Simon Estes - Grace Bumbry : "Amonasro" Aida

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

Fabulous singing from both.

[@fredojoaquim4764]

A wonderful baritone + a marvelous soprano=operatic magic.

[@Sebastian740]

One of the best Amonasros I have evre heard!

[@kaloyanbotev3152]

Granforte, Guelfi, Taddei, Bastianini, Cappuccilli, Popov too.

[@justanotherti4790]

Flawless!!! Simon Estes WOW! Grace Bumbry WOW! The orchestra was on their A game. WOWA😯😁😁😁😁

[@1jesus2music3duke]

Simon Estes - BRILLIANT. He may be old in this video but those notes still RING.

[@grantyoungblood7895]

LOL That's because he's singing within his means... and he's not that old. He's about 54 here... prime years for a good Verdi baritone.

[@massiveqdawg]

Sounds like a freggin Lion! He was the REAL DEAL, and this is a prime example of such!!!!!!

[@corneliuswhite5139]

My focus is on Simon Estes here (and I love Ms. Bumbry, but... he gives me goosebumps 🥰🥰

[@massiveqdawg]

6:55 - 7:20 ... I've never heard it sung better! Bravo Maestro!

[@tarikbairu1648]

Simon Estes what a voice✨✨✨

[@56amarty56]

I met Simon with my very good friend Julius Tillman who played piano for him in DC. Great concert!

[@sea1song]

Simon Estes..........WOW!!!!!!!!!

[@infrantasi]

I saw him very early in his career and it was the biggest baritone voice I ever heard. He made Sherrill Milnes and Robert Merrill sound like little girls. The voice hit you between your eyes and vibrated through the whole body, like a human earthquake.

[@tonshaad1230]

He isn't a pure baritone. He's a in-between voice in other words, a bass-baritone.

[@infrantasi]

Whatever, he was awesome in Verdi, simply awesome.

[@tonshaad1230]

infrantasi Well I mean you stated he was a Baritone as if it was fact, when indeed he wasn't. Bigger voice than Milnes? Well, that was accurate (milnes will say it himself he had a medium sized voice in his autobiography).

[@bodiloto]

+infrantasi sei un dilettante maleducato chi non capisce niente dell'arte lirica, è un fatto. per te La Dimitrova cito : - Cantava come un cane ! fine citazione. tu sei un dilettante volgare,sei un pazzo. questa è la mia modesta opinione.

[@bodiloto]

+tonchaad1230 questa è la voce del baritono vero . basso baritono era George London per esempio...

[@Twentythousandlps]

Estes was a heldenbariton, a bass-baritone, who brings a sound different from a Verdi baritone. She was a mezzo or a soprano depending on the assignment. Together they sang the title roles in the Met's first Porgy and Bess.

[@wTrevorh]

Wonderful. One of the best Amonasros ever!

[@TimothyJonSarris]

A great artist and a true gentleman.

[@MrJKTenor]

There were certain artist I had the great honor of performing with over my career that made it very clear to me that while I felt I had a pretty good voice, I would never be on their level. Got to perform Dutchman with Estes and Herodiade with Bumbry at Carnegie Hall. It was clear from the moment they opened their mouths I was a minor league voice compared to them. Others on that list included Pavarotti, Domingo, Kurt Moll, Jessye Norman, Alfredo Kraus, Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Freni, Waltraud Meier, Bryn Terfel, Kiri Tekanawa, Dolora Zajick, Renee Flemming, José van Dam, and Gwyneth Jones to name a few. Whew! Brought back memories and chills to write them all down! I was truly blessed.

[@emrenaegriff]

I met Simon Estes today, that was pretty cool.

[@alexandrkolesnikov9062]

Bravo, Maestro Estes! Bravo, Grace! The singing is fantastic, the music is incredible!

[@Bailey2006a]

RIP Grace Bumbry…. Beautiful performance.

[@josephossai9707]

This world has had great men and women who have left the footprints in the sands of time! Awesome! Getting to know of Simon Estes.Blown away!

