Natalie Dessay - Glitter and be gay

Glyndebourne 1997
Bernstein: Candide

[@raarnoldra]

I have said it before but this performance is the benchmark. It will NEVER get better than this. This performance is perfect.

[@supremepeace.]

I've Been watching other artists performing this song. Anyone is equal to Natalie, she is the best ever for Glitter and be gay. All the other singets look and sounds dumb and stupid.

[@simaoandrade1121]

I just saw Diana Damrau and she was also amazing!

[@supremepeace.]

@@simaoandrade1121 wow I'm surprised, her performance for me is the worst... Voice is good but not impressive and the way she moves her body in the stage is really weird for me.

[@SFKelvin]

It's just so perfect. It's just even beyond the isorithym which is unbelievably impressive. I can't believe just how good it is and words can't describe it it. Sorry. I'm a Kenner and a Liebhaber, und ich habe Lieb.

[@Bunny-ch2ul]

@@supremepeace. Most singers look and sound stupid doing this song because they're usually Broadway singers pretending to sing opera, which is misery.

[@HannaKwaii]

Dessay at the peak of her powers... this is just amazing... one of those moments in your career where things take a life of their own....and you are just a passenger watching yourself singing.

[@samuelpi1670]

This is the best version i've seen by far,Natalie sings like an angel,i mean an E Flat 6 at 5:13 and then A Flat 6 at 5:28,this woman is a godess.

[@thecritic2084]

Dessay's hair is a character unto itself, flapping dramatically.... Deserving of its own standing ovation.

[@JerisEve]

I don't know which is better---her voice or her facial expressions. She is such a joy to watch and listen to.

[@MartyMusic777]

She is the only performer of this piece who fully gets the sour, angry satire that was the original Voltaire text. She's melodramatic and shallow in perfect amounts, and the vocal performance...well...can anyone top it? Truly perfection.

[@bonbonrose19]

Natalie Dessay and her big expressive eyes! She's such a singular and unique lyric singer

[@MrRmMontano]

This is the benchmark performance for this song

[@MissFawlty]

Absolutely fantastic! I love her technique, but I especially love her interpretation, Cunégonde is somewhat deranged, and Natalie really portrays that aspect to perfection!

[@Paulsonof]

Best version ever!!! She reached a High F and at the final a High A Flat!!!!!

[@dianavictoriaaljadeff5302]

The note Berstein composed was the E flat sang by Barbara Cook in the original 1956 cast.Natalie didnt sing the high A in the end,maybe the High F. I agree her swa sone of the best performance I ve heard of this Candide aria with also the original singer Barbara Cook and \ilaso liked the late Madeline Kahn.Many sopranos sang this ariabEdita Gruberova,Diana Damrau,Renee Fleming,June Anderson and even the Broadway soprano Kristyn Chenoweth but Cook,Desay and Kahn are my favorites.Have you hears Barbara Cook singing this Paul Son?

[@Paulsonof]

+dianavictoria Aljadeff Interesting, let me check her out...

[@AleksandrFree]

I've watched about 10 singers performing this piece, and I must admit, that Natalie Dessay is definately the best executant of 'Glitter and be gay' ever! She is gifted to sense mood of a song and to transform into a character completely! Great, flawless, magnifying!

[@jjbloyber]

Yes Yes & Yes!!!!

[@vesakaitera2831]

@AleksandrFree, having listening this performance of Natalie Dessay now five times I have to agree with You. This was a truely mighty perfomance by any measuring method.

[@misterdeporter664]

She is playing with that song like a cat plays with a dead bird... 2:48, as if nothing, and, my favourite; 4:06!!! as if the song wasn't written high enough for her... she just throws it in...

[@rrgallo967]

Can't believe she's retired at 48!!!!!!!!...the world is going to miss a big singing-actress....

[@BEASTPRINCE09]

I agree

[@rrgallo967]

Very nice rendition...

[@rrgallo967]

Bernstein being as intense as he was would have loved this rendition....no doubt...

[@ralphplayspiano]

Raul Gallo Just look at some of her recent 2012 met performances of Giulio Cesare. She's lost a lot of her agility and higher register due to too many reckless high notes. It's sad to see such a good singer leave, but ostentatious singing comes at a price.

[@misukachao46]

Better to burn bright and thrill the world, than be safe, and humdrum the world. When she was at her peak and for a long time she was thrilling to watch.

