Opera Singer Reaction (& Analysis) - Drunken Concubine + Diva Dance || Dimash & Li YuGang

Background music from #Uppbeat:
uppbeat.io/t/a...
License code: JKVB6M8XD3ZIKG2U
Link to Dimash and Li YuGang's Original Video-
• [ENG SUB] Li YuGang & ...
===============================
Note: I'll make comments on this in future videos but please keep in mind that my initial (no pause) reaction before the analysis is copyright material and I am not able to monetize this video because of it. In the future, I'll either make these full un-cut reactions available on Patreon or keep these videos as is and not profit on them. I would deeply appreciate if you would consider supporting me on Patreon when it is set up (updates soon) for not just reaction content to music, but to animated shows, anime, and possibly even some personal musical projects. Thank you for your consideration!
===============================
If you enjoyed, please consider subscribing and liking! Also, I'd love to hear your comments on what I can do to improve for your future enjoyment. Thank you all so much for watching!
My livestreams are currently Thursdays @ 13:00 (1:00 PM) PST. I'd love to see you all there! Ask me any questions about myself, the channel, or anything you all would like to discuss!

[@p.f.5718]

The case of making the whistle sound is the reason, that the chinese audience endorse this traditionally in a such high way. It is expected - especially in this singing battle with a very famous chinese opera singer. Li is a traditional opera singer of the female part in the Chinese opera, because in ancient time women was not allowed to sing in opera. The higher they could sing the most famous they where. So - Dimash had to showcase this for sure, It would not be perfect. The audience was waiting 😂 Love from Austria 🇦🇹

[@michaelelliott8536]

You talk about singers crossing their legs while singing. Dimash has sung several songs, sitting crossed legged on a stool, Samaultau and also one version of Know vocalise), on the floor etc. He has also sung a little of S O S, one time, finishing by lying flat on the stage. He seems to be able to sing, bent over, leaning back, dancing at the same time etc. He is amazing. Thank you from UK

[@goodeveningstories]

There are many professional vocalists who are capable of singing well on their back, cross-legged, etc. My point in bringing that up is to discuss what is optimal in terms of technique and producing the best sound possible. It doesn't necessarily mean a vocalist damages themselves or sounds bad when committing to those actions. During a live performance, however, it makes sense to sacrifice some technique for a more visually captivating performance. And also, yes, I agree, Dimash is an incredible artist. =)

[@rabbitholereaction]

@@goodeveningstories I grew up being taught to always be fully upright while singing but I think it's interesting how much Dimash has trained himself to get such great support while in unconventional body positions. It shows how committed he is to always trying new things and pushing his limits as an artist,

[@nurselinda2155]

I saw an interview with his mother, who is an opera singer, saying that they train to sing in all positions, even lying down.

[@kriknut1]

I was so impressed with a friend of mine who is a vocal coach. She was demonstrating that with the right support, you can sing in any position. The way she did it was to do push-ups while singing an opera aria 😮

[@rabbitholereaction]

@@kriknut1 wow!!!!!

[@k.vn.k]

East opera meets West opera meets Alien opera 😅😅😅 The only performance where three completely different opera styles blend perfectly.

[@christinabrain1426]

Brilliant performance by both. Li is an Opera singer that plays the female roles, common in China. Thanks so much 👏🙏💞

[@aurismosquera5408]

Excelente dúo..... Como todos los que hace Dimash.... Y esa nota D7 dejó a todos sorprendidos. Pero no es su mota más alta en in concierto en vivo. Debes ver su D8 en el concierto Gokku el tema unforgetable Day es alucinante

[@anniebygrave9300]

