"They Don't Let You in the Opera" Kelli O'Hara (Michael J Moritz Jr-Conductor)

Kelli O'Hara performing "They Don't Let You in the Opera (If You're A Country Star)", music and lyrics by Dan Lipton & David Rossmer, live for "From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Orlando" at the Disney Theatre at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, July 25th, 2016. Michael J Moritz Jr - Conductor for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
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[@Flashbagfolly]

How is she not the biggest star in the world?

[@Forspilldadagar]

Well that was a wild ride from start to finish...

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more performance videos!

[@Princesscesia]

Nghgejy

[@laurenconrad1799]

I agree! Lol

[@AuntieMamie]

Kelly O’Hara can do absolutely everything. What a talent. An American icon and treasure. And she makes it look so easy. Thank you for sharing this. Bravo and kudos. What a privilege.

[@gap9992]

Kelli is amazing. She can sing full operatic soprano, musical theatre soprano and even country - all brilliantly. That's a very very rare talent. Oh, and she is beautiful too!

[@Zva26]

Heard her do a concert in London and she sang operatic arias (Madama Butterfly, The Magic Flute, La Traviata, and Rigoletto) and she displayed a great voice and amazing virtuosity ------- and she can encompass a high E flat ABOVE the stave. She then sang Country and Broadway stuff. She's already sung opera in New York and Chicago, and does pop concerts as well. Truly, a triple threat performer. And she can sing in French, German AND Italian!

[@bluechazzan]

Think your order is reversed - "Italian, German, AND French!"

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Wish I could have seen that! She's incredible. Thanks for watching!

[@theoperatripleaxel5417]

all opera singers sing in italian, french, german, english, spanish and LATIN, and now we are more and more askd to sing in Russian, Brazilian PORTUGUESE and Czech.

[@Zva26]

@@theoperatripleaxel5417 Perhaps that's the case today. But -- two or three generations ago, Tebaldi, Pavarotti, any many other Italian singers couldn't sing in any language other than their own. Few were the Italian singers who DARED to venture into operas that required them to sing in French or German. Many German singers sang Italian operas in German, and many German operas were sung in Italian as well. Today, singers are far better trained in different languages. But this was not always the case.

[@tishtashtishtash]

@@theoperatripleaxel5417 (yeah but can you sing country? I thought not.)

[@keefir11]

Kelli delivers the epitome of a tour de force performance with this hilarious aria/song❗️Her vocal range and comic timing are incredible ❗️ Kelli is indeed a force of nature❗️

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thank you for watching!

[@roblucas1923]

I've watched this several times and still can't get over how good it is. Amazing talent. And Seth R on piano!👍

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Kelli is absolutely incredible. An honor to serve as conductor! Thanks for watching :)

[@oscaraldoma4459]

My sentiments exactly!

[@Tswizzle266]

I was staring at the screen thinking the pianist looked familiar!

[@mystic190]

I just realized that is Seth on piano....awesome!

[@brolobear]

She's great. Not only Broadway, but she's already sung at the Met and is again this season.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Kelli is absolutely wonderful. Thanks for watching! Subscribe for more videos from this show.

[@starpupilz]

she personalized the hell out of that hat

[@MarkFrisk]

@Erik Paul He was referring to the hat, not the piece.

[@alexandrapedersen829]

@Erik Paul How does one write a hat?

[@MrArtTuro]

@@alexandrapedersen829 l wrote a hat once. They never wrote back. So sad.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thanks for watching!

[@hhk01]

I LOVE this. "That's a C!" is really an A.

[@ggurnard]

'cause sopranos sound a minor third lower than written....lol

[@janschiebout7955]

She hopped all over the highest notes with a strong diaphragm, and I’m certain this was he finale to other numbers. She does what all of us do - stretch but end the concert with a voice that isn’t overextended. We’ve all had the experience where we didn’t manage our voice well, and at the end didn’t hit that high note right. She’s a pro, and knows her stuff. Do you honestly believe that a crowd could distinguish her very strong, beautiful” “A” from the other Cs and higher she had hit earlier? I thought it was a smart move.

[@SamTuckerSmith]

She sings a D above said A a minute and a half earlier…. I’ll allow it.

[@billdanbury]

It's a Soprano Concert C ;-)

[@thetemujinboy]

@@billdanbury As a musician, I'm really confused. A soprano C is a "regular" A?

