This was the high point of Leontyne Price’s farewell performance in opera, as Aida, televised from the Met on January 3, 1985. She was a few weeks short of 58 and had been singing opera for 28 years. That’s a miracle. By 50, many sopranos have lost ease and glow in their upper registers, and for most, whatever their age, the ascent to the high C is a struggle. (The note is marked “dolce,” meaning “sweet” or “soft.”) 18:08 (I think only Zinka Milanov sang it equally beautifully, and perhaps only on her RCA recording, never in live performance, from the tapes I’ve heard.) Leontyne Price sounds as she did 20 years earlier- and with the whole world watching. Although she was retiring from opera, she continued to sing recitals and concerts for another 12 years. She finally ended her professional singing career in 1997, at age 70. Just a few facts I thought worth mentioning!
@colinhoulder37123 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this. I was just about to ask her age and where she was in her career, because those things inform the quality of her performance.
@stevesincock9412 жыл бұрын
She is 95 today!
@dominiquepowell-saidykhan29164 жыл бұрын
The way Vanessa watched her sing... you can tell when someone is enamored with music and singing. These conversations are so much better because of the love for the art and the craft!!!
@youthanasia77484 жыл бұрын
"yeah, she can sing" -Sam Johnson
@luminiferous1960 Жыл бұрын
I am fortunate to have attended a recital by Leontyne Price in Richmond, VA in the early 1980s. With no microphone, her voice powerfully filled the entire auditorium with clear, luscious, and beautiful sound while conveying every nuance of emotion in the songs. She performed six encores and received seven well deserved standing ovations! Brava Diva Price!
@_vodkamartini_4 жыл бұрын
Leontyne Price is an artist of top caliber. I loved all of her records, and her final Met performance (this video) is a treasure. Thank you for bringing Leontyne and her talents to new audiences ❤️
@bleezeblocks4 жыл бұрын
so exciting!!!! I'm an opera student and I love your channel, and I'm so glad to see this video!! Non-opera singers often don't understand how different the technique can be, so I'm happy to see you bringing opera to your audience!
@axelito63424 жыл бұрын
Couple goal
@nicolettejackson27084 жыл бұрын
Thank you for promoting classical music ❤️
@chelsie42034 жыл бұрын
Yasss the one I’ve been waiting for. I’m a dramatic soprano opera singer and I’ve been waiting for a vocal coach to react to a opera singer!! LEONTYN PRICE, JESSYE NORMAN AND BIRGIT NILLSON ARE MY FREAKING ROLEMODELS! They’re who I’m told to listen as I will sound like them when I’m older 😍😍😍😍💖💖💖
@droxina4 жыл бұрын
Omg, so yes, definitely listen to them, then try to forget them. It’s so important to develop your own instrument, and listening to others can lead us into the vocal ‘sin’ of attempting to imitate rather than create. In twenty years, yes, listen to them side by side with your own recordings, and marvel at how right those people were. But please exercise caution now. Having to strip back and retool your voice because of well-intended advice that was actually disastrous is the most disheartening experience. And please, please for the love of all else, especially yourself, stop listening to anyone who tells you you have a ‘big’ voice. This is all just so much unsolicited advice from a stranger on KZbin, but I wish you the best. And don’t aim to sound like these women - aim to sound like you. If yt exists in 20 years, come back and tell me how amazingly successful you’ve been - I’ll be here 😊
@Ash_94 жыл бұрын
Jessye Norman is the next one they should react to! May she rest in peace.
@lougomes29123 жыл бұрын
Lyontine is a very special spinto with both a very nice high extension and ease in mezzos' tessitura. I highly doubt anyone can sound like her. She was close to being an assoluta, but the colours of her voice are not as changeable as Callas' were, hence never being classed in that category.
