AVA Opera - The Doll's Song from "Tales of Hoffmann"

Soprano Maria Aleida sings Olympia's aria from Les Contes d'Hoffmann in AVA's new production based on the integral edition of the opera edited by Michael Kaye and Jean Christophe Keck.
Opening night performance on November 12, 2011
Featuring Maria Aleida as Olympia and the AVA Opera Orchestra;
Christofer Macatsoris, Conductor
David Gately, Stage Director
Recorded by Joe Hannigan
Video by Matt Conant.
Produced at Weston Sound
For more information:
www.avaopera.org
www.westonsound...

[@MoiraRussell]

Holy crap she really does sound like a beautiful robot imitating a coloratura imitating a bird. I'm not even sure how that's possible.

[@hopei7972]

Moira Russell yeah!

[@writeract2]

Doll moira doll, no robots please!

[@lltbcke]

This is your 2200 like. And I couldn't agree more with what you said.

[@PeterPaul175]

All that, and with great legs. Slurp!

[@benjaminlawrence1779]

@@PeterPaul175 tf

[@ALittlePriest101]

I live for this staccato

[@暧昧-u8e]

ALittlePriest I wish I can staccato. Fuck I can't even reach any higher than A5 or I'll sound like a knife has been stucked into my throat.

[@AMQ11]

Remove that obscene word, please.

[@chickenstripper7755]

I love a good staccato

[@minxstole93]

ALittlePriest I live for your name and profile picture! That's one of my all-time favorite musicals and it's my dream to someday get to play the role of Mrs. Lovett on the stage!

[@therandomly8888]

I like legato

[@villagranvicent]

THE BEST doll by far, is not only about the voice but also the acting and expression.

[@momosaidnineisfine2194]

I do like Patricia J too performing this song, maybe more. But still one of the best, of course !

[@mikebarnard7957]

Very good but Sumi Jo's rendition just caps it in my humble opinion.

[@tpat90]

I am honest, I prefer Rachele Gilmore, but nonetheless, she is still breathtaking.

[@pluto1655]

itd say its pretty good, but patricia janeckovna is better

[@karleen9831]

Patrick Abraham yes!

[@Em-np2sm]

I'm living for the guy in the blue suit

[@antoniobittarperdomoyboliv7501]

Coccenille:)

[@BubbyNikko]

I can't keep my eyes off of him ahaha

[@Naa__adorkor]

He is one of my favourites.

[@Chromaggia]

Forget the doll, in this house we stan Kooky Blue Suit Man

[@MichelleD2023]

Everyone's talking about the high notes but can we talk about how difficult it must be to pretend to be "stuck"? That part was so funny!

[@katerinaaqu]

Agreed! That's what I think too. I mean I think that the most challenging part she has done here (apart from her technique) is managing to make her body look stiff and yet maintain the relaxation required to sing technically. It was truly remarkable

[@editorkitty9711]

It's a common thing in this particular song as well as the comedic elements in this opera

[@katerinaaqu]

@@editorkitty9711 It is a common thing. The commenter refers at how hard it is to be done properly

[@editorkitty9711]

@@katerinaaqu oh I was referring to the breaking down and some of the reactions to it

[@katerinaaqu]

@@editorkitty9711 I guessed so but this person also mentioned the doll-like moves the stiff ones. When you sing you must be relaxed so she appears to be stiff while in reality she is relaxed. That is really challenging. Indeed to drop your upper body down is not the same hard. In fact my teacher used that as a helper for my technique one time so my muscles would relax!

[@parker25489]

5:40 I could not keep a straight face singing like that while seeing that guy conduct like that in my peripheral vision

[@nicolasouimette690]

I just thought about it this way, and you’re right lol. I’m sure it takes a good rehearsal to block this out and stop laughing when you see that

[@YountPower]

That guy character is just nutty to begin with. I even imagine he had to be in hysterics during rehearsal doing those silly movements.

[@GrixieKong]

I’m thinking about the conductor facing him! I bet the actor makes eye contact with the conductor and mocks his every move!

[@YountPower]

@@GrixieKong True. I know if I were said conductor, I'd be trying my hardest not to crack up, but it definitely would be ridiculously hard.

