Sondheim teaches Send In The Clowns (Part 1)

Stephen Sondheim teaching a student from the singing department of the Guildhall School in London. This part came before the other part I already posted with a student from the acting school.

[@bootswithfur2106]

Soundhimes face is literally ツ

[@ea6102]

Omg it is!!! Lmao

[@chrissybunnyify]

Hahahahaa that's true!

[@AtlanticGiantPumpkin]

I didn't see it before reading this comment and then I scrolled up and saw it and lost my shit

[@zakariashartley]

Hahahha

[@omnipop4936]

They ought to officially name that symbol The Sondheim.

[@isabellaleon7577]

Stephen Sondheim's look of approval is all I want in life.

[@marakaiser164]

could you imagine him calling your voice "wonderful and instinctive"? I'd drop through the floor

[@JudgeHill]

He looks dim-witted.

[@notbraindead7298]

Mme

[@kevinpaulin7690]

Boo 😒

[@gaskellr44]

You could be a cnut.@@JudgeHill

[@frizero]

She's Hyacinth Nicholls, an amazing singer from Trinidad & Tobago.

[@sarahb.ocasio7937]

I was floored when she started singing. She has an absolutely stunning voice and when Sondheim interrupted her I almost collapsed myself. If I were a singer and I was interrupted...That's why I'm not a singer LOL. Besides the fact that I can't sing. But she's amazing. I'm going to look her up now. Thank you for letting us know who she is.

[@65NART]

Sarah B. Ocasio she won a local talent show called Teen Talent with her own composition titled Charlotte’s Web. She accompanied herself on guitar. Loved her from then.

[@connoroleary591]

Yes she is stunning and so much pressure to sing in front of the great composer himself

[@cundie1]

REALLY ??....OMG,,,, I am from Trinidad and Tobago and I didn't know that...Her voice is absolutely powerful and amazing...She completely blew me away

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

@@sarahb.ocasio7937 You've absolutely zero taste.

[@georgiacatt1979]

she applied those corrections and suggestions so well especially as she was IN FRONT OF SOUNDHEIM

[@DJ-bj8ku]

What I love about these videos is the master gives insight into the song’s meaning. I wish Sondheim could’ve lived forever.

[@EmeraldSky33]

I LOVE her voice. She sounds like a true contralto. WOW.

[@raphario5501]

Who is she??

[@vinista256]

LemonScience33 I heard him describing the challenges of writing this song in a radio interview recently. He said the role of Desiree demanded an actress gifted at light comedy, which meant that her singing ability would probably be limited (and that pretty much describes Glynis Johns, who created the role on broadway). With those considerations in mind, he purposely made the phrases short and ended then on strong consonants (so the audience wouldn’t be thinking, “aww, she couldn’t hold the note”), and he kept the range low and narrow. His challenge coaching this performer is that she is, literally, the opposite-a singer gifted with a gorgeous contralto voice who needs to think less about vocal technique and convey more of the ironic tragicomedy of this moment in the play, as well as the character’s joie de vivre and charm, even at a moment of bitter disappointment.

[@lazyrrr2411]

Basso Profundo

[@user-qf8ij7dn4h]

@@raphario5501 hyacinth nicholls

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

@@raphario5501 Probably not working. Her voice is hideous.

[@ehohnke]

I love how Sondheim keeps that half-smile almost like he's saying, "I'm a genius"... ...which is perfectly justified.

[@dough7189]

I think he is truly enjoying and appreciating the earnest playback

[@notbraindead7298]

Justified, certainly. But also smug and full of himself.

[@matts4240]

@@notbraindead7298 he wrote it, he should be full of himself

[@frankstein9982]

Sondheim was just about the unsmuggest artist in the world; he's smiling because he genuinely wants the singer to be good. (I mean, obviously he's heard 'Send in' a few times too many in his life... He ain't thinking wow I like this song.)

[@simonfraser1491]

It looks more like an appreciation of the beauty of the contractors voice

[@lunabella6728]

Omg i would die if he was there staring at me while i was singing his song

[@latoyalewis]

Luna Bella LITERALLY!!!!!

[@katalynhennig]

But he looks so proud.

[@hziegler]

Hard song to sing, I like her unique voice.

[@PonderousProse]

It absolutely reminds me of Jessye Norman.

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

How euphemistic of you - she's hideously bad.

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

@LillyBritches Says the bitch too cowardly to show her face.

[@vigglewiggle5396]

@@LillyBunnyBoo are you dumb or something

[@osahju914]

@@LillyBunnyBoo she's Hyacinth Collins. Do with this information what you will. Singing seems to have worked well for her.

