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Post by nicola on Dec 29, 2009 20:03:29 GMT
Please, God, no. ITV (in the UK) have outdone themselves this time: entertainment.stv.tv/tv/125060-pop-star-opera-show-to-take-on-the-x-factor/I can hear all the snobs saying now 'How can Katherine, Russell and Paul judge opera when they don't do opera themselves?' This idea stinks.  It just cheapens classical music, doesn't it? This is just my opinion, you are welcome to think that this is a perfect way to have classical gain more popularity, or to have any other opinion, of course. |
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Post by martindn on Dec 29, 2009 20:37:34 GMT
I'm as horrified as you are Nicola!
Martin D
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Post by mihizawi on Dec 29, 2009 21:02:23 GMT
Absolutely, absolutely, it does cheapen classical music. Now that Classical Crossover is starting to be known as a different genre than Opera, such a presentation and the program itself will make the confusion bigger again... No matter how popular they are, you can't compare a Katherine Jenkins or a Russell Watson (or even our very dear Hayley) to, for example a José Carreras or Jessye Norman, who truly are Opera stars. I always say that, artistically, Pop, Crossover or any other kind of music are not inferior than Opera, but speaking in terms of technique and complexity, singing Opera is a higher level of skill than other singing styles. It's just unfair for all the Opera singers to let people think that in a few weeks of a reality show, anyone can become a first class Opera singer. And there are way more elegant ways of "getting people out of their comfort zones" without pretending to be something that you are not... Here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a0juQ0aeGI - Absolutely love that video, love hoiw Bryan Adams makes such a big effort to sing something that doesn't fit his usual style, and love how they both enjoy singing together, lol... Oh, and something I always wondered about... at the end, is that Bryan hitting such a high note with a falsetto? It seems so, but, lol, never would have imagined it from him. Michal |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Dec 29, 2009 21:19:10 GMT
I tend to agree with the opinions expressed so far, it sounds like an awful idea. It will certainly be different though, and I'll probably have to watch it but I don't think it will be a popular show with the general public, unless ITV have deep pockets (which they don't) and can persuade some big names to appear. I suspect that it will be pop stars of yesteryear who are currently struggling and who need to get on TV again, any TV. Who knows, perhaps Hayley will pop up as a special guest one week, to show them how "popera" should really be done...  I seem to recall reading a report about this in the forum a week or three ago but I can't find it now and I don't think a new thread was started then. I'll just move this to the Other Music board - if X-Factor is in there, this should be too. Cheers, Dave |
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Post by nicola on Dec 29, 2009 21:43:26 GMT
Oh, if it happens, I will watch it. No problem. It's popera - having pop stars trying a different style is interesting and I like popera. What horrifies me is that it gives the wrong impression of classical and opera music. Snobs have been discrediting Hayley, Katherine, Russell, etc for as long as they have been around, but that's only because of their ignorance that they are actually doing their own thing. Putting Katherine and Russell on a show that has "Opera Star" in the title is totally wrong, and all the criticisms that the purists have been spewing out for years will become valid. I have been trying to do both genres a favour by seperating them, and I think they should be seperate - they step on each others toes in the critic world and even in their own charts - as far as the general public go, it erases will opera completely (they think Katheine is opera, afterall!).. This show will enforce the misconception that opera is about singing Amazing Grace in a high warbling voice.  My opinion is basically the same as Michal's. |
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Post by roger on Dec 29, 2009 21:48:16 GMT
I seem to recall reading a report about this in the forum a week or three ago but I can't find it now and I don't think a new thread was started then. It's on KJ's board here, Dave. It had a thread... but not a programme title!  Roger |
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Post by Elliot Kane on Dec 30, 2009 8:17:19 GMT
The show is not really about Opera, though. It's about watching Pop stars make fools of themselves (Or possibly supporting those you like, but I'd bet that's a minority interest!  ) and seeing how much of her body Katherine can show off each week without becoming too indecent. In other words - totally normal reality TV. I can't imagine anyone seriously interested in Opera would watch such a program. They're simply not the target audience. |
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Post by Richard on Dec 30, 2009 9:56:54 GMT
I know a good place for this show. It would make Simon Cowell's eyes water!  Richard  |
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Post by nicola on Jan 3, 2010 19:06:44 GMT
This is, sadly, going ahead. I've seen KJ tweet about doing this show on the 15th January.
Here is the line-up
Alex James (of Blur)
Bernie Nolan (of The Nolan Sisters)
Kym Marsh
Danny Jones (Of McFly)
Darius Campbell-Danesh
Marcella Detroit (of Shakespere Sister)
Jimmy Osmond (aka Baby Osmond)
Vanessa White (Of The Saturdays)
and hosted by:
Myleene Klass
Alan Titchmarsh
(thanks to Vhazza for posting this on my forum)
All has-beens.
