The Pearl Fishers, Philadelphia 2004

Opera Company of Philadelphia "The Pearl Fishers" with William Burden and Nathan Gunn on May 4, 2004. Director: Kay Walker Castaldo, Conductor: Jacques Lacombe, Scenery/Lighting: Boyd Ostroff, Costumes: Richard St. Clair. Videography: Boyd Ostroff

[@8000Christopher]

I don't know what's more impressive, their pec's or their vocals. But it's all appreciated.

[@reddeadandangryatcapitalism]

It's the core 😉

[@3Angela]

Come for the music, stay for the pecs.

[@michaelmiller1215]

Agreed!

[@jeffreymiller4814]

They were both superb in this production. Physically and vocally.

[@sheireland3737]

Opera would be more popular if these guys were on the posters.

[@mhawley407]

I love being able to see how they breathe and support. Beautiful singing and a great master class in technique.

[@matthewkolodziej]

Love this. Beautiful men with beautiful voices

[@torcal47]

Finally! Pearl fishers who look like they could fish for pearls.

[@shiraz9986]

Pearl fishers actually don’t need this kind of physics.

[@alga4693]

These two will be in my dreams tonight.

[@archiereece8321]

nice

[@theuofc]

I saw Nathan Gunn and William Burden in this production at The Lyric Opera, third row center. Mr. Gunn's voice is strong and blissful to hear. He doesn't need a mic and none was used.

[@monsieurboks]

mate it's opera, no one worth the air they breathe uses a mic

[@notnek202]

if you have to use a mic it's not opera.

[@bharp4390]

@@monsieurboks You say that as if a large portion of today's opera singers don't have trouble being heard over an orchestra...

[@milankucera1148]

...wonderfull seeing appogio at work (I mean, physically seeing it, on their bodies)

[@devonlake822]

This Aria is simply the most beautiful piece of music ever made and the tenor and baritone are so amazing and bring the justice this amazing piece deserves.

[@janemariehoward]

Amen. The first time I heard this I was awestruck.

[@InfoArtistJK]

Yep!

[@jelsner5077]

Vocals: A Costumes: A+

[@MariaPerez-pl9tc]

WOW!!...first time seeing this gem of the performance of these two amazing singers......my brain just exploded by looking at these beautiful men.....😍

[@Dionaysia]

Thank-you, operaphilia, for this snippet of what must have been a truly breathtaking production. I'm glad you got your camera in operation when you did and only wish we had the duet from the beginning. This was fabulous. I wish they had done a professional recording of the show!

[@theuofc]

Nathan Gunn and William Burden are wonderful to watch.

[@johnwhiting5747]

Absolutely stunning!

[@newstart6356]

hahaha...I cannot focus on this one of the most elegant and delicate male duets in the entire opera history!

[@MrMountainJohn]

William Burden is one of the most underrated tenors. I saw him in Elixir and he was wonderful. Beautiful voice, great technique and a fine actor.

[@arishjohndalivacayabyab5005]

Beautiful voices and beautiful body 😍😍😍 perfect 👏👏👏👏👏

[@cl8594]

Wow, Nathan's breathing!!!

[@jenniferbrowning9957]

Beautiful song!

[@miriaminesphilippi6463]

São lindos, corpos perfeitos e vozes maravilhosas...que presente!❤❤

[@nealiacoley2655]

I can't even focus on the song!!! 👀👀👀👀👀

[@AlligatorWild]

How the opera guys have an muscles?!? Everything Wonderful!!!

[@milankucera1148]

To those saying these singers are mediocre at best: there are places in the duet where it is obvious they have what it takes (power, timbre, the right equilibrium of vibrato/tremolo, proper expression), while in most of the duet they are not singing at their best. Now that is wrrong, I wish they gave this duet all they have got during the whole duration, but we should be fair here, they have good potential to sing first-rate opera. And throw in proper breathing technique, which many tend to, quite unfortunately, forget or not bother with these days any more, and the cocktail is done and appealing. Thumbs up from me.

[@CharmsJr94]

Nathan Gunn is a professor at my school. I thought it would be funny if on recruiting days, they just had him walk around shirtless. It might be an effective method haha

[@michaelmiller1215]

Nice vocals, and real eye candy!

[@archiereece8321]

imagine if they were singing this in a shower🚿🚿🚿🚿🚿

[@luzsanchez8328]

Gorgeous!!

[@faffyssimo]

uno dei duetti più belli della Lirica.Grazie operaphila.

[@larajokhadar4160]

Simply wow. And wow...❤❤

[@denisepianista]

Linda música, lindas vozes , lindos artistas!!!!!

