Caro Nome - Rigoletto - Laura Claycomb

[@LauraclaycombSoprano]

Wow, I just took a look at all these comments. I should come here when I'm having a bad day! Thank you, everyone!! I thought I had commented up here before, but I don't see it. This was at my beloved Houston Grand Opera in 2001, shortly after 9/11. We had to start rehearsals late because our Rigoletto (the late, great Dimitri Hvorostovsky, may he RIP) and I could not get any flights out of Europe to Houston for at least a week or so. It was a strange and magical time. My dear Patrick Summers conducted, and Frank Corsaro directed. I reprised the role in Dallas ten years later with the same Michael Yeargan set, under direction by Harry Silverstein, for those who seem confused. This is definitely the HGO performance, as I recognize many chorus members, some of whom are no longer of this world. You can hear erstwhile young artist program members Joshua Winograde (now a big deal in the management part of opera!) as Ceprano, and Scott Scully (Met artist) as Borsa here, as well. For those of you interested, I do have a website and a youtube channel. Since most of my live recordings belong to the orchestras or operas where I sang them, I can not put up a lot of my own content, but instead have put up a playlist where you will find performances of mine I have found online. The website is lauraclaycomb.com and the KZbin channel is kzbin.info And, yes, it is easier to sing that high note lying down. :-)

[@diegogentasorroche2493]

Omg i love you. Greetings from Argentina.

[@doughelms558]

You remind me of Fred Astaire in that you make perfection appear so effortless!

[@maxwallaby1704]

Bold and beautiful. Heavenly

[@mugrad25]

How did u hit the high E

[@lizbethgmv]

Brava Laura

[@aavauxhall]

That's the FINEST Caro Nome I have ever heard

[@alexispinero-benson7429]

No question!

[@anchaldhir]

Agreed

[@jimbuxton2187]

It really did have everything in it didn't it!

[@Bobbo22]

I was in the audience for her professional debut of this role. I don't remember an ovation as raucous and heartfelt as the one she elicited. Why is she not more widely known?

[@Shekhina01]

How will I ever be able to listen to this aria sung by another singer now?? Nobody will be able to top this! Unbelievable!

[@RogerHeckman]

I was in the audience that night. Absolutely amazing.

[@rebeccafarleysings]

I....I can't. I just can't. It is SO BEAUTIFUL. I literally enjoy every single second.

[@Rcoppin91]

I saw her in recital and asked her about the high E, she said that laying down and singing that E was the easy part...

[@davidwelch8288]

Oh my god!! Unbelievable!! That was pure perfection. Not just the sound, but her musicianship and probably the best use of rubato I've ever heard.

[@julietkidwell5620]

This one performance makes me want to quit singing all together and also work my tushy off all at the same time. How is this humanly possible??? Pefectly executed with perfect artistry!! Just amazing.

[@GuitarFreako5]

Just a display of peak mastery of your instrument and craft. The easeness while she's doing all these physical movements is a testament of the human work ethic. One of the finest performances of any staged music, really.

[@alisalarsensoprano]

Stunning. Effortless. A marvel.

[@enteronanupbeat]

OMG - how effortless and AMAZING she truly IS

[@lamarce3010]

Absolute GOLD AND DIAMONDS.This soprano is INSUPERABLE there

[@DivasraplentyIAMNOT]

She has so much control that she can sound as beautiful as bird singing while on her back!

[@GEF69]

this woman deserves more recognition then she gets...maravillosa!!!! what a technique, I simply love her and her miraculous instrument.

[@SteveL2012]

This defines ‘tour de force.’ Phenomenal! 💕

[@marcysoprano]

So perfect and beautiful I could die. I have yet to hear a soprano live who blows me away as much as she does. She is a gift to opera.

[@arthurfilemon6038]

This fenomenal... A-fucking-mazing. The technique is ALL in there. This is a masterclass AND a delight to hear. The acting too, at the very beginning I was so confused, I thought this wasn't live, thought it was a movie as Miss Claycomb sings so naturally. The acting is amazing, natural, effortless. Love, LOVE this!

[@seumashanna7922]

I had the ultimate life experience to be there when this was recorded --it was like touching heaven to work with her --to be on stage with her ---this was the high-lite of Dallas Opera to have been blessed by Laura's heavenly talent and her gracious spirit and caring personality. I hope I have another chance to work with her --Brilliant!

[@artymsoja2883]

That trill 😭😭 @laura claycomb you are a gem ma'am 😭😭

[@Nlyoungblood1]

Laura is amazing. Her voice is full, she transitions smooth and her voice is simply pleasant.

