LINDA RONSTADT Pirates of Penzance (Poor wandering one) REACTION

[@lnl3237]

Thank you for giving Ms. Ronstadt her due. No artist could be more deserving. I pray for her and all people coping with degenerative conditions. She continues to fill my days with beautiful mesmerizing music.

[@davemacmurchie6982]

Hear, hear!

[@RandallVentresca]

Linda is an absolute doll in this production. What a voice!

[@robertdaniels2549]

Everything came "so naturally" because she worked like hell on mastering one style after another

[@thebiscuitscraps]

She spanned several octaves and was pitch perfect. She could sing anything she put her heart to. Love your choice. Bravo, Linda! As for her illness...it is a crying shame shame.

[@GaryNoone-jz3mq]

I have loved her since the days when she was in the stone ponies..

[@cerisewilson4088]

She’s great no matter what she’s singing. And, OMG Rex Smith just trying not to get in the way.

[@JerisEve]

This is not Broadway; it's considered light opera. She actually got some coaching before tackling this from what I understand. So we'll add light opera, folk, country, big band, and mariachi to the list you started. It's beyond impressive; it's nearly impossible. She's a walking miracle.

[@SueProst]

I am from NY and recall Linda Rondstadt opening on Broadway in the Pirates of Penzance. I googled it to be sure since I was a kid. She opened 1980 so this video may not be Broadway but it was a Broadway production with her as the star in the Minskoff theatre.

[@JerisEve]

@@SueProst Broadway is where; light opera is what.

[@SueProst]

@@JerisEve ???

[@JerisEve]

@@SueProst yes?

[@lamusiclover2264]

@@SueProst He's right. The show was on Broadway, but Gilbert and Sullivan Operas are considered "Light Opera". So, they performed a Light Opera in a theater "On Broadway". Broadway is just a place. There is a style of show we are used to seeing there, but you can see operas and plays without music and concerts there as well.

[@FantasticBabblings]

I was fortunate to see her do Pirates of Penzance twice in Central Park before they moved the show to Broadway, and later the film. I can assure you that she was just as perfect in live performance, as usual, even those high coloratura notes.

[@goldenruletv7301]

Linda is absolutely a gift from God. Fact.

[@ungmd21]

God gave her the voice of an angel

[@kathrynjarlov5166]

Most singers spend their lives just perfecting one genre. Linda did it all.

[@boosuedon]

Linda was nominated for a Tony here.

[@sewing1243]

In addition to having a great voice with great range, she was always a cutie of the first order.

[@spackar2720]

Hello Harri. Not all of Linda Ronstadt's singing "comes naturally" to her. She has indicated that she worked very hard and obsessively to prepare her voice for the various genres she sang in, especially the genres outside of the pop/rock fields.

[@philsdon8932]

Pirates of Penzance is considered "light opera". It's written by the same Brits, Gilbert and Sullivan, who brought us The Mikado. I believe it was first performed in 1879.

[@sonia4641]

I love Linda's natural-sounding voice in this role, far more than most classically trained singers I've heard. Such an accomplished performance, yet still sounding young, sweet and gentle, as befits the character. A more operatic voice usually sounds too old and forced. Linda's just perfect here. A side story of why this song brings back memories: I got to listen to this when I was quite young. My father worked as a carpenter for the local council and, abhorring all waste, used to bring home LPs thrown out by the library service. My refugee father from Eastern Europe had no idea what most of these things were but us kids would tackle anything given free, so I discovered Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (broken box, perfect records) , John Betjeman poems (despite the scratches) .... and thesecond half of the Pirates of Penzance, which started with this aria. We played our sides 3 and 4 of this repeatedly ( obviously this was thrown out when the record with sides. 1 and 2 got lost!). It was decades before I ever heard the whole operetta!!

[@slownoman]

From the Stone Ponies on, Linda Ronstadt has made it all look effortless and sound....beyond heavenly. The best singer of her generation, without regard to style, gender, whatever. The. Best. There. Is.

[@TooManyBrackets]

A striking performance indeed. Of course you mean comic operetta for this one - Gilbert and Sullivan - Mable in Pirates of Penzance is one hell of a part.

[@janleonard3101]

I've been waiting for someone to react to this and you did not disappoint, Harri. Linda is one of the best of all time!

[@stevedietrich8936]

From my amateur viewpoint, Linda and Freddie Mercury were the two singers that could sing anything, and sing it perfectly. It didn't matter the genre, it didn't matter the vocal range required, they could nail it.

[@Hoodat_Whatzit]

Late to these comments but wouldn't that have been a duet for the ages?

[@qjotsm2244]

Linda did "La Boheme" which she admitted she was bit out her depth. Reportedly Freddy Mercury was asked to audition to star opposite her. But he said there was no way he was going to do 8 shows a week.