[@renemedina5609]

Excelente interpretación. Bravo!

[@will_pereira_brazil]

What a technique!!! 😍

[@viiiendre2]

Beautiful singing! 🌷

[@nadetomirkova4943]

ENDLESS BRAVO FOR KZbin BG / Bulgaria / FOR The FANTASTIC MIXx WITH FANTASTIC VIDEOS !!! ENDLESS THANKS !!! Your eternal fans Nadya Mirkova and friends from Sofia - Bulgaria - Europe

[@joga1943]

Eine eindrucksvolle Demonstration von Atemtechnik! Wunderbare Stimmen....!

[@user-wy6qt3ly7o]

Волшебное соединение голосов...хочется полную версию в их исполнении

[@TheBuab]

Well you have to admit that at least we are learning a lot of breathing techniques with this pair.... torso beared and all... hahahah

[@aleksajevtic2423]

I can't find the whole opera from this production. It's shame to see just this part. But Perfect, who knows what to expect from whole performans!

[@bigjudy1143]

Yay for opera!

[@henrytang6483]

The most beautiful duet I ever heard.

[@PDXVoiceTeacher]

I hate it when I can't find the belt to my robe too...

[@sistaM1963]

Nathan Gunn is a God

[@acitipo]

Tremendos recios pescadores de perlas!!!

[@tatianasuanchamejia150]

Pues en este caso talento y belleza si van de la mano

[@yelassinacoulibaly]

La musique,du Faso est une source intarissable de douceurs. Elle permet de plonger au plus profond de soi et simultanément d'entrer en résonance avec son prochain, Yé Lassina Coulibaly❤❤❤❤❤

[@darthexcellentious77]

To be hot, sexy, and tenor singing... my ultimate dream in life....

[@luigic6729]

Should be an hymn to gay love!

[@JoyfulGent]

Finally! A solid demonstration of HOW TO BREATHE. When inhaling (drawing air in), the abdomen releases out - the singer gets a nice, soft "buddha-belly". Then, the person controls the pushing IN of the abdomen, the air from the lungs passing over the vocal cords to result in singing. It's so encouraging to see these handsome, fit fellows who let their bellies extend when they breathe in! (I've actual had vocal coaches advise to suck the belly in while inhaling --- very counter-intutive!)

[@shane45666]

I agree 100%. Love it when the breath is done correctly......the sound is incredible.

This kind of breathing is completely wrong, sorry to burst your bubble. Appoggio, or support, requires holding the breath down while dosing the quantity of air used to sing. Breath use should be economic and minimized and this cannot be done by pulling the stomach in after inhaling. Plus, 'supporting' your voice with inwards motion of stomach inflicts pressure on your larynx and is harmful because you are forcefully pushing air into the larynx. But since these tiny constricted voices are being decorated with lodes here, might as well call their breathing correct.

[@dionlindsay2]

@ That's fine, let's do that then. Correct it is!

[@YagnaseniMitra]

​@Been a while since a comment took my breath away. ;)

[@pckermit]

I have seen William Burden in three operas in Seattle and Nathan Gunn in one. I can assure you that they do not need microphones. Both are fine singers and performers. The fact that they're also good looking and buff is a bonus. And is there a mike involved in this video? No doubt, as it was recorded. Does the Opera Company of Philadelphia use mikes in the house? I doubt it.

[@aneamarlivana172]

There's a big difference between using microphones to amplify singers and using microphones to record a performance.

[@michaeljohnston-ul1vi]

Oh to be abel to sing like that ❤❤❤❤❤

[@alanatolstad4824]

W-O-W!

[@maddoc1949]

My favorite duet is Richard Tucker and Robert Merrill

[@qhsperson]

+Stan Reynolds I agree. They worked together enough to have this duet perfectly attuned.

[@jeongjin1211]

@@qhsperson I agree too!!!!

[@pacbob1]

Oh mommy! A dream come true. WOW!!!

[@richardstien8767]

wow in every way

[@planclops]

William Burden and Nathan Gunn. I think Mr. Gunn is the guy in the robe.

[@chookaschookas444]

Not only must they sing well, but now they need to look hot as well. Nathan Gunn came to New Zealand last year (I think) with Mandy Patinkin. He looked and sounded good

[@kazukoalbessard729]

Chookas Chookas ー？

[@kazukoalbessard729]

Chookas Chookas

[@vocalwisdom8769]

A fine performance indeed, very convincing staging. I have heard, live, very expensive tenors of semi-legendary status who were not as good as this one. Lovely warm baritone voice too. The comment below re breathing is absolutely correct with one caveat...males and females breathe IN differently, the breathe OUT identically. This was a tenet of the Roman school of singing and I have been fortunate enough to verify this with athletes (not singers, as most singers fiddle with the breathing or suffer from wrong teaching) in the laboratory. I enjoyed listening to these two guys and they convinced me of the interpretation. That, after all, is their job. Well done.

