AMIRA Willighagen O Mio Babbino Caro REACTION

AMIRA Willighahen sings this famous Puccini aria effortlessly in front of a huge outdoor crowd in Maastricht. Musical maestro André Rieu encourages lots of rubato and extended high notes. They also repeat the aria. Why not!? It is rather short.
Note Amira’s final two top notes are not in the composer’s score! The write notes are an octave lower.
My name is William. I'm a Grammy-nominated opera singer. I make videos about great singers. Please subscribe to my channel The Bangkok Voice Coach.
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This video is made for the purposes of education and vocal analysis. I own none of the material covered.
#amirawillighagen #omiobabbinocaro #andrerieu #puccini #voice #reactionvideo #thailand #bangkok #bangkokvoicecoach

[@johnbattles1002]

I love Amira! Been following her life and musical growth about three years. I'm sitting here at my computer at 1:00 A.M., watching her sing her heart out, and crying my eyes out! She's an absolute angel, not just vocally, but in heart and character as well.

[@joepollard9476]

WILLIAM. This was possibly the best Reaction ever given to this performance. It has been suggested that this is the greatest performance of an operatic aria even given by a ten-year-old. We share your delight. It is normal for people (men and women) to cry when listening to Amira. She once said she didn't know why, because she was only singing! Best wishes, JOE.

[@joepollard9476]

You might like O Sole Mio, with Patrizio Buanne, the Flower Duet, with Corlea Botha, or, very recently, with her father playing the organ, Gesu Bambino.

[@joepollard9476]

Perhaps the piano was not featured originally, but I like Stephanie's contribution.

[@chas1355]

She may well have one of the most perfect singing voices on the planet. And this was when she had just turned 10. Now at 18 she is even better. There were 10,000 people at that performance and as you saw every last one gave her a standing ovation. That performance justly deserved it. You mentioned here languages and at last count she speaks 9. Just finished high school at the top of the class. She has been a delegate to the World Peace Conference and she established a charity to build playgrounds for poor children in South Africa where she lives. She's also an Olympic grade long distance runner.

[@warrengwonka2479]

Actually Fincent, her brother, gives her the correct pronunciation for the languages she doesn’t speak.

[@JaapFilius]

Thank you for this "in depth" reaction. I think these young singers/musicians deserve that their music get serious reactions like yours.

[@luigimanzoni2705]

Thanks Will, I really needed that. This has to be the most enjoyable few minutes I have spent on you tube, ever ! Not just Amiras' stunning performance that I have watched literally at least 100 times but your animated description of Amiras' performance had me smiling and even laughing out loud in appreciation of your obvious enjoyment, your highly animated and expressive face and your wry humor. Keep this up and you will soon have 100,000 subscribers.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Well Luigi, yours is one of my favourite comments ever!!? 🎶🎶🎶🙏

[@brha5058]

When teaching, great knowledge and experience are evidenced by a seeming effortlessness. Her singing is like that...effortless. A great video.

[@cathyholcombe4674]

What is so amazing is that she taught herself to sing opera from watching KZbin videos. Up until the time she won Hollands' Got Talent, she never had a voice lesson. She is definitely a prodigy.

[@robertcalderwood4977]

Thank you for another inspired and moving comment. Bravo!

[@daleennis3140]

I love the way you talk about this song,you have a top notch evaluation.Amira is a gift from God,she sings just like an angel,that she is!!

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

She truly is. ❤️🎶

[@oliveirafilho3264]

Amira the best 🙏❤️

[@lynettedevries1824]

Andre Rieu was shown a video of her by a friend. He was blown away by Amira's voice and took it from there.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

He knew a young opera prodigy would be an instant hit with his audience.

[@johnojvind7641]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach Rieu made millions of usd on this performance. Rieu lives in a Castle while Amira struggles to finance her future studies. Amira a few years ago, in an interview with her present concert provider classical pianist Charl du Plessis, said the music industry is full of sharks, I bet mr Riue is in her minds.

[@johnojvind7641]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach The interview. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmnIqnV9qZuJfJY

[@warrengwonka2479]

@@johnojvind7641Are the sharks swimming in the playground pools provided by half of Amira’s earnings?