[@swissarmytenor]

Viva Simon! Wow!!! Both great!

[@lundilar]

I would give anyhing to hear Estes sing Wotan in the final act of Die Walkure with Brunnhilde.

[@SilfredoSerrano]

I believe he's done Wotan.

[@operaloversabater3690]

Estes sounding glorious here! I was part of the chorus for FGO when he performed Macbeth. What a huge instrument that man had. One of the best Amonasro’s. HIs voice cuts right through that powerful orchestra. Bumbry is a classic. Still, I rather listen to her as a mezzo.

[@edenkali2157]

Grace Bumbry is a freaking legend, she was 55 years and singing like THAT

[@baritoneblazzin1965]

Yes Bumbry had a very good technique

[@rosy3385]

Deux voix merveilleuses et puissantes ! Bravo

[@ericktippett4158]

I met these two backstage in Chicago after a performance of Macbeth through a friend of mine Edna Williams who knew Grace and was room mate with her in Germany when I was still in grade school. And just think an Italian detective on an Oprah Winfrey talk-show made the crazy statement that "BLACK MEN DON'T SING OPERA" without one hand being raised to challenge him, not even Winfrey's! Julius Bledsoe the Baritone was the first black engaged by Sol Hurok the world famous impresario and made his debut internationally with the Chicago Civic Opera in 1939! Well, so much for foolish american ignorance. These two are in fine fiddle vocally as whenever I heard them perform! Erick Dean Tippett Retired Musician/Teacher Chicago, Illinois

[@johnpickford4222]

Was Julius Bledsoe (Jules Bledsoe) the creator and original “Joe” in the Kern and Hammerstein SHOW BOAT when the original producer Florenz Ziegfeld couldn’t obtain the services of Paul Robeson?

[@eleanorjack1336]

I still can't believe this is my ole college friend singing like that!!

[@Evvivaverdi]

May I ask which of the two?

[@XIIIRaphael]

BRILlIANT DUET‼️❣️

[@villalobos1981]

A ÓPERA É UM DOS MOMENTIS MAIS ALTOS DO HOMEM CIVILIZADO. BRAVO MAESTRO ESTES. BRAVO, E DESCANSE EM PAZ LENDÁRIA BUMBRY .

[@chassonbianco7336]

How lucky for you! He was a consummate singer...one of the singing Gods left from the Golden era of opera.

[@thomasbrian3227]

TWO MAGNIFICENT ARTIST!

[@tetraforcetheory9717]

I live in Centerville, Iowa and he came back to speak to our class the other day because he is part of the Alumni. He talked about growing up here and it was just fascinating. He is really good to

[@1jesus2music3duke]

If you ever want to see a human being fully alive, watch Simon Estes between 5:05 and 5:20.

[@bcom11]

Bumbry was hit or miss when it came to her dramatic soprano rep. Some of her portrayals were breathtaking. Other, stretching it. Verrett on the other hand, had a voice that stretched the entire female vocal range, and was called La Nera Callas (the black Callas) by Italian audiences. She excelled with great esteem in both mezzo and dramatic roles. Her Lady Macbeth is a testament.

[@SilfredoSerrano]

Yup! Grace Bumbry was more hit or miss.

[@operadoc]

I think grace was at her best as a mezzo but always exciting

[@Tenortalker]

Simon Estes is simply superb here. Grace Bumbry was a' Falcon' spanning Mezzo and lower tessitura Soprano roles. I do much prefer to hear her as Amneris which allows her to show a wider range of temperament, but it is good to hear her Aida here.

[@Jake-nk4wg]

AMAZING!!!! Thank you sooooo much for sharing!! :)

[@Zashorigin]

I don't care what many says, I think Grace sounded fantastic here and the fact that she started 30 something years before and still the whole range was still there proves something. Simon Estes was fabulous... an enormous voice well placed but there's a lack of italianità in his phrasing. Anyway, I liked both. Bravi!