[@grandcarriage1]

WHAT A SHOCKINGLY STUNNINGLY FANTASTIC VOICE!

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

Well, now we know what happened to this "performer"... XD

[@caitlynreilly5979]

I was not expecting her voice to have that timbre and deep tone! Sounds great!

[@jazzy7991]

I couldn't believe it when she came out with that deep voice. It was wonderful.

[@RoseofGilead]

It was written that way because the original actress couldn't handle singing it in a sustained manner. As marv1984 points out, Sondheim is sitting right there, and he has a smile on his face the entire time she sings; he obviously approves of her performance.

[@kayhenderson3492]

Where is part two of this?????? Please!!!!

[@magloyd4907]

Sondheim said that Welsh actress Glynis Johns -- who originated it-- had a silvery voice. She had a beautiful speaking voice.

[@JamieZubairi]

I can't believe the editor decided to cut to the audience when the singer comes up to the line he *just* redirected her on. It would have been amazing to see how she dealt with the direction (we can just about hear it, but it would've been amazing to see it)

[@WeatherChart]

I am so sad to hear that Stephen Sondheim has passed… The warm and encouraging manner that Stephen has, and his beautiful smile here… thankful we have this video glimpse of him.

[@it_nick]

Her range is so nice it’s nice not to hear another soprano

[@lucyschraff4893]

Nick Caruso definitely! as an alto myself it gets tiring hearing nothing but sopranos

[@carr0760]

@@lucyschraff4893 hate to break it to you, but she's actually a mezzo. LoL

[@crackerpopskikay]

sondheim looks sooo cute!! you can really see that he loves music!!!

[@martypentz1205]

What a privilege to be directed by Sondheim.

[@elisaschwartz406]

I would sing this in my teens. One day my mom asked if I knew what it was really about? I had no idea so she explained. The depth of this song and what it's really saying, the subtext is heartbreaking. To love finally be ready to love someone who now doesn't love you back . . .

[@tompw3141]

Teacher: We'd like you to sing Sondheim's most famous and very difficult song in front of Sondheim himself, where he'll critique you. .... that's some serious bravery :-)

[@peterrobinson5326]

True but also very lucky.

[@jamilabrownie]

It’s definitely his most famous song but it’s actually one of his easiest songs too

[@zolluuu]

So many people do this song because it's beautiful but, as with many Sondheim songs, the lyrics are so hard to put over. This is one of those songs that you really need life experience to understand. Singing it at 25 is just playacting. Singing it at 50 is like slitting your wrists and letting the audience watch you bleed to death. If you haven't gotten to a point in life when you suddenly become aware of all the irreparable mistakes you've made, you really can't sing this convincingly.

[@almostfm]

I absolutely agree. Both Hyacinth Nicholls (in this clip), and Jaye Griffiths in the other clip are probably no more than 21 or 22 here are technically very good. But until you get to the age where you realize that most of your life is in the rearview mirror and you won't have many more chances, if any, to find someone, you can't really feel the weight of the lyrics.

[@afonsosousa2684]

A load of non-musical nonsense. Musicianship has absolutely nothing to do with age, and life experience is unique and not quantifiable through sheer amount of years lived. Musicianship is a craft, and must be worked on at a technical level, developed according to personal taste and specific ideas of interpretation. That's why Sondheim is giving actual musical advice instead of glib dismissals based on the age of the interpreters... because that's nonsense.

[@melizmatea]

@@afonsosousa2684 I must disagree with you. Sondheim's lyrics matter; the acting matters. It's not fluff.

[@HimynameisAverie]

@@afonsosousa2684 I agree and disagree. Musicianship definitely does not depend on age, but I do think it helps. Sondheim is critiquing technical musicianship AND acting here. Technique is not dependent on age, just time spent practicing. Acting IS somewhat dependent on age/experience, but it also relies on empathy. I did this song recently for a senior recital, and I'm 22. As a young adult, I do feel like I’ve experienced enough and empathized enough to give this song the weight it deserves, but who am I to say? In another twenty years, I may laugh at the video of my performance. I may think it hopelessly shallow, even though I poured my little baby soul into it. I think writing off youth completely is wrong, but I suspect that there is something to be said for age and life experience in acting.

[@lazyrrr2411]

@@afonsosousa2684 only an immature kid imagining life would cram his foot down his throat like that ... You can always Delete

[@melizmatea]

She has such a unique sound, such a beautiful voice.

[@SongbirdAlom]

OMG Nicholls' voice is just chocolately and velvetty and amazing. And getting instruction from God himself? What an honor.

[@earlrogersjr3026]

Little Bear” Lady Chocolaty” where did that come from.

