Singer aside, this performance has the best conducting/structuring. They give more detail to the first section, and keep things measured so that the section at 4:45 doesn't seem like a sudden loss of energy, as it often does. As far as the singing, I think she does a nice job. I find opera divas like Damrau and Dessay don't quite 'get it', or are a little too stiff. Meanwhile Kristin Chenoweth has the audience in the palm of her hand, but I think her choices go just a tad cheap. This performance strikes the right balance I think.
mostly agreed, but i believe the optimal balance would still lean a little more towards the style of chenoweth's performance, mostly when it comes to moving around the stage. acting so much with the arms while her feet remain nailed to the ground and her torso remains frozen in position feels unnatural. for anyone who finds chenoweth's version a little too over the top, i suggest checking out her performance with the boston pops orchestra where she gives a far more measured version, you may find it more to your liking
Out of context, you could say Chenoweth’s performance is cheap, but the entire production was aimed at silly. I think Chenoweth did a superb job as a part of the troupe. The above performance would not have fit, though technically superb.
This is my favorite rendition by far. She has astoundingly clear and balanced high notes with amazing support and just enough personality to keep it interesting. Sure Kristin is great but she plays with it a little too much and you get distracted from the true technique and tactful satire of the work. Beautiful.
Honestly I really believed her character and didn’t need any background to know what’s going on, which is exactly what you want! The portrayal and vocal talent is phenomenal!
Who is she? What’s her name? She may not be an operatic singer, but she certainly appears to be classically schooled. One doesn’t tackle a number like this otherwise, unless one wants to make a fool of him/herself.
I must admit I stumbled upon this video and have never heard/heard of Scarlet Strallen before. She is really amazing in this. It seems there is a huge divide among sopranos in how they do this aria. The more operatic ones get some of the humor and amazing vocal quality and coloratura. The more Broadway ones get the humor (sometimes putting it over the top) with much of the vocal quality. Ms. Strallen really is the best of both worlds. It's not campy, but very funny. Pulling the necklaces out of her cleavage is a stroke of genius. And, while there are voices that are perhaps more beautiful, she gets everything beautifully along with good diction. Brava!
i found this song by Kristin Chenoweths version and thought it was hilarious and beautiful, now listening to this I'm crying. She's still funny but the song is so much deeper than i thought.
Natalie Dessay and Diana Damrau sing it rather well too. But their personalities shine. This song is really truly a brilliant moment of 20th century opera because it is so very delightful and it does so very fit the 20th century major development of music for the theatre.
By far my favorite rendition of this song. I know everyone praises Kristen, but I feel like her portrayal is too comical rather than mad. While the song is not serious, the whole show's comedy is rooted in satire and you need a level of madness that I feel Kristen doesn't do properly. She just *tries* to be funny, but sings everything the same. Scralett in an incredibly performer with a beautiful voice and truly acted through this piece well.
But Scarlettes voice is just wrong for this song. It's a complete miscast. This role is MEANT to be performed by a trained soprano or maybe even coloratura soprano.
@Jillian Elizabeth, as a clown who (admittedly has not seen the show) I like Kristen Chenweth's version/performance better; she nails the comedy so well and I love it. As a singer, I like this version with Scarlett better. Does that make sense?
I don't feel that Kunigunde is at all mad. The whole point of her character is that she is excruciatingly shallow, see "Oh Happy We". That's why this number right here is even brought up as well - only the most shallow character could rejoice in worldly riches in her situation, and she does. Her upbringing tells her she should be ashamed, but really she's enjoying this and reveling it. She's letting her instincts of greed and vanity win in this one. It's not until the very end of her story line that she sees the error in her ways. Remember how Candide leaves her at some point after having gone through unimaginable horrors to try and save her because he realizes she's, in fact, an awful person? Tl;dr: This song doesn't need madness. It needs unashamed vanity.
@@larissaweidler8270 I think it's hard for people to gather when characters are just shallow - a lot of our criticism and investigations lead to trying to find deeper motivations or presuming they're present... when in fact some personalities just have the depth of a half-drained kiddie pool.
This is really funny to me because my class assignment is to compare the two singers, more so in a respectful manner like "how does their stage presentation change the overall mood and portrayal of the song" and "how do their voices differ and does it influence the song? does it matter?" not like if one is better than the other, that'd be mean and very subjective.