[@GuenterKraemerSiRDuKe]

What the hell, the best 5 minutes watching a female singer the past year, awesome, the spirit & this lady,

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Kelli is the real deal! Thanks for watching :)

[@Nicdehouwer]

This is.. wildly impressive on many levels.

[@Angela-it5xc]

Now, I was born down in Georgia But Georgia wasn't good enough for me I'd sing country songs for them But my heart sang La Bohème And it didn't help we moved to Tennessee Nashville's not the place you sing high C If you wanna sing at all You best sing country So I picked up how to do it pretty fast Be a country star or go In the sticks them hicks don't know Verdi's Rigoletto from their ass So a country star's how I came to pass But I'll sing opera one day "It's like Opry with an a" I told my agent in his fancy car And it pained him I could tell When he said, "no chance in hell They don't let you in the opera If you're a country star" "Is it the way I say oblighetto?" So I took that country singing job and shoved it And I headed to The Met at NYC I know that stage is hard to reach But Domingo likes a peach You should hear that tenor voice sing rockabilly Now I'm trying out for The Barber of Seville When a voice booms from the house "From those tassels on your blouse I can tell you've got a twang and play guitar I bet they loved you in the South But please, don't open your mouth We can't let you in the opera If you're a country star 'Cause no patron trusts an opera In the hands of a country star" Do you think I can't wail 'Cause I got long pink fingernails? I had to play more country songs Just to stay afloat Though Aida's my role I'm in a southern pigeon hole I sing like Maria Callas But no one's heard a note 'Till I charmed an old blowhard Who owns half of Juilliard Said my singing was so beautiful he cried And I felt my heartbeat hop Then I heard his heartbeat stop He said, "welcome to the opera" And then the bastard died Well, time went by, I gave up on the opera Grabbed a man, got ready for a kid Though La Scala never called My ears still get enthralled When I hear a great soprano blow her lid So head up to the opera house I did But as vibratos start to shake I feel my water break I'd never even make it down the aisle If you'd have been there you'd have seen In that second mezzanine First a head, then two feet From my ninety dollar seat As I lifted up my gown To the Dr. Toravelle It hurts like hell Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God Does that squish the baby? How can it breathe? Contraction! Contraction! Contraction! Contraction! My God, I paid so much for Dr. Chung And now this Ow! You son of a bitch! No, thank you, I mean it You [?]! Contraction! Contraction! Yes! I feel that! I'm pushing I'm pushing Oh my God, oh my God It's like pushing a watermelon Through a hole the size of a lemon Aha! Aha! Aha! What? Well, it better be a girl! (spoken) I'm so sorry about your dress! (sung) Well, now, to my surprise Those patrons had tears in their eyes The New York Times review Even raved I was all that Found the headline bizarre "Opera gives birth to a new star When she was done, what fun And a newborn in her lap" Then the head of the trustees board Said, "before you cut the cord Here's an agent, a contract and some caviar You'll start right away, my dear We have daycare, please sign here" Been my dream since I sang country Now I'm an opera star (Baby cries) Shh, shh! But you were the best part of the opera by far Now a crib ain't where you're needing pearls of wisdom But listen up before you've cried a word When you hear no, don't get upset It means yes, but just not yet Fight the most when folks say you're absurd In the end, I believe we all get heard But if I may suggest one rule Before I'm no longer cool What you do ain't always who you are So if you find your heart is set On both Memphis and The Met And they force you to choose Don't run off and sing the blues Bet your ass you can sing opera If you're a country- that's a C Star! Hey! Yes

[@Keith_Petersen_Actor]

I thought it was "The doctor two rows down"

[@MattCCrampton]

In the version in the video she says "Screw em both, go sing the blues" :)

[@IrishRunningVlog]

8 year contract and caviar ?

[@ShayAlliah]

You (?) She said Fucker.

[@Yotam1703]

By the way, in the end when she sings “that’s a C” it’s actually a Bb. She does sing multiple high D6s.

[@angelaskala]

Hillarious and absolutely brilliant! She's a fantastic singer in whichever genre she chooses!

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Kelli is so amazing. Thank you for watching!

[@angelaskala]

You're more than welcome! Istill enjoy it as much as the first time, each time I listen to it!

[@hannahhackenberg]

The audience is so amazing in this performance! And her reactions to their reactions are so subtle and wonderful. Her comedic timing, her voice... really really amazing.