[@lucasdebevec8581]

Si esto no es ser un artista en estado de plenitud.....entonces. Cuánta BELLEZA sonora y de actuación. Una locuraaaaaaa. Maravillosa. Gracias.

[@rma8983]

She is out of this world! Love her so much. What a technique, voice, agility, acting, interpretation! Wow

[@Leanrosso]

Old School Coloratura? Yes. Love it.

[@songbirdwatcher]

Phenomenal! I had heard just the audio of this before, but to see the video where she sings the entire cadenza lying down, I'm stunned at the ease, clarity and control -- that spinning tone on high is otherworldly. This is the Caro Nome of my wildest dreams. This is why i love high sopranos.

[@straumeeee]

Sono felice,sentito sua Gilda in Salero 28 di settembre.BRAVISSIMA!!!

[@operagirl81]

WOW!! What a cool ending to this aria! Never heard it done like that before!! BRAVA!!! I enjoyed the whole thing thoroughly.

[@elenatheweeweeb7771]

Who could dislike this? This is awesome!!!!!

[@andresoares3753]

non capisco chi abbia messo un voto negativo....é la piu' spettacolare di tutte.

[@BenedettaGaggioli]

mai sentita Caro Nome fatta così perfettamente!!! che voce limpida e piacevole! e che mi finale! mi sono innamorata...

[@CBordages]

I want to say that this was at the Met, but could definitely be wrong. I saw this production at the Houston Grand Opera about 5 years ago, and to hear it live is beyond belief.

[@esterbruno8604]

Stupenda sia nell'aspetto che nel canto! Spettacolare! 🌟🌟💛💛💫💫

[@epalleja]

One of the best -if not the best - versions of caro nome I´ve ever heard

[@Peppi94]

Mesmerizing!!! Gads, what a perfect voice! I was so lucky to see her in a live performance of Rigoletto in Toronto about 15 years ago. I'll never forget her performance. She nailed it then; but nut as much as she nailed it here. What a voice!!

[@romelbrumley]

This is marvelous. The phrasing,breath support and the interconection with words and music is so well done. She is perfect singer.I never heard before this name. She delivers perfection on stage.

[@jewelmarkess]

She is absolutely wonderful. I keep coming back to this video.

[@Kivimusic]

her voice is so....so....so....i don't how i can describe it...♥ in the upper register its so...dazzling! It gave me chiillsszzzzzzzz

[@Desmosfundraw]

Perfetto !! She is unfortunate for not being known that much

[@coltenblair4841]

Hands down the best caro nome I've ever heard... Her voice has the most beautiful shimmer throughout all registers. I could listen to this all day ^_^

[@kevinl.thomasesq.5346]

This is so good almost unreal especially the ending.

[@righto1too]

Simply Beautiful voice! A true listening pleasure. A very lovely lady with a truly amazing vocal gift.

[@fandango1111]

Up there with the very, very best of all times! A perfection

[@jayboytheplayboy]

I heard Laura Claycomb sing this role with the Canadian Opera Company. The gigantic Hummingbird Center exploded with bravas! It was like something you'd experience at a rock concert.

[@minkoss]

I listen to her first in Idomeneo and then in les contes d'hoffman and I had the same feeling as you! She reminded me of that deep, warm but at the same time, agile, great high notes... I even wanted to post that comment on youtube!!! We should create a youtube fan-club of Laura!!! I really do believe she's amazing!

[@rachelletiffany]

This is just PERFECT!! I have been performing this song, and I would kill to sound like her!!

[@paulsanders7963]

She isn't underrated at all, she tours all over the world. She is in all essence a virtuoso.

[@stokleyb]

O my this is just marvelous. It is a treasure to find another soprano end with the E. Bravo!!!

[@diegogentasorroche2493]

Which other one did that?

[@masteroftheeouse]

That was a beautiful lyric soprano performance! Brava Laura Claycomb!!

[@Aspasie38]

Magnifique!!!! Quelle maîtrise !!!!

[@MrAndredekock]

BRAVISSIMA! The finest performance of this aria I have ever heard!

[@Braneshox]

Absolutely amazing! I've been a devoted fan of Renata Scotto's 1964 performance since I was 9. - But I'm in awe of Laura Claycombe's 'interpolated high E...' ❤️ #thedetailrenataforgot

[@taniatahiti400]

it's just your opinion not a fact

[@guglerbeat]

Outstanding - and still now, as 2 days ago as Giuliette in I capuletti (in Karlsruhe, Germany), blessed by sensivity and an extraorinary voice - top performance, touching!

[@acravero1]

She is incredible. The voice of an angel.