[@shane45666]

And the Harmony was incredible....I thought they blend was perfect....a great performance.

[@dominicfollett]

That is one fine tenor! Pleasing voice. Not pushing it like other renditions I've heard.

[@joelweisberg]

I enjoyed it very much. It's probably short of the great renditions of Tucker, Pierce, Merrill et al but it was very good. I really enjoyed seeing Gunn utilizing the abdominal muscles for support. That's the way it should be done.

[@qhsperson]

+Joel Barry Same here.

[@shane45666]

ABSOLUTELY! It is the first thing that caught my eye....well done.

[@SophiArtist]

Does anybody knows their names? Preety good seeing and hearing!

[@ingridbergman-vz7go]

All the comments on breathing techniques. Admit it, you're checking out the muscles while they're being used for breathing.

[@davidroberts5090]

Why does this start half way through the duet?

[@Saibini1]

Uh, I think I just died and went to Heaven.

[@riccardo50001]

Oh, and I'm glad we don't have to take our shirts off!!! hahahaha!

[@theuofc]

Does anyone know....PLEASE... where the whole opera can be had? I saw it at the Lyric and was wowed by the experience.

[@charleslawrenceperkins9808]

Well not this production but The Met did a revival after a century of neglect in late '15 early '16 and it's available on The Met's website.

[@liciagorlero4385]

❤

[@riccardo50001]

This is probably the sexiest version of this duet ever and they probably persuaded them both to do consider gym prep. Beautiful singing and beautiful bodies. Yum!!! I'm going to sing this duet next month and it's beautiful and fun to sing.

[@Muttonchop_USA]

Actually, Nathan Gunn was asked about two years prior to the premier to be ready to remove his shirt onstage. His torso subsequently became part of his brand (see Billy Budd).

[@aarondaguio7179]

Now I see why Boondocks featured it in the episode “The Story of The Story of Gangstalicious”

[@AHalfBaritone]

Are not all recordings-commercial/U Tube/live, etc, etc all artificial. So the question of whether this performance was miked..... How can anybody kno?

[@1079walter]

Mr Burden and Mr Gunn look magnificent, but may I humbly suggest they listen to a recording of this duet as done by Jussi Björling and Robert Merrill.

[@js59695]

1079walter Hadley has a great one as well

[@DeLynnM512]

I agree with you 100%

[@Shamsithaca]

ok humbly i did.

[@SwaggasaurusRex]

Fabio and Fabio.

[@JohnNepovietz]

Is there a reason they didn't start at the beginning?

[@jef711]

Is William burden the one in left?

[@45rvltns]

Oh hi Mark.

[@charleslawrenceperkins9808]

Huh!? This is only the last 1/3 of the entire duet! WHERE'S the REST???? From the beginning!

[@jauch0]

Absolument d'accord.

[@ltlarrow1]

didn't you get permission for the whole thing?

[@drvren030]

this victorious music sums up how satisfied my hormones are watching these perfect men lol

[@dfghdfghuytiu8207]

Wait thats not the whole sng?

[@longliveclassicmusic]

A lot of professionals believe fitness completely hinders operatic breathing technique, but I don't buy it!! If you truly understand the point and needs of breathing technique, you can achieve breath management no matter what your circumstances.

[@Eiswirth1]

Operatic singing is all about breathing correctly. The greatest singer in the history of opera -- Joan Sutherland -- mastered the technique early on, and it was a huge part of why she could create those long, flowing, limpid lines of ethereal beauty and never seem to take a breath. If you don't learn to breathe correctly your career in opera will be short-lived.

[@dionlindsay2]

I heard that this is the only really memorable piece of music from the whole opera. You've seen it live - is that not so?

[@martinrogan6641]

Well if you walk around obese it wont help you with breath whatsoever you will just get tired more quickly.

[@ernani2388]

A very good production. There is a DVD of full opera?

[@hgburgin]

QUe es esto????

[@sistaM1963]

HOLY CRAP!!!! i need a cold shower.

[@joellewilliams8852]

fit singing.... a new one for me but really enjoyed it!

[@michaelroberts1039]

Nathan Gunn shows how to support the breathing . Perfect singing!