[@SandraMills]

Her character switch at 1:57 kills me every time. She is such a treasure. Thank you Michael!

[@kenneydiffee4913]

This is an ABSOLUTELY wonderful performance of a true vocal talent. As cute and clever as the lyrics are, don't ignore the vocal ability of Kelli O'Hara! So much fun to listen to. I keep returning!

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Kelli is absolutely the real deal. Thank you for watching, Kenney!!

[@Etoainshrdly]

Right you are. The song is wonderful, but there can't be three people on the entire planet who could pull it off. Maybe not even two. Bravo!

[@vincentlevesque3856]

This is just tremendous. I've listened maybe a hundred times. What a multi-talented performer and wonderful woman. I love to hear her sing and speak. When someone is down I send them this. Thank you for putting this up!

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Kelli is the real deal. Thank you for watching!

[@cgbsystems]

How much better of an entertainment industry star is she gonna get? Unique charm, looks, great musicianship with awesome vocal technique. Well done!!

[@MessyMai]

"countryyyyy - that's a C - yyyy STAR" I love her! Thank you for uploading this!

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Love this song! Love hearing Kelli perform! Thanks for watching

[@Forspilldadagar]

Knowing that it is actually an A makes it funnier somehow, the C in NYC is a C though, they must of done that intentionally don’t you think?

[@MessyMai]

Oh for sure, I'm sure Kelli is fully aware of what note she's singing. The "that's a C" is probably a callback to the line in the beginning that goes "Nashville's not the place you sing high C", but the actual note probably sounded better as an A haha.

[@brianearlhaines]

The fact that she hit a lower note than she claims is the joke. It sums up the whole story. Very funny

[@MessyMai]

@AND ANDREY ISN'T HERE haha fancy seeing you here on a comment i left three years ago!

[@alkinboo]

There is a lady who knows how to have fun with a song.

[@noddonnoddon]

This brought me tears of joys and awe. Absolutely stunning song writing, orchestration, storytelling, acting and vocals... I don't know how the orchestra manage the time changes. BRAVO MAESTRO! BRAVI TUTTI!

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thank you :) It was an honor to conduct the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for this performance...aren't they wonderful? Thanks for watching!

[@Meganithmaizel]

I remember her singing this when I saw her in concert in San Fransisco. It was so great it see live. Highly recommended.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

I concur - it's a real treat! An honor to conduct on this. Thanks for watching!!

[@The5thSphinx]

Love this SOOOOO much! The musicality, the pacing, the range, the wonderful performance, and being so very easy on the eyes!! The singer wasn't bad either! LOL!!! Seriously, this is absolutely WONderful, and thinking Kelli O'Hara hung the moon doesn't have a THING to do with it! However, let's face the music and dance; it doesn't matter how wonderful a singer is if the conductor is the pits. But when the singer and conductor are firing with all cylinders, magic like this happens. ExTREMEly well done Ms. O'Hara and Mr. Moritz, Jr.! Brava and Bravo!!!

[@DocTenor]

She can pretty much do anything.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Yes she can!

[@bigsyrsoul]

DocTenor o

[@ninecatsmagee8384]

Beautiful! As an opera producer I utterly and completely approve! Kelly is magnificent.

[@STEVEATBOACBICYCLES]

Kelli O'Hara ❤❤❤❤ She is just great. And this, killer funny.

[@MaxMitchellVideos]

Love this. Kelli O'Hara is an amazing talent. Thanks for the smile on my face and the laughs.

[@airborne8282]

I'm late to the party. F-A-A-A-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C work, from the writers, Kelli, and Michael! Wow. - Fred Barton

[@superjoezzz6312]

How can the orchestra be so stoic.?She is absolutely Hilarious.

[@juliemichellerobinson1841]

"concentration face" - can't smile and violin :D

[@dreamygirl22]

I just want to hear her forever. I just wanna wake up one day and have her talent.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Same here, honestly!! She's incredible! Thanks for watching :)

[@PamelaJean2013]

I'm so happy to find this! Great song and she sings it terrifically. Not to mention the good advice in it!

