Something you've never seen before

[Cole Parker]

 

As this is a first class forum occupied by first class people, it wouldn't be stretching things a bit to assume everyone here is familiar with Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute.  And even if that's not true, many will be familiar with one of its most famous arias, the Papageno/Papagena duet which has two birdlike characters singing to each other.

Here is a version the likes of which you'll probably never hear again.  Enjoy.  (Oh, by the way, the credits at the end are wonderful!)

C

 

http://volkerpannes.de/portfolio/bird-song-opera/

[dude]

oooooookay... loved it....

Now we're on Mozart and The Magic Flute.... let me introduce you to a 14 year old Norwegian lad named Aksel Rykkvin who, up until this time last year, was arguable one of the most accomplished boy sopranos. 

Then his voice changed and he's decided to dedicate his young life to opera... as a baritone.  This clip is from Norwegian television where he performs - with a young lady the same age - Papageno from The Magic Flute.  Following this clip will be a couple of his notable performances as a soprano. 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

[ChrisR]

Always figured Mozart was for the birds. Finally there's proof! Thanks for this, Cole.

[Cole Parker]

17 hours ago, dude said:

oooooookay... loved it....

Now we're on Mozart and The Magic Flute.... let me introduce you to a 14 year old Norwegian lad named Aksel Rykkvin who, up until this time last year, was arguable one of the most accomplished boy sopranos. 

Then his voice changed and he's decided to dedicate his young life to opera... as a baritone.  This clip is from Norwegian television where he performs - with a young lady the same age - Papageno from The Magic Flute.  Following this clip will be a couple of his notable performances as a soprano. 

Enjoy!

 

It's always a joy to hear young people sing so perfectly in tune.  He does this at both 13 and 14 and does it beautifully.  At 13, near the end of that glorious piece, he even does a voice trill.  That's incredibly difficult!  He did it perfectly. 

The girl was exceptional, too. 

C

 

 

[Merkin]

C'mon, Cole, you old chauvinist, 'the girl' Inga Lohne-Otterstad's voice is truly extraordinary, especially for a singer so young, and pairs perfectly with Askel's baritone for this performance.  The two together have wonderfully balanced stage presence.

[Cole Parker]

Now hold on there!  Isn't the word 'exceptional' laudatory enough?  Seemed pretty strong to me.  But, OK.  The girl was phenomenal!  Together they were magnificent.  And she even kissed him!  I don't think that was in the script.

C