is barley heard at the front of the balcony at the Met never mind her. Let's stop being so obsessed with all these inaudible recording voices that "Crooon" and give us some real singing.
The opera houses from the time period when this was written only sat on average, 500-700 at most...Their “jewel box” configuration means the audience is very intimate with the stage...A period orchestra playing at Baroque pitch-with string section that plays on cat gut rather than modern steel strings wasn’t as “loud” as our modern orchestras. Singing “loudly” is far less desirable than singing in the RESONANCE-which LIVE always wins the rock, paper, scissors competition with people who just yell. We have become far to acclimatized to folks who get up and just yell with one volume, one color, no expression of line, no ability to paint the text-which is pretty much the point of this music. Having heard Mme. Bartoli sing live both in concert and in opera (and as Angelina in Rossini’s “La Cenerentola”)- in person it DOES carry-just fine. She is a singular artist and her sheer excitement and the sheer LOVE she has for every single note she sings, I personally find contagious. I admit I prefer the big romantic music...but I found myself totally enamored of Vivaldi because SHE IS and it shows on stage. This is art, which is subjective, and everyone is entitled to their opinion and thanks to social media, everyone gets to share their opinion as loudly as they wish. My opinion is that if how “loud” i a classical singer can sing is the ONLY criteria that they are judged by...then our beloved art is truly doomed. An audience will just tune out after a short time with people screaming at them from the stage. At least to me, it just becomes white noise and boredom sets in... Anyway, I digress. Truly, I had preconceived notions about Bartoli being merely a “studio” creation that wouldn’t be able to sing “for real” (not that you COULD possibly sing ANY of her repertoire for fake, HA!). I was VERY pleasantly surprised. So, yep. You can hear her just fine in a live context.
I saw her as not only Semele, but Norma as well, in Salzburg and had no problem hearing her voice clearly in either part. I don’t know what people are talking about.
Singing is not about voice's size is about how good you can sing and control it!!!!
Ha ha, do not forget that Bartoli is a barroque specialist! She doesn't have a huge voice for verismo but she can sing this in perfect style.
Beautiful and talented. Who says she is not loud enough should turn volume up if they are deaf.
What a beautiful chorus
Yes, Cecilia is more concert singer than opera's, her voice is small, but it doesn't change my opinion about her as the most gifted and talented divas of our time. And baroque itself was performed is small halls. I'd better listen her with mic than other "loud" singer without style and technique.
You would be surprised how good Congreve's words are, if you could hear them. Thay are what all these people on stage should be trying to make sure you hear. Ince upon a time, an irish tenor or two could manage that,and still dislay one or two of the finest voicesin the world.
BELLO
cecilia you are so beautiful!
You mean 'too' ....
Cecilia is my main woman but... this wasn't really it for me. But great performance!
Déesse
This is not the way to do it.
Хочу к НЕЙ, под эту простынь!!!!
she has no voice. Even the harpsichord is louder than her. They reduce period instrument orchestras for her. She was miked at the met.
Pardon? Can you sing that a little louder? I've heard Bartoli only twice, once in recital and once at covent garden, and both times assured me that this woman miked at the Met. You barley hear anything when she opens her mouth, and these both at acoustically ideal halls. Even Fleming is barley heard at the front of the balcony at the Met never mind her. Let's stop being so obsessed with all these inaudible recording voices that "Crooon" and give us some real singing.
Alex Daniel Turn volume up if you are deaf.