Tonic Jukebox History
WEEK FIVE - Duets
There is something very special about a duet. When it works, each adds to the other in a special collaboration, never a competition. And from experience I can tell you that you get to a point where you know what the other person is about to do.
Monday April 13
O soave fanciulla (Puccini)
Nicole Car, Michael Fabiano
The end of Act 1 of La Bohème
Mimi and Rodolfo have met and instantly fallen in love.
Their voices grow fainter as they go off to find their friends.
Surely one of the best endings to an act in all of opera.
Puccini at his best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dtouh3p0qc
Tuesday April 14
Money Money Money (Kander and Ebb) From the 1972 film, Cabaret
Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey Not the easiest of films to watch but full of riveting performances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8P80A8vy9I
There is something very special about a duet. When it works, each adds to the other in a special collaboration, never a competition. And from experience I can tell you that you get to a point where you know what the other person is about to do.
Monday April 13
O soave fanciulla (Puccini)
Nicole Car, Michael Fabiano
The end of Act 1 of La Bohème
Mimi and Rodolfo have met and instantly fallen in love.
Their voices grow fainter as they go off to find their friends.
Surely one of the best endings to an act in all of opera.
Puccini at his best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dtouh3p0qc
Tuesday April 14
Money Money Money (Kander and Ebb) From the 1972 film, Cabaret
Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey Not the easiest of films to watch but full of riveting performances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8P80A8vy9I
Wednesday April 15
Guest DJ Jill from Tonic 2 and her partner John John and I would like to suggest Au fond du temple saint from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers - the Jussi Björling and Robert Merrill recording. We think it is probably the most perfect male duet. It has the ability to capture the full emotion of both the voices and the libretto. The Pearl Fishers is a good opera made brilliant by this one supreme duet. John saw Jussi Björling at the Royal Albert Hall in 1957/58. Philip adds: There are many versions of this duet, but this 70 year old recording is by many reckoned to be the best. Two singers at the peak of their career with voices that have rarely been bettered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PYt2HlBuyI |
Thursday April 16
Hinge and Bracket
Traditionally, a New Year’s Eve performance of Die Fledermaus features a break during the ball scene for extra acts.
Normally one would expect classical performers, but this Royal Opera recording includes a spot by Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket.
Philip: Back in the mid 70s I was taken to see this double act before anyone had heard of them. The evening started with two eccentrically dressed characters handing round glasses of sherry to the entire audience accompanied by very entertaining patter.
They had us hooked before they sang a note.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hxw69szjgI
Friday April 17
Parle-moi de ma mere (Bizet)
Angela Gheorgiu & Roberto Alagna
In the first act of Carmen, Don Jose is visited by his girlfriend Micaela with news from his mother.
This charming duet is a beautiful expression of innocent, pure love and a wonderful counterpoint to what is to come.
Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnremOiFknw
Words
https://www.opera-arias.com/bizet/carmen/parle-moi-de-ma-mere/
Weekend April 18/19
O terra addio (Verdi)
Placido Domingo/Aprile Millo/Dolora Zajick
Definitely one of the most moving scenes in all of opera.
Radamès (Domingo) awaits trial as a traitor, believing Aida (Millo) to be dead. Even after he learns that she has survived, he rejects an offer by Amneris (Zajick) to save him if he renounces Aida. When he is brought before the priests, he refuses to answer their accusations and is condemned to be buried alive. Amneris begs for mercy, but the judges will not change their verdict. Aida has hidden in the vault to share Radamès’ fate. They express their love for the last time while Amneris, in the temple above, prays for Radamès’ soul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp872-DIBQE
EXTRA FEATURE: Story about Philip and family in Verona watching Aida
Hinge and Bracket
Traditionally, a New Year’s Eve performance of Die Fledermaus features a break during the ball scene for extra acts.
Normally one would expect classical performers, but this Royal Opera recording includes a spot by Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket.
Philip: Back in the mid 70s I was taken to see this double act before anyone had heard of them. The evening started with two eccentrically dressed characters handing round glasses of sherry to the entire audience accompanied by very entertaining patter.
They had us hooked before they sang a note.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hxw69szjgI
Friday April 17
Parle-moi de ma mere (Bizet)
Angela Gheorgiu & Roberto Alagna
In the first act of Carmen, Don Jose is visited by his girlfriend Micaela with news from his mother.
This charming duet is a beautiful expression of innocent, pure love and a wonderful counterpoint to what is to come.
Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnremOiFknw
Words
https://www.opera-arias.com/bizet/carmen/parle-moi-de-ma-mere/
Weekend April 18/19
O terra addio (Verdi)
Placido Domingo/Aprile Millo/Dolora Zajick
Definitely one of the most moving scenes in all of opera.
Radamès (Domingo) awaits trial as a traitor, believing Aida (Millo) to be dead. Even after he learns that she has survived, he rejects an offer by Amneris (Zajick) to save him if he renounces Aida. When he is brought before the priests, he refuses to answer their accusations and is condemned to be buried alive. Amneris begs for mercy, but the judges will not change their verdict. Aida has hidden in the vault to share Radamès’ fate. They express their love for the last time while Amneris, in the temple above, prays for Radamès’ soul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp872-DIBQE
EXTRA FEATURE: Story about Philip and family in Verona watching Aida