Yes, they are singing in Mandarin. Dimash does not use whistle tone notes very frequently. He doesn't have total control in the whistle tone range it seems. It is a challenge for him that I just think he enjoys doing even if it doesn't come out on the pitch he may have been aiming for. He only does it when he feels capable that day in that performance. It is something that gets slipped in occasionally to please himself and to give the audience something extra special. A little explosion if you will. A wow factor. We know that Dimash loves and serves his audience. He changes things up to keep it exciting both for humself and for them. When I first watched this performance I realised that it was a friendly dual, a battle of professionals who respect and enjoy each other. It is rare to find artist who can dual with Dimash, and Li Yugang is one of them. A consummate Chinese opera singer who plays the female roles in Peking Opera, he is considerably older than he looks and has a wealth of experience. A worthy opponent of great calibre. I like his way of pronouncing the Chinese words with a shhh at the beginning, it is almost like an affected lisp. At the end of the piece where they are bouncing their beautiful harmonies and melismas off one another it is as if they are two birds flying in a aerial display. Simply stunning. Never fails to take my breath away. Wonderful insightful reaction from you as always. Thank you ❤

[@maykacha4987]

Now he only appears in China a few times a year. His Chinese fans love the high notes. So I think he put it in for them. He might have even been asked to add a whistle

[@effwee13]

it's supposed to be a little singing battle. that's why dimash made a whistling sound...😉

[@kellibuzzard9431]

Of course.😂❤

[@lkayh]

Li Yugang performs female roles with the Chinese national opera. I really like the east vs. west vibe, and the mashup of different vocal styles. Gotta disagree about the whistle tone. The whole point of Diva Dance is that it’s meant to be so difficult no human voice can handle it. Dimash comes as close as I’ve heard to executing the original music but there’s a section in the movie version that had to be synthesized and nobody I’ve heard so far has handled that exactly the way it was in the movie. I don’t mind hearing something else that isn’t quite human in that approximate spot in the song. Anyway, great reaction-I’m glad you did this. This rarely gets a reaction and it’s too bad.

[@SandraRegina-tl2be]

Amo suas reações, Dimash é incrível, saudações do BRASIL 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷❤

[@esztervarga7641]

I love your tase and enjoyment of this bizarre piece. Much love❤

[@anahills3836]

I think Dimash puts that very high note in there just because he knows his audience likes it 😀

[@makila7715]

Great reaction. However, I couldn't think of a better song than an approximation to Diva Dance for Dimash to show off his whistle tone.

[@melisvigue7950]

You are one of my fav reactors mainly because you are honest with what you hear and like but also very respectful of the artist. I don’t always agree with you but respect you. I as a viewer lived the whistle note and he did that because he knows that most of the audience would. Dimash would never show off he sings for his fans and for what he interprets the feeling of the song. Especially in China, they expect this and love it. But I respect your feeling of it and what you like and again you didn’t criticize and was not disrespectful at all. Thank you

[@goodeveningstories]

I deeply appreciate this. Thank you =)

[@annemarel]

Dimash sings this whistle note because it was also supposed to be some kind mix between a spectacular battle and an interesting collaboration.

[@gabyticona534]

I love it, the interpretation of both is magnificent, strange but very attractive. I love the whistle tone, it's like lightning that brings you back to earth, Dimash is a wonderful singer.I really appreciate your reactions being you an opera singer. , thank you so much.

[@wngimageanddesign9546]

The theme of the duet was East meets West. And the Drunken Concubine is a female vs. male duet. And Li is trained in classical Chinese opera. Where only males perform, and he specializes as the female character. Thus the female high note vocals and tones.

[@gulyaibragimova9493]

Рақмет, үнемі өте нақты және түсінікті сараптама, шырқау тәсілдерің анық жақсы жеткіздіңіз. Арнаңызға сәттілік! Thanks for the great reaction! Salem from Qazaqstan!

[@agnieszkasawicka1207]

Dziękuję bardzo za ten utwór. Jest jednym z moich ulubionych ❤❤❤

[@bungaumihaelaelena254]

Nota aceea se potrivește perfect în povestea celor doi: Dimash fiind împăratul și Li fiind concubina, în partea Diva dance e un duel între cei doi, o conversație ( fără cuvinte) ca o ceartă între iubiți, nota aceea arătând dominarea împăratului față de concubină, după părerea mea e exact ce trebuie.