[@gonetoutah]

This is the same woman who sang Tumbling Dice.

[@MegaAtomium]

She could do it all! I saw her live 12 times... through all of these styles. She is amazing.

[@firedoc5]

I'm so glad someone reacted to this. It shows just how versatile Linda was. You're right, there's nothing she couldn't sing.

[@robertkelly6282]

The best female vocalist of my generation done

[@kylecompton3305]

NOBODY CAN DO EVERYTHING, but SHE COULD! You know, it is sad that she can't perform anymore, and it is heartbreaking, but she laid it ALL out there, and she was the BEST IN THEN WORLD, and who of us can claim that?!

[@mireyaporter3631]

What a great performer!

[@mikel3363]

*~ This is from the movie version of "PIRATES OF PENZANCE"; She was nominated for a Tony award when she did this on Broadway previous to the movie. Best & PEACE ~*

[@davidbentley145]

Linda had an amazing voice...what a range!

[@Cynthia...]

I have to agree with you Debbie and Harri, She has the most amazing voice and can sing anything. Anything at all, excellent choice Debbie keep bringing more of Linda to us. 💜

[@marybaillie8907]

Absolutely beautiful. Such a superior voice, just so pitch perfect, and always so enjoyable. When Linda sings in Spanish I get lost in my enjoyment of her. She's phenomenal. Great reaction Harri, so nice to hear your appreciation of Linda. Thanks Harri and Debbie, I guessed it was your choice. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@terrygelinas4593]

Operetta, showing her versatility once again. Plus, she sings Spanish in front of a mariachi band! Versatility queen!

[@ChuckHackney]

We all do, Harri. We all do. She does not deserve the ending of her voice this way, but you are right, the most versatile singer in modern popular music. Merry Christmas and JOYOUS blessings to Linda from Chuck in NC

[@gramps6334]

She is a real star. She shared her light with so many other musicians and fans. Prayers for Linda!

[@RobbieBise]

I completely agree. The world is robbed by an illness of such a vocal treasure. This song, more than any other she's recorded, shows what gifts she gives to the world. Thank the world that she can live on through her recordings.

[@jeffchampagne5587]

You are now my favorite reactor ever!!!!! Not that I have not loved you before this and I’ve been a subscriber for quite a while now but every single solitary person that I’ve ever seen react to Linda Ronstadt I have followed up by sending them a note please react to pour wandering one and you are the very first person that has ever done so. I think Linda hands-down is the most versatile singer we’ve ever had in popular music and she along with Barbra Streisand are my two favorite vocalists I am so glad you heard this song because adding light opera to the list of somebody who’s done all that other stuff is seemingly unheard of yet she does it with ease. She said her mother loved all of Gilbert and Sullivan‘s productions and had the sheet music lying around and Linda said as a very young girl she just picked up the sheet music and learned how to sing all the harmony parts so whichever part you needed her to singbshe could do so

[@kathysharpe5968]

Something else to look for and watch is the concert she did with the Nelson Riddle orchestra- another amazing tribute to her range of genres.

[@thecynic9232]

My family probably watched the video of Pirates 30+ times. Gilbert & Sullivan musicals are wonderful. Btw, this is the movie Pirates of Penzance, she started the role in a Shakespeare in the Park production of the Joseph Papp production in Central Park, NY. It was so popular it was made into a movie.

[@phonebone81]

She's just one of the greatest singers of all time. She can do everything! It doesn't matter whether it's blues with Little Feat, or rock with The Stones, or Folk with Mexican traditionals or whatever... she's a super talent of all genres! That's why we love her so much. Best wishes @all from hamburg (germany)

[@debbiechang5781]

Thanks Harri. She definitely had to put a great deal of work into training her voice to do what this role required. She is truly amazing and I highly recommend watching “The Sound of My Voice”, which is a documentary that follows her career and touches on the many facets of her different styles and abilities. A voice made in heaven. 🌺✌️

[@Cynthia...]

I saw that and it was excellent!

[@thebiscuitscraps]

Told you she can sing anything! What a voice. ❤

[@4444kermit]

Good sir. The rest of the cast is very impressive. I love this G&S film version of Light Opera. Kevin Kline as The Pirate King Angela Lansbury as Ruth Linda Ronstadt as Mabel Stanley George Rose as Major-General Stanley Rex Smith as Frederic

[@the_dionysus_cabin]

R.I.P. Angela and George. You will be missed.

[@mikel3363]

*~ Linda continued to work diligently to become a better singer throughout her career; she has always spoken modestly about her singing ~*

[@Tillersweep]

Yes, she studied Maria Callas, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday and worked with Nelson Riddle on the American Songbook.

