Originally posted by LHC
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Yes I updated when I surmised Nick’s meaning. She has star quality though the Ukrainian mezzo is pretty sensational . -
Enjoying this very much. Helpful to have a major event to lighten the load during the current prolonged agony - apart from the football, of course. I remember being very impressed by the wild card finalist, Guadalupe Barrientos from Argentina in 2019, so I shall certainly be listening out for Masabane.
We never hear enough about the accompanists at events like these. Always a delight to hear Llŷr Williams, but one would like to know more about how the pairings of singer and accompanist are organised. Accompanying is still an underappreciate art, imho.And the tune ends too soon for us allComment
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In 2017, as mentioned last night, Catriona Morison won from a wildcard position. I loved her performance and made the trip to Wigmore for her subsequent Lunchtime Concert. Well worth the effort. I felt a vague affinity with her when I read that her father was a German teacher, like me. I also have a daughter about the same age (not a singer) who like her has taken joint German citizenship post-Brexit.Originally posted by LHC View PostComment
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I'm never entirely sure that repertoire choice doesn't influence the choice of the winner in this and other music competitions, more especially perhaps the 'audience prize'. Although I wasn't over-impressed by the American baritone before, I certainly did warm to him after he sang the Falstaff excerpt - I just can't help loving the music and anyone who sings it immediately grows in my so-called estimation. Interesting to see who singing what wins the Audience prize this year.Comment
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Yes agreed - what was particularly interesting was that he seemed to be tiring during the Wagner - though he held pitch better than on its previous outing. It’s clearly a v difficult sing (like all Wagner ? ) . But then he pulled out a tremendous performance of the Falstaff - he acted it beautifully albeit in that slightly hammy way the role seems to draw out of bass baritones. He is another one to watch....Originally posted by gradus View PostComment
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She is going to sing Beim Schlafengehen in the final, so you will get your wish (at least partially).Originally posted by Nick Armstrong View Post
Yes… Very glad Masabane was given her second chance. What a voice! Echoes of Jessye… and imagine Masabane in the Four Last Songs…!
"I do not approve of anything that tampers with natural ignorance. Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone. The whole theory of modern education is radically unsound. Fortunately in England, at any rate, education produces no effect whatsoever. If it did, it would prove a serious danger to the upper classes, and probably lead to acts of violence in Grosvenor Square."
Lady Bracknell The importance of Being EarnestComment
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"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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Interesting to hear the two accompanists being interviewed in the break . Llyr Williams also rates Enkhbatyn Amartüvshin very highly - one of the best he’s very worked with he reckons. I haven’t got a clue who”ll win this . I’d like it to be Celia but I don’t think it will be...Comment
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Having just watched the Final (amazing voice-quality of all contestants) I was puzzled that there were two conductors. I would have assumed that Andrew Litton might have presided over all. Anyone know he reason?Comment
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I think they simply stuck with the conductor each singer had in the first round - presumably to make it more comfortable for the singers?Originally posted by ardcarp View PostComment
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I caught only the last hour or so... totally agree (about the finalists, anyway), so will find time for catchup soon...!Originally posted by ardcarp View PostComment
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Just about the only thing I agreed with the judges and commentators about was the high standard of the competition and the difficulty of choosing the winner, and I have to say that their fawning and adulation did get a bit much after a while
It’s just all a bit Itchycoo Park these days imho 
But what does it matter, eh. In the end it’s a showcase for talent and an opportunity to hear and remember some names. My personal favourite was Natalia Kutateladze, the Georgian mezzo, who I thought gave the most believable and convincing performance with consummate professionalism, particularly in the Massenet, I thought. Presumably that’s what the Julliard education does for you. That is who I would pay to see 
And the tune ends too soon for us allComment
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I agree with you about the gush. I thought the two celebrity judges were so effusive in their praise that it became a bit meaningless. There were flaws in every performance but also some very accomplished and moving singing . I agree Natalia was the complete singer. She inhabited every role where others sang . Things like eye-balling the judges during her ultra cool Carmen. I thought her red lipstick was going to set the place on fire. I know it sounds trivial but even things like makeup matter in a singers performance on stage! And her singer was astonishingly secure with wonderful low notes which in some of those roles are more important than the high ones.Originally posted by Constantbee View PostJust about the only thing I agreed with the judges and commentators about was the high standard of the competition and the difficulty of choosing the winner, and I have to say that their fawning and adulation did get a bit much after a while It’s just all a bit Itchycoo Park these days imho But what does it matter, eh. In the end it’s a showcase for talent and an opportunity to hear and remember some names. My personal favourite was Natalia Kutateladze, the Georgian mezzo, who I thought gave the most believable and convincing performance with consummate professionalism, particularly in the Massenet, I thought. Presumably that’s what the Julliard education does for you. That is who I would pay to see
I thought the South Korean would win because he produced the most beautiful sound - wonderful line in the Tannhauser but he wasn’t really acting much. One or two of the other sopranos didn’t , in my view , produce very beautiful sounds though they were excellent singers who will have big careers . Where i disagree is that I would definitely pay to see Matabane Cecilia - I thought she was outstanding last night.Comment
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I wouldn't have wanted the job of choosing one over another given the radically different styles of the competitors but I thought the Giordano was so movingly and magnificently sung following on from the best Tannhauser performance of the week that it was almost inevitable that the baritone would win. In their different ways they were a splendid group of singers.Comment
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