[@samaraisnt]

saying an opera singer with such a rich voice has a voice "like chocolate" is not racist, cool down. It IS a rich voice, and she extrapolates with velvetty, so call off the dogs. I agree. I mean, it could be racist.....but give her the benefit of the doubt.

[@user-vb5gl3di4y]

I love this woman's voice. Wish we could see the entire "teaching" moment here.

[@aviellatrapido1471]

What a voice!! She brings me to tears with her stunning vocals and Sondheims gorgeous composition...

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

hahahahahaha

[@RosesNightengales]

I love Sondheim I really do. I love his work. and I love the way he is teaching these students. I really want to sing one of his songs, and have him teach it to me.. =]

[@PoolEnvy]

The caliber of singing here, outstanding. Being able to share a master class with the original composer! That is a vibe you can feel in the air.

[@moirapettifr7127]

Aww I loved this man so much for giving us such beautiful music. You can see the kindness and pride in his face as his songs are sung.

[@eyelidman09]

RIP Steven Sondheim. Your memory and brilliance will live on: “the Shakespeare of the musical world.” 🙏☀️🇬🇧🙏November. 2021.

[@Rosannasfriend]

Glad to see I wasn’t the only one stunned by her voice when she started singing. Not what I expected, but very cool.

[@lieslyvette27]

awwww where is part 2? she was dong so well. what a creamy voice. She took direction so well.

[@janeteholmes]

I had no idea that the one who keeps tearing around is the singer, I had assumed that since she has lost her timing, she'd fallen of the tightrope and needed the clowns to cover up the fact that she's injured on the ground. Obviously not many singers have been able to make it clear who was who at this point.

[@loonylaura85]

Ooh! I'll have to have a proper listen to this song sometime! 😃

[@sarcasticmania]

Janet Holmes Oh no, "send in the clowns" is the last resort in a show when the act fails. She's simply saying our act has failed, send in the clowns so we'd save some face. And then she says .. don't worry they're here .. meaning you and me, we're the clowns .. She is not trying to cover her act; she's trying to cover both of theirs (:

[@jamesalgar9279]

Ibrahim Diab Sondheim himself said that the song does not mean circus clowns, but in fact a synonym for fool, hence the lyrics ' they're already here', referencing to the singer's regret for being so foolish

[@MichaelAlexander1967]

Janet Holmes, it would be extremely hard to make clear what is left up to interpretation. Really like splitting hairs, but nontheless, distinctions can be made, but who would pick up on those subtleties other than an expert?

[@unproductivedisneyfan993]

It’s basically “we are the fools”

[@cardiffbear]

Love Judi Dench acting this song.

[@janicehammersmith4728]

Her version brings me to tears....

[@johnbevan4684]

Yes, she nailed it. Extremely moving.

[@colinstock325]

Layton Jones it was written for Glynis Johns, who couldn’t hold a note, but who could act. Pretty much he same as Judy Dench.

[@josheguia764]

I wish Sondheim would teach me a song... :(

[@claretea]

Wow...he is an awesome teacher.

[@bbcb1856]

@blue velvet cake Yes he often said if he wasn’t a songwriter he’d be a teacher

[@wildsarsaparilla]

Not a singing lesson, an acting lesson. Gorgeous Voice! I hope I live to hear her play this part when she's old enough!

[@carr0760]

Well, it's a masterclass for musical theatre students, so it's both. This song is so simple, and she's so well-trained that there isn't much to mention about the actual vocals. Honestly, she's too good for this song as it was written for an untrained alto.

[@wildsarsaparilla]

@@carr0760 You will not dis Glynis Johns! Mr. Sondheim chose actors and composed songs that fit their abilities. Word on the street is: Glynis could act her way out of a paper bag, but she had little breath support. So it was: Isn't it rich (breath) Are we a pair (breath) Me here at last on the ground (breath) You in midair (breath) I challenge you to search Yvonne de Carlo who gave the world "I'm Still Here." in Follies.

[@carr0760]

@@wildsarsaparilla I wasn't dissing her. I was stating a fact. She was an untrained alto. Fact. Sondheim wrote the song specifically for her. Fact. The song is simple. Fact. This young woman here is an operatically trained mezzo-soprano. Fact. That means that her vocal skill is higher than that required for the song, and thus Sondheim didn't need to say anything about the actual singing. Nowhere in my comment did I insult the original vocalist. Nowhere. I also don't need to look up I'm Still Here. I know it. I've taught it. You're assuming that I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I'm a musical theatre voice teacher with 20 years of teaching and 30 years of performing experience. I'm extremely familiar with Sondheim's work.