@chelsie42033 жыл бұрын
Hey @droxina Thankyou for that comment honestly means a lot to me ☺️ I’m young and I know I have 20years till I’m even considered a proper opera singer because learning the operas the languages the arias the way of life takes time and the voice needs to matture with age ☺️☺️☺️. I have got a big instrument and so far atm I’m just learning to develop how to control it so that every aria isn’t a LOUD aria but has dynamics and legato line through out phrasing’s ☺️. I 100% take your advice on board and I really do promise I don’t ever try to sound like anyone else but myself because I am told I have a unique voice and I like it ☺️☺️☺️!! I truly believe God blessed me with this voice and then blessed me with the people who could get it out of me. I’ve only been singing opera for 4 years but I feel stronger everyday ☺️ I just hope one day I can touch people’s souls just like Jessye and Leontyn. Because they really are the best for performance and passion in my opinion ☺️ I don’t try to sound like them but I always try to give a performance that touches peoples hearts ☺️ and for the other two replies Thankyou for what you’re have said I also believe no one can ever sound like Leontyn or Jessye one of a kind but they have the same range and depth of voice as I’m told I’ll have but.. I never try to sing like them because that’s using a fake voice and I’m anything but fake when I sing it’s all real and from the heart. Thankyou again for the comments 😘 💖
@lougomes29123 жыл бұрын
@@chelsie4203 I wholeheaetedly wish you all the best. You mentioned you had a similar range to that of Lyontine. Can you reach those epic E6s? Good luck in your path.
@laurenazalea4 жыл бұрын
I love watching Sam’s collaborations......it is fun to hear 2 professionals “talk shop”.....also loved Vanessa referencing my favorite musical, Evita!
@katherinemorelle71154 жыл бұрын
I love Evita! I remember the first time I watched the 90s movie version, being so amazed that Madonna could actually sing that well. It’s also the only time she’s ever acted well in a movie, 😂 But there’s just so much to the musical, it has some of the most moving songs, and if I’m not singing along, I’m crying. I think I need to watch it again soon!
@brookeggleston93144 жыл бұрын
@@katherinemorelle7115 The stage version is *so* much better than the movie!!
@ryanskelton78883 жыл бұрын
I did a presentation on this performance by Ms Price it was the last time she sang at the Met so extremely emotional for her. I loved this reaction video. Brava
@jessicasopranonotes4 жыл бұрын
Ah, legendary Leontyne Price ♥️. Lovely reaction! Just did a reaction (mostly fangirling) on this exact performance about a week ago. Easily my top 5 favorite sopranos. Small KZbinr here who just so happens to sing opera =)
@shorebird-y4 жыл бұрын
We need more Vanessa and more opera!
@PistachioDean4 жыл бұрын
Leontyne Price is amazing. Before Leona Lewis went into pop she studied classically and Leontyne was a big inspiration for her :)
@oceans804 жыл бұрын
I believe this was Leontyne"s last performance of Aida at the Met - just incredible. There's a vid on KZbin of her singing O Patria Mia when she was quite young in 1963, fun to compare her two performances at the beginning and end of her career.
@brookeggleston93144 жыл бұрын
Miss Tyne sounded better at her final performance than most singers at their debut!!
@karlmortoniv29514 жыл бұрын
Play the endless thunderous applause at the end of this. She still had an hour of opera left to do after that. As a non singer that's hard for me to contemplate.
@fayestardust4 жыл бұрын
This was lovely. And I feel your comments about experiencing classical music live, in the room, so much. I feel fortunate that my mother raised me with a lot of classical music in the house, and I thankfully never tired of it. Experiencing it in concert is magical. I'm always applauding so hard in my head.
@c.j.williams39483 жыл бұрын
Thumbs down for what????? They must not know who Leontyne Price is 🙄 people upset me she’s a vocal legend and beast!
