This is a shame - and one of the reason's why I dont follow reality TV shows. This angers me also. Any thing with a great british public vote - nah.

Infact I'm sorry I watched it. I dont think Midge is particularly suited to opera either - he as much said it himself, hence he had a tougher job than most I reckon, but he pulled it off, and did it admirably - which kinda says something about the kind of artist he is and his talents. I think if he'd have got through his confidence would have improved and next time would have been better.

He probably would not have been in the competition long, I realise that, however I think last night was a mass injustice, which is the infuriating bit. I think Melody should have gone. I know this opinion differs with others and thats fine but for me personally I dont like her voice (and I dont care for the Pussycat dolls) - and I said that before she came up against Midge. It was just dire. The performance was awful. Also, her attitude was awful - the way she insisted on going out 'because she was bored' and subsequently ruined her voice during mentoring. Shes supposed to be a pro and thats her tool - you just dont do that!!! She found it all rather funny.

If people still know who she is in 30 yrs time fair enough. I doubt it though.

I think you hit the nail on the head with Joe - he was very uninteresting in that you almost knew what to expect - but just listening to all the stupid screams on TV was unbearable. Its just a big stupid merry go round. Midge is best out of it.

I just think it would have been interesting to see Midge attempt some more but sadly it wasnt to be. he was voted off by Melody's mentor - just bad luck. He should have gone another week at least.

Tremendous shame and he certainly didn't deserve to go first. I was very impressed with Midge's performance ...in terms of getting into character and how he performed I felt he was brilliant and actually gave the strongest performance of the four. Joe had a voice more suited to opera than Midge but I had no strong sense of the character he was meant to be portraying. Loved Midge's rendition of the Rigoletto aria and I say that from the perspective of someone who likes opera, is familiar with certain arias and is a bit of a Pavarotti fan. So well done to Midge! Despite what some may think I consider he did very well and deserved to go through......certainly more so than Melody who really wasn't a good enough Carmen for my taste. The judge best qualified to evaluate Midge's performance was of course Rolando and he voted for him to go through ... says much doesn't it!?

Unlike others I had expected Cheryl & Melody to be battling to stay in tbh as wasn't keen on either voice (or Katherine Jenkins's for that matter and yes I have heard her sing before) ... just a matter of personal taste and preference.

Not convinced that the vote system was of the best ....in the event of an effective tie the casting vote ought not to have lain with one of the mentors...

Not sure if link to Midge's 2nd performance is on here so....

Midge\'s 2nd portrayal of the Duke

It's about 3.20 mins into it

I think I said previously Melody will finish 2nd behind Andy Bell. The reason I said this about Melody is having seen who is in the competition, I made this judgement as I thought the GBP would vote on her looks as much as for her voice.

However, having read that as far as this show goes she isn't very good as a singer....if she finshes high up....well let's just say the second part of my view about the GBP may well be correct.

Mind you at least since I made my prediction on the first page...I now know who Melody Thornton is!!

No worries. I literlly spotted a posting on fb seconds before posting it here.

I think you're comments and analysis of those key points are spot on.

I'm not a big fan of reality TV shows, but gave this show a chance because of Midge, but it really brought it home that the wider British public don't have a clue when it comes to voting. They vote because Joe is cute(?) and Cheryl is almost an institution. The songs they gave them suited their voices because that is almost how they normally sound when they sing. Melody should have been better at Carmen as it should have been in her range, but she wasn't very good. It was noted by her mentor that she struggled with her breathing and was worse on her second attempt.

Midge was given an extremely hard aria to sing, which was not suited to his vocals or range and I feel this was unfair and possibly shows that they wanted him to go first. It is all about viewing figures and they will get more with the teeny-bops watching for Joe and Melody than with Midge on it.

I do think Midge would have got better and he can at least take the words of Rolando as a comfort. I don't like these programmes because they normally are created for the lowest common denominator and that is viewing figures and money.

As has been said... Why do we phone in and part with our money if they are going to let the judges decide they way they do. It is not impartial if the one making the decision is the mentor.

Joe will win it and I can see this has all been organised to get him back into the publics consciousness, especially with X-Factor coming soon.

The general consensus around the world wide web with the "older" generation, is that Midge should have stayed, so what does that tell you....

Agree agree, agree...AND the final vote was more of a lottery...

Quote:

Originally posted by Moodman:
I'm not a big fan of reality TV shows, but gave this show a chance because of Midge, but it really brought it home that the wider British public don't have a clue when it comes to voting. They vote because Joe is cute(?) and Cheryl is almost an institution. The songs they gave them suited their voices because that is almost how they normally sound when they sing. Melody should have been better at Carmen as it should have been in her range, but she wasn't very good. It was noted by her mentor that she struggled with her breathing and was worse on her second attempt.

