Popstar to Operastar - new ITV reality show.

[Martin]

Hi All
I must admit that this new series is generating a lot of interest, negative or otherwise. But as they say, no publicity is bad publicity!

I think it is going to be so dire that it could be highly entertaining!

Martin

[martindn]

Hi All,

Well, I did watch it. With mixed feelings I have to say. Yes, as expected, the standard of singing was not great, and yes, at times the comments made made me cringe, especially Meatloaf who seemed to be interested only in jumping to his feet and waving his arms around.

All of the singers lacked power, even though pop singers often sound quite powerful. Several lacked range and most if not all lacked the control necessary to sing opera properly. But I expected that.

You certainly can't expect a few weeks of training to achieve what takes years in real opera singers. So you can't really take it seriously.

And I'm afraid I still can't take Camilla Kerslake seriously either. I think you might find a big difference when Katherine Jenkins performs next week.

But it could have been worse....

Martin D

[Jeff]

We'll now find out which sad people don't go out on Friday nights.

I have to say Alex was given by far the hardest aria to sing: Largo al factotum which would have suited Darius a bass-baritone much better. In fact Darius had to sing Nessun Dorma in the wrong key so actually the high notes weren't that high ! Kym was the best singer on the night (but as a Corrie fan I would say that, wouldn't I ?) but if Marcella can control her nerves she could do well. I just wish the rowdy crowd (mainly young female McFly fans) wouldn't applaud and scream in the middle of songs since it made the atmosphere more intimidating for the singers. Camilla seemed as nervous as the pop stars and rushed her lyrics so at one point she wasn't in sync with Gary on the piano. OK so she's new and hasn't done many gigs but I'll have to see her live myself to decide whether she's someone who sounds better in the studio than on stage. (She wasn't pitch perfect with the same song on Wednesday's Titchmarsh. Much better first time she was on a few weeks back).

Ultimately this competition may come down to whether Coronation Street has more fans than McFly . But overall the show may do some good. For too long in this country opera has been like a private paradise island which only a select few rich individuals have access to. Anything that breaks down barriers of snobbery is fine by me.

P.S. No, I didn't waste my money on voting for anyone !!

[Dave]

I agree with quite a lot of the above, only three of them have any chance of being able to sing properly by the end, in my opinion. The erst are (and will remain) useless at it. Marcella (though wobbly at times) Darius and the Nolan girl *might* make it by the end of the series, with a lot more training and practice.

But yes, McFly or Coronation St fans will probably decide it - and both may still sound like rejects from a cats chorus, even by the end (if I can stand it that long). I think the gap to opera is far too great for these (mostly has-been) pop singers to bridge.

What would for me have made far more sense would have been for formally untrained classical crossover singers (who've had at least one successful album, somewhere) to compete in this programme because even for them, this would have been a real challenge. Yes, even for Hayley (if she'd entered).

I'm not sure where Katherine would have fitted in though, as she has had a lot of formal operatic training - though no actual operas. Judge or contestant? That would be the question! And of course, the audience would have been smaller (no McFly fans!).

Dave

[martindn]

Hi Jeff,

Yes, I agree with what you say. I didn't much like Nessun Dorma transposed like that, it is a song for a tenor and should be sung by a tenor.

And I agree, I don't think Alex stood a chace with that song.

Martin D

[mihizawi]

Jan 16, 2010 18:59:38 GMT Dave said:

I agree with quite a lot of the above, only three of them have any chance of being able to sing properly by the end, in my opinion. The erst are (and will remain) useless at it. Marcella (though wobbly at times) Darius and the Nolan girl *might* make it by the end of the series, with a lot more training and practice.

But yes, McFly or Coronation St fans will probably decide it - and both may still sound like rejects from a cats chorus, even by the end (if I can stand it that long). I think the gap to opera is far too great for these (mostly has-been) pop singers to bridge.

What would for me have made far more sense would have been for formally untrained classical crossover singers (who've had at least one successful album, somewhere) to compete in this programme because even for them, this would have been a real challenge. Yes, even for Hayley (if she'd entered).

I'm not sure where Katherine would have fitted in though, as she has had a lot of formal operatic training - though no actual operas. Judge or contestant? That would be the question! And of course, the audience would have been smaller (no McFly fans!).

Dave

Even though from Spain I can't watch this show, I agree with the last you said Dave. It would be way more exciting, interesting and sensible to make a contest for classical crossover singers trying to make true opera instead of low skilled pop singers trying to sing something at all (I am sure true and serious pop stars such as Celine Dion would take such a challenge way more seriously and would actually be able to make a good job). It would be also interesting if such a contest for classical crossover singers would take in consideration not only singing but also acting, which is very important in Opera too.

And, yes, Hayley would have it difficult, she's never done that. But, lol, who can doubt that she would definately surprise us? I am sure she would do just great if she decided to do it: for now there have not been a way of singing or a style that she tried and she failed, and she has tried so many! Also, I noticed that lately she has been mastering some expressive techniques that are very important in opera and in a good classical singer, and that most crossover singers ignore or don't give so much importance. I am talking about musical stresses, entonation and specially voice volume control, that can make singing a higher level of expression when used properly. We can see it in many of her songs lately (not only the classical ones), but where I was truly impressed by the change in her way of singing is in the video of Ave Maria from Liverpool. Those (as far as I noticed, new) expressive skills would put her in a much better starting position than most of crossover singers. Also, as some of you pointed, even when she is not used, she has proved that she has no problems when it comes tu sing without a micro. In my opinion, perhaps, the most difficult for her would come when a song required a use of a strong vibratto to properly express it for the Opera standards.