[@johnojvind7641]

@@warrengwonka2479 You believe Rieu contributed anything to Amira and her spartan playgrounds mostly made of cheap steel that rusts quickly. Bet mr Rieu instead is fully occupied with renovating his luxury castle.

[@reuterromain1054]

I am more impressed by her courage and her fearlessness than by her singing!

[@michaelbarry8513]

there is no other vocal artist that has so moved me with the quality and number of her masterful performances

[@Pasovineyard]

Bravo Amira and Bravo to Bangkok voice coach.

[@harveydalosershorts1543]

Amazing amira beautiful

[@robertcalderwood4977]

Thank you. The perfect antidote to misanthropy

[@jasper4251]

"Not the mosquito" Maaaan, that had me laughing!

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

😂😂

[@kenmoehringer3331]

Have you reacted to Amira singing Caruso ?

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Singing it in the piano store? Or is there a performance on stage?

[@dafyddllewellyn6636]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach Yes, there is a performance on stage - it's from her September 2020 "streaming concert" - she released it separately to advertise the streaming concert.

[@kenmoehringer3331]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach Here is a link to the Caruso performance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5qrYoCGm7topKM

[@kenmoehringer3331]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach Thank you for sharing your knowledge and perspective to truly understand how gifted Amira is. Grazie.

[@warrengwonka2479]

She learned to close her vowels by copying Maria Callas on the TV.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Mmmm. It seems quite Sarah Brightman too.

[@jorgechavesfilho]

Superb reaction, William. Yeah! You're the best. Adding up all the views of the various copies of this video on KZbin and Facebook reaches a total of over 1 billion views, which is unprecedented for any soprano and even the great conductor. Thanks.

[@graemeblackburn7511]

Another great reaction Wil. I’m super impressed with your music knowledge & it’s a real pleasure to listen to you. There are so many Amira performances to choose, so I’ll give you four of my favourites for your consideration. …. … Ave Maria by Gomez at the Canisius Church at age 11. …. … Flower Duet with Corlea Botha. Amira is 13 in this performance. …. … Sound of Music medley at age 15. Amira sings one octave above the original by Julie Andrews and absolutely nails it. …. … When You Wish Upon a Star at age 17. This is sung at an extremely slow tempo & her breath control is unbelievable. These four give you a broad understanding of Amira’s versatility & would really appreciate your reactions on all four. Cheers Graeme. ps. I have subscribed to your Chanel & look forward to all your reactions.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

I will definitely follow up your suggestions. The Flower Duet is a perennial favourite- excuse the pun!

[@warrengwonka2479]

I listened to it sung by two famous opera pros right after her and Corlea. They didn’t seem better.

[@warrengwonka2479]

Not so sure about Julie Andrews. THE SOUND OF MUSIC sounded the same to me, in the movie, the second part was sung by her husband, the third by a nun.

[@nanettetredoux7613]

Ah the precious child she was! When I watch and hear child Amira, I find her "bry" R so charming. She used to pronounce the R gutturally like the French do, but she has since lost that. or she was trained out of it, and now she has a proper Italian/Dutch/Afrikaans rolled R. She grew up in a musical home - both parents, as well as her brother, play instruments. I think she listens to music very intelligently, and she responds well to training and direction.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Absolutely beautiful singing.

[@mikerobinson2685]

Small side note. Just before she actually starts singing and is looking at the audience, she looks down to her right, checking her stuffed turtle that is placed in the fence shrubs out of sight of the audience. She was still carrying her turtle with her to performances then.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Fab!

[@joepollard9476]

@Mark Grant . Shillpaddy went into retirement (I believe) on Amira's 12th birthday.

[@fredshipman6596]

You really need to watch her 3 Hollands Got Talent videos. Audition O Mio Babbino Caro (she was limited to only 2 and a half minutes performance time) See the difference between that and 6 months later with Andre Rieu. Semi Final Ave Maria, and Final Nessun Dorma. She won against 7 other contestants with over 50 percent of the total vote! Also to note that at the end of the program after winning and with all the excitement they asked her to sing an encore of Nessun Dorma and she did it even better than the first time. The encore performance is also available on youtube. Great Reaction for a great singer and humanitarian.

[@passqualecaiazza7728]

It is not 74 million views, it is 76 million views. Then you add the original post of 27 million and 12 million on Amiras site you have 120 million and that does not count Facebook. She is just the best. Great reaction.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Went up 2 million while I was making the video!!