[@abadstroller]

I'm running out of fingers to count how many times I've watched this. 😌

[@drbob528]

Is there a word better than "fabulous"?! A remarkable performance from a talented artist with a wonderfully flexible voice. Sad to confess, I have not heard Kelli O'Hara before this (what a great name for a country and western singer) but I certainly will find out more about her. I anticipated a twist at the end, but nothing like this. One of the most entertaining performances I've ever heard. An E flat above the stave ... why not.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thank you for watching!!

[@twystedhumour]

well, how about a portmanteau? "fanta-bulous!" or "awe-spirational!"

[@philipk917]

wow! I had no idea Kelli O'Hara could sing like that. I'm am simply astonished! She's amazing!

[@senseijosesuave]

This is brilliant. What a performance.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Agreed! Kelli is a breathtaking performer!!

[@davebartram4635]

One of the best things I've seen in ages!

[@doshinall]

Talented people never cease to amaze me.

[@arundelmercure553]

So great and epic and funny! What an astounding voice Kelli O'Hara has. Charmed my socks off, how fun.

[@oldiesrocker7911]

Absolutely amazing!

[@marcfreed6109]

You can hear this masterpiece on her album, Always. I recommend you listen to, download, or even buy it. Full of gems like this; especially "You're Always Here." Also worth hearing is "Another Life," the beautiful number from her Broadway show, The Bridges of Madison County that her character didn't get to sing.

[@ChristineJoyMusic-Art]

Love it - Kelli O'Hara is terrific ... sings a great story in a wonderful powerful voice both country & opera style :)

[@rachelberrythegleequeen.3221]

Not only does have an amazing voice but she’s also really funny, love it.

[@hannahlooney4528]

Kari - thank you for sharing. What a delihtful way to end a very good day. Mom

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thanks for watching!

[@AuthorFEFeeleyJr]

That was the coolest thing ever.

[@rafaelgomez-ruiz8569]

This should have more views! The message of the song is also great!

[@timrealbuto6608]

That was absolutely AMAZING!! Nobody does it like Kelli and this fantastic song suits her talents perfectly!

[@tatc]

“What you do ain’t always who you are”

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Ain't it the truth? Thanks for watching!

Bravissima!!! Superlativa!!! she warmed up our frozen Patagonia, Argentina. Hope to see her on stage someday. My niece is a composer in New York. Cheers!!!

[@theatrain1323]

Kelli grew up as a member of an Irish Catholic family on a farm in rural Oklahoma. She was snubbed by the girls from mainstream Protestant families and swears that as a preteen she was chubby and unattractive. What a journey she has made from Oklahoma to New York and London. Always a hard-working actress, just back from a limited run of the Lincoln Center Theater production of The King and I, for which she won a long overdue Tony, at the Palladium in London, in January, 2019 she begins performances in a Roundabout production of Kiss Me, Kate. A little disappointed that she did not choose something more substantial, but one of the creatives of this show is a woman hired to alter the book. Among her many attributes, it might be overlooked that she is just so damn intelligent.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thank you for watching!!

[@theatrain1323]

@@MichaelJMoritzJr This video actually works better than Oklahoma, because the audience in Oklahoma is absolutely silent during the performance.

[@tessonstage]

OMG she's just FAB.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Kelli is the real deal! Thanks for watching and subscribe for more great videos!

[@jonjames5561]

I have to watch this every couple of weeks. I would love to meet her. Remarkable!

[@telemperor]

In a weird way this describes how I feel knowing my daughter is studying vocal performance @ ENMU so she can perform opera knowing she grew up and spent most of her life in Texas. But color me a fan of the coloratura, I'm learning so I can follow my girl.

[@TueSorensen]

Amazing! What, only 50,000 KZbin viewings? This same video was shared a million and a half times on Facebook!

[@siribaimusic]

I always cry at the end!

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Gotta keep tissues handy for moments like these! Thanks for watching :)

[@amerocker]

I like this song and I usually don't like these types of songs! How can she be so talented and I've not heard of her? You look young to be a conductor. It was an overall great performance. Thank you for sharing this song. 😊

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Ha! Well, I'm glad you liked the song and performance. I'm also thrilled you think I look young!!

[@susanheath5467]

Always reduces me to tears. Stunning.

[@user-il5oq5df6l]

A versatile performer!

[@erikpaul7003]

Michael J. Moritz - Outstanding young man! Keep it going.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for watching!