[@jesseg.2413]

@@thoma4305 glad I'm not the only one who saw it xDD

[@durcheinander5554]

Omg are you kidding, why had I never heard of her??? Both high and low notes just SPECTACULAR!

[@mariabroderick4592]

durcheinander v

[@sophiamoore2473]

durcheinander she didn’t even hit the highest notes it’s not that good compared to others I’ve seen

[@hilaryelsinger7226]

@@sophiamoore2473 .

[@AMQ11]

You don't see notes. You hear them.

[@j.j.schlachtfeld9325]

Sophia Moore, Which notes are you talking about? That staccato G#6 sounds pretty high to me, she also hit some high E's, F's and G's, not no mention that final unwritten high G#. I have never heard anyone sing any note higher than G#6 as Olympia

[@psychedelic1589]

ive only known these characters for 10 minutes but i would already die for all of them

[@laughingseagull000]

thenperish.jpeg

[@michaelwright1295]

This cast (except the main character is only in act 1. The ret are different stories involving the main character

[@froog6957]

Tales of Hoffmann fandom lol

[@gmmix]

Delightful stage action. Aleida's extended range is impressive in the extreme. Nothing sets an audience afire faster than a dazzling coloratura soprano...and Maria IS dazzling.

[@villagranvicent]

She is the best doll of all!

[@Laviesurladentelle]

The best doll is Luciana Serra, but she (Aleida) is amazing

[@loyshaw935]

gmmix completely agree

[@67gyomber]

I prefer this version and singer. Maria Aleida is incredible!

[@angelmccage9235]

@@Laviesurladentelle Lucianna was perfect, those triplet runs were impossible to anyone but her.

[@RogerC12]

I think what you're looking for is 6:36 you'e welcome.

[@GlowingMpd]

Roger Music Fixed YOU’RE Thank you.

[@RogerC12]

@@GlowingMpd Your the first one to catch that... High five! Thank you for correcting me.

[@pauldelcastillo4768]

No

[@GlowingMpd]

Roger Music ...you’re the first...

[@GlowingMpd]

Roger Music 😉 you’re welcome!

[@operagirl81]

Wow just utterly FANTASTIC!!! Love the costume too and how she is wearing real ballet slippers. Very nice doll. Sometimes productions get really weird with Olympia's costume.

[@ocisip]

Agree! For instance Damrau's Olympia with a 60s beehive and articulated wooden legs was weird. However Kathleen Kim's Olympia was delightful. Singing, acting and production made her look like a mechanical doll. Her stage presence was convincing and fun to watch.

[@KierraPizarroSoprano]

pointe shoes* sorry I'm a ballet dancer lolll

[@ritawing1064]

@@KierraPizarroSoprano yes, I was dying to she if she'd get up on them! Pretty sickle feet in the tendus, though. 😅😅😅 Those things are bloody uncomfortable on the flat, they must have adapted them somehow

[@arionthedeer7372]

@@ritawing1064 They're probably not real. I watched another version where she did stand up in them, it was pretty rough 😬.

[@finland4ever55]

@@ocisip and Cinderella's dress

[@strangerspodcast]

I performed this 25 years ago. I remember it being the coolest thing to sing in my ballet costume. Never get to do those together lol. Depression led me to give up my gifts. I woke up. I have an audition in 2 days.

[@scent4heaven]

I hope you got ur role.

[@andyigwe7119]

I hope you go out there and share your gifts with the world. Just like the actor from Everything Everywhere all at once that returned to acting after almost 30 yrs

[@strangerspodcast]

@@scent4heaven I did! Thank you.

[@arniekevinvalera8166]

@@andyigwe7119 was that the Michelle Yeoh movie?

[@froog6957]

@@strangerspodcastCongrats!! 🎉

[@satchamamangpang7835]

Wow! Jump to 9:26 for that astonishing A flat 6!!!

[@etherealkkwf]

Satch Amamangpang she sounds like my clarinet when I squeak.

[@Harry-ht5uo]

Went a little sharp at the end but amazing nonetheless

[@Xylarr]

@@Harry-ht5uo so she went higher 😆

[@FlowersInHisHair]

@@etherealkkwf You wish

[@drymant]

Or don't jump anywhere, listen to the whole performance, and enjoy every note.