[@passqualecaiazza7728]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach I knew that, I was just saying when add all of them it is much higher.

[@caroldawson6692]

Thanks Will for another outstanding reaction, Amira is amazing not only for her beautiful voice but I believe, a musical genius, a true humanitarian that loves all children and a natural linguist as well speaking 3 languages fluently and singing in several other languages as well. Others have requested Ave Maria (Gomez) My all time favourite! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGeZppd3gtJ2eq8 Which I think is in Spanish when Amira was only 11. Her brother Fincent is on the violin! In 2018 Amira at 14 sang Gabriella's Song in Swedish (from the Swedish movie 'As it is in Heaven'). kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2bYn5StgNWsqdk I have been told Swedish is a very difficult language! So looking forward to some more of your great reactions to Amira!

[@andrewclayton4181]

What a great reaction. This was the second video of Amira that I stumbled across, after seeing her HGT audition, I had to buy the concert dvd. It is a jaw dropping exhibition. She did it two nights running. Have you reviewed her Ave Maria , Gomez, from the following year? She demonstrates some vocal gymnastics beyond her years in that performance too. Love your assessment of her technicalities.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Thank you. Do you refer to the Bach/ Gounod Ave Maria duet with a tenor?

[@mikemorris5107]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach No. He is referring to a completely different Ave Maria by Gomez. Here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGeZppd3gtJ2eq8

[@billharmon91]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach The Bach/Gounod Ave Maria is wonderful, but the Ave Maria in the Canisius church is outstanding!!

[@masonsteele1674]

"I'd rather sing opera than eat chocolate cake!!" ... Amira Willighagen.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Oh wow that’s a great quote.

[@andrewclayton4181]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach you can find it in the video - This 11 year old will blow you away with her opera talent. ( Something like that) She explains to the camera how she taught herself to mimic singers on you tube. She's only 10 or 11, it's quite sweet. Here is a link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3uWpmitbrOMoLM

[@masonsteele1674]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach ... that was something that Amira said in one her early taped interviews. The reporters all smiled or laughed, but ten year old Amira was serious and retorted, "Yes!" It was cute.

[@joepollard9476]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach . It's still on You Tube.

[@lindabull4185]

Hello Will , lively breakdown. It must be difficult doing an analysis of a child compared to a professional adult. It is some feat for a 7 year old to have comprehensive training in song and performance skills to enter her into the competition then 6 months later with Andre. When did she play?

[@dafyddllewellyn6636]

Firstly, she was 10 - this performance was on July 11/12, 2014. Secondly, she had no formal training when she sang OMBC in the audition for Holland's Got Talent. It was recorded on August 31, 2013 and broadcast in October; Andre Rieu saw the broadcast and invited her to a "Masterclass" - which she did, on 7th December 2013. He taught her not to breathe in the middle of a word, and to extend her high notes. She won Holland's got talent in late December 2013, and received a recording contract with SONY, for which her parents got a singing coach (Maike van der Weile) who coached her through her first album in February 2014 - she got the first disc for her tenth birthday, on March 27 2014. She gave her first public concert in Somerset West, South Africa, shortly after that. May I suggest that you watch the documentary "Ave Amira"?

[@lindabull4185]

I am only repeating what has been written in Wikipedia. Artists do check the information and have edits made. I have reread this article & it hasn’t changed. Sorry to offend

[@ElizabethRoss-uj8rl]

There are no words in my vocabulary to explain the majesty of what I just heard.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

I think you did very well Elizabeth! ❤️🎶

[@tjsherminator]

Love your reaction, love your message

[@carriebizz]

😯😮😲 Amazing

[@chriscummings6997]

I have seen a few of your Amira reactions now coach, and find them intelligent, educational and a pleasure to watch. Amira is very, very special. I think everything has now been said about her. God himself gave her that voice.

[@norbertreitz1520]

wonderful spoken Sir

[@eannemarie739]

Dankje William, dit was op het vrijthof Maastricht concert Andre Rieu.❤️😘🇳🇱🌷

[@benbotha3624]

BAKGAT, BAKGAT, BAKGAT AMIRA ~ SEKERLIK EEN VAN DIE BESTE LEWENDIGE UITVOERINGS VAN ALLE TYE - WATCH AMIRA MANIPULATE THE SOUNDS WITH HER MOUTH, VERY MUCH THE SAME AS BOBBY HATFIELD SINGING " UNCHAINED MELODY " - MOOI REAKSIE BANGKOK !!