[@BellaAMA0204]

I’m a Dimash fan since 2017, I really like the variety he is offering us and of course I love all his duets. The duet with Tengri is another unique performance! And if you get curious about Tengri you can check his song called “ Heaven” , love that man too !

[@Jeannine2007]

I feel that E7(?) was just to thrill the audience that is predomantly aware of Dimash and his talents. He has used the E7 a few times, especially in China, I think, as mentioned above, purely for the thrill of the unexpected, and the audience was justifiably shocked and happy for it 😊 I imagine many present may not be music or vocal professionals and would not feel as you and others may, as you critiqued. I really enjoy your reactions and professional analyses of Dimash's work. I never miss them. Cheers from Sydney 👍👋

[@beatrizalfaro3587]

MAGNIFICO ❤❤

[@user-fo5jf9es9v]

Thank you for the reaction!

[@roserdq_dears]

🙏🏻💝 Gracias siempre desde Sevilla, te espero en la próxima! 🌹🌸

[@joycourtney3675]

Loved, loved your reaction to this. Thank you, Daniel.

[@user-qj6tu8pg2t]

Let's not forget that the diva dance is an extra-terrestrial song. Dimash's d8 is quite appropriate in this performance. But your point of view is also very valid. In art, as in all things, we should always be objective and imagine all points of view... in my opinion.

[@kriknut1]

The D8 is in "Unforgettable Day" from the Gakku festival 😉

[@user-qj6tu8pg2t]

@@kriknut1 That is also true. But Dimash can do the d8 at will, don't you think so ?

[@barno2112]

Спасибо за чудесную и очень подробную реакцию. В Китае очень любят высокие или экстремально высокие ноты, а Димаш всегда очень внимателен к своим слушателям. Ещё больше люблю его за это❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ будь счастлив и здоров любимый артист

[@MaggieatPlay]

Oh, My! I found that wonderful! Thank you for the reaction and analysis of this video. Very happy to be introduced to the video.

[@irisschumann1668]

Für dich ein anderes interessantes Duett - Dimah und Placido Domingo = GENIAL LG von einem Dear aus Deutschland

[@slavkatodorova7978]

Thank you for the analysis! I learned a lot of interesting things about singing and music. Greetings from Dimash's Bulgarian fan club!

[@sakarijoenvaara1304]

I think that we need to remember that the middle part is the Diva Dance, that was made to be unsingable, that alone justifies the whistle note, to really underline how hard and impossible Diva Dance is.

[@sakarijoenvaara1304]

Diva Dance should shock you. This one does, because of the whistle.

[@keyurus1]

Je suis pas d’accord avec votre avis sur ce que vous appelez le whistle il a sa place ici étant donné qu’il joue le rôle de l’empereur. Il doit affirmer son autorité sur sa concubine…c’est dans la logique de la pièce même si c’est dans la partie diva dance. Dimash a toujours dit que quand il chante il le fait pour servir la chanson

[@Vee44443]

The whistle tone is there to remind that the original music was partly sang by a computer. I mean both are better than a computer. They concretize this piece with their human voices. I love them both so much

[@keyurus1]

Dimash est l’empereur et Li yugang est la concubine jalouse et ivre. C’est pour cela que par moments Dimash impose son autorité

[@JensRandolff]

I always enjoy your reactions and informative analyses. "Drunken Concubine" is one of the masterpieces by Mei Lan-Fang, and is set in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is mostly a one-person show and tells the story of the emperor's beloved concubine Yang Yuhuan, also known as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. The main character of this opera is Yang, played here by Li Yugang. Dimash takes on the role of the emperor. One night Yang arranges a banquet in the imperial garden and waits for the emperor to come, but he never shows up. Yang is informed by her eunuch servants that the emperor chose another concubine over her. She feels humiliated, furious and depressed. The opera shows the change in Yang's mood as she begins to drink heavily. "The icy moon rises above the island, making the world so clear," Yang says, expressing her feelings through lyrics and embedding her emotions onto the moon. Li Yugang specializes in "nándàn" roles, which is a male who plays a female role in Peking opera. Someone, whose name eludes me, shared: "The way Li Yugang moves (knees bent together and those "meows" have a special meaning in the traditional opera). What is most amazing about Li is that he couldn't study at the university or conservatory of music; he is absolutely an autodidact which is so admirable. He is 42 years old. In 2009, he was invited to join the "China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater" and became China's First Class Artist (National Treasure). In that same year, Li Yugang was invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, only the second Chinese artist to have done so, and was awarded the Southern Cross Gold Prize for Culture by the Australian Government. He has become an icon in China's contemporary cultural scene. Dimash was invited to sing with him."