@haroldwayne45254 жыл бұрын
My voice teacher always said that in opera we never really sing “piano” or think of it in terms of volume, it should be thought of as more of a stylistic choice or a flavoring and I think Leontyne illustrates that concept perfectly
@c.j.williams39484 жыл бұрын
I needed this Leontyne Price mastered her craft❤️
@SharronMcLeodMusic4 жыл бұрын
I grew up listening to Leontyne and others growing up. Singing is singing and what genre one chooses to sing is something else entirely. Thank you for including this awesome master of singer and for your inclusion of different technicians. Very helpful too
@annahill994 жыл бұрын
Vanessa is very good at commentating on 15 year old tv shows AND opera. Thank you Vanessa more Vanessa please
@LyndseyMacPherson4 жыл бұрын
OMG, you two are adorable! Vanessa should join you for reactions more often. So many goosebumps, listening to Price, and I learned so much!
@pibly77844 жыл бұрын
What an awesome name: Leontyne.
@lanelamour93063 жыл бұрын
Means feminine version of Lion, or Lioness.
@Zaeylo4 жыл бұрын
At first I thought Sam just kept talking over Vanessa as she tried to speak then I was like oh shes just quietly emulating what their talking about as they go.
@mariezenaida4 жыл бұрын
OMG OMG OMG, an opera video!!! Leontyne the queen!!! Do more of these with Vanessa, pretty please?
@mariezenaida4 жыл бұрын
Oh my goodness, please do one on Pavarotti.
@TheSwauzz4 жыл бұрын
Vanessa is passionate just like you and it's beautiful to see.
@HJKelley47 Жыл бұрын
Mary Violet Leontyne Price ( born February 10, 1927) is an American spinto soprano who was the first African American soprano to receive international acclaim. From 1961 she began a long association with the Metropolitan Opera, where she was the first African American to be a leading performer. She regularly appeared at the world's major opera houses, including the Royal Opera House, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and La Scala; at La Scala, she was also the first African American to sing a leading role. She was particularly renowned for her performances of the title role in Verdi's Aida.
@imcodyjacob4 жыл бұрын
How can two people be so well trained, well spoken, and kind???????????
@imcodyjacob4 жыл бұрын
“By trying to BE heard over the orchestra, you WILL perish.”
@pinkvoid50094 жыл бұрын
Y’all have such a positive energy I love it ❤️
@faureamour4 жыл бұрын
I love this! Studied classical voice and thoroughly enjoy watching you dissect pop music, but it's been so long since I've dissected a master opera singer. Leontyne is fabulous! Also, I'm not familiar with modern opera techniques, so I can't speak to whether anyone has used a vocal fry onset in performance. My voice teacher would sometimes have me to "creaky voice" as a warm up to get my chords trained in closing. Feels light, easy and doable in the beginning of warm ups.
@KayEeEss4 жыл бұрын
This was so funnnn! Vanessa not even reacting to Sam's vampire joke 🤣
@stephanyarbelaez88354 жыл бұрын
More of this content please!!!! I love this ❤
@nicolawylie34474 жыл бұрын
Love this💜💚, u2 together are a lovely couple and u know ur stuff for sure!!
@chrismartinez1444 жыл бұрын
Whoa would need more of this I would love to even hear her opinions on pop stuff
@karlmortoniv29514 жыл бұрын
Someone else said this below, but I'll say again how nice it was seeing a technical analysis of an opera singer's performance. More please.
@bimmerboy874 жыл бұрын
Please do more opera reaction videos!
@johnmoore24894 жыл бұрын
Fun fact - She is Whitney Houston’s cousin :)
@catherineofaragon13434 жыл бұрын
Really? Omg I just looked this up!!! Yas queens!
@johnmoore24894 жыл бұрын
Catalina Of Aragon Whitney came from a very talented family !
@catherineofaragon13434 жыл бұрын
@@johnmoore2489 ikr
@2029killtime4 жыл бұрын
Also Mariah Carey’s mother and her had the same opera vocal mentor
@lissandrafreljord79133 жыл бұрын
@@2029killtime Mariah mentioned meeting Leontyne Price in Oprah's Legend Ball in 2005, and said how that was one of her most memorable experience in her entire life. Leontyne even wrote a letter to Mimi.