[@bodiloto]

+Zashorigin te lo avevo detto già tantissime volte e te lo dico ancora una volta : - per me tu non capisci niente dell'arte lirica e i suoi canoni.

[@xxsaruman82xx87]

@@bodiloto Both of these singers are great.

[@luv2swim1235]

I get to sing with simon estes today!!

[@joeulloa7304]

Never got to hear La Bumbry live. But Estes I heard many times as Wotan. Estes as a God was just everything to me.

[@yomocaro3500]

Simply gorgeous and wonderful!!

[@KarolynAquino0868]

Una maravilla escuchar al maestro Estes, una joya

[@joeulloa7304]

My God that’s great voices for Aida.

[@iubanne]

Amazing italian! ❤

[@XIIIRaphael]

Grace Bumbry!!! My DIVA!!

[@rasheme3]

amazing!!

[@Purplereignevents]

This is magnificent!

[@jordipanadesribera6890]

Bravi ! ( Maestro e Maestra ).

[@paul-martinbender506]

Grace was born in Jan of 1937 and Estes in March 1938. So, they are pretty much the same age here!

[@opera888able]

Estes on top of his form here. Must be one of the great Amonasro's of recent times. He wasn't a young man when he sang this concert either. Bumbry's alright too. I dunno, I always thought she was a better Mezzo.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

I did as well. Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@cliffgaither]

( Opera ) singers generate strong feelings because this music causes visceral reactions to the human sense of hearing -- still, after over 400yrs. Whatever Bumbry's issues singing soprano roles, no singer in modern times has ever had her majestic sound & incredible volume. L.P. maybe better-suited to sing _Aida,_ but hearing them sing in their respective roles in this opera [ soprano & mezzo-soprano ] in the same recording, L.P. is left in the vocal echo of Bumbry's imposing sound !

[@villalobos1981]

Estes: voz imensa, com muita emocão e parte cênica impecável. Ouvi este dueto do IIIAto com o inacreditável Ettore Bastianini ( que descan se em pa ! ). Mas Estes é imbatível !

[@RhineCherry]

simon estes can make some sound wowwie peoples!!!

[@franzzeballos9192]

So beutyfull voices for two, me loved

[@villalobos1981]

Que voz estonteante de baixo barítono. Volume, brilho, legato , além de uma teatralidade impecável. Um presente para toda a humanidade. Obrigado, Professor Estes.

[@hopposohot]

Prefect pair!!

[@GrilloNocturno]

¡Increíble! magnífico :D

[@brunaazzurra]

voce notevole certamente ma questo artista usa la sua voce solo compiacendosi del suoi volumi forti. non usa le mezze voci ed evita le diverse espressività che nel brano sono assolutamente previste da Verdi.. avere una bella e forte voce non significa essere un buon cantante

[@gerardmignon700]

Quels timbres. Loin de ces formatages actuels.

[@TimothyJonSarris]

An important document of Mr Estes’ singing. He makes this anti -vocal music somehow majestic , transcending it’s musical shortcomings.

[@jamesnorris9637]

Totally awesome

[@grantyoungblood7895]

Brava Grace!! Bravo Simon!

[@rememberourmusic53]

Happy Birthday to Simon Estes born March 2, 1938.

[@annah.601]

Thank you.

[@LABARITONESSA]

MIO DIO I BRIVIDI!!!!!! KE VOCI STRAORDINARIE!

[@Sebastian740]

She sang a great EBOLI in DON CARLO.

[@Agorante]

Simon Estes is probably the best black male opera singer that there ever was. In a way that's not much of a distinction because there have never been many black singers. Those that there have been have almost all been women.

[@massiveqdawg]

Ummmmmmm ... there are a few of us out here. Morris Robinson. Lawrence Brownlee. Russell Thomas. Speedo Green. Eric Owen's. Kevin Short. Soloman Howard. Kevin Thompson. Alfred Walker.