@@burreal9916 That's because people should be able to compare different performances without it being some big moral commentary. Even if it's "I like this one for these reasons in comparison to this one which does not do these things" it's fine. Everyone has an opinion but somewhere along the line, we forgot that people having differing opinions from our own doesn't attack or belittle or demean. Honestly, things like "don't compare!" are how we get to the point of people not being able to support their opinions with evidence or treating comparisons as if they're automatically insulting the other because we get out of the habit of understanding how opinions work and how to support them and that they're a matter of interpretation.
@@KitsuikoI think that is true in some respects. However, on the internet, there do seem to be a lot of people who think that anything that isn't their favorite is awful.
No better singer to perform this. Amazing performance. Scarlett played the part of Cunegonde in the Candide revival at the Mernier Chocolate Factory around 18 months ago.
Pretty much everyone who sings this aria is incredible, but for me, Scarlett Strallen, Kristin Chenoweth, and Simone Kermes are my top 3 for acting the part. They really capture the comedic irony this piece is supposed to convey.
Some say, this is one of the most difficult songs to perform. Well, she can. Perpaps Bernstein was quite a composer too...? She is a Singer with big S.!
Brava!!!! Absolutely charming, vocally beautiful, spirited, gorgeous. What a treat to discover this. And notice that I don't need to make any comments comparing her to Kristen Chenoweth or Barbara Cook or any other Cunegonde.. because NOT EVERYTHING IS A COMPETITION. Artists do not exist to be rated by the audience. Stop ranking everything: it's crass and ugly and cheapens the art.
Why does everyone need to compare anyone who sings this. Why not just enjoy for that it is, amazing. And anyone who disagrees better have a version of them singing this on their channel we can all judge.
Scarlett Aimee Vaigncourt-Strallen (born 3 July 1982) is an English stage actress, best known for her work in musical theatre productions in the West End and on Broadway. She has received two Olivier Award nominations, in 2006 for her portrayal of Josephine in HMS Pinafore, performed at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and in 2012 for her role in Singin' in the Rain. Strallen is also a former voice actress.
I could be wrong but is she not the niece of Bonny Langford? Anyway i was a bit late to Candide apart from Max Adrian of Up Pompeii singing as Pangloss but boy this song is exhilarating and this is good as Chenoweth but not as comedic perhaps.
"Observe how bravely I conceal the dreadful, dreadful shame I feel"
Man, that line gives me goosebumps everytime.
That line (to me) sounds like what a sad person says
@@kn1752 its what an ashamed person would say.
@@kn1752 it is, the funny thing is it's sung to such an upbeat tune
@@kn1752 That's the point
Yes thank you
She really sells the whole distraught and melodramatic aristocrat while nailing those notes, I'm so impressed!!
No she doesn't. She's bloody awful, she has no coloratura technique
a truly great performance.
She deserves all the applause, her vocals were heavenly
I just love how the musicians laugh with the audience!
This is my favourite version of the song because it’s the first time I’ve been able to understand all the lyrics. Her voice is so beautiful and clear.
There’s this twinge of insanity in her delivery that just brings such an incredible unique portrayal.
Singer aside, this performance has the best conducting/structuring. They give more detail to the first section, and keep things measured so that the section at 4:45 doesn't seem like a sudden loss of energy, as it often does.
As far as the singing, I think she does a nice job. I find opera divas like Damrau and Dessay don't quite 'get it', or are a little too stiff. Meanwhile Kristin Chenoweth has the audience in the palm of her hand, but I think her choices go just a tad cheap. This performance strikes the right balance I think.
mostly agreed, but i believe the optimal balance would still lean a little more towards the style of chenoweth's performance, mostly when it comes to moving around the stage. acting so much with the arms while her feet remain nailed to the ground and her torso remains frozen in position feels unnatural. for anyone who finds chenoweth's version a little too over the top, i suggest checking out her performance with the boston pops orchestra where she gives a far more measured version, you may find it more to your liking
Out of context, you could say Chenoweth’s performance is cheap, but the entire production was aimed at silly. I think Chenoweth did a superb job as a part of the troupe. The above performance would not have fit, though technically superb.