@tylerhackner97314 жыл бұрын
Love this collab! ❤️❤️
@sashawest14184 жыл бұрын
I've been waiting for this!! I am classical so this makes me so happy! I am a dramatic coloratura soprano!!!
@alphaandliarize4 жыл бұрын
They probably spend so much time together that the way they speak are almost identical.
@elizabethlnu27754 жыл бұрын
You guys are so good together! Sam Johnson, I very much appreciate your knowledge and the way you don't malign anyone. You are a class act.
@virginiabonzi72884 жыл бұрын
As an italian, a reaction to "O patria mia" made by an opera singer called "Vanessa Vega", I feel so proud of my country hahahahaha
@hilaryoncesaid4 жыл бұрын
Yay Vanessa! Yay opera! I love it when someone does something good and Sam just starts laughing.
@illih36804 жыл бұрын
Could you do a Video about your favourite Opera singers? Or analyse the Most popular ones (Like Pavarotti, Kaufmann, Netrebko etc) or the Legends (like Callas, Corelli ). That would be so interesting because Nobody really does These kinda Videos about Opera
@fst28222 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure you even look at recent comments on older videos, but let me just say... I wish you'd react and comment more to opera singers. Great video! Thank you :)
@sage4nowty1293 жыл бұрын
Hello. This was Leontyne Price's farewell performance at the Met, so this may account for the emotion in her singing.
@skepsisnowhere4 жыл бұрын
Loved this, you two seem so in sync with each other ^^ Just something I've noticed being italian: "mai più" means "never again", so yeah, she's not emphasizing that the county is hers, but it's still very powerful in its meaning and yes, you can tell by the way she sings it
@droxina4 жыл бұрын
Vanessa’s face when Sam asked if vocal fry is used as an onset in opera is everything I didn’t know I needed this year 😂😂😂 But seriously, get that woman her own KZbin channel - and please tell us where we can hear her sing.
@anbar4 жыл бұрын
This video is really fun
@IamDeRocka4 жыл бұрын
Absolutely Amazing 👏🏾👏🏾
@vanessamae18774 жыл бұрын
It obvious that both of you are incredibly passionate about what you do. Loved this!
@natlisan4 жыл бұрын
This really is a beautiful rendition!! Montserrat Caballé also does a stunning version too.
@donnies46933 жыл бұрын
This was Beautiful 🤩 🤩🥲.. thank you.
@cellophanpapier4 жыл бұрын
Yay, love it! Lately started listening to opera and would love more videos and insights!
@jordankirk50124 жыл бұрын
OH MY GOD I just clicked on this video and I’m just so surprised you’re a Texas State grad student! I’ll be a returning classical vocal performance student in Fall 2021, and my boyfriend will be a grad student for trumpet performance and pedagogy! We’re both former TxSt students! What a small world! I literally JUST spoke to prof Ulen and Dr Brinckmeyer yesterday. We’ll be auditioning for our programs this fall. Good luck with your grad program! Hope to see you at school!
@bethjarrett23534 жыл бұрын
I love the mix of reactions on your channel, from opera to pop and showing how and why each sounds different (even similar?!) I enjoyed seeing opera on this one 🖤
@carolcarol39384 жыл бұрын
Lovely to see you both so immersed in something so wonderful....no words needed; your faces say it all
@Melodic_Soul_874 жыл бұрын
Second comment (sorry!) Please🙏 do more opera and theatrical performances, I loved this! I love the 2 of you doing this video together, please have her on again!
@junehiott48314 жыл бұрын
Dimples for days❤️❤️❤️ LOVE this collaboration. Good choice, Sam!!! Vanessa is so knowledgeable and kind sounding just like you. Her face shows her love for music too... Would love to hear Vanessa’s voice. Of course, I’m always hoping for Sam to break out in song🙃 Really enjoyed the music too.
@teresajurado38024 жыл бұрын
Great Video as usual! Vanessa has a lovely voice!!!!
@delmajohnson41704 жыл бұрын
Best onset demo ever.
