I love how the high notes at the end don't come out as just high notes, but rather as a grieving wail, all while singing beautifully. Gershwin would be proud to hear his music sung with such feeling.
The very best I've ever heard, and I've heard many great sopranos sing this aria. Audra lives it, and I believe her. The pacing, the breathing, the articulation -- perfection.
Yes Audra's rendition is very beautiful. I invite you to view the 1993 movie version of Cynthia Clarey's rendition. I promise you won't be disappointed. The poorly named title on RUclips is "My Man's Gone Now (Old Man Sorrow). It is a brilliant performance.
@@lindafowler4659 I think Cynthia's version is the pinnacle of operatic performance. But I also think Audra's rendition is the most technically good one I've heard. It's clear and resonate and doesn't suffer from the heaviness that this song can suffer from when over performed.
gotta be the greatest Broadway voice and star of the past 50 years, if not of the century...Streisand and Andrews thrown in the mix give her competition, but she is nonetheless the definition of GREATNESS...I'm so happy I'm living in a time when I've gotten to see Audra sooo many times...
@@mannail888 It's safe yet sad to say; black women have to work twice as hard just to be considered equal. Yet Streisand is referenced as the Gold Standard although we know she could never pull this off in her wildest thoughts.
Please never ever play the race card in any kind of debate that involves African-American artists, particularly their reception in the general public. The race card rhetoric is hyperbole at best.
@@mannail888 ummm no it’s not. Audra has an amazing voice and we all know she would’ve been a household name earlier on in her career if she wasn’t black. She’s a musical theatre icon and your under appreciation of her won’t take that away.
I love having Leontyne Price and Audra both singing this song. They both do it so differently. I adore them both. Granted, Price owns everything in the realm of opera.
This performance is so full-out, so beautiful and raw and abandoned --- it caught me unaware (and I've heard this aria sung many times by many excellent singers). This is an art that grabs you by the throat and makes you feel. Love me some Audra McDonald.
She's simply incredible. I love the coolness of her soprano in this piece and she seems to add such passion to every note she sings. Resonance is so gorgeous in even the highest of notes.
Phenomenal. Heartbroken and heartbreaking without a trace of self-pity, but, instead, the kind of sorrow that wells up from reserves of strength.. Just raw emotion and profound loss.
man oh man she is just the best. she could move you with a glance and a blink but she chooses to sing and the sounds that come out are more human than human and otherworldly at the same time. spectacular artist
Oh Miss Audra! I wish I could stop crying long enough to give you the accolades you deserve. You lived this anguish and drew us all in to share the pain and sorrow. Breath taking. Michael Tilson Thomas at the baton bringing that magnificent orchestra to her aid. Third time listening and I can't get out. Thank you so much for posting.
Houston Grand Opera won a Tony Award for their 1976 revival of Porgy & Bess--the only opera company ever to win one. I used to work for HGO, and I've seen the statue!
Audra McDonald is starring in Porgy and Bess on Broadway, but as Bess (and rightfully so). She's performing with Norm Lewis (Porgy) and David Alan Grier (Sportin' Life). The actress who sings this song in the play is Bryohna Marie Parham (as Serena).
I watch this every year and the ending (I think it’s called a candanza) always sounds like magic. I know more about singing now and am only growing more in awe. Not by the notes or the power, but by the fullest of the emotion she puts in her voice without sacrificing the sound.
ESPECTACULAR!!! Esta mujer es una maravilla, puro sentimiento, una voz dulce, delicada elegante y majestuosa. En definitiva.. la definición excta de la perfección.
HOLY CRAP! I've only ever seen her on Private Practice... my voice teacher gave me a list of singers to watch and listen to and Audra was on that list... never knew she could sing... and MAN can she sing!!!
She continues to inspire me daily! Her voice and acting are just unparalleled! The Serena on Broadway had nothing compared to this! I kept thinking that the whole time she was singing it during the performance!
I have watched this video too many times to count and EVERY single time I am blown away by her power, her talent & honesty. GOOD LORD woman you are blessed!!!!
She is just amazing. I had the privelige to see her live, from the 2nd row... I couldn't be more honored to be spit upon... ha ha! Her facial expression is incredible.
lord how mercy this child just song the mess out of this song. Her articulation and diction very stong. I can hear every single word. And her facial language was just wonderful
Does it really matter what her voice type is in the end? She is Audra McDonald. She basically sings anything she wants. She sang that with SOOOOO much passion that I could not imagine anyone NOT singing about their man being gone.