Couldn’t agree more.
Agreed!! There's a new performance up by a Canadian singer Karoline Podolak from a competition I think? Definitely worth checking out @@squirrelcarla
I've never before liked English opera. Got to give it to this young lady... I may give it another go!
This is my favorite rendition by far. She has astoundingly clear and balanced high notes with amazing support and just enough personality to keep it interesting. Sure Kristin is great but she plays with it a little too much and you get distracted from the true technique and tactful satire of the work. Beautiful.
I agree, her support is wonderful and her tone is great. Kristen's tone can get a bit shrill at time
She isn't hitting all of the notes nearly as well as kristen though.
Like 5:24 😬
Yeah Idk about that one
@@meltedmarshdaddy that was good
Kristin chenoweth supera todo esto por mucho, tienes que verla
What an absolutely legendary performance!!! what a woman
The staccato really is an ab workout.
All the ha’s are supposed to be separated
Dfghdfgh Uytiu o
@@dfghdfghuytiu8207 yep... she’s slowly losing her mind and she can do not more than laugh.
dang I found myself ahain
Dreddddd I know everytime I sing this I’m like SUCHKWNXEHOANXHDA
Honestly I really believed her character and didn’t need any background to know what’s going on, which is exactly what you want! The portrayal and vocal talent is phenomenal!
Can we just appreciate she is NOT a classical trained operatic singer and yet she can belt this out, just STUNNING!!
Who is she? What’s her name? She may not be an operatic singer, but she certainly appears to be classically schooled. One doesn’t tackle a number like this otherwise, unless one wants to make a fool of him/herself.
5:20 is just stunning. Idk why I'm so attached to that one note
It sounds like a harmonic on a string instrument!
I agree. High Cs are beautiful.
@@FastBreak-qb4cc not every high note is a C
Ayano yes but this one is
I mean she just hits it so well and it's incredibly clear! So beautiful
I am an opera singer and learning this piece for the first time. And all I can say is... WOW😶✨
I must admit I stumbled upon this video and have never heard/heard of Scarlet Strallen before. She is really amazing in this. It seems there is a huge divide among sopranos in how they do this aria. The more operatic ones get some of the humor and amazing vocal quality and coloratura. The more Broadway ones get the humor (sometimes putting it over the top) with much of the vocal quality. Ms. Strallen really is the best of both worlds. It's not campy, but very funny. Pulling the necklaces out of her cleavage is a stroke of genius. And, while there are voices that are perhaps more beautiful, she gets everything beautifully along with good diction. Brava!
You said exactly what I wanted to say, but could not put into words!
The more I watch this, the more I love this version.
She gives me chills!!! The way she sings is amazing!!!
i found this song by Kristin Chenoweths version and thought it was hilarious and beautiful, now listening to this I'm crying. She's still funny but the song is so much deeper than i thought.
funny but deep, fitting for a song based on _Candide_
I´ve seen many performances of this masterpiece by Bernstein. This is by far the most amazing and stunning one! BRAVA!!!!
2:26 sounds heavenly omg, this is one of the best performances I've seen of this song
Is the breath control, enunciation, spot on notes, interpretation and acting for me! ❤
The way she makes it look so effortless as she does such high notes for extended periods of time makes me so jealous oml.
She is an unbelievably impressive soprano. Holy crap.
Oh, Maestro Bernstein, what wonderful gifts you gave us all...
Wow is a wonderful song and it is one the most hardest song to sing. I love it. I can not stop listening to it.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is how it's done! BRAVA!!!
Sparkling Silver Curls 😂😂👎👎
Natalie Dessay and Diana Damrau sing it rather well too.
But their personalities shine.
This song is really truly a brilliant moment of 20th century opera because it is so very delightful and it does so very fit the 20th century major development of music for the theatre.
Carey Coleman Dessay's and Damrau's renditions are my favorite!!!
Carey Coleman Search for Joyce Di Donato. Clearly the best.
Agreed
Now THAT is a round of applause! And so well deserved!
Jesus christ, what a performance.
BlackLionFilms there are a bounch much better than this...
Jesus had NOTHING to do with this!
