1983 MET100 GALA:Madama Butterfly. Duet, Act I / Puccini

Madama Butterfly. Duet, Act I / Puccini (Leona MITCHELL, Giuliano CIANNELLA)

[@Chilair1]

I feel disappointed when I read comments like these. Cant we lovers of opera, just enjoy a performance like this without criticizing every minute detail--and without the constant comparisons to other artists? This is world class singing and very rare, regardless of its flaws. Put your teeth away and enjoy!

[@josevaladez]

Totally agree ! All the comparisons are bad. Every singer has his personal touch, and there are thousands of hours of practice behind it. The only thing we have to do is enjoy the performances of this "musical monsters" . As I wrote in another video ( to all the critics ) : Do you sing better than him/her ? If so, please upload your video and show us, to deserve all my respect and my applause, if not, keep practicing.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Carami Hilaire It's part of the imperfect human condition my friend. To speak out & criticized while vieled under an assumed name etc. They will always be around but sadly they miss out on truly appreciating the greatest art form in the world my friend. Take care. Arnold Bourbon Amaral OPERA WITHOUT BOUNDARIES 🌍🌎🌏🌹

[@davidpickuplmft]

I was there that night in the audience...a beautiful highlight of my life...you could just feel the passion coming from them as this was meant to be sung.

[@chucknyc123]

What a wonderful and beautiful singing actress Leona Mitchell was. This is really high quality singing. I saw her once as Liu at the Met and cried for 10 minutes. I am pretty sure she lives in Houston now. She added so much to the world of opera.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Chuck D We loved her voice a true 💎 👑 Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@RudigerVT]

We could hardly breathe. Leona was our home-town diva. There she was in front of the greats. And it was all there. Such a natural, but so well trained. Plus, Giualano Ciannela was so adorable.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Larry Rudiger Leona had such a beautiful voice indeed. A great lyric soprano. What ever happened to her. Did she retire early etc? Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@billobrien5118]

@@arnoldamaral7406 I think Miss Mitchell teaches voice at this time.

[@charlesdotson4766]

@@arnoldamaral7406 Miss Mitchell is alive and well living in her hometown of Enid, Oklahoma. She spent 18 seasons at the MET and sang at most of the major opera houses around the world. There are quite a few recent videos here on You Tube of her performing in recent years. She does masterclasses, but does not formally teach voice.

[@gaytenor]

A wonderful performance of the duet by two young singers both destined for more stardom than they realized. Cianella RIP

[@arnoldamaral7406]

gaytenor I didn't know he died. What a loss to the world of Opera. My condolences to his dear family. So sad indeed. Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@billobrien5118]

@@arnoldamaral7406 I believe Giuliano Ciannella passed way in 2007.

[@conaccento]

Great! The singing is full of musical and emotional joy combined with a superb skill of voice. A special "BRAVO" for my friend Giuliano, missed.

[@billobrien5118]

Sadly, I don't think Giuliano ever got his due. I never got to see him at the MET. I had wanted to see him as Pinkerton at the Met but by the time I 'discovered' him - the Met was not hiring him for this role. Then, I think he was scheduled to do GOUNOD's ROMEO during a 1985-86 Met revival. I was all set to purchase the ticket BUT to my horror I read in the schedule that he was replaced by another tenor in this role. As a result- I did not order the ticket and good thing I found out about it in time.

[@quequitoAR]

Oh please... these are fine singers. Mitchell was and will be a diva. She proved herself in our Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires, Argentina. WE LOVE HER.

[@toddburton6570]

She was actually Marguerita in Goundo's "Faust" (Michiigan Opera Theatre) which I was a part of. Holy crap, this woman could sing! I was about 12 YO at the time. Her voice was a head spinner for me. And she is a lovely person!

[@rossmcl177]

Oh that really was superb. One of the best performances of this beautiful duet I've ever heard. It's such a shame the video ends when the singing does (the last few moments of the music do matter!!!) but the performance is faultless. Bravo Ciannella, Bravo Mitchell. Bravo Levine. And (let's not forget) Bravo Puccini!

