Njabulo Madlala & Kananelo Sehau - Pearlfisher's Duet [Les Pêcheurs de Perles, G.Bizet]

Acclaimed South African baritone Njabulo Madlala, as Zurga rallies alongside one of Mzansi's finest young tenors Kananelo Sehau as Nadir to bring some much needed and note-worth beauty and Mzansi flair to this legendary tenor-baritone duet.
Performance captured at the O.R Tambo Melting Pot Festival 2015, who own the copyrights to the video. We are sharing out of mere appreciation.

[@rosalinequaintance917]

Best version,wonderful,powerful and pure.

[@butlerson]

Magnificent! The finest Pearl Fishers duet I have ever heard! Bravo!

[@vocalishamburg]

I agree! Fantastic voices and technique !!!

[@voxfoxrecords]

the entire world should hear these beautiful voices, wash away the grief, for just 5.20 minutes and bless us for all we have, God bless these 2 outstanding angelic voices. Love Chrisse MamAfrica

[@jorinafourie9199]

Fantastic Im an elderly lady and I want to write a fan letter to these two singers

[@grobanite4ever85]

God has a special place for opera singers like this in heaven singing at His right hand

[@walkerlove6698]

With my hair standing on end and tears streaming down, I can only say, "Bravo. Bravo. Bravo!!!"

[@AlienMidget123]

ABSOLUTELY breathtaking

[@awshanoosh2793]

Your not wrong

[@DianaKazimiera-]

Beautiful performance of the piece.Beautiful voices 👏👏

[@sophiacariad5870]

Oh the CHILLS! This is my favourite opera, my favourite duet and this has to be my favourite ever recording of it.

[@anne-no2ic]

loved the depth of the baritones voice ...

[@margeryfeit8446]

So glad I found this and added it to my favourites list.

[@johnderham2829]

These two are talented personified

[@harrymullany4789]

These guys sing with incredible dynamics showing massive power and gentle sweetness. Most other ‘good’ versions on KZbin feature singers who don’t bother to blend and simply rely on well produced voices sounding mono-tonal. This one definitely sits comfortably beside the old Bjorling/Merrill masterpiece. Bravo.

[@janebrown7231]

Well said. There are too many poor versions on KZbin with terribly mismatched voices giving solo performances, like Pavarotti and Bocelli - painful to hear. No attempt to blend, no emotion, no meaning to the words, dollar signs in the eyes. But this duo is magnificent! This is the nearest thing I've heard to give Bjorling/Merrill a run for their money, even though the B/M version is pure heaven. Bravo indeed! Wonderful communication at the end to ensure perfect timing. Why other duos don't use touch rather than eyeline, I don't know. These two were able to stay within their emotions with this effective device.

[@jeffreymiller4814]

Bjoerling and Merrill sing on pitch. These two do not.

[@janebrown7231]

@@jeffreymiller4814 Unfair. B&M are the gold standard but they worked together for a long time and they had as many studio takes as they wanted, to get their definitive version. This is a live performance at a small, noisy festival on a Gauteng budget not a Royal Albert Hall one, with little technology and bare ears, with an established baritone but a young, little-known tenor - so he swoops or overreaches once or twice but, so does Alagna in his acclaimed version. There's nothing wrong with this tenor's pitch in general, and I'm the first to jump on any pitch problems. I'd rather hear a well-matched and deeply emotive version like this than any of the overrated, famous individuals who make money out of this lovely duet.

[@jeffreymiller4814]

@@janebrown7231you might want to listen again. Their pitch is uncentered through much of the duet. The reason-youth, audience noise, difficult acoustics-is immaterial. B&M were brought up in another comment above, not by me. My response was to that comment. Comparing this performance to Bjoerling and Merrill would have never even entered my mind.