Batrick Pateman 😂😂😂😂👎
@@ansonidiaz728 Yeah but none of them were there, doing this, on the night, so what
By far my favorite rendition of this song. I know everyone praises Kristen, but I feel like her portrayal is too comical rather than mad. While the song is not serious, the whole show's comedy is rooted in satire and you need a level of madness that I feel Kristen doesn't do properly. She just *tries* to be funny, but sings everything the same. Scralett in an incredibly performer with a beautiful voice and truly acted through this piece well.
But Scarlettes voice is just wrong for this song. It's a complete miscast. This role is MEANT to be performed by a trained soprano or maybe even coloratura soprano.
@Jillian Elizabeth, as a clown who (admittedly has not seen the show) I like Kristen Chenweth's version/performance better; she nails the comedy so well and I love it. As a singer, I like this version with Scarlett better. Does that make sense?
Jillian Elizabeth this is trying to funny but it’s cringy! Kristen sings it way better!!!
I don't feel that Kunigunde is at all mad. The whole point of her character is that she is excruciatingly shallow, see "Oh Happy We". That's why this number right here is even brought up as well - only the most shallow character could rejoice in worldly riches in her situation, and she does. Her upbringing tells her she should be ashamed, but really she's enjoying this and reveling it. She's letting her instincts of greed and vanity win in this one. It's not until the very end of her story line that she sees the error in her ways. Remember how Candide leaves her at some point after having gone through unimaginable horrors to try and save her because he realizes she's, in fact, an awful person?
Tl;dr: This song doesn't need madness. It needs unashamed vanity.
@@larissaweidler8270 I think it's hard for people to gather when characters are just shallow - a lot of our criticism and investigations lead to trying to find deeper motivations or presuming they're present... when in fact some personalities just have the depth of a half-drained kiddie pool.
I find this AMAZING!!!!! Vocaly with flair and beauty, so funny. She is an actress so it's vocal acting. Voila! Loving this!!! More more more!!!
1:42 is like when pacman dies
OMG
Charleen why did you have to point that out. Now I can't stOP HEARING IT
Best. Observation. Ever.
Charleen Gunning OML😂😂
@@annabellethedoll4032 Absoluetely!
High performance! can't get enough. Scarlet Strallen, you are great.
She is absolutely wonderful. So talented and this performance is so entertaining!
I have watch this performance... SO many times.... it's just incredible :)
every singer is different stop comparing them ???
This is really funny to me because my class assignment is to compare the two singers, more so in a respectful manner like "how does their stage presentation change the overall mood and portrayal of the song" and "how do their voices differ and does it influence the song? does it matter?" not like if one is better than the other, that'd be mean and very subjective.
lol i just watched both of them and they're both pretty great
@@burreal9916 That's because people should be able to compare different performances without it being some big moral commentary. Even if it's "I like this one for these reasons in comparison to this one which does not do these things" it's fine. Everyone has an opinion but somewhere along the line, we forgot that people having differing opinions from our own doesn't attack or belittle or demean.
Honestly, things like "don't compare!" are how we get to the point of people not being able to support their opinions with evidence or treating comparisons as if they're automatically insulting the other because we get out of the habit of understanding how opinions work and how to support them and that they're a matter of interpretation.
@@Kitsuiko People only don't like comparing when they know their favorite isn't really the best.
Then suddenly it's wrong to compare.
@@KitsuikoI think that is true in some respects. However, on the internet, there do seem to be a lot of people who think that anything that isn't their favorite is awful.
My favorites are listed below, but Wow, this really is a performance for the ages, really nice balance between the vocal technique and the humor.
that low note after the first refrain :O
that note at 5:20 is beautiful
Every time she nods on the "ha hA" I smile
No better singer to perform this. Amazing performance. Scarlett played the part of Cunegonde in the Candide revival at the Mernier Chocolate Factory around 18 months ago.
The bit with the Chandelier... Perfect.
Stellar performance. Certainly one of the best ever.
Pretty much everyone who sings this aria is incredible, but for me, Scarlett Strallen, Kristin Chenoweth, and Simone Kermes are my top 3 for acting the part. They really capture the comedic irony this piece is supposed to convey.
Love this performance.. I can’t stop watching it
This performance is personally my favorite. I, of course, love Damrau, Dessay, and Chenoweth as well.