[@loiseaunoir1021]

The single most romantic duet of the repertoire. It's wave after wave after wave of emotion. Puccini, what a composer he was.

[@jameslevister9081]

Puccini wrote music so immediately accessible to our souls. Picky listeners should stand aside and let the rest of us marvel that we have these soulful artists that produce such beautiful and expressive sounds that contribute to our wellbeing. Mitchell is one of the last generation artists who had an easily identifiable voices projected by a competent technique. I remembered her voice after one hearing. Nowadays it's hard to remember a voice EVER.

[@ombresetlumieres3137]

La beauté vocale et physique de Leona Mitchell est remarquable...Excellent Giuliano Ciannella, qui campe un sémillant Pinkerton...Ils magnifient ce duo pourtant déjà superbe.

[@marcandregingras992]

Je suis tellement d'accord avec vous qu'elle artiste et femme magnifique ! J'apprends avec étonnement le racisme dont elle a été victime et une liste noire sur laquelle elle aurait été. 😢 j'ai eu la chance en 1981 d'entendre Ciannella et Catherine Malfitano dans La Traviata mais malheureusement jamais Leona Live !!

[@callastoujours]

Glorious singing, my favorite Butterfly love duet on youtube!! In can't help but coming back, unsurpassed!!!

[@HU1914]

Miss Mitchell was very nervous as was many singers on this auspicious ocassion. Kiri Te Kanawa forget her second entrance on her aria on this gala, could you forgive her? Many singers forget lines from time to time. In Ernani, the Great Luciano came in too soon on his second verse with Miss Mitchell, but she was a trooper and did not let it thow her off. The ultimate professional! The Thrill was how she sang this duet, which The New York Post noted was a great hightlight of the night.

[@DanRobSo]

Mr. Cianella saved many a performance at the Chicago Lyric Opera when Pavarotti cancelled (and Pavarotti cancelled so many times the Lyric finally fired him). He was a wonderful performer, and nice looking too! RIP.

[@HU1914]

Miss Mitchell sang her last season at the Met in 93. She then sang all over the world as Turandot and Ariadne's in Australia. Butterfly in Germany. Touring with Aida in Japan, Austria, South America. She did a Don Carlo in South America and Australia in the late 90's and 2001. she is yet singing beautifully in recitals and concerts.

[@billobrien5118]

I think one of her last Met performances was a AMELIA in BALLO IN MASCHERA!

[@mariaelenapopescu2278]

When I saw them way back in 1983, I was in awe ... It was so beautiful! Same feelings now, after so many years! Love, love, love!!!

[@robertan9409]

My friend, teacher and father Giuliano. I remember you visiting my house in Princeton when you came to sing at Met after long absence. I am so sorry not to see you anymore after. I could see you when I visited Italy in 2008 and I blame myself for that. You were a great mentor both for the music and the life. I hope to see your remained family when I visit Italy this year.

[@HU1914]

what Beautiful phrasing and charactization. Brava, Brava for bringing up this goregeous rendition . The world is better to have this for posterity.

[@operaoaf]

BEautiful team work. They both transported me to Puccini's world.

[@maurovolpini3259]

BRAVI - CIANELLA E MITCHELL !

[@neapolis1982]

grandissimi!!! che piacere sentirli... ciannella poi bravissimo... mi dispiace solo non averlo sentito prima.

[@socosmic1]

Her Ballo in San Francisco with Pavarotti nd Wixell was THRILLING!

[@silvanero]

I love hearing Mitchell and Cianella sing this wonderful music!! What great voices and beautiful artist !! I sang with Cianella in a Manon Lescaut and he was such a giving and warm man. I have never heard Mitchell live but long to if the opportunity ever comes!!!

[@arnoldamaral7406]

silvanero A very beautiful lady as well. With a very beautiful voice. Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@billobrien5118]

WOW! What was Ciannella like in person?! He had a nice disposition judging by this performance. Sad, how he died awfully young.

[@silvanero]

@@billobrien5118 Cianella was very down to earth and friendly. He had such a winning smile and humbleness about him during rehearsals. He was also a very supportive colleague as well. At the time when I met him, I was a college student still trying to perfect my voice. He seemed to really like my voice and even invited me to study with him in Italy. I regret that I did not go and work with him. However, I am grateful to have met and worked with such an immense artist!!