[@dr.williame.trabold3143]

As an opera singer and voice teacher for many years, I always told my Class Voice students that if they wanted to hear the last great bastion of good singing technique in the U.S., they would find it in Country Music and in the voices of singers thereof. Here within this video lies the proof of that statement. Beyond extraordinary technique you'll find mastery not only of voice, but the hardest of all techniques for a singing-actor to master-that of correct and meaningful gesturing. What a wonderful performer and performance!

[@oscaraldoma4459]

I'm stunned! I've just watched Ms. Kelli O'Hara in The Merry Widow (MET free streaming) and I've just found this performance! Absolutely amazing! Thanks!

[@mikeyirish1967]

Kelli O'Hara is a feakin' STAR! Jeez. Excellent conducting and arrangement, Michael!

[@stuartlee6622]

Never heard this before. Marvelous!

[@SkillIssueShynes]

I got to perform with her in a Christmas show in OKC 5 or 6 years ago. She was brilliant from day one of put-ins. My partner and I had just started dating at the time, and she thought we were having an affair with each other, bless her soul.

[@SkillIssueShynes]

This Christmas show, she did a version of O Holy Night that is AMAZING. K-Chen did the same arrangement with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir a couple years ago.

[@drmgmh1979]

Magnificent and powerful voice; unbelievably effortless. Bravo to the orchestra. More of these music please.

[@sniksapap]

She's special in every way.

[@cerracarmine]

Such great talent

[@pansylou7553]

Seriously someone needs to write a play for this song/story! I'd love to see it!

[@Silver54ful]

Pansy Lou Let's get a petition going for this! And of course with the supreme talented Kelli O'Hara as the lead. It would be perfection. :)

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Ooh, that sounds fun! I'll be first in line for tickets :) Thanks for watching!

[@koopatroopa187]

@@Silver54ful This song is to Kelli as The Ladies Who Lunch is to Elaine Stritch.

[@inesdeerausquin5658]

Why take the trouble? This song is a play in miniature all on its own! 😂😂 (And who but Kelli could perform it like this?)

[@helRAEzzzer]

HOLY SHIT!!!! That is the definition of a skilled performer! Fuck!

[@helRAEzzzer]

🤣🤣🤣 I loved singing country (and other folk music) growing up and ended up being trained for opera because my hometown was so classically included. 🤣🤣🤣 this is funny!

[@oliviamadera2256]

OMG I LOVE THIS!

[@williampelto6095]

This is better than the "mad scene" in any opera.

[@claudiadalessandro3885]

I never get tired of this!

[@billshackford170]

So freaking talented!

[@hurd98]

Amazing!!!

[@pennyleigh8782]

I always skipped this unintentionally and I’m so mad because it’s amazing

[@boardkeng]

And then you intentionally keep coming back.

[@twystedhumour]

@@boardkeng i most certainly do not! it's on constant replay...

[@mmorgan1980]

Thank you for posting! I love her.

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thanks for watching, Meredith!

[@jerryedmonson5041]

That is beyond brilliant!!!

[@sytsebuwalda6570]

That is absolutely frikking amazing!!!

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Glad you enjoyed the video! :)

[@MrChickenPicker]

OMG! That was awesome!

[@stephenholmes5362]

I think Ms. Kelli is the best, what a range!!

[@catharinerogers3878]

Wonderful! Beautiful voice and a pretty good actress too!! Thankyou

[@keishasquare6594]

I still love this so much!!

[@Dustin1047]

Well, that was just brilliant!

[@JacksPlace-AusMusic]

SENSATIONAL !!!!! Love it.

[@francescademarneffe5900]

this is amazing oh my god 😂😂

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thanks for watching :)

[@vxhorusxv]

That was marvelous!

[@ArinaMkrtchian97]

That was brilliant!

[@MrArtTuro]

Kelli is perfection.

[@jimdunaway4829]

Absolutely love it!

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

Thanks for watching!

[@WhereToClick]

This was amazing

[@momlikesmemore]

What a great song, sure put a smile on my face.

[@wsddrama8735]

she is beyond brilliant

[@amydamjanovic9183]

This made my day.

[@kurtriegel]

She's got me as a superfan after this marvelous performance! Wow!

[@carolcheny]

Impressive!! I can see why she's got a Tony.

[@richardgornalle4536]

She is amazing. Love this.

[@brisaunders]

So amazing! Love her!

[@OctavinaPlayer]

Finally able to hear the whole song! Thanks for uploading!

[@MichaelJMoritzJr]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!!