Oh, and sorry about talking so much about Hayley when Dave only mentioned her here, I am getting quite off-topic. But, oh, well... if II didn't say my thoughts about her here, who would I share them with?

Michal

[martindn]

Of course we should make it clear that all of the singers in this show used microphones. I can't imagine any of them has the power to do without, but you need one for TV anyway.

Martin D

[mihizawi]

Well, I imagine those people are using microphones, I think you all made it clear enough that the program isn't properly about singing Opera. I was talking about the hypothetic case that Dave mentioned: Classical Crossover trying to sing true Opera (which includes, of course proper conditions for singing Opera, such a proper place to sing unmiked). And, true, for TV you need micros, but when a classical (and as far as I know, Opera too) concert is recorded live, the micros are at enough distance to transmit the whole sound as it is hearred, there's no need for individual micro or other way of getting the sound and amplifying it in comparison to the others, with perhaps only one exception (as far as I know), which is when it includes a guitar soloist.

Michal

[nicola]

I really enjoyed this show. The key is to not take it seriously - it's just fun. I found Meat Loaf hilarious and I love Rolando. As always, it's about the judges, but I loved Alex - he was also funny.

I was only really impressed with Marcella - so much potential, but she puts so much pressure on herself and taking the show far too seriously which really shows in her performance.

It's clear that Danny and Alex were the worst singers, but I think Vanessa should have gone. She looked so unhappy to be there, doesn't have time to commit to the show, and she was absolutely dreadful when she was trying to be good. At least Danny and Alex knew they were rubbish.

I was really disappointed with Camilla on the night, and on The Alan Titchmarsh Show on Wednesday. She sounds nothing like she does on record - none of that clarity. She seemed completely out of her comfort zone. Really nervous, timing was off, and she seems unable to start that song off right. I understand that she was nervous, so as Jeff said, it will take time to hear Camilla's true live potential - at the moment, she's just too inexperienced. I was saddened, because I thought it was a good opportunity for her, but I don't think she sold many albums on that performance.

[Jeff]

Interesting that Katherine is going to sing next week. Obviously they couldn't get a guest star ! Maybe they might ask Hayley but whether she'd want to enter that kind of atmosphere is another matter entirely.

Let's face it with Hayley out of the country for a few weeks (and only one UK concert planned so far this year ) there isn't much to get interested in at the moment is there ? Until Hayley comes back, Camilla will have to do but Nicola's right, she does need to do more concerts, even freebees. I remember Gerald saying when Hayley first toured in 2003 supporting Aled Jones she did it for the experience and without payment. Maybe Camilla should do something similar.

[Richard]

Jan 17, 2010 14:31:16 GMT Jeff said:

I remember Gerald saying when Hayley first toured in 2003 supporting Aled Jones she did it for the experience and without payment.

Hello Jeff!

Hayley certainly had an experience on that tour. She met me at the Fairfield Hall!

To get back on topic, I've just been looking at a few clips on YouTube and Alex James was hilarious. His air guitar was much better than his singing! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Richard

[I-H-F]

Maybe it was the wrong choice for him, but I really enjoyed Alex's performance. He reminded me of Keanu Reeves from the Bill and Ted movies

Vanessa was terrible. I liked some of Marcella's solo stuff, so hopefully this show will revive her career.

But, as with all these type of shows, I wish the audience would be quiet and let the contestants perform!

By the way, I'll have some of whatever Meat Loaf was on!

[sharon67]

"Hayley certainly had an experience on that tour"

Slightly off topic again, regarding the above topic about Hayley having experience on the 2003 tour with Aled Jones, she would have done as she had toured with Russell Watson in 2002.

[Nordly]

Jan 17, 2010 15:31:01 GMT I-H-F said:

Maybe it was the wrong choice for him, but I really enjoyed Alex's performance. He reminded me of Keanu Reeves from the Bill and Ted movies

That I have to agree with!

I've held back from commenting because I didn't know what to think! Now that I've seen most of it, all I can say is let's hope it lasts just one season!

Not that it was a terrible show. I've seen worse. I know television is often full of junk, but this was one of the better potentially junky shows. At least the contestants seemed dedicated - and have talent in musical areas.

Popstars to Opera Stars is a great comedy show, and if someone (Marcella?) ends up adapting the classical style, then bully for them!

I might continue watching it on YouTube. Depends on how much spare time I have! How much I need a laugh... etc

~Nordly

[nicola]

Marcella has said in her diary that she is singing a beautiful Puccini piece from Madame Butterfly. To me, that translates as 'Un Bel Di Vedremo' - my favourite aria. I'm glad she's the one that gets to sing it, as she's the only one I particularly like the sound of. It's worth tuning in just for her performance of this song.