God! I cried when I heard Sinaid O'Connor sing this on the cd 'The Glory of Gershwin' and various artists, with Larry Adler but Audray took my breath away! Just watch the breath control!
Audra Mcdonald has the voice of the century! It is so good to hear her sing this song for, as "Bess" in the new production, she does not sing it - which is the greatest piece of music in the entire show. Maybe in the history of American music?
Again I say this girl can blow! Wow what God given talent. We should all use it to the best of our abilities. As far as who is better, why debate, they are all magnificent! We can all find someone we enjoy listening to and supporting.
The first time I heard this song was on a monaural LP back in the '50s, the first-ever full-length recording of Porgy & Bess. This song was without a doubt one of the most mournful, beautiful songs I'd ever heard. The album is gone and I don't remember who sang it, but no one has ever measured up to my memory of that first hearing...until now. Audra is phenomenal. I don't know of any other was to say it. And 3:10 starts one of the most powerful moments of music...ever.
My God! Che divina meraviglia. Grazie Signora McDonald, grazie della sua eccezionale voce, del suo gusto, della sua espressività e dell'incredibile intensità della sua recitazione. Ogni volta che arrivo al minuto 3'27 piango e subito dopo maledico quell'incapace regista che ha tolto l'inquadratura dal suo volto! Grazie ancora Audra. Alessandro.
Loved it. I am in the cast of Porgy and Bess thats doing it at the Opera Comique here in Paris and she's doing this justice. You gotta hear Angela Renee Simpson do it too though. Now thats good singing...
Powerful, haunting, incredible! In my opinion, Porgy and Bess is really the only American work that can be classified as great opera, and Audra is among the very best to sing the part of Serena.
@Doromir She has a degree from Julliard in Classica/Opera. This was really where she started.... You're right though - it's not easy to switch styles. However, broadway performers with a classical (read technical) vocal background will find that they can sing just about everything because they have healthy voices/good technique and thus understand how to make modifications across genres in a way that is still healthy and sounds ggood!
I've heard referred to as an operetta several times. Various teachers, on PBS, and when I said "works like this" I was also thinking of Candide, which I also really enjoy and respect, but gets called an operetta.
Run do not walk to buy tickets to ART's production of Porgy and Bess which is definitely coming to Broadway, the marquee is already up.....January 2012. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING performances by one very stellar cast
@myfavoritefairy ..and others who appreciate this clip. It is from a 1998 PBS special from Carnegie Hall in Celebration Of "George Gershwin at 100". Fortunately I recorded this 105 minute program and have it on transfer to DVD-R. Truly remarkable performances by Audra, Brian Stokes Mitchell as well as Frederica von Stade all under the baton of John Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony. George would have been proud!
@octopussy1234 ..and others who appreciate this clip. It is from a 1998 PBS special from Carnegie Hall in Celebration Of "George Gershwin at 100". Fortunately I recorded this 105 minute program and have it on transfer to DVD-R. Truly remarkable performances by Audra, Brian Stokes Mitchell as well as Frederica von Stade all under the baton of John Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony. George would have been proud!
Unbelievable. So good. It saddens me to hear people refuse to call works like this an opera, demoting it to an operetta (mostly because it's american). They may be right be either way this truly is a beautiful work. God bless Gershwin and Audra.
I love how the high notes at the end don't come out as just high notes, but rather as a grieving wail, all while singing beautifully. Gershwin would be proud to hear his music sung with such feeling.
That visceral howl of grief gets me every time.
The very best I've ever heard, and I've heard many great sopranos sing this aria. Audra lives it, and I believe her. The pacing, the breathing, the articulation -- perfection.
Yes Audra's rendition is very beautiful. I invite you to view the 1993 movie version of Cynthia Clarey's rendition. I promise you won't be disappointed. The poorly named title on RUclips is "My Man's Gone Now (Old Man Sorrow). It is a brilliant performance.
Dunno. Latonia moore nailed it this year at the Met.