[@meh8982]

Wonderful performance! Not only the magnificent singing, but her flawless acting without any props or over-the-top stage business. Not that I hate the over-the-top performances, but she gets all the emotion, humour, and characterization across perfectly only with her voice, gestures, and those wonderful eyes.

[@Aldolinozinho]

Ok. This can't be real. Absolutely amazing!!!

[@burtsbees2]

wow. dessay in her prime. such resonance! definitely my favorite. i mean, props to chenoweth, i love her rendition, but dessay is proof that you can employ proper technique and still be hilarious

[@rrgallo967]

What a stage animal......!!!!!!!!! The end is just PERFECT, and it seems to have come out of her guts just at that moment......

[@margaritabernal2851]

Natalie is at the top of sopranos as a lyric singer with amazing notes and acting like no one Amazing singer like no one else

[@LeonardoUbago]

Every now and then I come back here to hear again this marvelous, gorgeous and perfect performance. I really love how she does it.

[@lashato]

One of the best Candide I have ever heard, for sure! Meanwhile she is unforgotable actress too... just watch at her eyes all the performance and you should find it out right!!!

[@francoisrousset82]

J'adore le contre-ut# en pianissimo à 1:42, c'est magnifique !

[@Anthony-gs3ql]

Outstanding. The best performance of "Glitter And Be Gay" I've listened to so far. I can't get tired of it. Much love to you, Natalie.

[@Phoenixxe]

simply phenomenal. seen an heard many recordings... definitely head and shoulders above the rest. 4.12 my heart melter but the ease, speed, preparation, and length of the last e flat killed me. I'm a natalie convert. sing it girl!!! x

[@tdelteil]

Unbelievable performance by Nathalie Dessay. And like many, I'm blown away by her pianissimo D6 at 1:40 and then by her F6. Bravo grande dame! Vous êtes l'une des meilleures sopranos de votre génération.

[@samdajellybeenie14]

That pianissimo D6 gave me the goosebumps. Incredible singing.

[@OlgaMaroszek]

The best of the best. Crystal voice.

[@libertassoluta]

What a legendary performance....

[@cavortionist]

Dessay owns everything she does. Brilliant.

[@werner2oo]

This is astounding. She's a brilliant comic actress - her timing is spot on and she's actually very subtle compared to a lot of people's performance of this aria and totally has her own take on it. This is really her vocal peak as well (compare to later performances on youtube). I'd loved to have seen this live. A truly fantastic and instinctive performer.

[@bfdredrock1451]

Extraordinary! Sensational performance. Witty, charming, intelligent, wonderful diction and those immaculate incredible top notes- I loved every minute of that!

[@musicguy713]

watching this and seeing Kristin's version....she was tense as hell on those high notes.Where natalie did them like drinking water lmao

[@markwhitman9029]

I don't think Kristen was tense but she hit those notes with a shriller head register. Natalie was more from diaphragm. Both are great.

[@guilhermefacanha6180]

Kristin was better.

[@annreid8531]

BOTH were “better”!

[@tkellnerus]

I was one of very few people who seriously disliked Kristin Chenoweth's performance. Her own little personal touches "Here I am in Paris Frayyance" and pausing for the prompter to remind her "gay and reckless" were annoying unnecessary touches.

[@laj2240]

Brilliant vocally, graceful and funny at the same time (not easy to accomplish :) ) . Bravissima!!!

[@Mammonocalypse]

At 5:13, she hit E flat 6! And then at 5:28, she hit a freaking A flat 6!!!!!!!

[@derangeddoll6370]

Marvelous notes indeed. But it's that high note at 1:40 that gives me the shivers. Superior control and beauty.

[@theartfulme1898]

+Deranged Doll It's a pianissimo Db6, if I'm not mistaken. It is indeed a feat of dynamics!

[@rossini9mozart10]

@@derangeddoll6370 Aha it was almost nothing for her in the 90's !

[@misterdeporter664]

@@derangeddoll6370 Pianissimo!!!