[@Up2DaRack]

Honestly now, YOU may know she will die for that love later (with the benefit of a libretto), but at this stage of the opera, Gilda is a sweet 16 year old girl infatuated with her recent encounter. She is falling in love with the idea of falling in love for someone. Nothing but brightness and perhaps naive innocence should be conveyed, and she hits the bulls-eye for this youthful exuberance in her voice. Outstanding!

[@singinrachelrls]

Impeccable technique!!! Amazing performance.

[@newberrysinger]

Flawless, absolute perfection!

[@productioninquiry8937]

Stunning. I am awestruck.

[@beefnotfish]

where has she been?...how have I just found her??? I'm sure not going to lose her....Laura rules my world!!!!!!!

[@babydrane]

exquisite!!!! I could listen to this all day.

[@OlDoinyo]

How many could do this, make it look so effortless, and have such obvious fun doing it? Impressive!

[@yeahyeah4244]

Dallas, Texas represent! Sounded like a songbird! And howwwww did she sing those high notes lying down? Impressive.

[@mariacherkavskaya]

Magic! 🥰 I listen again and again

[@marlas8447]

Spectacular! Glorious ❤

[@renatakhawaja99]

Saw this performance with the Houston Grand Opera. Have been in Love ever since

[@pablobanados6552]

Beautiful voice. A great Gilda.

[@marctenor]

I've seen her do this live to similar effect. This is from Houston I think, so It might have been the same performance. Laying down for the cadenza! Such freedom!

[@raquelpayan3541]

Amazing. Loved this performance

[@jameslevister9081]

Her singing fully animates her characters. This is a flesh and bone Gilda- so realistic.

[@SingingforJesus16]

Such ease and grace, this is truly amazing!

[@zava0]

Brava! Furthermore she is very kind in giving voice students a few hints on YT regarding vocal technique.

[@TheAngelgirl1973]

Goosebumps!

[@crivz]

To those 4, are you def????????????????? Listen to that bejeweled tone while she's laying on the ground!!!!!!!!! I'm sure Madame Reri Grist is even jealous! This is one of the best performances of Caro nome that we'll ever get to see!!!!

[@Federico_A]

Fantastica !!! 🌹👏👏👏

[@renatakhawaja99]

Unbelievable. Saw her with the Houston grand Opera perform the most amazing Caro Nome ever

[@rma8983]

Espectacular! De lo mejor que he oído. Bellísimo Caro Nomd

[@mradkova]

Unearthly rendition. Brava!

[@Up2DaRack]

Wow! That was fantastic! Brava!

[@mariokalogeropoulos]

what a great high note!!!

[@GEF69]

bravissima, estupenda, wonderwoman! i love her and her glorious instrument.

[@marilynmichaels8358]

Who doesn't like this exquisite ethereal voice? A find for me till tonight thanks to the web.

[@Katiuszkasanda]

Gilda exceptionnelle! Technique et musicalité exemplaires,bravo!

[@asyared]

¡Maravillosa! ¡Y el final es simplemente perfecto!

[@brolobear]

That was freaking amazing.

[@CBordages]

I've already got my season tickets, perhaps I'll see you there. BTW, Laura Claycomb is a bel canto soprano, and The Queen of the Night is scored for mezzo, though the signature that Laura Claycomb sang in The Daughter of the Regiment shows that she does have the pipes. It would be interesting to speculate...

[@markarmenta2015]

Stunning!

[@jasonito23]

I'm going to see her in Lucia di Lammermoor in Pittsburgh in a few weeks. I can't wait. It will be my first Opera.

[@reallyharried]

oh my goodness! She's the Gilda of my dreams!

[@VespasianMusic]

Straordinario!!

[@semeliavender3264]

Best voice I ever heard !!!!Love it !!!

[@Greeneyes3005]

Bravo!!!! 💐💐💐

[@NightHawk914]

maravillosa...que voz tan prodigiosa...canta como le da la gana...que tecnica y que sonido tan espontaneo

[@Silory12]

I went last saturday to see her, it was awesoome!!

[@quequitoAR]

Great singing!!!!

[@jomoses07]

no the h she not laying down for that entire CADENZA!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO AMAMAMAMAZING!!!!!!!!!

[@publicclammer]

Outstanding!

A voice of the top class, amazingly clear, full and brilliant.

[@publicclammer]

And the top notes delivered from the horizontal!!!

[@aavauxhall]

Astonishing. Speechless.

[@andresdfl9778]

Maravillosa!

[@BESS20]

Brava! mi piace molto!

[@Jezebearable]

She makes opera in general seem soooooo effortless O.O

[@manolis.799]

Unbelievable.