[@billobrien5118]

@@silvanero Its a shame that he never made any recordings of which I'm aware.

[@jeh500]

Truly glorious singing. Perfect voices for this. She is expressive and able to express many emotions beautifully. Always loved her but thought she was a bit overshadowed by her peers of the day. He is simply majestic! They made magic on that stage. Thanks for this.

[@billobrien5118]

There were a big plethora of major sopranos during Mitchell's tenure. Wish we had such a variety today. Everything has become practically ANNA NETREBKO and I don't think she is such a much.

[@SandyduSoleil]

For me, this is the definitive performance of the love duet, surpassing my recordings of Callas, Tebaldi and even the 1966 Scotto! Can anyone deny that this is Puccini at its best!? Brava Mitchell and Cianella!

[@mavoisine3]

Yes until Anna Netrebko tackles the role. I bet you she will surpass them all.

[@billobrien5118]

@@mavoisine3 When that happens, I think I will vomit!

[@crazyorganist1609]

Absolutely beautiful

[@MrSaintmich]

love Leona Mitchell

[@mariposamarshall9773]

Leona M. looks and sounds gorgeous- and Cianella reminds me of Richard Tucker- his vocal timbre- I thoroughly enjoyed this performance

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Mariposa Marshall Yes he does sound like Tucker. Mitchell is absolutely radiant in voice & beauty. Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@mariposamarshall9773]

I saw Ms. Mitchell do the Handel Samson many years ago @ the Metropolitan Opera- she was superbe with a superbe cast- Jon Vickers, Carol Vaness- The period dancing was also magnificent- I wish someone would post it on youtube!!!!!

[@oscargutierrezojeda5338]

Es increible ver cómo Puccini supo imprimir remansos orientales en esta ópera. Grandioso

[@gonzalogallardobareyre]

más aún en Turandot

[@silvanero]

@jeh500 Yes I agree this is glorious singing !!! but I don't agree nor think she was overshadowed by any of her peers. She held her own. Mitchell had a great career. Look at all the videos she did at the MET !!! I think more than any of her peers who also sang there. She is still singing too and well. Who of her peers is still able to sing these days? Just curious?

[@HU1914]

Leona is such a wonderful Goddess!!!! We love you and miss you.

[@cathykerr6779]

Saw her live in duet!! She OWNS it !!!!

[@silvanero]

Also..Mitchell and Cianella had never sung or rehearsed this duet before this performance on the Gala according to Madame Mitchell.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

silvanero Well they did an incredible performance. Arnold Bourbon Amaral

Mitchell excelled in Verdi, Puccini, repertoire. Hers was one of the most glorious Sopranos at the Met in the mid 80's early 90's and she still sings great today. Mitchell was a great Diva. She rivaled Price for beauty of tone and expressivenss and the voice was maybe a bit larger .

[@1988dongiovanni]

Imagine singing the tenor's music with Ferruccio Tagliavini watching over your shoulder - talk about nerve wracking! :)

[@shaun20483]

What wonderful singing! The tenor is magnificent!

[@HU1914]

@amlirco What beautiful singing. If the consonants were eaten up, we forgive her because she brought so much beauty to this duet and that is what we want to hear in Opera. The ease of producing a goregous tone. People would kill to make this kind of delivery.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

come on children stop criticizing each other we're all adults or are we? I recorded the entire MET centennial. I was not disappointed. I now have it on DVD a special gift for my wife. Leona Mitchell is not leontyne price and leontyne price is not Leona Mitchell please just get over it and enjoy these great performances. never to be repeated again at the Met. leontyne price and caballe will always be above all the other Sopranos. they were in a class of Their Own they raise the bar so high and I'm thankful for that. La Divina Madame Maria Callas will always be the empress of Opera. enjoy enjoy and listen to this beautiful music these great artists my dear friends. agape agape take care your friend Opera lover. Arnold

[@larrywoods6318]

Price and "Caballe" above all other sopranos? Not hardly my friend. Just your opinion, not necessarily factual and not so for many people I am sure.

