From what I know, Pavarotti actually informed them that he couldn't perform a few minutes after the live Grammy show had already started. They literally had only minutes to find a replacement. Aretha had performed Nessun Dorma recently for another event so they asked her if she could do it, she listened to a recording of the rehearsal and said she could do it (even though it was in a different key than she had performed it). Amazing!
Just to add. Aretha had already performed earlier in the evening with the blues brothers doing a new updated version of respect from the movie blues brothers 2000. Pavarotti was at the Grammy's and was set to perform. the show had already started and as the next commercial break was coming he called the producers to let them know that he could not preform due to doctors orders. the producer knew that Aretha had done it 2 days prior at the music cares benefit concert. so he ran with the rehearsal tape to her dressing room and asked her if she would be willing to sing it. literally minutes before it was to air live. there is a bit at the beginning of the video where sting explains some of this. so without hesitation she said yes. he played the rehearsal tape for her and that was all the prep she had. because the Grammys were live and he was set to perform after the commercial break the singers and orchestra were already in Pavarotti's key. there was no time to change it to her own. So she sang it in his signature key. one of the greatest Grammy performances ever.
It was a beautiful performance . I remember when it first aired back in 1998 and I was glued to my television watching Aretha... Thanks for the reaction !
Wow! Thanks so much for your reaction. I loved your reaction and your comments. Pavarotti and Aretha were friends and he knew that she loved opera and that she sang opera. As a matter of fact, Aretha Franklin had sang Nessun Dorma a week or two before at a Charitable Benefit. Pavarotti had heard Aretha sing it. When his doctor told him that he had to rest his voice due to illness, he asked Aretha to step in literally at the last minute, about 20 minutes before she performed. She asked to hear his rehearsal tape so that she could see how the orchestra was going to play and the choir. Luciano Pavarotti is most often considered the greatest tenor of all time. So, if he asked Aretha to sing it in his place, that is indeed a tremendous compliment. That means that he had confidence that she would give an amazing performance. It also means that Pavarotti thought that Aretha's rendition was something that should be released to the world. I agree with you. It was meant to be. We regret that Pavarotti was ill. But, we have this stellar performance because of it. I was watching the Grammy's that night along with my family. It became a household favorite. We were so proud of Aretha. It was an extraordinary performance and Aretha sang it like no one else would sing it or could sing it. The color, texture, and tone of her voice combined with the passion that comes from her soul makes this a once in a life-time performance. My family and I always hoped that she would release an album of her favorite Opera pieces. Sadly, it never happened. I happen to listen to opera because Jessye Norman, who is one of the greatest Opera singers of all time, who happens to be a Black American, attended the same church as me in Augusta, Georgia. She walked me to church on the Sunday's my grandmother had to work. Growing up in the Jim Crow south, her career really began in Europe. She was recognized and received abroad before finally being welcomed and allowed to sing at the Metropolitan Opera House in the US. She is considered as one of the Top Ten opera singers of all time. When I heard Aretha sing Nessun Dorma infused with her gospel roots, sound of soul and R&B, I were thrilled and captivated by her performance, so was my family. I was so disturbed by some of the mean spirited responses from "snobbish" opera lovers. Some of the responses were most definitely borne out of racism and bias. Some were harshly critical and you could feel the hatred as if she had touched something sacred. They had a "How dare she" attitude. There was definitely a backlash from people who are so narrow minded in their thinking, that they could not appreciate how beautiful the tone of her voice was and the extraordinary fusion of genres brought to the song. It was disturbing to say the least. HOWEVER, there was a lot of praise for her performance. It was We could see Celine Dion standing, clapping, and shaking her head in awe at seeing Aretha sing opera. I am thankful that there well received by her peers and most people. Aside from Pavarotti, there were many classical artists who applauded her performance as well. Thanks again for your reaction. I loved it! Reply
Thanks for watching, and I totally agree that any negative comment must have come from just hate and racism. Music is such a beautiful thing, that unites us all, and we should be better at appreciating these awesome style mixes that only really occur once in a lifetime but that leave us historical performances like this!
Hi! I want to THANK YOU for your reaction and response to Aretha Franklin singing Nessun Dorma. Which she agreed to sing at the last moment. She and Luciano Pavarotti were good friends and he knew what she could sing the song and suggested that they ask Aretha. I have not seen your channel before. I have been working really long hours. I just happened to see it today. Wow I really appreciate your response and remarks. I totally agree with you. What you had to say is right on. She is to be commended for making it her own and adding her signature sound. Obviously, Pavarotti loved the way she sang it and respected it or he would not have suggested that they ask her. Aretha had a tremendous voice range and control over her voice. She loved opera. Sadly, we never got to see an Aretha sings opera album. I think it would have been amazing. The texture and richness of her voice is highly stylized. There are other operas that I can imagine her singing. I actually loved that there were portions that she translated into English. Like you, I believe that this shows just how incredible an artist and vocalist she is. It is a unique blend of opera and Aretha's soul. This became one of my favorite live performances. Thanks again for your thoughtful comments. There were criticisms from some opera fans laced with snobbery. But, they don't have what it takes to appreciate sound and color and nuance in a voice. They need to hear opera parroted. She broke the dam and allowed the blend of Nessun Dorma and Aretha to flow. Chai-Yehovah
Totally agree! A true artist who took the song (pretty much an opera anthem I would say) and made it her own... Appreciation is all we should have for this beautiful performance!