[@Bones-and-Coal]

Already shivering at that note at 9:20, thinking that was the climax, and then she goes higher and I'm just... how.

[@PassionPno]

Dimash has entered the chat.

[@parnikaandpavanijoshi551]

@Tedythink That I guess you are right!

[@parnikaandpavanijoshi551]

Come on no need to put dimash here. Dimash is not a opera singer. All of us dears know putting dimash under every damn video really does not end well 😂🙄

[@PassionPno]

@@parnikaandpavanijoshi551 I'm a Dears as in GACKT's fan. Why did Dimash even pick the name 'Dears'? It was already used for GACKT's fans about 2 decades ago.

[@parnikaandpavanijoshi551]

@@PassionPno oh why he picked that? According to him dear is someone close to him, his family . He does not consider dears fans. He considered us family to him, someone who is dear to him 😃 He has said these lines himself in many interviews because everyone keep asking him why would he use a word like dear to refer to his fans.

[@Stevesfriend100]

I loved this because not only has Maria got an amazing top A flat and excellent flexibility but she actually "acts" the role well - very dolls like and humerous (loved the repeated dropped jaw).

[@katerinaaqu]

Exactly! Much more she keeps her limbs "inflexible" like a doll and that is extremely challenging because in classical singing your body is supposed to be relaxed, especially your neck and shoulders because if those go stiff then your throat also goes stiff and the notes don't come out properly. It is really challenging to look stiff but not being stiff!

[@UDIO-S]

okey can someone help me pick my jaw up from the ground . damnnnnnn that last note thooo

[@SHYAMLEE143]

saladness 1 yasss 😨😨

[@beethovenium6443]

That note high Ab?

[@rowanpierson834]

+Beethovenethylenenium Music Ab6

[@alexcostatv]

The best doll of Aria I ever seen.

[@pluto1655]

i like rachele gilmore a little more. but this performance is really strong

[@j.j.schlachtfeld9325]

I think early Dessay is the best Olympia ever, but Aleida and Gilmore are astonishing as well

[@elsaesteves]

@@j.j.schlachtfeld9325 Dessay is magnificent, as well as Devieilhe, but M. Aleída is Exquisite 😮😮😮

[@anthonyehrenzweig7697]

Thats right - the best A flat I have heard & the best acting

[@robertaninfamoraraimondo1308]

I like Dessay version a little bit more, but yes, she is at the 2nd place of my pole, she is amazing ❤️

[@lled78]

Marty! You've gotta come back with me... back to the FUTURE... where I invent a singing dancing robot that can sustain an A flat above high C.

[@krasotabella9675]

I WASNT THE ONLY ONE WHO THOUGHT HE LOOKED LIKE DOC BROWN

[@junsuidearu]

This comment is underrated

[@BonumVerumPulchrum]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🤣🤣🤣

[@kingkong5483]

😂

[@sunspot5530]

PLSSS THIS

[@toniak7668]

those high notes are fantastic!!! and strong!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mrbigbigtoe]

I hope they aren’t strong in the way Natalie Dessay’s were. Her voice was damaged from singing forcefully/improperly/loudly

[@christianbaquir2215]

@@mrbigbigtoe they aren't damaged the way you said they were!! Her high notes are always free! But they're damaged because she always wants her audience to have satisfaction!! She didn't forcefully pushed her high notes but instead she overused it!!!

[@MartyMusic777]

The gasp from the audience when she hits her first high A-flat...just awesome.

[@neshamellad8664]

When her mouth keeps opening and closing at the end😍 really bringing the theme of this doll to life

[@orangecitrus9454]

Them: *singing in french* Me: Miraculous Ladybug did not prepare me for this.

[@starflash8346]

MOOD

[@deetato2980]

I FOUND ONE!! *Heavy breathing* MY PPL

[@Strawberrypersonoffixial]

Could never. Dull in comparison to this masterpiece

[@Amyarriaga1]

i’m cackling

[@michaelwright1295]

Mood af

[@abdelgaderalfallah]

6:26 I don't know why I can't get enough of this. Such an extremely impressive performance and her staccato are killin me....... luv this

[@Lunar_Spell]

How have I never heard of this opera before? The music is entrancing... Not to mention, the aestetic of this scene looks like something out of one of my regular Thursdays. 😍

[@TheKlali100]

Emily Elizabeth It's one of my favourite operas! Every act has such wonderful, but individual music and the arias are incredible. Plus, the crazy storylines make every staging of it a fantastical, chaotic delight!