@plooh53164 жыл бұрын
Must have been very emotional for Ms. Price knowing that she would never again sing this aria.
@green7apocalyptica4 жыл бұрын
More opera please🤩🤩😍
@nadiariggs51104 жыл бұрын
You two are precious! 💕and yay, opera!!
@missheniki4 жыл бұрын
I loved this video! As an opera fan, I really appreciate you and Vanessa promoting a classical musical/theatre art. Could you analyse Natalie Dessay’s recording of Giulio Cesare’s “Se pietà”? There’s a great live studio recording on KZbin.
@albireadingromance4 жыл бұрын
I am an Opera Singer. Great video
@scarletcoe22144 жыл бұрын
PLEASE REACT TO HAMILTON VOCALISTS LIKE PHILLIPA, LESLIE ODOM JR, RENÉE ETC (Since it released on Disney+ I wanna know what you think!!) :)))
@katherinemorelle71154 жыл бұрын
You guys are adorable. And of course Sam’s girlfriend is just as intelligent as lively as Sam- it’s so nice to see when two intelligent, charming and lovely people get together. Also I find opera voice to be fascinating. It’s just so different, more another instrument than just a voice. I did classical training, but only a tiny bit of opera, and it doesn’t work for me personally, but I still find it incredible what they can do. And I do think that all voice students could benefit from a bit of opera training, learning how to use the voice as an instrument, how to project your voice, how to get some really strong vibrato going. Even if the style isn’t for you, I think it would benefit people to learn some techniques anyway. To me, it just feels like a very grounded base from which to work. Very supported, if that makes any sense. And from there, you can do what you like.
@katherinemorelle71154 жыл бұрын
Also, Leontyne’s cheekbones are everything! Oh my gosh!
@Soulofcalm4 жыл бұрын
Love this! You guys are too cute!
@schneevongestern98984 жыл бұрын
I would be highly interested in seeing you talk about and analising other supreme classical voices like Joan Sutherland, Renee Fleming or June Anderson. I enjoyed this video very much and I have been fond of your videos and the way you make them for a while now. It is obvious that you have great knowledge about the voice and vocal production.
@williedavis33393 жыл бұрын
According to Google Leontyce is 1st cousin to Cissy Houston; the mother of Whitney Houston. Wow genetics are incredible....
@dirkworld4 жыл бұрын
Oh goodie he's doing opera!!!! Please do Montserrat Caballe's "Casta Diva", It is absolutely astonishing
@holobenthic4 жыл бұрын
I know there's not a lot as far as videos but please please do Callas :D maybe her Una voce poco fa, or her Col sorriso d'innocenza/O sole which both have live videos (late in her career but still nothing short of purely divine). Again with Vanessa, she's amazing!!!!
@saraa17414 жыл бұрын
Awww we love Vanessa on the channel, she needs to come on more often ♥️ I see Sam likes that Latin spice 😜 what can I say, we are pretty dope!
@AnhTranVu24064 жыл бұрын
Please react to In questa reggia of Birgit Nilsson ! A truly dramatic voice !
@Quilting_sky4 жыл бұрын
I love your comment about listening to opera at the opera. I do agree with you. The feeling you get from an opera performance is so different from listening to it on a record player, and a different experience from going to a pop or rock concert. I love it all. live performances isthe best experience.
@droxina4 жыл бұрын
As an opera singer, I can tell you that performing for an audience in a theatre is also a unique feeling. The emotional connection is so vivid and amazing. I hope we can start performing for people in theatres again soon.
@fst28222 жыл бұрын
I'm German, but my family would spend summers in Italy. My dad took me to my first opera (Rigoletto) when I was seven years old at the Arena di Verona. I fell in love right away - not just classical music (which I'd been listening to at home constantly anyway) but the whole atmosphere at the opera (and the arena is extra special of course). I go as often as I can afford now (which is often, since I live in Vienna and standing place costs 5€ at the Vienna State Opera.)
@brynnl55594 жыл бұрын
Come through #operagang (representing #spintogang over here)!