[@craigmontserrat1919]

This clip is from 1984, so I think she'll be around the right age by now. Her name is Hyacinth Nichols and mainly sings opera these days.

[@horrormgirl4979]

What an amazingly deep voice ❤️

[@jeffreyizzo9366]

Best song ever written. Period.

[@earlrogersjr3026]

It’s a very hard song to sing many have tried and fail. Sarah Vaughan It was the one who does this song in a magnificent way

[@guacamoleroxmysox]

if there are any more, PLEASE post them! This is amazing!

[@cundie1]

OMG...HER VOICE IS POWERFUL AND AMAZING....WASN'T EXPECTING THAT, SHE NEARLY MOVE ME TO TEARS

[@bewilderedhippy8014]

Wow, I love her voice, her tone is gorgeous!

[@jazzyblues2576]

Oh my, this is perfect! I'm preparing to audition for musical theater, and I wanted to do this song. So lucky to have came upon this video. I can't go wrong - I've got notes from Sondheim himself!

[@julienh7645]

Rest in peace, beautiful man..

[@GeneThundersnow]

This woman has such a beautiful voice!!

[@Cascadia471]

What an absolutely wonderful face Mr. Sondheim has.

[@ericdickey6523]

He’s so proud oh my god

[@DavidHughes-op6zl]

What a privilege to hear this immensely talented singer and the composer clearly delights in her performance as well he might. The approving look on his countenance is so endearing. (It must be mega nerve-wracking to strutt your stuff in the presence of the composer but she did so with amazing aplomb.) The lady's voice is beautiful, richly expressive in parts. I was riveted both by what she did with the instrument - the song suits her wonderfully - and Somdeim's gently constructive guidance. I can only repeat that I was riveted.

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

ROFLMAO It's a privilege to watch Sondheim. And that's all. lol

[@DavidHughes-op6zl]

@@LillyBunnyBoo Yes, it certainly was. A friend of mine treasures a reply he had from the great man - I'm not sure if it's in letter or email form - after he wrote to him. That action reveals a great deal about Sondeim's human qualities. I think this quality came across strongly in the masterclass video clip we saw. Observing the songwriter's face and general body language I detected a wonderful warmth towards the performer, which must have been an enormous help in calming her nerves performing in the presence of the composer.

[@LillyBunnyBoo]

@@DavidHughes-op6zl 😍😍😍

[@62PKC]

God how I love Stephen Sondheim!

[@almostfm]

"And you've got to do it without making a "ff-ff-fff-t" :-)

[@georgiaamanatides4207]

She's great! I love her voice and inflection.

[@lucyfoster4082]

What a distinctive and beautiful voice,

[@Flanclanman]

Wow, I didn't expect that voice. Beautiful, just beautiful. Aww, I love Sondheim's facial expressions XD

[@kathleenfarris8710]

Beautiful voice!

[@marianaarnau8574]

What a privilege! The three of them were great. Beautiful class.

[@RoseofGilead]

Oh my, I love this voice.

[@Emily-gx6dd]

Why the heck didn't they show her face on"One who keeps tearing around. . . " I didn't want to se Sondheim, I wanted to see if she pulled it off.

[@esroberto1]

These types of things (lower budget TV stuff) didn't use multiple videotape machines where they could edit the shot changes after the fact. It was an engineer switching between cameras while one tape machine recorded the mixed output, and he just missed it. It would've been nice to see if she nailed it or not, I agree.

[@KlausBentes]

ikr they even showed the audience, but not her face

[@samaraisnt]

EXACTLY!

[@user-qf8ij7dn4h]

You could tell by Sondheim’s reaction that she pulled it off

[@OGRuth]

He is such a brilliant man and I give these students so much credit for standing there and giving such wonderful performances . I saw " Side by Side by Sondheim " years ago on Broadway . What a beautiful time to grow up .

[@ericdickey6523]

I love how lovingly he looks on while listening to her sing

[@Nikodymus]

She’s fantastic. Able to express such emotions and IN FRONT of Sondheim no less, she kept composure. I personally would be a wreck. It goes to show, this song is an ACTED song. Anyone can sing it, but to convey the emotions with ONLY voice, that is pure talent.

[@DavidBerto]

her voice is great!!!!!!! I loved it"!

[@writereducator]

If I were Sondheim, I'd be thinking she has a beautiful voice and how did I every write such a beautiful song.

[@BroadwayHannah]

i love her voice

[@Lwhale.3797]

I remember watching this in highschool around 2009-2010, and (1) I actually learned about vocal color through this one video and it legitimately helped me in my years of voice lessons afterward, and (2) that woman singing has the most rich, addictive contralto voices I have ever heard!!! I sometimes go back to this video just to hear her beautiful voice again! I hope she is doing well.