[@aimiliasomething1]

LYRICS: (3:36) Les oiseaux dans la charmille Dans les cieux l'astre du jour, Tout parle à la jeune fille d'amour! Ah! Voilà la chanson gentille La chanson d'Olympia! Ah! Tout ce qui chante et résonne Et soupire, tour à tour, Emeut son coeur qui frissonne d'amour! Ah! Voilà la chanson mignonne La chanson d'Olympia! Ah!

[@vcagande7998]

What that’s not what I heard at all French pronounces things weirdly

[@NoTo_Shido]

@@vcagande7998 Don't worry, I'm French and I almost didn't understand a single word of what they sang (except for the white haired guy)

[@Bibi-ko3ew]

Aimilia Merci pour ton aide ! A la première écoute je n’ai pas réussi à bien comprendre toutes les paroles 😊

[@Pampelegg]

it's because their voice is very high

[@SarahYasmineXO]

@@Pampelegg no it's because they pronounce the words wrongly

[@eponawarrior7492]

Pleasantly surprised. Was expecting to hear a shrill, brittle sound that is typical of most soubrettes. Love the color of this one!

[@katerinaaqu]

Well she is a coloratura. There is small difference between a soubrette and a coloratura but the main one is that a soubrette sounds extremely light almost childish of voice and they usually sing different types of songs rather than operative because opera requires more sonorous notes even during the high ones. A soubrette is for example the singer that sings Disney's Snow White's parts. But truth to be told the boundries are more symbolic than actual

[@kn1752]

The guy in the blue suit is clearly the star of the show

[@literarywitch]

the guy who played the inventor (white hair) is so cute lol who is he

[@juliajonasson7748]

exo-st John Viscardi 👌🏻

[@pentel4178]

I was thinking the same thing, scrolling through the comments to see if anyone thought so too haha

[@joycedelrosario1137]

He's quicksilver from xmen. Lol im kidding

[@fhpurcell7713]

i know right? especially when he sits at the harp and looks all astonished because of olympia's singing

[@arcadia21125]

Doc from Back To The Future.

[@lifeisgood3087]

This singer is the perfect representation of the high musical standards in Venezuela, where she grew up. The classical music schools in Venezuela are part of the world renowned "El Sistema" which has produced top classical artists including Gustavo Dudamel, a number of violin players, pianists, wind instruments, musical conductors in general, and singers.

[@KrishnaSimone]

Maria aleida un grande 😀

[@-johnny-deep-]

Wow, that run up to the high Ab6 starting at 6:43 might be the best I've seen!

[@watewmarkscarlett1565]

Where does that last note come from ? O_O

[@draganvidic2039]

watewmark Scarlett Her vocal cords somewhere...

[@x3NiallersPotatox3]

watewmark Scarlett it's aaaaaall in the head voice ;)

[@nathanieljasondemesa3135]

A6

[@nathanieljasondemesa3135]

? Not sure

[@luxisims391]

Nathaniel Jason De Mesa Ab6?

[@MAGGIETA1]

Her staccato is unreal. She is amazing!

[@annasophia2826]

My gosh this is one of the best performances I have ever seen

[@jord4nify]

The doll's act is performance art. Her singing is phenomenal. Best rendition of the doll's song by far.

[@markcraven8386]

She performed The Doll Song better than anyone I have ever seen. Each and EVERY high note to perfection.

[@PhoobieDoodle]

I loved how even the cast members gave a collective “oooh!” when she sang the high note at 6:49

[@hyramesshiramess1035]

Well, now we truly know what it means to sing "in alt." Perfectly stunning if a bit freakish, and always humorous -- but isn't that exactly what it's SUPPOSED to be?

[@draganvidic2039]

Hyramess Hiramess Yes!

[@Octavius118]

I never considered myself an Opra man but this is pretty fucking good

[@zeynjenkins2073]

she owns this role... beautiful notes...

[@susanweber6689]

I have sung professional opera for 30 years and sung this role. Best doll EVAH!!!!!