[@extdiso]

Absolutely incredible voice!

[@alanashy3514]

Linda vocalizing sound like a classic disney princess

[@calvinmckinney9303]

Love your reactions love your choices of music and I'm glad to be your 1st comment. It's the 1st time I ever been the 1st.

[@robertkelly6282]

Right on bro I am 71 been a fan of hers since the Stone Pony’s

[@jucadvgv3449]

the pirates of penzance was a gilbert and sullivan comedy opera written about 150 yrs or so ago. it was on broadway with linda about 40? 50? yrs ago and also on film. that's the way i saw it many yrs ago, and that's where this clip is from. she did rock, pop, folk, country, spanish, opera, and more. she was the most well known female rock artist of the '70's.

[@bobwil8631]

Yes i too love her

[@brucedillinger9448]

I remember reading somewhere that after Linda was ready to move past "Pirates..." she struggled to "re-learn" how to move back into a pop sound. But don't hold me to that. Lol! Hard to believe she ever struggled to sing anything.

[@corralescoyote]

Lots of love from NM USA… My grandma had Linda’s albums Canciones de mi Padre on cassette in her kitchen… Just like every hetero guy my age I had a huge crush on her… ❤

[@williamward446]

This is by Gilbert & Sullivan, masters and creators of comic opera... It was first performed in 1879, 143 years ago... Especially fun is "Modern Major General"

[@jgog59]

She also did a production of La Bohème for producer Joseph Papp at the public theater in New York

[@janedoe5229]

This song was written in the Victorian era, and it was designed to show off a soprano voice. Thank you for reacting to it. :)

[@JeffreyCantelope]

So glad you reacted to this. So few reactors consider it

[@melenatorr]

As noted, this is from an operetta from one of the most talented team in the business, the 19th century duo Gilbert (words) and Sullivan (music). They gave us some of the most fun, delicious, lovely, and often touching stories and songs in the business. From the live stage version of this film, here is one of the most famous of G&S patter songs - the song of the Major General, sung by the late great George Rose, with support from Kevin Kline as the Pirate King: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sISqiKKOeauAbJY (for me, watching the live performance, and wishing I'd been there is just that little more fun than the lovely movie. FYI there's a G&S easter egg in the lyrics when the General says he can sing all the songs from "that infernal nonsense, 'Pinafore'". "The HMS Pinafore" was another famous operetta from Gilbert and Sullivan). And for more fun, Kevin Kline as the Pirate King in another famous number from the live show, he of the white shirt and titanium knees: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZWtmGl6qt-tnJY

[@the_dionysus_cabin]

I was really sad they cut down the major general song for the movie. It's so good!

[@llopez951]

If angels could sing

[@AlanCanon2222]

I grew up watching this on cable TV, but I was already taking classical music lessons. Seeing this movie made me buy LP records of The Company of Savoyards performing three G&S operettas (Three LPs in the boxed set, with massive liner notes, and each LP had 40+ minutes of highlights from each operetta). To me they were genius. Linda Ronstadt was a bona fide pop star when she did this on Broadway, and this movie, which was well received. Frankly, the experience for me (I guess I might be 10-12 years younger than Linda Ronstadt) was that suddenly the fact that a pop star was also a classical star meant that I could break out of my classical shell and play pop music (I mean, I was still in middle school, but whatever). My favorite singer in this movie is Angela Lansbury, she just absolutely carries the movie and has awesome pipes besides. But it's clear this entire cast had a good time making this little movie that could.

[@nancy9891]

Linda Ronstadt was like Elvis. She could sing anything and was pitch perfect 👍 Eternally cherished!

[@deadandburied7626]

I wish there was a CD of the movie sound track!

[@allybandy3047]

This song is what astounded me about her too.

[@jdavis9684]

I was fortunate to see the production when it was on Broadway. She was wonderful. Kevin Kline was also in the production playing the Pirate King.

[@gonetoutah]

She got a Tony Award Nomination for this performance.

[@colibri1]

Kevin Kline, one of her costars in this, said that when Linda auditioned for this, her voice was so beautiful people got teary-eyed. In interviews since her illness, she has said that, yes, she does hear singing in her head like you say, but it just doesn't come out the way it used to. She does still have singing and guitar-playing get-togethers with her musician brothers where she can still feel a part of musical endeavors, so at least it's still a part of her life. The documentary of her life, "The Sound of My Voice," touches on some of this and is a very good film.

[@jonss1948]

At LAST! I subscribed because I have been recommending this performance in other places, before I found your channel. Finally I found someone who has the same appreciation of Linda's talent as I have. Great review and you describe this performance perfectly. As you know, there are many more Linda Ronstadt performances to review, so keep up your incredibly good work. I'll never forgive Linda though, for hooking-up with Jerry Brown.