Midge was given an extremely hard aria to sing, which was not suited to his vocals or range and I feel this was unfair and possibly shows that they wanted him to go first. It is all about viewing figures and they will get more with the teeny-bops watching for Joe and Melody than with Midge on it.

Agree as well.

At least I don't have to listen to any more warbling women...
...at least I have a new UV album to look forward to...


...and Midge's girls did him proud when they were interviewed.

...and besides Midge is our 'secret' treasure...He is appreciated here!

Well, you could argue she therefore isn't qualified to train/mentor on a programme called popstar to operastar as she has never starred in an opera.
However she is probably right for this kind of silliness - its Rolando Villazon that I don't understand. I can only assume his passion for opera means he wants to share it with a new audience.
Opera is about much more than singing, and whilst I accept that Katherine Jenkins can sing in tune, I don't think she would be able to hold her own in an opera.
Of course she's made enough money from being popular not to need to go and sing a complete opera, so its probably me that's got it wrong!!

If you think she is good (which is fine), have a go at listening to Renee Fleming, Angela Gheorgiou or Anna Netrebko singing some of the same arias. Or go and dig up a Sutherland or Callas recording.
Best is of course to watch a performance as to a certain extent listening to opera without seeing it is like reading Shakespeare instead of going to a play.

Anyway, its good that we don't all share the same musical tastes (apart from Ultravox obviously)

Really, who cares? These shows are bullshit. I wish Midge hadn't even joined the show.

I have & I agree with you. I'll throw another 2 names into the hat too...Dame Kiri Te Kanawa & Sarah Brightman. Of course on the male side you also have Andrea Boccelli & coutless others.

Sutherland I don't think I have heard...Callas - can't remember but 2 very highly rated singers as well.

I care, simply because Midge went out of his comfort zone. I agree it's not a reason to get worked up-I did, but that's my bag and no-one else'- but he did stretch himself. Too bad the fix was in, but Huzzah to Midge for trying. My two cents. Staci

I tend to watch the singing reality shows but tried this one before and didn't like it. I watched this week merely because Midge was on it and although I'm disappointed he went out so soon I'm glad I haven't got to watch it again.

I did think that Cheryl and Joe deserved to go through without facing the sing offs. I thought Midge was better than Melody though.

Ouch!

Neither has Simon Callow to my knowledge, but no one seems to be questioning his place on the panel. I wonder why....it just seems to be the two female members who are taking all the flak.

Anyway, isn't your complaint a bit like saying Jose Mourinho can't manage a top football club because he wasn't a good footballer?

I watched bits on You Tube because it's certainly not a programme I would have watched otherwise and it was painful viewing in many ways.

Midge's voice is a highish pitch so clearly not suited to opera and the "character" he was meant to be playing is so far removed from Midge's personality it would have taken a performance of Oscar winning proportions to have achieved anything.

Bit surprised he took it on actually as he has been highly critical in the past about reality TV from what I can remember in his book and I don't think he needed to do this.

It's like asking Katherine Jenkins to sing Vienna at Live Aid, it just wouldn't have come out right!!!

I take all the points about Katherine Jenkins - its just a personal thing that I am unkeen on these cross-over artists being referred to as opera singers.
Sort of agree about Vanessa Mae and Simon Callow too, though the latter has directed operas.
Its true of a lot of the panelists on reality shows that their qualifications to comment can be a bit dubious. Then again we all like to throw our opinions in and I guess are even less qualified!

Won't be watching anymore anyway.

if you believe this years panel isnt qualified , last year included MeatLoaf & Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Wonder what everyone would have said about them

Good grief, I take it all back, the current panel are fantastic. Still won't be tuning in next week though!

I've just seen the video on youtube and I think Midge did really a good job!
moreover...I simply loved his Italian!

Yes, I was surprised Midge went for it, even with an album to promote. But there was always the likelyhood that he would be voted out early - as I personally feel that his voice isn't as strong as it was, and in any case isn't really suited to opera, quite apart from the 'great British public' voting for things other than the performances - so I think he was very brave to do it and he acquited himself remarkably well. Bravo that man!

And yes, I do think he was better on the second 'take' and that Melody deserved to go - truly scary facial expressions there Just surprised Midge didn't mention the forthcoming album at the end after all that effort

Still, frees him up to concentrate on the greater task at hand, of course

Rob

P.S. As for Vanessa Mae and her claim to have brought violin to the 'masses'. Poppycock. Billy did that long before her and Nigel and all the rest!

to all of you who will not be watching again, midge may appear on sundays show, not live but last year they had footage of the person voted off, on the next show, to get their reaction, and he maybe there for the last show aswell, i was hoping the whole band may perform maybe an old song/ maybe a new song, in a future episode, seeing danny from mcfly was on last years, and appeared sunday, well we can live in hope

Thanks for the tip!

Rob

Still won't be watching!