[@moonchildva]

Susan Weber Cool!

[@Lucky-yv3re]

Patricia Janekova is my favorit

[@karinaadame7360]

@@Lucky-yv3remine too

[@lizzfrmhon]

6:26 that delighted squeal followed by vocal ambrosia. Oh my gosh this is amazing.

[@da96103]

Doc Brown is playing the harp.

[@FortunateJuice]

That's who I thought it was too. Sorta like Quicksilver, but definitely more like a Doc Brown.

[@vikingsong2068]

He makes me think of Evan Peters as Quicksilver.

[@joyven8591]

I’ve replayed this so many times!! The best thing about her compared to others who sang this is that her voice is so full. She took the initiative to sing the high notes and they didn’t sound strained. Her staccatos were distinctive. And her acting is very good. Also, you can barely hear her breathe in between phrases. To be honest, I’d believe she’s a doll because this performance was extraordinary. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@viktorblondeen4925]

Maria Adelaide my darling why arent you living on the stage!!?? My god this is the best rendition, i love the modern mad sientist steam punk french court costumes, this rendition and her incredible vocals is just incredible! I would travel to see this live!

[@laurynbrough1660]

replays 44583828828238729382727299 times

[@nopejustnope]

Lauryn Brough same

[@swell_gal]

LOL, same here

[@elizabethhutt7743]

Same

[@insertusername4716]

Song ends: The replay button: Aw shit, here we we go again

[@kiaburt5091]

honestly, accurate.

[@thealmightyki]

my toxic trait is that i think i could do this first time

[@purplebec9112]

Well I couldn't but that stop me for trying. Now I can sing it like she does, all it took with throat exercises and practice

[@productioninquiry8937]

​@@purplebec9112Post a video or it didn't happen.

[@purplebec9112]

@productioninquiry8937 okay, I will post a video on my KZbin singing this very song. To show you how easy it is. Be on the lookout for that.

[@deniaridley]

That last high note...even the orchestra is clapping. Every once in a while I come back to hear this aria and it always puts a smile on my face.

[@nathanieltolvstad3329]

This scene kinda reminds me of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when the Toymaker made the lady act as “Doll” and sing in front of the audience

[@shannonhogg9307]

This sounds way harder then Queen of the Night what the hell

[@anthonyehrenzweig7697]

It may seem so but the high notes at the end are not in the written score; the highest written note is E flat whereas the Queen of the Night hits F. The Queen of the Night is higher & more difficult as written in the original score.

[@katerinaaqu]

@@anthonyehrenzweig7697 True but high notes are not what makes a piece difficult. It makes it challenging but the difficulty is not only at the how highly a piece goes, or else the bassi would be considered the easiest melodies ever. What one must look is the transitions of the voice, the challengies of the piece separately (like how many changes "jewels" or ups and downs it has) and of course the role itself. Soetimes even the language might make it challenging. Queen of the Night first of all is one of the arias with a really big range (2 octaves) while most of pieces are about one octave and a half at best, has multiple different ups and downs the voice sometimes even octave jump. It also has really high notes that are hit repeatedly. The strong tempo and the really emotional power in that piece makes it also much harder to pull through technically. Now the "easy parts" (if someone can use that word) is that the high notes are small in value so the singer even if they do sdrain themselves to reach the high note, they won't need to stay there much. Second is that the role is generally of a classical consistency so all rules of classicism are followed. The notes are easier to remember because they are easily "predictable" by a good ear and musician. Also the role itself doesn't require huge movement (unless of course the singer or the director requires it) so the singer can generally focus more to the notes rather than to extreme movement. Doll's Aria is indeed lower in range in the original libretto to the E6 but the singer holds the note slightly longer so it is more challenging to reach and keep that note technical. The doll's performance also has other physical sdrains that a "human performance" wouldn't have and that would be the "visibly stiff" limbs. It requires huge technique to keep your body relaxed and at the same time stiff for the role. Tales of Hoffman is by no means a classicism piece so the notes, the drops and the rhythm become more challenging because they are unpredictable. French libretto is also harder to learn by non-french speakers due to the difference in orthography. Now of course the "easy parts" would be some repetitive vocalizations that do not require a libretto, the non-passionate manner this aria is supposed to be sung, since it is a Doll that is singing so even if she were to speak of flaming passions in her song the flaming passion is not apparent in the singing because she is a soulless doll at this point. She doesn't need to channel emotions of hatred and lement as Queen of the Night does need so. Also they have fewer instruments to the background without the loud brass instruments so the singer doesn't need to sing louder or more technical to be heard over. Generally both arias are insanely hard each one in their own way. Non-classicism pieces are more challenging in terms of notes and rhythm but generally they allow you more liberties when you can't reach a note (unless of course one of the notes is extremely iconic and must not be taken out) while classicism is what it is. You cannot omit the F6 in Queen of the Night but as you see this person decided to add an A6 even if it wasn't in the original libretto. So each piece is hard each for its own reasons.