[@thesilentgeneration]

Does anyone know Amira''s vocal range? Would love it if someone would put her voice on an analyzer and see what those high notes are that she hits. She is great at any age but especially at her age.

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

She goes to around E flat 6

[@patriciashah5335]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3nblZtmZ9eZgZY WINGS OF PEGASUS analysed Amira voice using some sort of voice software - i dont know if thats whats an 'anylise' rbut you might be interested to have a look at the link.

[@thesilentgeneration]

@@BangkokVoiceCoach Thank you so much for letting me know that. Take care.

[@thesilentgeneration]

@@patriciashah5335 Thanks for your reply and yes I will check out that link. Take care.

[@michiakiuematsu1385]

Amira's well-trained soprano's technical prowess is unheard of at the age of 10 - and the voice of an amazing child prodigy is heard. Very early on, Amira's vibrato and squiro virtuosity is miraculous, touching the hearts of listeners and giving the whole audience a standing ovation.

[@joseribamardasilva6873]

My god she's an angel from God absolutely fantastic

[@joseribamardasilva6873]

Nine years old

[@joseribamardasilva6873]

She's an angel

[@roeloftooms]

Talking about Andre Rieu. He was once contacted to play a walz written by the famous moviestar Anthony Hopkins but was never played. And he did.

[@eannemarie739]

That correct 🌷🇳🇱

[@haroldlabrique608]

I discovered your channel today and I'm so happy you commented many videos of Amira Willighagen who is my favorite lyrical singer ! I follow her now for at least 5 years ! She has a so beautiful and powerful voice ! Perhaps I can suggest you to have a look to three others incredible young girls singers on wich you can make some comments : Emanne Beasha, Melani Garcia and Solomia Lukyanets. Hope you'll enjoy !

[@warrengwonka2479]

Note that the Rieu, the conductor, is both following her and leading the orchestra.

[@draco_bane]

At 10... A great performance... by her... Andre...father hen... was great also... nice video... well done. thank you.

[@rekokauranen1883]

9 years 2013 just before semifinal.

[@dennisharnish9063]

Just where are her talents going to take her? She is amazing.

[@billhinton9787]

WELL SAID !!!! SHE'S EXTRAORDINARY !!!!

[@daleennis3140]

You need to check out another young,new oprta singer named Jonathan Antoine

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

Very nice singer but been around for a good number of years. Massive talent.

[@acnc64]

Update on the hits for this is now 81 million

[@dafyddllewellyn6636]

87 million . . .

[@Eikea01]

74 Million views... what about 142 Million views? Jonathan Antoine and Charlotte on BGT from 2012! Or listen to Jonathan Antoine singing "Nessun Dorma" at Home in his Livingroom after a Live Chat with his Fans ( Fantoines) 2 AM in the Morning 😁🌹❤️

[@BangkokVoiceCoach]

“Fantoines”! Omg 😱

[@Eikea01]

Jonathan's Name in full is "Jonathan Frederic Antoine" so we and he calls us F - Antoine 😁😉

[@dafyddllewellyn6636]

Actually, the current video from Andre Rieu has 76 million views - but it was a re-start after the original was withdrawn due to copyright; one of the original videos has come back recently, and has 18 million views. There is also a version by Andre Rieu on Facebook with 10 million views - and there was a version on Facebook in South America with 57 million views (now withdrawn due to copyright) - and there are a couple of low quality videos at around 5 ~ 6 million views, so overall, Amira is well ahead of Johnathan Antoine - tho I admit to a desire to hear the two of them singing together . . .

[@Eikea01]

@@dafyddllewellyn6636 the Original Video from Jonathan and Charlotte has now 145 Million views and there are more of it. One with 16 Million and a few from different Cannals... But the Original is 145 Million and counting 😁

[@johnojvind7641]

@@Eikea01 Amira has up to +1 billion views all together. This Rieu performance easily has +300 million views all together. And Paul Potts has 194 million views on his Nessun Dorma leaving even the great Pavarotti back in the dust. How many views did you say Antoine has on his ND?