[@jollytripathy3415]

Glitter and be gay That's the part I play Here I am in Paris, France Forced to bend my soul To a sordid role Victimised by bitter Bitter circumstance Alas, for me, had I remained Beside my lady mother My virtue had remained unstained Until my maiden hand was gained By some 'Grand Duke' or other... Ah, 'twas not to be Harsh necessity Brought me to this gilded cage Born to higher things Here I drop my wings Ah! Singing of a sorrow Nothing can assuage And yet, of course, I rather like to revel, ah ha! I have no strong objection to champagne, ah ha! My wardrobe is expensive as the devil, ah ha! Perhaps it is ignoble to complain! Enough, enough Of being basely tearful I'll show my noble stuff By being bright and cheerful Ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Pearls, and ruby rings Ah, how can wordly things take the place of honour lost? Can they compensate for my fallen state? Purchased as they were at such a, at such an awful cost. Bracelets, lavaliers: can they dry my tears? Can they blind my eyes to shame? Can the brightest brooch shield me from reproach? Can the purest diamond purify my name? And yet, of course, these trinkets are endearing, ah ha! I'm oh so glad my sapphire is a star, ah ha! I rather like a twenty carat earring, ah ha! If I'm not pure at least my jewels are! Enough, enough I'll take their diamond necklace And show my noble stuff By being gay and reckless Ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Observe how bravely I conceal the dreadful, dreadful shame I feel

[@Gaopink]

Thank you so much!

[@scribblerr9]

Thank you.

[@rudihut7799]

I Watched Several Singers sang this song, but i prefer Natalie Dessay. She is A legend

[@user-mo4dm2fx2y]

Brava!! Ms Dessay!! This is the best Version so far and it will never be better than this !! I really miss her as an opera singer.....

[@elizabethveron9542]

Me too,she was the leading high soprano of her years

[@propolyne]

Véritable chef d'oeuvre d'interprétation!! finement chanté et joué! Vive Natalie!!

[@Andre-sj8mu]

When the same orchestra applauds you, that means a lot!

[@LandoTheScorpio94]

1:40 gave me chills 😩

[@nicolamoccia8543]

Pazza,come Vivian Leigt in "Un tram che si chiama desiderio".Assoluta,unica ed irraggiungibile

[@padmavyuhakalpa10]

Namaste. Every day, and in every way, THIS is flawless. Her INTENT takes this to another realm. Such wonder! Thank You.

[@2eleven48]

The power of her performance brings tears to my eyes.

[@890312niiyama]

今まで見た Glitter and be gayの中で間違いなくbest performance! 「確実で余裕さえ感じる技術力」と「豊かでチャーミングな感情表現」が調和した、奇跡的な演奏。 にしても、この演奏、「ナタリーデセイ絶好調！」って感じが満々。

[@andremxa3163]

Force of nature. Her vocal chords are a full orchestra.

[@babka22]

per. fec. tion. on pointe!

[@kastrafior1487]

Dessay est complètement, totalement, atrocement... folle !! Mais quelle maîtrise, et quel bonheur dans son chant ! Alors là, oui, vivement l'asile.... Merci Nat !

[@aragall77]

I am not a Dessay fan. But she is absolutely perfect here! I have never heard this aria sung better.

[@harbingersev-oh-wohne]

4:11 *dies of awesomeness 5:29 *comes back to life only to die again XD

[@MrOpera777]

AMAZING upper range. DEFINANTLY one of the best vocal performances of this piece recorded.

[@Leanrosso]

La mejor version de todas. Que sobreagudos!!!!!!

[@lucaortolani2059]

These notes sounds so crisp and clear to me

[@burakustun4424]

great theatrical aspect, hand arm and body movements, mimics, transferring the emotion to the opposite side, his extraordinary voice, like an incredibly sharp knife, a very very successful and magnificent artist, congratulations👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@wagstaffe7]

What a wonderful performance. Bravo!!!

[@onavich61]

This is indeed REAL and Absolutely Amazing. But considering the music AND the ARTISTRY of fabulous Natialie!

[@acitipo]

Es una cantante excepcional voz unica, artista consumada, es la mejor del mundo en este momento con toda seguridad, sobreagudos clarisimos abundantes y cristalinos.

[@chrisbrowne6829]

Amazing out of this world performance! Never bettered in my view. What a pity she had to retire from this style of singing.

[@bigdigger87]

I am not a big Dessay fan but she is one of the best at singing this particular song

[@davidbonfiglio5163]

Seriously, that's just on another planet. I mean, that's like a superpower.

[@ronh5757]

The whole package.

[@ekpenasemota5005]

That High G sharp was when we see a spider.

[@SFKelvin]

Beauty!!!!!!!!!