@@lindafowler4659 I think Cynthia's version is the pinnacle of operatic performance. But I also think Audra's rendition is the most technically good one I've heard. It's clear and resonate and doesn't suffer from the heaviness that this song can suffer from when over performed.
Leontyne price
@@lindafowler4659 I completely agree with your post. Cynthia Clarey sings this aria to perfection. 👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽❤️❤️💯💯
gotta be the greatest Broadway voice and star of the past 50 years, if not of the century...Streisand and Andrews thrown in the mix give her competition, but she is nonetheless the definition of GREATNESS...I'm so happy I'm living in a time when I've gotten to see Audra sooo many times...
McDonald is a fine songtress, period. However, your over the top appraisal is grossly exaggerated.
I don't think my "appraisal" is over the top...she does it ALL
@@mannail888 It's safe yet sad to say; black women have to work twice as hard just to be considered equal. Yet Streisand is referenced as the Gold Standard although we know she could never pull this off in her wildest thoughts.
Please never ever play the race card in any kind of debate that involves African-American artists, particularly their reception in the general public. The race card rhetoric is hyperbole at best.
@@mannail888 ummm no it’s not. Audra has an amazing voice and we all know she would’ve been a household name earlier on in her career if she wasn’t black. She’s a musical theatre icon and your under appreciation of her won’t take that away.
No wonder there's so little original talent and beauty in this world. Audra McDonald took it all.
Lol correct!
Just completely nailed it. From a technical vocal standpoint of course, in addition to emotional delivery and the acting aspect. Perfection.
I love having Leontyne Price and Audra both singing this song. They both do it so differently. I adore them both. Granted, Price owns everything in the realm of opera.
This performance is so full-out, so beautiful and raw and abandoned --- it caught me unaware (and I've heard this aria sung many times by many excellent singers). This is an art that grabs you by the throat and makes you feel. Love me some Audra McDonald.
She's simply incredible. I love the coolness of her soprano in this piece and she seems to add such passion to every note she sings. Resonance is so gorgeous in even the highest of notes.
jacson 1226 Yes!
I cry like a baby every time watching her sing this.
Ms. Audra McDonald has the best combination of voice and acting ability fully displayed and realized in this beautiful performance of this aria.
Audra Is not just a fabulous versatile singer, she is also one of the finest hosts the Metropolitan Opera in HD Series has had. Bring her back!
I love how at the end she blinked and then smiled as if coming out of a trance. Sooo amazing!
OK. Now I am freaking out! I feel like I have been living under a rock! This lady is incredible!
Douglas Moseley me too right now. how did I not know this insanely gifted master exists???
Then now you must check out "Climb Every Mountain" by her.
Phenomenal. Heartbroken and heartbreaking without a trace of self-pity, but, instead, the kind of sorrow that wells up from reserves of strength.. Just raw emotion and profound loss.
I love her always but ESPECIALLY when she's doing straight opera like this
Kirandera Cuz that is TALENT! PURE VOCAL HEAVEN SENT TALENT!!!
I stan so hard. The next time she's on Broadway, I'm going all the way to New York. Idc idc idc.
I heard that, I am DEVESTATED I missed her in Porgy and Bess! Next time she's there...I'm there. point blank period! hahaha
man oh man she is just the best. she could move you with a glance and a blink but she chooses to sing and the sounds that come out are more human than human and otherworldly at the same time. spectacular artist
She classically trained in opera at Julliard. It's not like she's a "newbie"
Oh Miss Audra! I wish I could stop crying long enough to give you the accolades you deserve. You lived this anguish and drew us all in to share the pain and sorrow. Breath taking. Michael Tilson Thomas at the baton bringing that magnificent orchestra to her aid. Third time listening and I can't get out. Thank you so much for posting.
Houston Grand Opera won a Tony Award for their 1976 revival of Porgy & Bess--the only opera company ever to win one. I used to work for HGO, and I've seen the statue!
She is a beautiful women, actress, person, singer, and everything under the son. I hope you win tonight for the 6th time Audra! You deserve it!
Jalon M omg fancy meeting you here
Audra McDonald is starring in Porgy and Bess on Broadway, but as Bess (and rightfully so). She's performing with Norm Lewis (Porgy) and David Alan Grier (Sportin' Life). The actress who sings this song in the play is Bryohna Marie Parham (as Serena).
Another amazing thing about this performance, you can understand every word she says. No easy feat on all those high notes.