[@janebrown7231]

@@jeffreymiller4814 "You might want to listen again". Perhaps you don't realize how condescending that sounds - it detracts from your points. Maybe you might want to listen again, and give some credit to those of us who have listened to this dozens of times. I have excellent pitch - should I just believe yours is better, with no evidence? I know there are several faults and I said that in the first place, and no, it's not irrelevant that they were singing live with naked ears in a noisy environment. But their pitch in general, as I said, was fine. You certainly did make the comparison - your comment was, "Bjoerling and Merrill sing on pitch. These two do not." It doesn't really matter if someone else mentioned B&M first. You could have ripped apart Sehau's French pronunciation and his not knowing the lyrics, and I'd have had to agree, but you didn't. And even that didn't negate the intense emotion these two evoked together.

[@jimrobinson6789]

Thank you for posting this version, total magic.

[@Calmitsok]

In tears. Beautiful. Thank you and bless you both

[@cindyj5522]

These two are like a thundering waterfall and jewels in the sun and wind in the trees and a rising flame. Their glorious power is unbelievable. They are a match for one another and put together here by the gods!

[@monikakramer5876]

Einfach wunderbar. !

[@ingorichter649]

This is the best performance of this beloved duett I ever heard since the legendary but old recording with Nikolai Gedda as Nadir. This warmth in their full voices, simply amazing and endless beautiful. 🙏🙏🙏🎤🎤🎤🎵

[@user-nl5hm6zs2g]

To me, Jussi Bjorling and Robert Merrill remain unsurpassed, good as this version is.

[@dickdebruijn6659]

You should also listen to Jonas Kaufmann and Dmitri Hvorostovski, voices to kill for, r.i.p Dmitri sadly enough.

[@maryvarnell3518]

FABULOUS!!! FABULOUS!!! PERFORMANCE. EQUAL TO BOCELLI AND TERFEL. I CANNOT STOP LISTENING TO EITHER OF THEM. @@dickdebruijn6659

[@leostrog88]

@@user-nl5hm6zs2g Yes, I agree- it's a gold standard

[@vincekerrigan8300]

​@@dickdebruijn6659Try also Rudulph Schock and Josef Metternichv- superb.

[@TheMrFarkle]

2 beautiful powerful voices.

[@tinawalker8174]

Just magnificent, thank you for sharing. Let's hear more from both of these talented artists, please.

[@aerasmus2129]

An excellent performance. Their voices blend very well together. I love it!

[@dianasitek3595]

Absolutely thrilling! Magnificent. Bravo!

[@josephanna9349]

Great duet. The emotion in their voices especially the tenor.

[@carmencitav]

Moved to tears...there is something about black vocal chords that evokes earth

[@user-lm2cj1ml3o]

Самое лучшее исполнение 2-х оперных певцов, я Вас обожаю ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@francoisbessing]

That Tenor provoked me to tears. I’ve heard a lot of great singing and am no more easily moved by music. However, the gentleness in his expressions coupled with the security and warmth in his voice..I simply weep.

[@cjedd9704]

He was amazing! I cried too. Magnificent performance.

[@dickdebruijn6659]

Listen to Kaufmann and Hvorostovski too, and be enchanted.

[@user-lm2cj1ml3o]

Вы точно описали

[@michaelwhite8775]

Not enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe this Duo absolutely outstanding 👏👏

[@thapelootsholeng8445]

This is one of the best rendition of this piece.. Nice one

[@chuyg8104]

Undoubtedly one of the best performance for this aria.

[@NurBull]

Great! Hello from Kazakhstan! I enjoined every second of this amazing performance! Belissimo! Africa rules!

[@cosimabrodbeck1608]

Wonderful voices❤❤

[@albertoruvalcaba4003]

Yees!! It's a wonderful duet! Thanks

[@user-lm2cj1ml3o]

Какая красота. Спасибо за такое исполнение ❤❤❤❤❤

[@leopoldodiaz2985]

OOOO MY GOD %100%100THE BEST.

[@user-su7ro2mr1v]

КРАСОТИЩА! Сильнейший дуэт.Безупречное исполнение. Я в восторге. Браво.!