[@janielarson9641]

@@massiveqdawg + Will Liverman, Reginald Smith Jr., Davone Tynes, Frederick Ballintine, John Holiday etc. Love it - very exciting! : -).

[@janielarson9641]

Forgot to add Issachuch Savage, a heldentenor.

[@liedersanger1]

Oh come on! I would say black singers, male and female, classical and popular, have always made up much more as a percentage than the black percentage of the population, going back a long, long way. That black men were slow to be accepted in the big opera houses, esp. In America, is ... Whose problem?

[@Agorante]

@@janielarson9641 The refutation that proves the point. Who are these guys? I have known a lot more black singers than most white people because I sang at a black vocal studio (Frederick Wilkerson) when I was young. I knew black male singers of course but none of them - and some were very good - ever became famous. At the time most of my friends were black - and I had a lot of friends. We all knew that black women did better in the world of opera than black males. Racism in artistic preferences does exist. For example today many of the best operatic tenors are Korean. The talent pool in Korea is very, very deep but they seldom get hired to sing in American and European opera houses. Many American opera houses would be happy to hire really good black male opera singers but they won't hire Koreans or Japanese. This is a clear example of racism but not racism against blacks. There simply aren't very many black men who like opera. Trust me on this. I have auditioned for many local opera companies and when I had my own opera company I auditioned lots of singers. Black males just don't show up to audition. When I sang Osmin one of our two Belmonte's was black. He was in fact the better of the two but I can't remember singing with very many other black males. When I sang in my first Magic Flute our Tamino was black. He, as it happened, was a sweet guy and personal friend but not a real good singer. There might have been others but I don't remember. Plenty of black women are singers in classical music - almost no black men.

[@MrBluedanube]

@Sebastian740 She had successful careers both a s a mezzo and a soprano... in fact I think her soprano career was more successful than mezzo. At one point she played both Aida and Amneris and sang both roles. one for mezzo and the other for soprano and nailed them both.

[@TSquared2001]

I wonder where Simon is now?

[@keymonmurrah4420]

Saaaaaaaaaaaaaang Simon!!!!!!!!!

[@Sebastian740]

Was he ESTES considered a Bass-Bartone?

[@davidsimmons654]

William Wolken yes, a Heldenbaritone to be exact. (A dramatic Bass-Baritone)

[@matthenrick5531]

Estes at 54 the perfect age for this role . ..Italian pronunciation poor at times tho....the phrase around 5.10 one of the truly great phrases for baritone in all opera.

[@charlesdotson4766]

This is some of the "best singing" I've ever heard from Simon Estes as I have not been a huge fan of his in the past. However, I respect his incredible vocal prowess, artistry, commitment, and pioneering spirit in the field of opera.

[@harpguy18]

What is up with Bumbry for adding a extra note @4:46?

[@bcom11]

DYNAMIC!

[@TheCostaCampos]

Bumbry is a Goddess for me... The greatest mezzo of all times but even a bigger soprano... Her soprano Voice has The most beautiful sound on Earth... Her Adriana's ária is The supreme Art. I love Grace Bumbry

[@caninbar]

Bumbry really stretching it here!

[@jordipanadesribera6890]

SUPERIOR !

[@liedersanger1]

Where?

[@Sebastian740]

She tried to be a soprano of which she was very ordinary. But as a mezzo she was great.

[@Sebastian740]

The times I heard her she seemed more at ease in the mezzo roles but I could be wrong.

[@infrantasi]

Bumbry could do octave lunges in mezzo repertoire, but soprano octaves failed her consistently. The same thing happened in her Forzas, the act II "son giunta . . . madre pietosa" was excruciating to the ear. I love her presence though. The voice has so much meat on it; think of this voice, in whatever register, compared to the puny voices of diDonato and Garanca, who are called "great artists" but who do not know how to project, "buttare le frase" as Pavarotti said.

[@billcarr54]

I have always loved her voice it sounds so much more interesting to me than even Price's does.

[@lighthead6275]

Dude is serious.