[@anthonyehrenzweig7697]

@@katerinaaqu The best performance is not necessarily the one that hits the high notes that are not in the original score. For example the one I thought the best was the German version (Dresden Oper 1970) which took no liberties with the notes. There the singer achieves an uncanny resmblance to a real doll & the tempo is slow almost as if sung by an automaton (which she is) but which the other versions dont achieve..

[@katerinaaqu]

@@anthonyehrenzweig7697 Well... That's what I said. That high notes are not what makes a piece difficult but the whole transition of it

[@anthonyehrenzweig7697]

@@katerinaaqu But I didnt say that. I was making a very limited point. I said that the part of the Queen of the Night as it is written is harder technically (& higher) than the Dolls song. Of course tessitura is not the only aspect to take into account when assessing the difficulty of an aria. And high notes are relative - I certainly did not say that a bass aria is less difficult because a bass has a lower range. F sharp for a bass is just as high as a high C for a tenor.

[@豬你不要跑]

I have never found Opera this ENJOYABLE! want to watch it in the flesh so much. love it!

[@katerinaaqu]

Really? Try Mozart too. Most of his operas are funny and light spirited. Magic Flute has Papagheno as comical relief plus Nozze di Figaro is so funny to see the young Cherubino running around the mansion to avoid the Count who is chasing him, because he caught him flirting with his wife. There are plenty of operas that are not dramatic out there. 😀

[@bonjourbianca]

This is by far the most brilliant version I have heard of this piece, and she makes such a cute doll, too! ❤

[@hennamontana222]

I come back to this video every once in a while. Still one of the best performances I’ve seen.

[@asiaweiss5225]

Not only is the singing WONDERFUL but the production value is great for this. Every time I watch this it puts such a big smile onto my face

[@henrytudor8537]

wonderful. the choir at the background are so beyond superb. second best doll aria ever (luciana serra remains ma no 1). but those high 'A's were unhuman.

[@aeraxxis]

My mother told me she couldn't sing that high since she gave birth XD

[@kohoutpacovsky8911]

Im a metalhead,what am i doing here and why i like it

[@laughingseagull000]

Listen moar

[@haileymclaughlin3961]

Metal music 🤝 opera music Heavily specialized singing that require unique discipline and muscle control in order to perform and have niche fan bases.

[@theenglishtongue1365]

6:49 FANTASTIC!

[@mothman-.-]

My chorus instructor showed us this in class today and I fell in love.

[@slobelukic83]

This stuff sounds really good on pot! I enjoyed every second of this performance!

[@g1ant650]

Dude, it takes you to a whole different high when you listen to it. glad I'm not the only one that enjoys it

[@BrettBtv]

It's so true! LOL

[@rawrfacee99]

Maybe HIGH notes sound especially good while HIGH lol (x I've learned this song actually, just for fun, and when I sang it for my mom & great uncle....I was high af. And it sounded even trippier vibratin inside my skull.. I'd go to choir in high school super high too ---> Voice inside my skull plus voices all around me..sopranos packed close around and hypnotic trance-inducing altos over there in the background... so..trippy...

[@cherylforrest4026]

I saw her sing this live as a supporting act in Andrea Bocelli tour. She was absolutely spellbinding - I was on literally the edge of my seat in awe

[@lica1598]

I'm no Opera buff, but performances like this, is what totally converted me, to worship this type of genre. The dolly is Amazing! Reminds me of the scene in Chitty bang bang, when they pretend to be figures in the music box, to hide from the child catcher! That took only ONE take, to act aswell. Bravo.