I can't explain what it is, but this performance brings tears to my eyes after three notes in. I watched it live as a kid, and it was the first aria I ever heard. It began a lifelong love of the genre. At the time I didn't know that it wasn't technically perfect. All I knew was that someone who looked like me, was singing something that belonged to other people. It let me know that music is open to everyone.
It's a beautiful performance that shows that music indeed goes beyond everything and can connect us all. And that memory from your childhood makes it even more special! Thanks for watching 🙂
If you look at the lyrics from the aria in Italian, you see how perfectly Aretha nailed the song. I know she had performed the song a couple nights earlier at another event, but she had not rehearsed with this orchestra at all. And it was just a few minutes notice to do it on live TV. And she still blew everyone away with her soulful rendition of the classic aria. Now THAT is a real pro.
For reacting to this video of Agatha Franklin you have another subscriber. Try reacting to Mariah Carey performance of hero on Michael Jordans last All Star game.
From what I know, Pavarotti actually informed them that he couldn't perform a few minutes after the live Grammy show had already started. They literally had only minutes to find a replacement. Aretha had performed Nessun Dorma recently for another event so they asked her if she could do it, she listened to a recording of the rehearsal and said she could do it (even though it was in a different key than she had performed it). Amazing!
Thanks for sharing! That's really remarkable, and it adds to how special this performance was 💯💯💯
Just to add. Aretha had already performed earlier in the evening with the blues brothers doing a new updated version of respect from the movie blues brothers 2000. Pavarotti was at the Grammy's and was set to perform. the show had already started and as the next commercial break was coming he called the producers to let them know that he could not preform due to doctors orders. the producer knew that Aretha had done it 2 days prior at the music cares benefit concert. so he ran with the rehearsal tape to her dressing room and asked her if she would be willing to sing it. literally minutes before it was to air live. there is a bit at the beginning of the video where sting explains some of this. so without hesitation she said yes. he played the rehearsal tape for her and that was all the prep she had. because the Grammys were live and he was set to perform after the commercial break the singers and orchestra were already in Pavarotti's key. there was no time to change it to her own. So she sang it in his signature key. one of the greatest Grammy performances ever.
Thank you so very much! Ms. Aretha Franklin has always been number #1 with me, she is the 'soundtrack' to my life! 🤩😇🥰
Definitely a great soundtrack to have for a life! 🙂
First time hearing Aretha singing Nessum Dorma.Glorious.❤
Just when you thing she couldn't be any better, she gave the world this masterpiece. Glorious indeed!
Long live the Queen
It was a beautiful performance . I remember when it first aired back in 1998 and I was glued to my television watching Aretha... Thanks for the reaction !
Thanks for sharing, great memories on an awesome performance 🙂
Yess she was amazing ooh nan soooou special ❤
omg an opera together with her voice thats sounds like a really great soulmusic voice is amazing
Yes! The combination of her voice with this style of music worked so very well 🔥
Soprano
Wow! Thanks so much for your reaction. I loved your reaction and your comments. Pavarotti and Aretha were friends and he knew that she loved opera and that she sang opera. As a matter of fact, Aretha Franklin had sang Nessun Dorma a week or two before at a Charitable Benefit. Pavarotti had heard Aretha sing it. When his doctor told him that he had to rest his voice due to illness, he asked Aretha to step in literally at the last minute, about 20 minutes before she performed. She asked to hear his rehearsal tape so that she could see how the orchestra was going to play and the choir. Luciano Pavarotti is most often considered the greatest tenor of all time. So, if he asked Aretha to sing it in his place, that is indeed a tremendous compliment. That means that he had confidence that she would give an amazing performance. It also means that Pavarotti thought that Aretha's rendition was something that should be released to the world. I agree with you. It was meant to be. We regret that Pavarotti was ill. But, we have this stellar performance because of it. I was watching the Grammy's that night along with my family. It became a household favorite. We were so proud of Aretha. It was an extraordinary performance and Aretha sang it like no one else would sing it or could sing it. The color, texture, and tone of her voice combined with the passion that comes from her soul makes this a once in a life-time performance. My family and I always hoped that she would release an album of her favorite Opera pieces. Sadly, it never happened. I happen to listen to opera because Jessye Norman, who is one of the greatest Opera singers of all time, who happens to be a Black American, attended the same church as me in Augusta, Georgia. She walked me to church on the Sunday's my grandmother had to work. Growing up in the Jim Crow south, her career really began in Europe. She was recognized and received abroad before finally being welcomed and allowed to sing at the Metropolitan Opera House in the US. She is considered as one of the Top Ten opera singers of all time. When I heard Aretha sing Nessun Dorma infused with her gospel roots, sound of soul and R&B, I were thrilled and captivated by her performance, so was my family. I was so disturbed by some of the mean spirited responses from "snobbish" opera lovers. Some of the responses were most definitely borne out of racism and bias. Some were harshly critical and you could feel the hatred as if she had touched something sacred. They had a "How dare she" attitude. There was definitely a backlash from people who are so narrow minded in their thinking, that they could not appreciate how beautiful the tone of her voice was and the extraordinary fusion of genres brought to the song. It was disturbing to say the least. HOWEVER, there was a lot of praise for her performance. It was We could see Celine Dion standing, clapping, and shaking her head in awe at seeing Aretha sing opera. I am thankful that there well received by her peers and most people. Aside from Pavarotti, there were many classical artists who applauded her performance as well. Thanks again for your reaction. I loved it!