Okay , FINALLY , A song , Lea Salonga might have trouble with .
OHMYGOD😂
Some say, this is one of the most difficult songs to perform. Well, she can.
Perpaps Bernstein was quite a composer too...?
She is a Singer with big S.!
5:20 that high C! gorgeous!
5:27 is E-flat!
Brilliant, bonkers, and beautiful!
this role is suppost to make you seem insane, and she definetly hit that!
Never before this day have I liked opera in English. She is Amazing.
Fabulous performance and fabulous dress. I love it.
She is such a Mermaid because she looks like a Mermaid and sings just like a Mermaid. And WHAT A SWEET VOICE! But the falsettos kill us!!
A very nice performance. And a perfect one to tell us the differences between a real opera singer and a musical singer.
Scarlett Strallen is a Musical Theatre Actress
CDB8939 most likely with classical training as well, all the best do. Have you listened to the original cast of Les Mis?
Brava!!!! Absolutely charming, vocally beautiful, spirited, gorgeous. What a treat to discover this. And notice that I don't need to make any comments comparing her to Kristen Chenoweth or Barbara Cook or any other Cunegonde.. because NOT EVERYTHING IS A COMPETITION. Artists do not exist to be rated by the audience. Stop ranking everything: it's crass and ugly and cheapens the art.
Why does everyone need to compare anyone who sings this. Why not just enjoy for that it is, amazing. And anyone who disagrees better have a version of them singing this on their channel we can all judge.
And she actually hits the 'ha' like Barbara Cook, and not 'oh' or 'ah' like Chenoweth. 👏
5:20 is just graceful
I like how seriously everyone is taking this
absolutely wonderful performance,
i heard a big concert there once,
omg it’s big barn to sing in, haha.
Absolutely insane, favourite performance of this song!
Ellie Turner 😂😂😂👎👎👎👎
HER VOICE!!! SO SWEET. GIANT FAN OF HER. LOVE IT.
Wonderful, puts all others in the shade! Crystalline, cynical,, and entirely comic: 2:57-3:07.
Scarlett Strallen captures this scene perfectly....
My fave performance I can find on the RUclips. Bravo.
I'm still trying to pick up my jaw from the floor.
Same top note as the Queen of the Night's second aria!
DIVINE, MARVELLOUS, AMAZING SINGER!!!!
Really fabulous!!!
Really loved this! Thank you very much!
Amazing talent! Brava!
This is all the drag I need 💯 love her turn on this performance and how she kept it bright 😂
scarlett strallen absolutely killed this omfg
O Scarlet. You make me laugh out loud. 😂
THANK YOU!
A beautiful and very entertaining performance.
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHE KILLED IT
This is beautiful
That dress is STUNNING!
This was amazing!!! I almost prefer it to the other versions I've seen but each one is cut from a very different metal so I really can't compare!
Superb
What a performance!
I was there - Not what I usually see at the Proms - but it fit perfectly. Definitely want to see more of the John Wilson Orchestra
She is great!!! Love her
I bloody love this version!! ❤️
Scarlett Aimee Vaigncourt-Strallen (born 3 July 1982) is an English stage actress, best known for her work in musical theatre productions in the West End and on Broadway. She has received two Olivier Award nominations, in 2006 for her portrayal of Josephine in HMS Pinafore, performed at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and in 2012 for her role in Singin' in the Rain. Strallen is also a former voice actress.
I could be wrong but is she not the niece of Bonny Langford? Anyway i was a bit late to Candide apart from Max Adrian of Up Pompeii singing as Pangloss but boy this song is exhilarating and this is good as Chenoweth but not as comedic perhaps.
What a marvellous performance.
I like her. I've seen Kristin Chenoweth's version, it's very nice. You should check it. 😁
this is amazing
abasolutely a delight--Lennie and Barbara would be proud....
2:40 - 2:50. When I get my hair done and the hairdresser has done a good job
Honestly me when I put on a wig
Everyone in gentleman’s guide was cheering their sibella on, like yes. Support !
God I love this song!
So do I!
Beautiful!!!
Very well done!Brava!
Perfection!!!
Love her!
Pause at 5:29 its me when me when i hit my little toe on the table
Fabulous.
Incredible work ❤
She is so good.