[@shariwest7885]

I'm a trained opera singer and say I would MUCH rather watch/listen to these men than some bloated household names. First of all, they are WONDERFUL singers....perfectly able to contend in the professional tier of the world's opera voices. But more importantly, they sing beautifully while LOOKING THE PART. Nadir and Zurga should be hot, sexy young men that Leila wants to see in their pearl fishing skivvies. here are too many great singers these days...I say, if you're not going to keep yourself looking appealing and stage-worthy, you should stick to the recording industry. Live opera is a visual performance now as much as music. These men are the complete package and do justice to the piece holistically.

[@aneamarlivana172]

Sorry, but I must disagree. Opera is all about the voice. I would much rather hear gorgeous voices than hear someone not quite as good as others, but who has a tight young body. Opera IS a visual performance, but a great voice shouldn't be denied a career because he or she isn't attractive. Using your logic, Pavarotti, Jussi Bjorling, Eileen Farrell, Marilyn Horne, and many others would never have had careers. I guess Marjorie Lawrence would have been chucked out of the opera world after she was stricken with polio too. I've attended live opera way too many times in recent years and been forced to listen to singers who were hired mainly for their looks. It's a sad trend in opera today. Gunn is an exception, in that he does have a wonderful voice. But there are many singers out there today who are skating by on their looks. Opera should first be about fine voices.

[@lagunagreg4019]

I agree. It's all about la voce, my dear. And that poor tenor was really straining to be heard half the time. Lovely sound, but not enough of it and not ready for prime time yet. Real legato singing is a rare commodity in any age. I would (and have) pay good money to hear it. I don't care what they look like so long as they can sing well and beautifully. A lovely body can be seen by looking at gay porn or dial-a-model. And none of those people can sing.

[@laurencedankel4751]

Anea Marlivana "opera is all about the voice"-- was this inscribed on one of the tablets Moses brought down from Sinai? Must have missed that one.

[@lagunagreg4019]

Of course you did. You're trying to talk about an art form you know nothing about, don't even like very much, and really don't care to learn. But you sure want to make it do something for you, somehow, if only to impress your friends and scare your enemies.

[@js59695]

Laurence Dankel yea and that's why singers today absolutely suck. 100 percent, these guys are no exception. Zero chest voice. Constricted. Thin top. Grr. Idiots.

[@GillyWhitfootHaysend]

omg such hot bods! what great clickbait...lol. I remember this duet was performed for Joan Sutherland's Kennedy Center Honor, right?

[@wildsarsaparilla]

Greatest Opera Duet written for two Male Voices! Not that there's a lot of competition (just sayin'.)

[@InfoArtistJK]

Agreed!

[@MWAshby-bb1ee]

This is a Bizet opera. No? I don't know the lyricist.

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

operaphile: (plural operaphiles) 1.) One who enthusiastically enjoys opera.

[@latinsb4u]

Shit where was I ?

[@marylynnenielsen4097]

Wait...there was singing? :-)

[@hell0hkitty]

six pack included lol

[@RoylanMarquez]

ok this isn't fair.

[@barneswriter]

hot

[@Hyramess]

BALLS!

[@matthewkolodziej]

Finally opera singers that a want to listen to AND look at. To many old obese singers playing 20 something romantic leads. Don’t expect me to feel anything when the teenage heroine is played by a 50 year old woman who weighs 300 pounds. Plus these guys have voices that sound NATURAL. Not fog horns with vibrato mile wide. If this was Opera I’d trade my ballet tickets

[@GeovaneMancini]

My vocal teacher told me to watch this video then I was closely watching it when my father entered the room............. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk now he thinks i'm gay

[@leo19710802]

You make me laugh, haha.

[@luigic6729]

And then ? Like above , this aria could be an hymn for gay lovers!

[@tonybennett4159]

Shame you're not : you'd be able to enjoy it even more.

[@JFCC1973]

Don Carlos kaufmann

[@frediwinks]

"I have baby oil" Anyone want a rub down?

[@williammoon7774]

Wow those abs and pecs hahah

[@kvom01]

Beginning was cut off

[@TempodiPiano]

lol why haven't they got t-shirts. realism ?

[@TempodiPiano]

theatrical realism :-)

[@MrAndrewHowes]

It adds to the homosexual undertones

[@sasha42196]

Opera houses have been going through fiscal crises. This one, apparently, resulted in a shortage of wardrobe.

[@theuofc]

Bromance! Hot, hot, hot.

[@sparafucile2]

Música, teatro, voces, escenografía y strippers.