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Post by nicola on Jan 3, 2010 19:38:09 GMT
It actually gets worse...
Does this make sense to you?
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Post by Sing on Jan 3, 2010 22:18:53 GMT
I saw an advert on tv for this whilst I was having tea...it nearly made me choke on my soup! personally , I really don't understand how meat loaf can judge them on opera- I like him a lot but he's a rock singer...i know that doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't know anything about opera but still...and as for Katherine Jenkins being a mentor...well, I know she has a good voice though I don't like her much...I don't think she's good enough to mentor anyone...and as for the contestants well, the ones i know can't sing pop music IMO, so therefore I don't think any amount of training could turn them into opera stars...for a start they'll have to sing without a microphone- as my dad keeps telling me...I don't think they're voices are strong enough..and it'll just become like the X Factor where their private lives will be more interesting than the so-called 'talent'...there's been too many shows like this recently...I think it's a good idea- a really good idea to get opera more well known and liked but i'm sure they'll make it poppier... still, i think it'll be interesting to see the first episode...maybe...  best wishes Sing |
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Post by Elliot Kane on Jan 3, 2010 22:36:16 GMT
Meat Loaf's best stuff is very much 'Rock Opera'. I'm sure everyone here has heard Bat Out Of Hell the album, so you'll know what I mean. I wouldn't have chosen him to judge an Opera contest, mind, but he's at least within the same kind of distance as Katherine and most of the other people involved - possibly closer, as he could sing opera, if he wanted. He has the right kind of voice. If I was going to watch this for anyone, it would be Meat Loaf, but sadly I doubt he will sing. Katherine as mentor makes sense, as the camera will doubtless linger on her figure lovingly... Musically, not so much! |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jan 4, 2010 0:42:57 GMT
Rolando Villazon is, of course an established genuine and top-notch opera singer. He seems to be the best thing about this series, by far... but frankly, I'm surprised that he has agreed to be associated with it, let alone take part in it. If they'd been honest and called it "Pop Stars to Popera" I wouldn't have beeen so critical as there is a definite place for popera. All this title will do is reinforce the existing misconceptions among the general public about what opera is and is not. It should be a good laugh if nothing else but there have been so many reality shows on TV recently in the UK that I'm already suffering from reality exhaustion. X-Factor, Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Big Brother and now, Popstars to Opera, all within a few weeks of each other. I don't know if I can even face any more of them at the moment. Dave |
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Post by stevemacdonald on Jan 4, 2010 18:53:14 GMT
I think we're missing the point of this project -- which is to introduce a beautiful type of music to a wider audience. Opera is extraordinary music, whether one likes the voices or not (I, personally, could do without opera voices). Note for note, opera arias are more passionate and brilliant than anything written in the pop genre. Even the Beatle's finest ballad, "Yesterday", pales in comparison to Verdi's worst aria, "Re dell'abisso, affrettati", musically speaking. It's self-evident.
Pop singers ought to have a go at the more amazing songs, not just the dross they've been lucky enough to strike gold with. Let these pop singers know what genius-level composing is about for a change. They will get that when they sing Puccini or Bellini. The watching public will get a taste of something wonderful too.
Of course, it could all turn out as though we were watching short-order cooks trying to serve up haute cuisine, but I submit that the resulting meals will still elevate our taste buds' standards.
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Post by larryhauck on Jan 5, 2010 4:06:12 GMT
I think we're missing the point of this project -- which is to introduce a beautiful type of music to a wider audience. Opera is extraordinary music, whether one likes the voices or not (I, personally, could do without opera voices). Note for note, opera arias are more passionate and brilliant than anything written in the pop genre. Even the Beatle's finest ballad, "Yesterday", pales in comparison to Verdi's worst aria, "Re dell'abisso, affrettati", musically speaking. It's self-evident. Pop singers ought to have a go at the more amazing songs, not just the dross they've been lucky enough to strike gold with. Let these pop singers know what genius-level composing is about for a change. They will get that when they sing Puccini or Bellini. The watching public will get a taste of something wonderful too. Of course, it could all turn out as though we were watching short-order cooks trying to serve up haute cuisine, but I submit that the resulting meals will still elevate our taste buds' standards. Hi Steve Interesting concept but not likely to happen in the U S. Even if the artist had the talent to pull it off...the masses would most probably reject the music. Although with few exceptions and most likely the ones that would appreciate it would not be in the audience anyway. I'd love to hear Taylor Swift try some Puccini. Well it would be at least worth a good laugh. We Americans are hopelessly mired in a horrible lack of taste musically. Larry |
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It just cheapens classical music, doesn't it? 
) and seeing how much of her body Katherine can show off each week without becoming too indecent. In other words - totally normal reality TV.