[@productioninquiry8937]

Her top is unmatched. Brava!!!!

[@systemhasfailedus841]

The man looks like Dr. Emmet Brown from Back to the Future :D

[@SavioByrczak]

My Wig has been snatched.

[@alexejII]

But this is a massive great high A, not the small thin whistle tones. I think there should be 100 Mariah Carey kind to one Birgit Nilsson and not a bad word about Mariah Carey.

[@mugrad25]

If only people knew what they were missing with opera

[@nopejustnope]

alexejII that was an A flat.

[@killuasadzoldyck4817]

Ab6 not a natural A6, but still very very impressive and crystal clear

[@chickenlittle438]

alexejII correction, Ab6 is the note

[@yourstruly8310]

Mariah herself said that she can't sing opera. Well she can if she trained for it. She was taught by her mother about something from opera but not that much though.

[@xenon_monster]

I always come back to this Olympia, the most perfect staccato I've ever heard!

[@geekbaritone]

WOW amazing!!! A♭ 6 at the end

[@DHWOO]

Ab 6! Would love to see a 7 though, christ...

[@geekbaritone]

Peter Smith typo, technically you would not be able to see a tone, only hear it.

[@lilly99ist1]

+geekbaritone You knew what he meant. Grow up.

[@frankieloinandgroin]

Zane Jones Wow, rude much.

[@shirokisasaki3233]

Lord have mercy!! That last HIGH E gave me so much life

[@andysoto9049]

if this scene is my life... i'm the guy with the blue coat XD like 24/7

[@ローレン-w4o]

One day, I dream to sing as great as her.

[@BrettBtv]

One day you may.

[@katerinaaqu]

Well then if that is your dream, go for it! Practice plenty and if your voice is also naturally high then why not? All it takes is tons of practice, lots of patience and of course tons of love for what you are doing

[@CarloQuinto]

Wonderful! Magnificent performance! I love the way Maria Aleida just oozes confidence. Not in a cocky way, just very confident she can do this and do it she does! Bright future!

[@tomifost]

I'm obsessed with this.

[@Keurlock]

I can never understand what they're saying and I speak french lol 💛 They sound beautiful though, they've got so much talent 👏

[@katerinaaqu]

Unfortunately sometimes during the song the singers tend not to say the syllables perfectly well, and that is a problem all opera singers have faced from time to time. Another thing is for the syllables to be heard over the music and the chorus, which is another issue the singers have to deal with. Another thing is that sometimes in operas the lyrics themselves do not make sense to people nowadays because they are written in an older form of the language and sometimes they might sound kinda archaic even to native speakers. Let's not forget that these types of operas were written for two hundred years back so the language slightly differed back then. Of course the closer to romantic times we come (aka 19th century) the more familiar the languages become

[@amagiordi2615]

@@katerinaaqu I'm Italian and the Verdi and donizetti librettos I've read are very archaic even for the 1800s, they're actually pretty horrible because it's clear that they were written just to be frivolously sung

[@katerinaaqu]

@@amagiordi2615 Well I am training in opera singing as a soprano and I have taken Italian language lessons so I found myself before the same problem as you. But I see what you mean. Well I wouldn't call it "horrible" exactly. I would simply say that it was fashion for the singing pieces to be spoken in an archaic version of the language similar to nowadays churches that use archaic English or Latin or in my country's case Alexandrian time Greek. It sounded more...you know..."cultural" to them, plus it probably did help them with the rhythm since you see the rhythm of the music is exactly fitted on the libretto. German libretto on the other hand seems more understandable and similar to nowadays German. So I'd say it was their choice to use archaic Italian. Also some of Verdi's plays are not as archaic as far as I have seen. For instance Othello's aria of Desdemona Ave Maria was pretty clear in terms of libretto. Of course I could be wrong and I simply got familiar to it! ^^;

[@amagiordi2615]

@@katerinaaqu more than anything the verses are generally messed up, the rymes are totally inconsistent and some words are just plain made up

[@katerinaaqu]

@@amagiordi2615 I kind of disagree. Music of this kind is all about harmony of music with the libretto. I am not sure why you think they are inconsistent but I assure you even the ups and downs of the voice that sound random to some people are perfectly counted. Also what words would you call made up? Are there words in libretto that don't exist in the language? Like what?