[@stevevandien310]

I never heard Estes live in person, so cannot speak to the size and power of his voice. But it was certainly beautiful, and became more so as he ascended the scale to his ringing acuti. Bumbry was very impressive until mid-career, after which the great-diva-grande-dame virus infected her. Thereafter, her singing and acting amounted to posturing, particularly as her voice declined.

[@corneliuswhite5139]

Very succinct comment. I think at this point, this was more a posterity performance for Grace than anything. Simon Estes was stellar, but I always felt Grace was at this time playing catch up with all the things others were noted for.

[@Michael-mh4vr]

@@corneliuswhite5139 in sure there was and may be some anti black bias in opera...had to be hard for them

[@Sebastian740]

Bumbry should have stuck to mezzo roles.

[@Sebastian740]

You are Not wrong she was a much better Mezzo. Her Eboli in Don Carlo was the best!!

[@chassonbianco7336]

Bumbry is funny in this! lol

[@lallanzinho]

you forgot Lady Macbeth!

[@caninbar]

Estes is simply WONDERFUL!!! But why did he hold the note at the end of this duet? It's bad taste or perhaps American taste, but certainly not what the composer had written. Bumbry had the voice and technique to sing some of the dramatic soprano repertoire but she never really convinced me.

[@giampierone010]

CHE BARITONO!!! MAI SENTITO UNA VOCE COSI'...Brava anche la signora Bunbry,ma la preferisco come mezzo soprano....

[@Welverance]

amonasTro amonastro con la "T"

[@thomasgrass6357]

Wahnsinnsstimmen, Frau Bumbry zwischendurch etwas wackelig.

[@steveegallo3384]

"Shaky"? I'm not sure. Ich meinte 'Schuldaufdeckungsangst…..Ebenmäißgkeitsentzückung- Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz! Herzlich, Mexikaner Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän !

[@allanrizzetti1449]

Purtroppo, oltre alla voce ci vuole altro e io non sento nessuna espressività.

[@bodiloto]

Allan Rizzetti parole sante ! espressività artistica ?! quale ?! ... hai ragione .

[@bodiloto]

Allan Rizetti segue à volte e' molto difficile per non dire impossibile di spiegare a una certa specie dei intenditori ''sensibili'' il significativo dell'espressione un'interpretazione ''all'italiana'' . come spiegare a un straniero chi non capisce neanche una parola della lingua italiana l'anima e l'arte italiana ?! e' una mossa disperata, assurda . hai ragione dicendo che oltre la voce ci vuole altro quando parliamo della lirica italiana . e' vero .

[@courtneybaritone222]

Yeah she was such a bad soprano. I agree, she was terrible. I guess that's why she sang, Aida, Chimene, Selika, Elizabeth, Venus, Gioconda, Tosca, Turandot, Jenufa, Ariane, Medea, Abigaille, La Vestale, Leonora (Trovatore and Forza), Bess, Norma and Adalgisa, Elvira, and Salome in all of the world's great opera houses to critical acclaim. She was just a mediocre soprano! Ha! Come off it!

[@SilfredoSerrano]

She sang because they let her. She was, however, inconsistent.

[@bunheadladymelody3355]

She also did Carmen

[@billcarr54]

I always loved her voice, such texture and expressivity.

[@johnpickford4222]

Courtney: Just singing the role doesn’t make you great but how you sing it.

[@terrycloth6380]

Simon Estes is magnificent. Grace Bumbry is barely adequate.

[@francesbeard3540]

STFU

[@lincoln9345]

Eu ainda prefiro a Joice Halssemann no lugar de Grace Bumbry. Não vai cantar de verdade . Mas, pelo menos, não fara tolices por 8 minutos.

[@LuigiBassi]

Povero Verdi...

[@dookee61]

She was trying to be a Soprano which she IS NOT

[@ransomcoates546]

He cannot sing a proper Italian 'oo' sound. And his 'oh' is not good either. The less said about Bumbry the better.