[@dagmar.6954]

My husband & I just watched this about a month ago. "The Pirates of Penzance" is a 1983 British-American romantic musical comedy film based on Gilbert & Sullivan's 1879 comic opera of the same name. This really shows the incredible range of Linda Ronstadt. She can sing any genre including musical theatre & opera.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

Another flower in your bonnet, Debbie--this was a joy to watch and hear. "Versatile", is right, Linda could do it all. Thanks for this splendid selection. :D

[@pres96ton]

You MUST listen to her sing ADIOS by Jimmy Webb and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys arranged it with a man and woman singing beautiful harmony and she holds the final note from Monday to sunday

[@deadandburied7626]

+1 for "Adios" 👍🏻

[@stephenqualtrough7322]

You could go for a holiday in.Penzance Harri. It is in Gornwall. GrouchoMarxs was a big fan of Gilbert and Sullivan many of which were premiered at the Savoy Theatre London. I am very partial to songs like A wandering Minstrel I from the Mikado. Great singing from Linda here

[@melissabrooke1146]

I had a blast doing this play decades ago in Pasadena 😀 love this song too

[@irabourstein]

In case her singing talent wasn't incredible enough, she also had a pretty good ear for picking musicians. She assembled a group to back her, but after a while they left to form their own band- The Eagles.

[@destination22ful]

You are correct, she delivers her gift.

[@debraw8220]

thank you

[@caroleathenacosta-songwrit9193]

They don't show it in this clip, but before she comes on the screen to sing this song, you hear her ... you hear this impossibly high note held for an impossibly long time and it just floats in the air suspending time, itself! When I think of her not being able to sing, I want to have a "throw myself on the floor, pound my fists and kick my feet and while yelling 'it's not fair, it's not fair'" temper tantrum!

[@jeffchampagne5587]

Also I forgot to say in her early days she was mainly folk and country and if you want to hear her master country react to her song I fall to pieces which was an old Patsy Cline song or react to her singing the old country classic I can’t help it if I’m still in love with you and she does that with Emmylou Harris off of her heart like a wheel album. One final recommendation is her singing I never will Marie with Dolly Parton just the two of them and that is also simply beautiful and brilliant

[@jeffchampagne5587]

I never will marry NOT Marie

[@stevenmalham2234]

"Long, Long Time" (very early but still my fave.)

[@debbiechang5781]

Hey Steven. Here’s a link to Harri’s reaction to your favorite kzbin.info/www/bejne/q36ydGqcp9KgrdE Enjoy!

[@SK-lk3iu]

Nothing against Gilbert & Sullivan, but I'm liking this only for her talent, not the song! :D

[@the_dionysus_cabin]

Congratulations, you have offended me and my beautiful castmates deeply. (But literally, they were throwing sh!t at the screen non-stop)

[@stevedietrich8936]

Harri, Linda was in her home town of Tucson a couple of weeks ago at the Tucson Festival of Books. As far as I know, she grew up bilingual, so I'm not sure it is accurate to say that Spanish is her native language.

[@tracywoodfield6761]

It’s comic operetta and she was brilliant

[@pixxz4737]

Looks like you would enjoy opera.

[@jolenewitzel7919]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@johngurganus3348]

This gilbert and sullivan. British. Her mother performed this.

[@janieyost7456]

In the movie Keven Kline is funny

[@victoriabarr255]

Is that Rex Smith?

[@mattshaw6180]

Indeed.

[@angieday5183]

Try "Moonlight in Vermont" Linda with Frank Sinatra

[@FalkinerTim]

And see Tim Curry, who played the concierge in Home Alone 2, sing "I am a Pirate King" from the Pirates of Penzance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIjdopabocpkqrs

[@markbaker2826]

AGAIN !! XXX

[@MrRosenleaf406]

Ronstadt was an incredible talent. I will say they lowered the key to this song significantly from the original as she does not have a high coloratura voice. Penza Che is a LIGHT OPERA, not a broadway musical.

[@franklopez2803]

Gilbert and Sullivan

[@1thomson]

Yeah. It was a British music hall staple _long_ before it made it to Broadway.

[@e.bravojr.4340]

What's so hard about saying Mexican she considers herself full Mexican and she sings in Spanish

[@Tillersweep]

Yes, she loved to sing but I think she was compelled to sing. You don't do all the styles she did just because you are enjoying it. She was forced to keep evolving.

[@GaryNoone-jz3mq]

This is more than Broadway. This is opera and it's Penzance, not Penznce, as you pronounced it.

[@roymoore3156]

I’m in complete agreement with your sentiments. One of the greatest vocalists of my lifetime...of all our lifetime’s. Period! Love Linda!!