[@fluorite1971]

Simply astonishing!

[@princesskaguya2000]

Her clarity is utterly stunning! Such a gorgeous performer.

[@akaweirdo]

omg..those notes!! love it!

[@diogo2505]

Phenomenal! Great singing and acting and very chic. Top notch.

[@arminevardanyan1485]

She is amazing:******

[@OscarGonzalez-id1ov]

Shes the best

[@steveflor9942]

Fabulous.... start to finish!!

[@JEB54inNYC]

When Natalie acts a role, even in a concert setting, she's something else. The audio quality is practically sacrilegious, but still I love this.

[@Lupescupe]

I've listened to several versions of this song (including a latter one by Natalie herself), and I must say I like this one the best. Probably because the shout at the ending is the greatest here. :D

[@francoisbessing]

Gosh I love her voice....so angelic

[@harbingersev-oh-wohne]

PIANISSIMO HIGH D flat!!! GO, DESSAY!!! (1:40)

[@MatthiasHRO]

Marvellous, wonderful! I am very impressed. Could be, Diana Damrau taked this as an inspiration for her own version ..... i love both .....

[@gekost79]

She is the craziest and most amazing soprano actress i have ever seen!!! Love love love Dessay!!

[@MarkusGabot]

Me encanta Natalie su voz y su presencia esenica.

[@jomoses07]

i love the ending!

[@1tufboy]

An incredible interpretation and vocal pyrotechnics!!

[@oulechka0912]

My goodness! How amazing it is! Bravissima 👏👏👏👏

[@garconfrancais01]

god i love dessay. I have had the privilege of meeting her a couple of times and when you see her and meet her and stand next to her its hard to believe this little french woman can create the sound she does. She is unbelievable. What i would give to have lunch with her..someday :)

[@sandermarcus58]

Still spectacular!!!!

[@jjbloyber]

The story of young Countess who escapes war and destruction, only to find herself surviving in Paris as a mistress to two wealthy men. She is tortured and driven mad by her internal conflict over the life she expected and the sordid life she finds herself in. As many previous comments observed, Natalie's exquisite acting and singing in this role are without equal. Bravissimo!

[@nfdfneq]

Уникальный голос, высочайшее мастерство и прекрасная обаятельная женщина. Браво, Натали!

[@productioninquiries881]

It's the control and resonance on those high notes for me.

[@torstenwestphal1]

If you could listen to only ONE version of this aria, this is the one to choose.

[@necessarydiva]

She is the consumate artist: voice, emotion, and musicality.

[@eljardindelsonido]

Esta mujer es increíble!!

[@federicovazzola_]

l'energia arriva fino a qua! un miracolo di donna

[@nipplesnipplenipples]

WOW! She absolutely NAILED it! Perfect! Especially the laugh at the end!

[@emiliomoran6160]

¡ What a woman ! ¡ What a great performance !....Incredible girl ! Sensible, brilliant and….Perfect in all ways . An uncomparable joy .Thank you Natalie , see you later .

[@xtnjohnson]

Oh my. Fist-pumping here - exquisite.

[@RichCruelSugar]

I love love love natalie.. this performance is genius!!

[@LeonardoUbago]

The best ❤

[@betsyfuentes7030]

IMPRESIONANTE! no hay otra palabra que la defina.

[@RBP1963]

Really incredible ! Fun and quality and gestuality at heaven ! Great Natalie !

[@kastrafior]

Dessay est complètement, totalement, atrocement... folle !! Mais quelle maîtrise, et quel bonheur dans son chant ! Alors là, oui, vivement l'asile....

[@AngelRRodriguez3469]

uncroyable....

[@FoxyGrandpa]

She slides up to an Ab at the end of this piece too. And actually she can go higher than Ab! In the early 90s she sang in "le roi l'a dit" and sang an A natural. Crazy.

[@manonclaudia]

again i absolutly agree, Diana's version of the queen of Night is just perfection!

[@unclealand]

Saw Dessay in "Lucia di Lammermoor" and she couldn't have been more amazing.

[@MacyMabelle]

BRAAAAVOOOOOOOO! Super Soprano! Capital Coloratura! Amazing Actress! I'm sold! I thought I'd nerver come by an omnipotent operatic artist like Callas - but here she is! I'm thrilled!

[@giacominifan]

The last 40 seconds or so are amazing!! Thanks for posting.