"We’ve never duetted together but it might happen on this show". Singing with Katherine Jenkins didn't damage Domingo's career, but his protégé's reputation is currently more fragile. Agreeing to appear on Popstar to Opera Star in the first place was a dubious move for Rolando Villazón. Could he really be ready to destroy his last shred of credibility?
And what of the show itself? The full spectrum of opinion is canvassed in the only sensible and balanced piece about the controversial new reality contest I've seen so far. Karen Price of Wales Online is the author.
"I think it’s exploiting the world of opera yet again,” says soprano and ROH regular Rebecca Evans.
But “it will take the mystery away from opera and make it less scary," thinks Isabel Murphy, Director of Artistic Administration for Welsh National Opera. And Katherine Jenkins claims “it will show people how difficult it is to sing opera. Viewers will be able to see the training sessions, like on Strictly Come Dancing, and understand what happens.”
More here.
Katherine Jenkins claims “it will show people how difficult it is to sing opera."
Is that why she keeps singing complete and utter b*l*cks, so that everyone knows it's really hard? The real low point for me was hearing her singing Una poco voce far, which was grim.
Posted by: Michael | 09 January 2010 at 09:45 PM
Katherine Jenkins claims “it will show people how difficult it is to sing opera."
How would she know, she has never sung an opera in her life.
Have we got this right, Jenkins must be one of the contestants taking part surely? What words of wisdom could she possibly bring to this whole farce.
Is this a Simon Cowell production?
Posted by: Samuel | 09 January 2010 at 10:08 PM
The picture has got to be fake. The lady's head is a different color and is much too big for the body.
Who knows, Catherine might represent the pop side of the training rather than the opera.
Posted by: Sue | 09 January 2010 at 11:07 PM
I highly doubt this is really Rolando's wisest career move, and it sounds like it's really going to be utter trash ...
...nevertheless - I would really like to have a peek. Just out of curiosity. Too bad I don't live in the UK and the player is rubbing it in... hmmpf! I'm really hoping for at least some material to find its way onto youtube!
Posted by: Laura | 09 January 2010 at 11:23 PM
Michael and Samuel got there ahead of me. I can only endorse their comments. Her Una Voce is, however, good for laughs.
Posted by: Hal | 10 January 2010 at 12:56 AM
I've applied for tickets! Don't know if I'll get any, but, hey, what the heck. I'm looking forward to the Special Guest spot!
Posted by: Gert | 10 January 2010 at 02:27 AM
Sue - the body belongs to Netrebko (pre-Thiago) at Berlin's Staatsoper. The swollen head is about right for La Jenkins.
Posted by: Manou | 10 January 2010 at 11:26 AM
Maybe she will reprise her performance on the Graham Norton Show, in which he got her to sing with a dog in Canada over a webcam, under the title 'Dogs that Sing Opera'. I should have thought her publicity people would have seen the approaching carnage and prevented it...?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jNqLMBCXpQ
"Could you make a noise to set Basil off?" LOL
The comment thread is entertaining as well.
Posted by: WappingMark | 10 January 2010 at 03:37 PM
Any guesses (if god forbid it should happen) what they would duet ?
My only thoughts at present are something from Carmen or Hoffmann
Posted by: a mac | 11 January 2010 at 10:49 AM
Oh no. Even worse than Jenkins, the programme features the great cheesemeister himself -- Alex James of Blur.
Posted by: Guy Cavendish | 11 January 2010 at 06:38 PM
I can honestly say I dont even have a shred of curiosity that would make me watch this.
I know people are fluctuating between not knowing what to make of it, being embarrassed for Villazon (surely embarrassed for opera itself is more important though?), and saying "what the heck it may be trainwreck-style entertaining television", but I just don't understand why anyone needs this. Surely opera is made fun of enough without this? I'm so sick of TV.
Posted by: AJ | 12 January 2010 at 08:35 PM
What a load of tosh.
Villazon has earned his credibility on stage for all these years, he has nothing to probe and he can do whatever he wants with his career, it is his to "wreck" if so he wishes, I am glad he does not bother with all the poo-poo faced brigade that can't fathom the thought oh having a laugh and take opera less seriously.
During the Pop Star to Opera Star show he broke the stereotype of the dour, boring and aloof Opera singer showing himself as an over the top endearing looney, it is people like him who will bridge the divide between serious Opera and popular culture. which is not a bad thing if done with the enthusiasm and respect he shows for his art.
As for Ms Jenkins, yeah, horrible. She should move to singing pop music exclusively, she has the looks and certainly a voice that could cope. But she should stop her methodical murder of well known arias.
Posted by: Pepe Guicho Salinas | 10 March 2010 at 10:45 AM
why i waste my time on this, i don't know. the negative comments i read here are simply incomprehensible to me. i have been singing for many years, among other things have been invited to sing at the White House(yes, that one). i have studied with some of the top teachers (names many would be familiar with), and am considered a world class tenor. always told that; still true, even more so today. i am perhaps obsessed with voice, although it seems totally natural to me. my wife wonders why i sing the same song 1000 times. i tell her that i am learning. there are people that do not care for pavarotti. no accounting for taste, i guess. but, pretty much without exception, just about everything said against katherine jenkins is utter crap. what background do you people have? you have got to be kidding. you don't know what to listen for. this is one of, if not the best voices i have ever heard. snobbishness is one thing, but you speak in utter ignorance. the vibrato, the phrasing, the Diction, yes, the Diction is absolutely superb. maybe, as in pavarotti's case, some may not care for the tone quality. no accounting for taste. your business. but the other objections? utter bunk, and uneducated bunk at that.
Posted by: andy pitas | 03 January 2011 at 11:40 PM
that pic is definitely photoshopped.. check out the dark hair against the blonde
Posted by: Matilda Bawden | 27 December 2011 at 12:48 PM
Wow Matilda - that is some lightning reaction...
Yes indeed, this is actually Netrebko with Villazon in the Los Angeles production of "Manon" (subsequently performed in Berlin). The letter to Papa Des Grieux is placed in an.....unconventional spot.
Posted by: Manou | 27 December 2011 at 10:34 PM