[@Iskra_Alba_Ruthenia]

Согласна, великолепно. Догадываюсь, откуда вы сюда попали. 😃 Послушайте ещё артистов из Южной Кореи 디아트원, 테너 김민석, 베이스바

[@JenniferUpton_2]

Absolutely brilliant and the rendition is exquisite.

[@dianeforti8696]

Very moving rendition. Their outstanding voices dramatically express their emotions.

[@mariacuthbert9884]

Wonderful! It is felt down to the core! Thank you both!

[@melissagray8138]

Chills chills chills! They’re like angels!

[@secretofsinging]

GORGEOUS VOICES...BEAUTIFUL BOTH !!!!!!! BRAVISSIMO AND TENDER !

[@dickdebruijn6659]

Superb.... is all one can say. What beautiful voices, bravo!!

[@chrisjackson1998]

Bloody fantastic, what great voices.

[@thanathept]

How perfectly marvellous!!!! The moment they shook hands was a pure joy, here.

[@gabrielaroblesbarrera5449]

Bellísima interpretación!!!

[@KevinBower-gy5be]

Fantastic performance !!!

[@Clivejvaughan]

Took a look at this as a 'curiosity' - underestimated the guys: most impressive. If's that's 'no. 50', looking forward to a better 49 versions !

[@dianasitek3595]

The human spirit soars above suffering, pain and resentment.

[@jimjohhnston9992]

I was moved to tears Thank you for posting

[@nicoleendeklerk7786]

Captivating and beautiful

[@guidodiamanti6374]

Bravissimi , è un piacere ascoltarvi ❤

[@pacemlesu3746]

Bravo from NY

[@ilseilse3824]

Greetings from germany… they are so good and nice… the Voices and Orchester be blessed. 🥰😇

[@riikkaalanen3429]

I was going through different versions of the Pearlfishers duet and I found this amazing and breathtaking version! I could almost swear that Kananelo Sehau’s tenor has that same ringing quality tham young Jussi Bjorling!

[@fannysaxton3330]

Bravooooooooooóooooo, desde Chile con todas las bendiciones de Dios para estos divos.

[@HeinrichGermany1]

such great voices !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@elizabethwilliams1523]

Love this duet.

[@mariateresaschniebs4929]

Que voces!!! Hermoso timbre y un joven y magnífico tenor, bravisimo 👏👏👏

[@Mikerochip1]

Stunning. Thank you, gentlemen!

[@user-kp4bz4bj4t]

Самое лучшее исполнение ❤❤❤❤

[@janebrown7231]

Anyone who listens to this brilliant performance and then criticises and compares it, should bear in mind... This is a live performance at a small, noisy festival held to celebrate a beloved freedom fighter, on a Gauteng budget not a Royal Albert Hall one, with little technology and bare ears, with a recently established baritone and a young, little-known tenor. And with limited rehearsal time and all those disadvantages, they produced a stunning performance. I'd rather hear a well-matched, sincere and deeply emotive version like this than any of the overrated, famous individuals who make money out of this lovely duet. Yes, of course B&M are the amazingly beautiful gold standard for this duet, but they were mature and well-paid professionals, they worked together for a long time and they had as many studio takes as they wanted, to get their definitive version.

[@classicalindulgenceartiste8449]

This is beautiful and very affirming not just to the singers, but everything South Africa's opera spaces has had to endure to get to where it is - and particularly how singers like Njabulo and Kananelo continue giving it their best to create one of the world's most respected opera singer creation eco-systems.

