Wow

[pegkerr]

I've never even watched this show, but this performance actually brought me to tears. I don't think any other competitor could do it better. moony's right; if this guy doesn't win, there is no justice in this world. America's got talent 2008 season 3 on NBC where Neal E. Boyd, an insurance salesman, sings opera and impresses the judges and the crowd.

Comments

[rachet.livejournal.com]

It reminds me of the guy who won the Brit version of the show. Cell phone salesman with a beautiful opera voice.

[irinaauthor.livejournal.com]

I just heard a recording of that guy on the radio singing an operatic arrangement of "Everybody Hurts" in Italian. He has a gorgeous voice, but the song was a little wtf.

Great video, Peg. I wish Jerry Springer had talked a little less. We can see that they're standing, Jerry, thanks.

[rachet.livejournal.com]

Yes!!! What is UP with that? Thanks, Jerry. The cameraman is doing his job and we can SEE the reaction of the audience! SHUT UP!

Can't believe that man was ever mayor. Yeesh.

[geishawhite.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this is less impressive, having seen the 'original'. Potts, the name of the guy who won, was very quiet, very big, very unassuming. He sang the exact same piece - which is very powerful, but ultimately, not the hardest operatic number to do ever. It appeals because it's well-known, and opera seems 'harder' than a lot of other talents. It is; it requires training, which this guy undoubtedly has. You'll probably find that he has singing lessons/does am-dram operatics or something. The Englishman did. Mind you, he was up against a four year old, who sang Somewhere over the Rainbow, with full vibrato and who was going to damage her voice by age ten.

[tinymich.livejournal.com]

Agree with every single word you wrote there.

My mother loved that little girl (Connie?) but I wasn't convinced that a kid *so* tiny should be singing that way. I had the same feeling I get when I see a talented 9-year-old doing pointe work.

Couldn't this guy have come up with any other song to sing? Just so he wouldn't come off as a *complete and total* Paul Potts copycat?

[geishawhite.livejournal.com]

Connie! That's her name. And no, it was dreadful for her voice. Even the judges who are normally quick to catch a cash-cow were saying, 'give her a few years to grow up first'. Yes, she's probably learned it through imitation rather than being taught - but to be encouraged means she pushes her voice. Vibrato shouldn't be that intense or shaky. Nine year olds on pointe --klfdjglgdk *shudder* NO NO NO. Bad for the feet. Beautiful momentarily, but ultimately devastating for the career.

This song has been used in ad campaign after ad campaign, I think even sung before the rugby? So it is incredibly familiar over here, and I think the same is true of the US. It is the song to sing, so I understand in that regard, and he probably believes he's being original. It's just... less impressive when you've seen an equally shy, emotional guy shuffle on stage, open his mouth and produce opera.

[avengangle.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah, it was Pavarotti's signature aria. I'm sure it was everyone else's signature aria, too, but as Pavarotti was arguably the most famous tenor of the last thirty years, that put "Nessun Dorma" over the top. Where's the aria from "Semiramide"? THAT would be impressive.

And *ugh* to the small children trying to act like adults. Another situation happens quite often: the nine-year-old dancing pointe turns into a fifteen-year-old who suddenly has hips and will never be a prima ballerina. Or the four-year-old turns eighteen and suddenly her voice is appallingly . . . average. Or the six-year-old playing Bach on violin never quite makes the transition from prodigy to master.

Even if they don't ruin their voices, their bodies, or their minds, it very often still doesn't work out how the stage mom wants it.

[arian1.livejournal.com]

My sister is an opera singer by trade, so I'm a bit jaded to insta-opera. However that being said, I do give the guy high marks for going for it. You could tell how nervous he was, I think that affected him a bit.

[aome.livejournal.com]

Unrelated but - hey - have you ever heard of this thing called Wizard Rock? :D

[nwl.livejournal.com]

We saw the opera singer in the previews and my husband wanted to see him. We enjoyed the show over all. I must admit I was blown away by the Britney Spears imitator/tribute. While I thought some of the judges choices were iffy, they were looking at them in terms of a Vegas act. Which is probably why some acts were bounced, not Vegas enough, while others that were not too good survived, as they were Vegas enough.