[@keighlysocha5364]

This gorgeous recording has ruined other recordings for me- this is just perfect!

[@mikeosullivan3699]

I've always liked The Tales of Hoffmann because it has a robot.

[@williamrobertson797]

By far the best rendition I've ever heard

[@ev_thisisnotreal]

THE BEST "DOLL'S SONG" PERFORMANCE I'VE EVER HEARD!!!!!!

[@barbararamires1191]

Who is watching in 2018? (Edit: It's awesome to see that people in 2020 still listen to this ^^)

[@Molotovexe-be9ur]

Nah bro I’m watching in 3089

[@jolexor]

1 395 181 in 2020 ... not so bad !

[@pivinne5536]

It doesn’t matter what other versions of this I see this one is still my fave

[@sarahbeardsley]

no matter how many times I watch this it is equally unbelievable every time

[@swell_gal]

Maria gives a perfect performance! It's my favorite interpretation. Better than the Met one

[@leonaldobrum]

THIS is the BEST Doll Song ever. Three reasons: The then young and powerful Maria Aleida, the perfect mise-en-scènne, and the generally good chorus and perfect diction of the French language. When listening to this AVA rendition, Offenbach has certainly smiled happily from his celestial abode!

[@keller109]

This is the best Doll performance I have seen, and I've seen a handful of them. The movements, the facial expressions and, of course... that VOICE. Not only was this specific performance of the Doll the best I have ever seen... it's one of the best performances I've seen in any opera. Her staccato is seriously to die for. Diana Damrau is the only other person I've heard who gets quick successions of short notes so perfectly clean and clear. MAGNIFICENT!!! 🔥

[@MarinaY12356]

The best doll by far I saw the latest production of this play in Greece’s national opera and it was TERRIBLE! Glad we have this video

[@tamiafarmer8479]

This freaking broke one of my headphones 😥 I don't know if I should be mad or impressed

[@pokiqueen3341]

HER ACTING IT´S JUST AMAZING, and that staccato :0

[@mariaz3243]

Maria’s staccato is goals!

[@MrMountainJohn]

A tour de force of the highest order. Every time I listen and watch Maria I am blown away by how incredibly complete her performance was. Vocally magnificent and superb characterization. Brava!!!!

[@Orange4theWin]

3:50 aria starts You’re welcome :)

[@SJLamb-te3dt]

Glorious. I wish I could see it in person. The best rendition I’ve ever heard. Wow

[@hellofriends2649]

1:23 "Ah qu'elle est adorable!" "Charmante, incomparable." "Quel succès est le tien!" "Vraiment elle est très bien."

[@shezsmith6775]

I have been all around the internet watching people perform this, and this just plain remains my absolute, undisputablly favorite performance of 'The Doll's Song'. But not just Maria Aleida, who sings this song to perfection, but ALL the performers in this are excellent!

[@cristobalvaldespodesta2673]

6:40 OMG that staccato is everything

[@brickeentweeacht1644]

Where can I get the complete version of this, I can only find pieces of it. biutiful voices and I want more, I want it all. Please help me get the complete version.

[@emmalynhardy8618]

I didn’t know that Doc from Back to the Future makes opera dolls now

[@janettef7433]

I was thinking Quicksilver from X-Men lol

[@MsJupii]

This is the best version sang from this song ever! Maria Aleida is ridiculously talented! I mean... WOW! Just so so so talented! What an absolute treat to listen to her!

[@Vejur9000]

Her octaves are insane.

[@BCGilly3]

Omg! I can’t get over this performance! It’s soooo good! I love this song, and I’ve seen over 25 singers do this, and she just kills it and makes it even more complex! Brava!

[@Fisheey]

How’d he get a robot to be singing so well? The breathing imitations are amazing!

[@leonaldobrum]

EVERYTHING in this performance spells MASTERPIECE! Vocals, scenic arrangement, histrionics, visuals, wardrobe... everything contributing to the excellent fruition. I hope this video stays available FOREVER. All hail AVA!... 👏👏👏👏👏