Customer Reviews

Ward: Stand-Up Opera

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Who would have thought opera could be so much fun and make for great comedy ? B.J. Ward is herself a gifted and unique soprano, even if she is not among the ranks of today's most famous. She first heard Licia Albanese sing La Rondine and was hooked on opera ever after. In this recording, taped live at an Embassador's building in New York City, B.J. Ward treats the audience to hilariou stand-up comedy while at the same time singing arias from some of the great, mainstream operas. Hopefully, this will attract the younger folk into opera, for if you can appreciate great comedy styling, surely you can appreciate opera, the best musical and theatrical art form. The cover on the album is also quite catchy. I enjoyed this album a lot. I'm a fan of B.J. Ward, who is to opera what the parodist composer C.P.Q. Bach is to classical music. Other recordings of Miss Ward include Larynx, the Song Bird (I think thats what its called) and Queen of the Night, these are compilation albums of arias sung by the incomparable B.J. Ward. She may not be Renee Fleming, she is surely not Maria Callas, but she is an artist in her own right, with a beautiful voice that is full of her own love for opera. I think she is the closest singer and personality to the personage of Beverly Sills.

Prior to each aria in this album is a bit of stand-up comedy introducing the piece, explaining the scene and plot of the opera. The operas included here are all the big names- Verdi's La Traviata, Puccini's La Boheme ( "both women die of tubercolosis" says B.J. Ward, "only Mimi in Boheme is not as well-dressed ") She has knowledge of opera history, she hates how women are victims in opera, always dying out of love, being screwed over by men (the composers of these operas were sexist men she says but its not like that today). Her wit and humor are very 90's, like a female Jerry Seinfeld, and the arias are exquisite. She sings Vissi D'Arte from Tosca, Como Scoglio from Cosi Fan Tutte, Fiordiligi's difficult showpiece- and she succeeds in singing the whole thing- The Seguidilla from Carmen, in rich mezzo voice, Sempre Libera from Traviata, another coloratura razzle-dazzle piece, with extraordinary strength and acrobatic skill. She sings a rarity, too - "Ernani, Involami" from the early Verdi opera Ernani. She concludes with a tribute to her idol soprano, Licia Albanese in a fine rendition of "Doretta's Dream" aria- Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta. Don't hesitate to buy this album today and enjoy the comedy and operatic stylings of the one and only B.J.Ward...she's a one woman opera in itself.

One line is all I need to quote: B.J. Ward sings Rusalka's Song to the Moon, and calls Dvorak's Rusalka "Disney's Little Mermaid with a Quentin Tarantino ending" !!!

The female version of Victor Borge. B.J. Ward's excellent voice along with witty, truthful and hilarious observations about operas, opera singers and composers is a delight. Lovers of classical music will love to play this album for friends.

I have so enjoyed B.J. Ward's "Stand-Up Opera;" a send up of opera and its traditions. Not only is Ward's comedy entertaining but so is her singing. Although I go to the opera on a regular basis, through this cd I've been introduced to some wonderful new arias. Whether you're an opera newbie or an afficiando, I think you'll enjoy B.J. Ward's performance.

B.J.Ward makes opera both beautiful and fun in this album,and I laughed and smiled the whole time I listened to it.I knew that B.J. was a talented actress and singer,and Now I Know(TM) she's a comedienne as well!

B.J. Ward has taken perhaps the most dreaded musical genre and made it not only highly enjoyable but very funny as well...this tour de force of perhaps the greatest female solos written for the operatic stage delivered in the true operatic styling coupled with Ward's pointed wit not only the music and a few arcane (and laughable) plot points combined with a history of opera and age in which it was written makes Stand Up Opera a pleasure...I'm hoping for a sequel

This is a thoroughly engaging CD. I laughed, I cried...it was shorter than "Cats" She makes many witty observations about opera, but she still shows a great respect for the art form. If you like opera or you want to get to know it better, then I highly recommend this CD to you.

I'm buying this CD after listening to a friend's copy. BJ Ward takes an unusual approach to opera, with comedic stand-up comic introductions. The arias themselves are performed as they would be normally. BJ Ward's vocal quality is average, performed with heart, and genuine. She's a Tom Lehrer of opera, but with more heart to her performances. Great for a unique, fresh view.

I'm buying this CD after listening to a friend's copy. BJ Ward takes an unusual approach to opera, with comedic stand-up comic introductions. The arias themselves are performed as they would be normally. BJ Ward's vocal quality is average, performed with heart, and genuine. She's a Tom Lehrer of opera, but with more heart to her performances. Great for a unique, fresh view.

funny; makes me wish I had been at the concert