[@kriknut1]

Thanks for telling this interesting background story

[@emmanx011]

Lee is a professional "Chinese Opera performer," where "men" sing the "female voice". But Dimash's voice "sticks out so uniquely". I just LOVE "Chinese Opera"! It's so SPECIAL AND UNIQUE....; and so "intensely moving", I think. ❤ Btw...Dimash does a TRUE WHISTLE NOTE (E7 or D7 ??, I think), in this performance. Remember that diva dance is supposed to be "Alien and impossible", so that note fits perfectly! 🤪 Brilliant !!; just BRILLIANT!❤❤❤

[@LSelenazizova31]

Thank you, dear friend❤! Your videos are as always interesting and informative! Good luck! Greetings from Russia💞!

[@user-xy4dp5fb8i]

That was a great, great analysis and reaction! 👏👏👏👏Thanks you for doing It. 🙏🙏🙏Every time Dimash sings with another singer, is a new experience. This time, they were excellent in their own way. They complement each other so well and lovely. 💖 Please react to Lose Control. I love His performance with Chanté Moore. Blessings and success. 🙏🙏👏👏👏🇵🇷

[@maitemaeso2649]

Amazing performance from our prince

[@SerdarAkkilic]

@Good Evening Stories, a lil info. Li YuGang is a Chinese traditional opera singer with very rare abilities that allows him to play women roles. He is considered as a Chinese national treasure. Drunken Concubine is his experimental song that expresses a mix between modern and traditional sounds. On this duet they also implemented another experimental song to the mix. Some of Li YuGang's parts on the Diva Dance may sound different/off but they are intentionally transposed to the Chinese traditional note sets, and what he does while Dimash Dancing with the Diva Dances notes is another style of singing, again in Chinese old traditional folk songs. It might sound musically overwhelming to some listeners but it is a perfect mix of many different art styles and traditions.

[@dayanamendoza2302]

Hola, me encantan tus videos!!! En referencia a la nota de silbido es cierto que a muchas personas les agrada y a otras no, ya sabemos que Dimash es capaz de hacer cualquier cosa porque es un atleta vocal 😅 pero debes saber que en las presentaciones, canciones, etc que interpreta todo lo que hace tiene un objetivo y esta allí por una razón, no lo hace por casualidad o porque simplemente le provocó, todo lo que hace está debidamente pensado, puede que a veces nos guste más otras menos pero siempre hay una razón. Tampoco lo hace para demotrar o alardear su capacidad vocal, que ya todos conocemos, si llegas a ver alguna entrevista de Dimash te darás cuenta que no le gusta hablar de su rango vocal y normalmente responde que el solo quiere transmitir y llegar a su público. Esperamos más reacciones a Dimash 😊🤗 Saludos desde Venezuela ❤🇻🇪

[@socorrodiaz9239]

Gracias por tu reacción y por tu muy buena explicación. Saludos 🇲🇽

[@conchabecerracarmuega1161]

Dimash ha cantado solo varias veces Diva Dance. Hay csntantes en china que se dedican a hacer papeles de mujer en la opera tradicional. Pero no don capaces de dar notas bajas como hace Dimash Agui lanza Dimash su famoso D8. Tienes que escuchar las interpretaciones operisticas de Dimash. Con Placido Domingo , con Aida Garifullina, con Zarina. Y la opera Notre Dame de París. Con un compatriota suyo. Te gustará. Saludos.

