"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak" ~ William Congreve
I'm not a big Opera fan, but here's the background: I woke up this morning with a J.G. Wentworth commercial running through my head. I don't know if Wentworth is nationwwide or local, but the commercial is an opera singer singing, "I have a structured settlement, and I need cash now!" Then a chorus of Opera singers sing, "J.G. Wentworth, 877-CASH NOW!" and so on.
J.G. Wentworth is one of those attorneys who advertise their office on TV.
But, instead of that commercial, I decided to find some real opera to post. My sister, who graduated from Wichita State University with a degree in Music Education appeared in a couple of opera there with the great Metropolitan Opera star Samuel Ramey. Seems he got his degree from Wichita State, also, but unlike my sister, who went on to teach middle school music, he went on to fame and fortune at the Met.
I tried to find a video of him singing the part he played in WSU's production, but I was hindered by the fact that I don't remember the name of the Opus he and my sister were in, nor the names of any of the arias he sang.
I do remember my sister had a line in that Opus. I don't remember if she had more than one line, but it was either, "Wast ist Das?" or "Das ist der Mont!"
Incidentally, At one point during the Opus, the stagehands neglected to turn off the back lighting after Mr. Ramey (playing St Peter) sang, revealing the stepladder he was standing on to appear as if he was floating in the clouds. At this point, Ramey invoked the name of God, not knowing the microphone, like the lights, was not yet turned off. It went something like this: "G--D--- it! Turn off the lights!"
He didn't sing the words, either.
So anyway, here, for your enjoyment (or agony) is Sam Ramey , Metropolitan Opera Basso extraordinaire:
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6 comments:
The J. G. Wentworth "opera commercial" IS kind of catchy. I wonder who wrote it and who the players are. The lady with horns looks like someone I've seen at a karaoke club.
is one of the jg wentworth opera singers Alan lee Muniz?
Anon, I have no idea who any of them are.
I like it! It sure beats the many loud shouting commercials we are bombarded with daily! And I also wonder if this ensemble has recorded any serious works. I'll bet they could do well at it.
These people aren't the real singers i know the real male and female vocalists and they are the voices behind their lip syncing. (J G Wentworth commercial)
Sorry. I believe that the singers are from a group of karaoke singers, who evidently, aren't bad at all. AND, they ARE the real singers!
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