Reply
Thanks for watching, and I totally agree that any negative comment must have come from just hate and racism. Music is such a beautiful thing, that unites us all, and we should be better at appreciating these awesome style mixes that only really occur once in a lifetime but that leave us historical performances like this!
Hi! I want to THANK YOU for your reaction and response to Aretha Franklin singing Nessun Dorma. Which she agreed to sing at the last moment. She and Luciano Pavarotti were good friends and he knew what she could sing the song and suggested that they ask Aretha.
I have not seen your channel before. I have been working really long hours. I just happened to see it today.
Wow I really appreciate your response and remarks. I totally agree with you. What you had to say is right on. She is to be commended for making it her own and adding her signature sound. Obviously, Pavarotti loved the way she sang it and respected it or he would not have suggested that they ask her.
Aretha had a tremendous voice range and control over her voice. She loved opera. Sadly, we never got to see an Aretha sings opera album. I think it would have been amazing. The texture and richness of her voice is highly stylized. There are other operas that I can imagine her singing.
I actually loved that there were portions that she translated into English.
Like you, I believe that this shows just how incredible an artist and vocalist she is. It is a unique blend of opera and Aretha's soul. This became one of my favorite live performances.
Thanks again for your thoughtful comments. There were criticisms from some opera fans laced with snobbery. But, they don't have what it takes to appreciate sound and color and nuance in a voice. They need to hear opera parroted. She broke the dam and allowed the blend of Nessun Dorma and Aretha to flow.
Chai-Yehovah
Totally agree! A true artist who took the song (pretty much an opera anthem I would say) and made it her own... Appreciation is all we should have for this beautiful performance!
There’s Aretha and everyone else and it’s not even close.
She was one of a kind indeed 🔥
Right 🤣👑Aretha is on a level nobody will ever reach .
She’s the queen ❤
Absolutely!
I can't explain what it is, but this performance brings tears to my eyes after three notes in. I watched it live as a kid, and it was the first aria I ever heard. It began a lifelong love of the genre. At the time I didn't know that it wasn't technically perfect. All I knew was that someone who looked like me, was singing something that belonged to other people. It let me know that music is open to everyone.
It's a beautiful performance that shows that music indeed goes beyond everything and can connect us all. And that memory from your childhood makes it even more special! Thanks for watching 🙂
Aretha was amazing ooh man ❤
Aretha, what a great performance and a beautiful song, thanks for sharing
Great performance indeed! Thank you so much for the support!
If you look at the lyrics from the aria in Italian, you see how perfectly Aretha nailed the song. I know she had performed the song a couple nights earlier at another event, but she had not rehearsed with this orchestra at all. And it was just a few minutes notice to do it on live TV. And she still blew everyone away with her soulful rendition of the classic aria. Now THAT is a real pro.
You Should watch, JAMES BROWN AND LUCIANO PARVAROTTI sings Its A Mans World, together live......
Thanks for the suggestion! I'm adding it to the list for a future video 🙂✅
Wow that was great and thanks for including the background 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Awesome Arethra
Aloha from Hawaii.
Aloha 🙂
@@ImTheWatcher my connection to this song, this performance and this artist are always with me. producer gave incredible background on this.
The beauty of music and its power to stay with us through time will never cease to amaze me!
Did you see Luciano Pavarotti’s son and daughter standing and clapping.😢
For reacting to this video of Agatha Franklin you have another subscriber. Try reacting to Mariah Carey performance of hero on Michael Jordans last All Star game.
Thanks for the suggestion! Definitely planning to do more reactions on these great artists 🙂
To step in on a song that big with no rehearsal at all.
One of a kind performance and talent for sure!
Jennifer Hudson sings the same song Nessus Dorma