[@janebrown7231]

@@classicalindulgenceartiste8449 Thank you so much for your valued reply. I am totally in awe of what South Africa is achieving in opera and the arts, with so few of the advantages that exist in the richest countries. Both Njabulo and Kananelo have absolutely stunning voices, sensitively trained, and I hope wonderful futures lie ahead. This performance is very close to perfect, and in terms of voice-matching, synchrony and emotional expression, it IS perfect. I've listened to these two many times, never without tears in my eyes. (The only thing I could criticise is their French pronunciation, Sehau's in particular, but a French coach probably wasn't available.) I follow Njabulo Madlala's facebook page and he sounds like the most delightful guy, that anyone would love spending time with. South Africa has always had some of the most wonderful voices and music, particularly in traditional style, but we in the western countries haven't heard nearly enough of this precious gift. Thank you for playing your part in the amazing upsurge in recent years of the incredible talents South Africa has to offer, particularly in opera. I'm so grateful to have the chance to enjoy this beauty.

[@cindyj5522]

You are so on target. There is an organic power to this performance that transcends even the most carefully produced performance. These men give us heaven.

[@janebrown7231]

@@cindyj5522 ❤

[@janebrown7231]

@@cindyj5522 They are the embodiment of Zurga and Nadir, remembering the woman they once loved, but re-avowing their eternal friendship. Their faces, their bodies, their voices show how deeply into their roles they are. I particularly love how Madlala slows down the orchestra with his reverie, "Je crois... la voir... encore....." (I believe I see her still....). Most other duos just perform and take the money.

[@r.h.7486]

What a vocal primal force.. wonderful.. I'm flashed.. ❤‍🩹🌹

[@justianstanley1483]

Spectacular duets

[@ton4347]

Really Really great voices wow

[@anne-no2ic]

Marvelous..

[@yellowprpl2687]

Magnificent. Thanks for sharing.

[@janettucker3196]

Wonderful performances. Thanks.

[@lizwilson2648]

This is so beautiful, magical

[@johnwallman6647]

A rare delight! Good fortune in you rfutures.

[@maureenholtham9326]

Beautiful voices well done ❤️🌹🌹🌹

[@Roop1962]

Glorious 💝

[@patricebrown777]

What a rich and beautiful performance!! Fantastic!!

[@annieb4051]

Excellent! Good voices, good matches!

[@yvonnevanderduim2726]

Absolutely gorgeous!!

[@drmarilenebalbi9085]

Very beautiful voices, wonderful performance! Congratulations to you both. Kind regards, Marilene

[@barberpianoserv]

WOW!

[@petronela910]

Phenomenal

[@johnmcgraw1765]

Beautiful done gorgeous Bravo

[@lynstoneham]

Stunning voices

[@Bessless2010]

Beautiful..

[@sueweston8016]

Wonderful rendition

[@paulfoley4126]

Superb is all i can say

[@nathimnengela297]

Beautiful

[@yomocaro3500]

Exiting and great!!

[@mariateresaschniebs4929]

Maravillosos artistas!!!

[@meganstaight9256]

Both great

[@roybosch8583]

Ongelooflik mooi. Hierdie outjies gaan ver kom. Selfs hulle Frans is perfek. Roy Bosch

[@SKARA09]

Trop fort le Tenor il couvre la voix du Baryton

[@donotlie3384]

South Africans are talented😢

[@monikakramer5876]

Sie wurden leider immer unterdrückt, nur weil sie eine dunkle Hautfarbe haben.

[@donotlie3384]

Stimmt, aber es wird besser.

[@luciliavasconcellos4893]

Lindo!👏👏👏

[@phil2u48]

Très bon français en plus .

[@edwingng7973]

Beautiful rendition! Def one of the better ones.

[@ciociosan]

BRAVI!

[@josegustavolopezgodinez5627]

❤❤❤❤👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@mariajesusramossainz3693]

⁰muy buenos me gustan mucho

[@petethomas2050]

Where do voices like this come from? I can only say wow

[@sidoniegarcia5781]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@andreafasoli5205]

Baritone has a beautiful voice and nice technique and he is PERFECT. Tenor is simply FANTASTIC. one of the most beautiful voices of the last 20 years

[@clarkedhaldane]

wow

[@AloeAntinousAquila55]

🎼🎶gorgeous 🤎✨🙌🏾

[@brittizepunkt4838]

💓

[@bgw33]

🎯😍