[@silvanero]

Hello Arnold!! You and I are both lovers of Leona Mitchell’s voice. I would LOVE a copy of your DVD of the MET’s entire Centennial Gala. Let’s make it happen please….

[@alessandroscano8]

Un tenore d altri tempi....semplicemente metaviglioso....un altro orgoglio Italiano

[@ykaiilah]

@Oskarbly Where are you located? My teacher studies with Gina Cigna. Its a dying technique. I love Leona's voice. He is wonderful too!

[@callastoujours]

BRAVI!!!! BRAVI!!!!

[@silvanero]

@Oskarbly I sang with Cianella in a Manon Lescaut in the US and he was such a wonderful artist and kind too. What happened to him? He was rather young wasn't he !!! He invited me to come to Italy to study with him and I regret that I did not.

[@billobrien5118]

Sadly, Giuliano passed away from cancer back in 2007.

[@silvanero]

All of you are wrong!!!! about Ms. Mitchell imitating Madame's Price's voice. Their voices are similar but quite different in the way they used them vocally speaking. I think Leona was her own artist and did things HER WAY not Leontyne's!!!! Just because they were black sopranos who sang the same repertoire, people automatically compared Leona to her idol Leontyne and that just was not fair at all. Give Leona some credit here, please!!! She sang a lot of rep that Leontyne did not sing during her long SUCCESSFUL career!!!

Miss Mitchell still sings beautifully today. Her voice is it's own precious gift, Leontyne was an influence yes but Madame Mitchell copied noone and has her own unique voice, and her own unique place in Opera History! As for Mr. Ciannella, I heard him do Cavaradossi live at the Met opposite Scotto and he was very impressive.

[@silvanero]

I wholeheartedly agree Arthur!!! I feel the same about their different approaches to singing. Love them both for their special qualities!!!

[@pammyjones1151]

Silvanero.......very similar but a beautiful voice in her own right.....lovely!!.....

[@photo161]

I hear absolutely no particular similarity between Ms. Mitchell's and Madame Price's voice or approach to singing whatsoever. Nor do I ever remember anything of the kind being mentioned at the time. I earnestly hope that one is not seeing the ugly head of primitive racism surfacing here.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

silvanero When I first heard of Madame Mitchell. It was on a PBS classical radio station that was on Sunday evening. The host was very knowledgeable about Opera. He said that many thought she sounded like Freni & Price. Once my wife & I heard her we knew she was a very special voice. I too felt she had her own special voice that could be easily identified once heard.i would audio tape all her LIVE FROM THE MET BROADCAST. She was world renowned indeed👑. And no she did not sound like Price or Freni. Arnold Bourbon Amaral OPERA WITHOUT BOUNDARIES 🌍🌎🌏🌹

[@Troyis]

@sandytheslayer I have to agree: incredibly moving!

[@moforibalait]

I think some people here are just racist even swearing the contrary and don't like an afrodescendant genius singing opera. Leontyne Price was of the best ever. Just listen and forget from which apprarance this sounds come . Just amazing.

[@niconico7281]

mitchell magnifica de voz ciannela apasionado

[@HU1914]

@Iareto If you have issues, just please don't come to the sight. No one is making you listen. Leave this site to the people who appreciate Miss Mitchell

[@yummyjellybaby]

tyvm 4 this

[@jamesfeeney3016]

Mitchell is superb!

[@MelomanoPucciniano]

es lo mas hermoso que he escuchado en mi vida por eso en lo particular Puccini es simplemente UNICO Y UNIVERSAL

[@scampb14]

power hair to go with a power voice. as with a lot of Met productions I'd rather hear this than SEE it.

[@yohangouraantoni3903]

QUE BELLEZA

[@songsofscarlet]

@Fegen he retired in 98 and taught at various conservatories in Italy up until his death in '08

[@ransomcoates546]

I think Zinka approved.

[@silvanero]

@conmaleta What !!! Do you sing this? The prompter was there for ALL the singers !!

[@magnusjonsson1316]

Gedda and Callas!

[@Rcoppin91]

@sandytheslayer Angela Gheorghiu and Jonas Kaufman have an incredible recording as well.