So proud she's from my hometown of Fresno, she even performed at the theater I've worked at. Bless you Audra!
Yes, we are too. Blown away the night she at 17 did Evita. I can say I was there in the beginning, before Julliard, and it is one sweetest memory.
SHE SINGS!!!! She selivered the song beautifully and her voice is even the entire way through. I loved it.
I have watched this many times, it’s the best version of this aria and it still brings tears to my eyes every single time ❤
Good heavens, this woman is a force of nature. I’m certain of it because she brings tears to my eyes with this performance.
Left me in tears. So beautiful and haunting.
I watch this every year and the ending (I think it’s called a candanza) always sounds like magic. I know more about singing now and am only growing more in awe.
Not by the notes or the power, but by the fullest of the emotion she puts in her voice without sacrificing the sound.
I have heard this song done my many great singers, she just takes it to a whole other level.
Happy Anniversary 1st
ESPECTACULAR!!! Esta mujer es una maravilla, puro sentimiento, una voz dulce, delicada elegante y majestuosa. En definitiva.. la definición excta de la perfección.
HOLY CRAP! I've only ever seen her on Private Practice... my voice teacher gave me a list of singers to watch and listen to and Audra was on that list... never knew she could sing... and MAN can she sing!!!
Why is His music so wonderfully moving!!!! Unbelievable!!!!
Audra McDonald is simply amazing. THAT VOICE!!!!
She's amazing... What a gift! The conviction and performance is incredible.
A beautiful and poignant performance by the gorgeous Miss Audra.
love this performance! Fantastic
Much respect to Audra McDonald.Vocals are as breathtaking as they are passionate! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
She continues to inspire me daily! Her voice and acting are just unparalleled! The Serena on Broadway had nothing compared to this! I kept thinking that the whole time she was singing it during the performance!
Absolutely stunning! Look at other versions of this song, and then this one. No comparison............
With the exception of Leontyne Price's rendition but Leontyne is always an assumed exception
I just keep coming back. There just aren't the right words to describe how amazing and wonderful her performance is.
Brilliant version!! Her voice has such a beautiful depth to it
That certainly brought me to tears. Magnificent!
I have watched this video too many times to count and EVERY single time I am blown away by her power, her talent & honesty. GOOD LORD woman you are blessed!!!!
SING! SING! DIVA SING! A FABULOUS performance of this. Great pathos and gorgeous voice!
This makes my hair stand on end... this has got to be the most extraordinary rendition of this song, ever. She is BEYOND.
I have watched a few renditions of this song, this one MOVED me the most! Wowwww
I just adore her voice. There's very few out there who can sing so well as Audra.
#chills.
She is just amazing. I had the privelige to see her live, from the 2nd row... I couldn't be more honored to be spit upon... ha ha! Her facial expression is incredible.
Chills, chills, chills....the most honest performance of this piece I've ever heard and seen. What a brilliant talent!
One of the saddest arias… so beautiful and touching.
This is the best rendition of this song I have ever heard!!
lord how mercy this child just song the mess out of this song. Her articulation and diction very stong. I can hear every single word. And her facial language was just wonderful
Does it really matter what her voice type is in the end?
She is Audra McDonald. She basically sings anything she wants.
She sang that with SOOOOO much passion that I could not imagine anyone NOT singing about their man being gone.
God! I cried when I heard Sinaid O'Connor sing this on the cd 'The Glory of Gershwin' and various artists, with Larry Adler but Audray took my breath away! Just watch the breath control!
she SLAYS!
Audra Mcdonald has the voice of the century! It is so good to hear her sing this song for, as "Bess" in the new production, she does not sing it - which is the greatest piece of music in the entire show. Maybe in the history of American music?
Again I say this girl can blow! Wow what God given talent. We should all use it to the best of our abilities. As far as who is better, why debate, they are all magnificent! We can all find someone we enjoy listening to and supporting.
The first time I heard this song was on a monaural LP back in the '50s, the first-ever full-length recording of Porgy & Bess. This song was without a doubt one of the most mournful, beautiful songs I'd ever heard. The album is gone and I don't remember who sang it, but no one has ever measured up to my memory of that first hearing...until now. Audra is phenomenal. I don't know of any other was to say it. And 3:10 starts one of the most powerful moments of music...ever.