[@claudettefasciano4165]

I just subscribed. Reactions are ok, but analyze is so much interesting and instructive and you do it beautifully.

[@user-zg1is9uk7u]

I don't think he's doing it to show off, I think he knows his audience loves it when he does those notes (I know I do). As for rest of your reaction, very good -thanks

[@Karin_Aquatica]

There is a show in China called „Everlasting Classics“. In 2020 both Dimash and Li Yugang participated in that show. Dimash performed „Thousands of miles - a common dream“ kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIaVaqd3r9hnj8Usi=bX5bm2sIavYrCc9B Li Yugang performed „Lady Zhaojun“ kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGatdp6hbteGnZosi=RDU7QiqDEU3tqH7I Don’t be confused, both the male and the female role is Li Yugang. I love both performances and I‘m grateful to Dimash that through him I get to know other wonderful artists like Li Yugang.

[@katherineeasteal662]

I was really curious to see how you would react to one of my favourite Dimash performances. You did not disappoint. I was interested about your point about the whistle tone he included. A major reason why I don't always enjoy Dimash as much as his brilliant skill warrants, is that he often inserts these shock and awe tactics where I dont think it flatters the music (probably why my favourite Dimash performance is Ikanaide - he works WITH the song). Yet Diva Dance is jumpy and shock and awe in it's own right so I think the whistle tone works here. What I love most is the final section with the stunning harmonies. I wish they did more work together. Speaking of harmonies, I suggest you look at the South Korean crossover vocal quartet Forestella. They too have totally distinct voices that work sublimely together - especially their vibratos. Maybe look at Hijo De La Luna, Je Suis Malade or Inner Universe.

[@anetadygon3478]

Very nice reaction, thank you! I kind of agree with you about the whistle. But as a few others pointed out, it is often expected in this kind of showy piece TV performance. In his own concerts he never does anything overly showy-offy. Always serves the music.

[@katbrown2531]

Димаш любит импровизировать. Это не демонстрация,это импровизация.

[@jackyfriedman1963]

Geoff Castellucci has a new video premiering tomorrow, the 9th at 11:30am est..... Imagine by John Lennon. It is absolutely beautiful. Classic from the 1970s.

[@johnhelwig8745]

Cool! You got the restriction removed. Tried to watch earlier and I felt bad for you that your video got blocked. Hope to join the live stream tomorrow.

[@KitaBelle23]

It shocks me that reactors watch artists cover a song expecting it to sound like the original. The whole idea is to cover it but make it their own. It would have made sense to understand who Li Yugang is what it is he sings and what the song Drunken Concubine is about to understand the polarising sounds they make. Li sings the part of the concubine and Dimash the emperor. Simple, easy.

[@insectorojo2676]

Dimash and Li Yugang the Best in the World 💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@stildiko]

Dimash throw out there the whistle note, because they are actually performing in that section a voice battle :) dimash opening his arms saying come come, show me what you've got, I beat the shit out of you with my voice :) that's the idea

[@gretchenfraley3898]

Lee is a famous Peking opera singer. The contrast is nice but my favorite part is the end where different but works together.

[@user-lx9jw5ku2c]

Dimash and super vocal voice reaction please

[@mjc1910]

I kind of understand why Dimash executed the extreme high note even though it might not be neccessary for the piece because it’s what the Chinese audience came to expect. By the way, Di is singing as the heart broken emperor. Who found himself orderihg the death of his favourite concubine due to circumstances. 😊Li is singing the part of the concubine.

[@katbrown2531]

Энергетика Майкла Джексона. Да. Димаш фанат Майкла Джексона.

[@maggiepoison7448]

❤

[@vickie5ft2]

Li was 40 years old!!

[@WS-ex6kl]

Daniel, enjoying your reactions to Dimash. In this particular performance you may need to appreciate the meaning behind the lyrics, hence the execution. If you look up the English translation I think you will better understand the choices made. And as has been mentioned by other Dears, the Chinese love the whistle note!

