Cardiff Singer of the World 2015

[french frank]

Me too. The whole structure of the programme is like a cheap TV talent show.

My theory is that:

a) the BBC thinks there is an audience that will enjoy this style of coverage

b) worse, there really is an audience that enjoys it

and

c) commenting that it's awful is like commenting that Katherine Jenkins isn't an opera singer: people feel their taste is being criticised which therefore makes you a snob

[subcontrabass]

Also, when is the 'Classical Voice' "season" on Radio 3 going to be over? I haven't seen it being branded as a week, or a fortnight, or whatever. Is it indefinite?

The press release says it lasts until July 4: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/lat...lassical-voice

[Nick Armstrong]

The press release says it lasts until July 4: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/lat...lassical-voice

Thanks, Dumbledore.

One bonus is that we have the wonderful Natasha Loges back on CD Review this Saturday, looking at song releases (though she's having to share the 10.30 slot).

[verismissimo]

Settle down please folks. Nothing really new here in terms of presentation.

And the winners of the first three days are all outstanding IMO.

COULD BE A FINE FINAL!

[Nick Armstrong]

Settle down please folks. Nothing really new here in terms of presentation.

Yes - I've always thought it was pretty dire

[verismissimo]

Quite magnificent Mongolian bass at around 33... The winner? He'll take some beating.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05zv49z/bbc-cardiff-singer-of-the-world-main-prize-3-round-3

[gradus]

From the comments above I seem to be out of step by actually enjoying the singing. Far from 'so-so', imv many of the singers have fine voices by any standard, for example the french soprano, mongolian baritone and american mezzo who performed last night were all highly accomplished. I do agree though that the cringingly awful backstage 'interviews' with Ms Blue should be scrapped.

[gurnemanz]

Like you, my comments referred to the presentation style (and judging format). I have enjoyed a lot of the singing and don't tune in expecting to hear "finished" voices. I have, however, been listening via catchup and will admit to some fast-forwarding along the way.

[Mary Chambers]

My theory is that:

a) the BBC thinks there is an audience that will enjoy this style of coverage

b) worse, there really is an audience that enjoys it

and

c) commenting that it's awful is like commenting that Katherine Jenkins isn't an opera singer: people feel their taste is being criticised which therefore makes you a snob

I'm a willing snob in that case, and I am criticising their taste

[Dave2002]

I'm a willing snob in that case, and I am criticising their taste

To an extent I'm with those who just like the music/singing - though from what I've seen so far there's precious little about that.

It's not only music/singing though - the inanities of watching sport these days - rubbish interviews which now seem obligatory after tennis matches - about the most remarkable thing from most of those is that players are still able to talk without appearing breathless, another being that they are polite enough not to say "what another stupid question ...!"

Commentary is not always bad, but words like "incredible" (which obviously doesn't mean what it should), "fantastic", "amazing", "fabulous", and maybe even "impossible" get rolled out every few sentences.

I suppose one can discern some honesty in the responses of the sports people to the post match interviews - sometimes - but one suspects that mostly they don't really say what they feel. "Tired" might be a reasonable answer on occasions, or "please, just go away .." The closest we got to that recently was Maria Sharapova not giving an interview - though maybe that could have gone against her if she has a sponsor ....

So much media hype ...

All those questions which start off with "What does it feel like ..." or "How does it feel ... " Mmmmmm

[DracoM]

There is no sense of careful judgement at all. It's all about the thrills and emotion of taking part, and that's it. Where are the technical details?
It's a joke. The baking stuff on TV has far more judgement and awareness and expression of 'technique' than this.

Sorry, I remain completely unconvinced.

We never will, but I'd like to overhear what the judges say behind closed doors.

[gurnemanz]

There is no sense of careful judgement at all. It's all about the thrills and emotion of taking part, and that's it. Where are the technical details?
It's a joke. The baking stuff on TV has far more judgement and awareness and expression of 'technique' than this.

Sorry, I remain completely unconvinced.

We never will, but I'd like to overhear what the judges say behind closed doors.

I have some sympathy with your drift but your criticism is marred somewhat by overstating the case. You seem to be suggesting that all the participants are concerned only with superficiality and froth. To call the whole thing a joke seems like an unjustified insult to those young artists. Not watched the cooking show, but I'm pretty sure I am never going to be more interested in competitive baking than in competitive opera singing, however crassly presented.

I have now caught up with listening to the four Cardiff Singer Song Prize lunchtime recitals via iPlayer - much better presented generally (Ian Burnside) with some terrific performances - and piano accompaniment from Llyr Williams and Simon Lepper.

[DracoM]

No, no, no, gurnemanz! That is NOT my point at all: yes, the SINGERS are giving it all they've got, they are doing their darnedest, I have no doubt about that at all.
SO my contention is they deserve to be taken FAR more seriously in terms of analysis, presentation and discussion than the current BBC team are doing. For me, they are aiming at a different audience.

And I am certainly with you on the lunchtime recitals, and actually, the ACCOMPANISTS are for me unsung stars of the show, particularly in the song elements of their programmes.

[LeMartinPecheur]

Piano Puccini???

I don't know La Rondine at all. Is there really a written piano part as at the start of the aria this evening? Or was it filling in for something exotic and unaffordable??

[visualnickmos]

I don't know La Rondine at all. Is there really a written piano part as at the start of the aria this evening? Or was it filling in for something exotic and unaffordable??

Yes, there most certainly is! I think there is a very good RCA CD of it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rondine-Puccini/dp/B000025O8L/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1434749456&sr=1-6&keywords=la+rondine