Audra is a goddess. A passionate woman who sings by living it. God I love her!
Beautiful, talented Audra! Work your Show!! You're amazing!
She is a great singer. And what an actor. Amazing.
great song, amazing performance
Caught the Broadway show last night. It deserves win every Tony award for which it will be nominated. It's as close to flawless as it can be.
She's FABULOUS..does us classical singers proud..
My God! Che divina meraviglia. Grazie Signora McDonald, grazie della sua eccezionale voce, del suo gusto, della sua espressività e dell'incredibile intensità della sua recitazione. Ogni volta che arrivo al minuto 3'27 piango e subito dopo maledico quell'incapace regista che ha tolto l'inquadratura dal suo volto!
Grazie ancora Audra.
Alessandro.
I love this version of this song. She's a fantastic performer.
I saw her in Carousel, Master Class, etc etc. She is a force of nature. That voice. Once a century.
@myfavoritefairy ..some people don't know Audra has been singing for a long time. That is when the first time I ever saw her, singing on Broadway.
AUDRAAAAAAA💯🙌🏿❤️❤️❤️❤️
she makes it look effortless...
This is so beatiful I just heard this 2 days ago and it's stuck in my head
She is simply divine. What a voice and what passion!
Wow. That was wonderful.
LOVE THIS. I was devistated when they took the other one down.
2022 person here and this is still amazing!!
Fabulous! Thanks so much for posting.
very very very good. thanks for posting
Loved it. I am in the cast of Porgy and Bess thats doing it at the Opera Comique here in Paris and she's doing this justice. You gotta hear Angela Renee Simpson do it too though. Now thats good singing...
just perfect !!!!!
Magnificent!
She is absolutely everything.
You can tell how much in character she was by the amount of time it took her to acknowledge the audience's applause. Audra is timeless!
@mm9913 Glad you enjoyed the show, wow Cab Calloway style! Would love to see it! Gonna try!!!
Perfeita..........
Adorei esta interpretação.......
Dela Só Leontyne Price.......
Powerful, haunting, incredible! In my opinion, Porgy and Bess is really the only American work that can be classified as great opera, and Audra is among the very best to sing the part of Serena.
Wow! How old was she here? Simply unbelievable.
Breath taking!!!!
@Doromir She has a degree from Julliard in Classica/Opera. This was really where she started....
You're right though - it's not easy to switch styles. However, broadway performers with a classical (read technical) vocal background will find that they can sing just about everything because they have healthy voices/good technique and thus understand how to make modifications across genres in a way that is still healthy and sounds ggood!
I've heard referred to as an operetta several times. Various teachers, on PBS, and when I said "works like this" I was also thinking of Candide, which I also really enjoy and respect, but gets called an operetta.
Run do not walk to buy tickets to ART's production of Porgy and Bess which is definitely coming to Broadway, the marquee is already up.....January 2012.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING performances by one very stellar cast
U betta sang that gurl!!!!!
Brava!!! Bravíssima!!!!!
@myfavoritefairy ..and others who appreciate this clip. It is from a 1998 PBS special from Carnegie Hall in Celebration Of "George Gershwin at 100". Fortunately I recorded this 105 minute program and have it on transfer to DVD-R. Truly remarkable performances by Audra, Brian Stokes Mitchell as well as Frederica von Stade all under the baton of John Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony. George would have been proud!
@octopussy1234 ..and others who appreciate this clip. It is from a 1998 PBS special from Carnegie Hall in Celebration Of "George Gershwin at 100". Fortunately I recorded this 105 minute program and have it on transfer to DVD-R. Truly remarkable performances by Audra, Brian Stokes Mitchell as well as Frederica von Stade all under the baton of John Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony. George would have been proud!
Powerful performance
Unbelievable. So good. It saddens me to hear people refuse to call works like this an opera, demoting it to an operetta (mostly because it's american). They may be right be either way this truly is a beautiful work. God bless Gershwin and Audra.
She is awesome--just great! Nothing else to say....
Good God That was amazing!!! I want to get to that point where i can have all that space and resonance without straining myself. She is wonderful!!
All the best to you. Enjoy your singer.
I just saw her plan Bess on Broadway this week. SHE IS JUST AWSOME!!!!!!!!!