[@user-fo5jf9es9v]

Please react to the new duet of Dimash and Chante Moore from Chinese show I'm singer.

[@seemabawani9042]

You had restrictions on this reaction? Good it's removed👍 Hopefully, the restriction on your reaction to Dimash and Placido Domingo singing The Pearl Fishers Duet will be removed soon! I loved your reaction to that song and can't understand why it is restricted‼ There are many reactions by many reactors on KZbin to this beautiful song...most even showing the whole song with no filters at all...go figure‼ As for your comment on how Dimash was sitting on the chair with straight back and feet firmly on the ground but looking relaxed. If you want to see "really relaxed" but beautiful performances by him, i have 2 suggestions 😍💞🔥 1. Know (vocalise version) - from his Arnau concert. In this he sits cross legged on the floor and at many points bending forward...defying all rules of singing with open diaphragm and standing strong! He even does his "demonic" deep sounds in the beginning and end of it... 2. Samaltau - from Tokyo Jazz Festival 2020, he performed from his studio during the pandemic lockdown. In that powerful performance he sat cross legged on a small stool. If you choose to react to this Kazakh folk song, please read the story behind it first to get a better perspective on it... For high pitched D8 whistle by him, please see Unforgettable Day (from Gakku) Sorry that my comment is so long...I get too excited while talking about Dimash's music. And really enjoy your reactions to and appreciation of his music and artistry 🙏🎼🙏

[@eugenehahn9355]

Dimash is a very big fan of Michael Jackson. He does a Michael Jackson tribute in his concerts. BTW, Dimash is also a big fan of Luciano Pavarotti. Thank you for your time and effort.

[@qanugvabonecollector3945]

bravoBello 🫀

[@user-nb5ly7lw9i]

Alat😢😢😢

[@OnMyWay1968]

Yes, I understand the point that the special tone doesn't really fit into the performance. When Dimash was younger, he often used such tones. Now he seems to have stopped. Perhaps he has now matured beyond the need to spice up his music with these tones. But it is still impressive. The most intense is his D8, the highest tone he has ever sung we know about. But even there it is an extra tone that doesn't really fit. That was also spontaneous and not really planned. You can hear it in the song Unforgettable Day performance in Gakku.

[@marywebster2488]

I also have felt for a long while one, that the whistle note didn’t fit in the piece. I thought it was showing off for awhile, but then I wonder if the producers asked him to do it. It’s planned, because Li Yugang does not seem at all surprised by it. I’d like to see the performance without the whistle note. It would still be amazing.

[@amaliapr5586]

No piense a Dimash, siéntalo, así lo entenderá.❤

[@lindahenderson7314]

What!!!!

[@XuLee35]

There is something disturbing earring male singing so hight. Not disturbing in a bad sens but, I don't know, I think it mess my brain a little bit 😂 (and yes, it's in mandarin)

[@Ascension721]

haha fair enough

[@DQ_Mine]

Break free! Release your expectations! 😅 Mind blowing! Like a raging storm at sea!

[@effwee13]

no... dimash and confessa+diva dance please...👌

[@effwee13]

Li sings a lot through his nose. You can hear it very well...but his sound sounds strange, or rather weird...

[@Rietto]

Chinese opera voice is very head-based, unlike western opera.

[@user-lq4ze3qy1v]

Почему пропал перевод комментарии англоязычных комментаторов??? Я не знаю китайский язык а мне предлагают перевод на китайский язык 😢

[@user-qq5hv6qk8m]

Dimash è meglio

[@melisvigue7950]

You are one of my fav reactors mainly because you are honest with what you hear and like but also very respectful of the artist. I don’t always agree with you but respect you. I as a viewer lived the whistle note and he did that because he knows that most of the audience would. Dimash would never show off he sings for his fans and for what he interprets the feeling of the song. Especially in China, they expect this and love it. But I respect your feeling of it and what you like and again you didn’t criticize and was not disrespectful at all. Thank you