[@ykaiilah]

@Oskarbly We should get together and sing, lol

[@1salvatoremartorana]

9 mesi fa un grande tenore, il soprano era incinta di tre mesi. Poco conosciuto rispetto alle sue possibilità artistiche e vocali, il tenore Giuliano Ciannella è stato connsiderato "l'ultimo tenore del primo verdi", ancora "il baritono con gli acuti". Allievo di Campogalliani si perfezionò con Bergonzi e il mitico Giacomo Lauri Volpi, il quale in un suo scritto, pubblicato da Bongiovanni, "Voci parallele" lo menziona tra i giovani tenori di grandi speranze.

I will not stoop to name calling,and exchanging insults with the likes of you! Your comments are mean spirited and hateful, why all this anger and venom directed at me? You have your veiws and I have mine! Why must Opera Fans like you idolize one artist and tear down all others!. I enjoyed Mitchell's singing of Puccini and Verdi a great deal so have many others. Tolerance, patience, and humility my dear, you are not perfect either!

[@larrywoods6318]

Heck, I will take Mitchell's voice over Price anyday.

[@alcelaya1365]

Art is not a competitive sport. Do you guys place bets on opera? What really counts is what you feel, not what you think. Art is for feelings. Pkilosophy is for your thoughts. I can watch 10 year old kids play violin or basketball and be thrilled by the performance. I can watch a couple of 70 year old politicians or theologians debate and fall asleep

Before taking someone to task for bad spelling learn how to spell Madame Price's First name correctly " Leontyne". You obviously think you know more than anyone about everything! You are mistaken!

[@LABARITONESSA]

CIANELLA E' NATO IN PROVINCIA DI LECCE....UNA VOCE MERAVIGLIOSA! LA MITCHELL IMITA TROPPO LA LEONTYNE PRICE MA E' MOLTO BRAVA UGUALMENTE!

[@amlirco]

A few consonants even whole words eaten up...

[@krrainey77]

Everyone hating on her, when the tenor is the most ridiculous thing ever.

[@caninbar]

I love this duet, I love Puccini, and I love Leona Mitchell's voice, but I can hardly forgive her for that faulty entrance...and the bad diction...sì per la aaaaheeeta (vita?). I know it's a technical problem, but too much is too muich! Enjoy!

[@mrrkdino]

better than Tebaldi & Callas?? Your sure???? Mitchell needs prompting at the start, you her the prompter, and her voice is no way as full or rich as Tebaldi, and Cianella 'aint no Bergonzi.

[@machovoce6826]

Mitchell appears to forget she's singing a duet. Cianella attempts to connect with her, but she's not having it. Pity.

[@singinciaran]

Didn't really like this. Mitchell seemed off her game for me.

[@peja07ab]

You only had one job. Remebering the first f...... line: promter whispering "com" 0:26 - 0:27

[@operassassinOperaAssassin]

I feel that this shows Mitchell's singing in this period to be mannered; she reads as a clone of L.Price, copying all of Leontyne's idiosyncrasies: pretty, but shrill, pinched high notes, indirect and scooped lower and middle register. Mitchell's voice at present rings much truer to herself and is dark, plush and opulent and serves the music (doesn't just serve the sense memory of another great artist). Cianella sounds strained and brutal here rather than seductive or sensual.

[@silvanero]

operassassin ......assassin!! That’s what you are!! There is NOTHING mannered about Leona’s singing in this video. These two artists had never sung together nor rehearsed before this performance. Imagine how you would feel singing with someone on such an occasion!!?? Not to mention walking on stage and discovering those elite artists on stage. Don’t criticize unless you fully understand.!! Her singing here is beautiful and nothing like Leontyne’s!!

[@mavoisine3]

One step above mediocre. Does Mitchell know what a consonant is? Where is Netrebko when you need her?

[@larrywoods6318]

She is still outside and still trying to learn how to sing properly.....

[@charlesdotson4766]

Netrebko could only dream of singing like the great Leona Mitchell, consonants or not!!

[@kake1959]

Netrebko is busy supporting Putin and butchering bel canto.