[@hilljacknutjob]

God!! Soooo much talent...it's not fair!

[@elisaschwartz406]

So many songs I'd love to hear this woman sing, but this is for an actor who sings. She on the on the other hand has a a magnificent voice

[@TheDHEL13]

LOVE IT!

[@pr7nceworld]

0:30 He looks like a proud dad like, "That's my bud". 😍💞💜😭

[@ronbianco5919]

What a rich, RICH voice… such amazing restraint and control

[@InACountryGarden]

This, & the other (related) KZbin video, are a fascinating 'lesson' in the difference in performance - styles & outcome - if a song is sung by an ‘actor who can sing’ or ‘a singer who can act’! Quite fascinating! You can see from their performances that their ultimate strengths lie in slightly different areas. If I didn’t know it before, I know it now.

[@queerqueries]

Superb!!!!

[@thezman4343]

A genius with an amazing song ..

[@bernardcleary4330]

Her voice is gorgeous.

[@lewisgreen2957]

Wonderful😊❤️

[@theteeshirtman]

can you imagine being that girl?? how awesome.

[@gojedason123]

i love her voice :D

[@latoyalewis]

What a stunning instrument.

[@shayannemusic]

She is brilliant!! She took direction really well. I should have watched this before I posted my video

[@LyricSoulProducciones]

Hace rato que no escuchaba una voz tan maravillosa.

[@gojedason123]

lol he focuses so much on pronunciation. Imagine if Thom Yorke came on to sing these it would be like 9 hours of sondheim teaching Yorke to pronounce words correctly

[@tangofizz77]

He was so cute oh my God 😭

[@nishina22]

amazing

[@joneathann]

Amen! I was not expecting that!

[@davidhalldurham]

What a gorgeous voice!!! Sadly, I don't think she's cut out for Sondheim. She might be happier with more traditional musical theater.

[@connoroleary591]

Beautiful girl, beautiful voice and a beautiful man.

[@ellalena1873]

Nice nice man…. Such respect

[@MamaGator]

Thank you teacher.

[@DavidBerto]

Jesus Lord! What a voice!

[@lynnegladwin6167]

I think when one goes to a master-class with a practitioner such as Sondheim, singing Sondheim songs, - you would want to be directed. I know when I do sessions with practitioners, I want to be taught their set of skills, then I can choose whether or not to utilise them. There is no point having a class with someone who is there to help you sing their songs, then them turning around and saying 'actually - sing it in whatever way you want. it doesn't matter what I think...'

[@NaomisMommie]

Wow, to actually get comments from the composer! How fabulous. I have to post this for my voice students!

[@fellow111411]

Without knowing the meaning behind the lyrics of the song when we sing, it is better to send in the clown.

[@JAMbannana]

I know people seem to paint Sondheim as an asshole, but I just don't see it. Maybe behind closed doors he's rude. To me he seems decently patient and very reasonal in his demands and even kind. Would kill to take a class with him.

[@jm22186]

Infront of the cameras and a group of people watching im sure hes on his best behaviour. But in rehearsals with impending performances and his paid performers im sure he's gasly! But there's a price to pay for greatness.

[@lazyrrr2411]

He IS the composer , and it is HIS song ~ but that doesn't mean he isn't totally anal

[@aceshighdueceslow]

@@jm22186 directors will be like that in those situations regardless, they don't have time like they would in a situation like this (even though they have little time in Masterclasses as well) to be "nice" but some are nicer than others

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

I don't think I've ever heard someone say anything negative about Sondy, except maybe angry ALW fans? But all of the actors and collaborators he's worked with have had nothing but nice things to say about him, and watching him in interviews, he seemed like an absolute delight! He was funny, witty, and had a quietness to him that only few people have. But an asshole? Or mean and nasty? I don't think so!

[@PoolEnvy]

Musicians “are that way.” - We communicate as musicians, others will never know our unspoken language and code.

[@nuynobi]

The look on her face as she sings "Don't you love arse?" 😂

[@n.fosbinder6312]

He is just so taken with her rich voice!

[@bobareebop]

Just WOW.

[@jlmdad1950]

beautifull

[@jtcarey2]

This isn't about her... It is about Sondheim sharing his knowledge. If it was about her, he wouldn't be there.

[@ajpl87]

Getting big John Mulaney vibes from Sondheim... waiting for him to say "There's too much tu-na!"

[@cbwynners]

Nice music, I liked it.

[@nuschlerclark895]

Sondheim had a habit of keeping one eye closed. He ended up with creases in his face and lopsided smile.

[@pedroesteban86]

well said!