@chrismartinez1444 жыл бұрын
and Sam hearted your comment… I wonder if he considers himself part of spinto gang lol!
@M00nSlippers4 жыл бұрын
So clearly Leontyne Price was the inspiration for Nana from the animated Sing movie.
@astijusspro62594 жыл бұрын
Can you analyse twenty one pilots (tyler joseph) best live vokals?
@Rebecca782394 жыл бұрын
Couple GOALS
@WendyBirch4 жыл бұрын
First? You two are adorable and I would LOVE to just sit in a room and listen to you talk music. Oh wait! KZbin. Keep her visiting? :D Also, can you review the band Broods? Georgia has the neatest voice, when she's singing hard she still has a soft voice.
@sour374 жыл бұрын
Live music - what ever kind - is such a physical experience that recordings can’t really compete. There’s a harmonic quality that comes from standing waves in the room that you can FEEL the music in your body. A full symphony orchestra is a stunning thing experience in the flesh. As is a loud rock band.
@liliaakatsuki88294 жыл бұрын
Both of you are so beautiful and interesting people!! More Vanessa on this channel please! :)
@susanvega50804 жыл бұрын
Vanessa, when you are watching, it looks like you might cry! Good job!
@dontstopthebeet4 жыл бұрын
Hey I thought we were going to watch it together, mom! :) More Vanessa Vega content, Sam! ;)
@susanvega50804 жыл бұрын
@@dontstopthebeet Sorry Elaine! We can still do it! I just told dad that I jumped the gun and he said I was kind of naughty
@rebeccapatton54143 жыл бұрын
I learned so much watching this and agree it’s cool to listen to the pros “talk shop”. 👍🏻
@buzzkillroza4994 жыл бұрын
I love your hair growing back 😉 your girlfriend is beautiful and very talented. ☺ btw I've never seen Aida the musical but I saw an opera multiple times. Verdi is probably my favourite opera composer. 😊
@stefanwild3264 жыл бұрын
excellent - thank you :)
@laurenalicesinging4 жыл бұрын
I miss the live theater days. I remember seeing Madame Butterfly and Renee Fleming live and there is just nothing like it 😭❤️
@opalfishsparklequasar86634 жыл бұрын
Price & Freni are my goddesses.
@mikalmccoy5304 жыл бұрын
My genre of music.Thanks! I would love to hear you sing a song and critique yourself...please!
@drbnewberry4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this!
@cannedtomato_93154 жыл бұрын
You should react to Maria by Hwasa and the song (by the original artist Molly Sanden) Husavik - My Hometown from Eurovision Song Contest The Story of Fire Saga.
@sparklescooterqueen91734 жыл бұрын
Do Queen of the Nights aria next!!!
@gwennie5204 жыл бұрын
PLSSS react to mariah carey and pavarotti singing hero together!! or mariah singing with her mum patricia carey o come all ye faithful? (her mum sings opera!!) 💖💖💖💖
@jdjohnson72994 жыл бұрын
Legend. Just legend
@hyukisyoshi32124 жыл бұрын
I love your videos! You should react to Forestella's cover of Bohemian Rhapsody, I would really like to see your opinion on it! Keep up the good work❤
@dpupke14 жыл бұрын
Your girlfriend is very pretty :)
@stardust1834 жыл бұрын
I would love if you react to Alicia Keys and H.E.R. singing Dream On at the Global Citizen Festival. And or react to any of H.E.R. live performances. I saw her at Global Citizen and she was incredible.
@KevvyBoyy4 жыл бұрын
So lovely to watch you both react to Leontyne's last ever performance at the Met. The ovation she received at the end was legendary. I would love to watch you both react to the late Montserrat Caballe - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXqsdaGlrbalbZY
@breezedampsy76944 жыл бұрын
I really want you to do a video on Rhiannon Giddens singing "waterboy" at the American Musical Festivsl 2015. She has such an amazing voice and I'd love to hear you talk about her techniques because to me she sounds so versatile and controlled.