Paul Robeson’s occasionally noticeable vibrato adds so much plangency and humanity to what he’s singing - and of course Robeson’s struggle for justice - brings tears to my eyes when he sings these songs - no one else is imaginable in this role. And to think of his bitter, hopeful belief that the future might be better for his people - it adds more to his compassionate take on the lyrics. I always feel tears coming to my eyes when Hadley sings almost anything - and here he has so many wonderful colleagues giving perfect expression to the text - oh, Flicka, you beautiful genius - and now it’s Robeson who brings even more wet eyes - how great is our debt to these stunning, perfect artists! 💕
Thank you so much!! This is a gem. I saw it on TV in Australia about 20 years ago and then bought the John McGlinn CD recording, and have longed to see it again. Through it I discovered Frederica Von Stade and Jerry Hadley, and of course the delightful John McGlinn, who was such a joy to watch conducting. I feel so blessed to live in an age where You Tube gives us access to so many wonderful shows and voices.
Show Boat is the greatest musical play ever written. Nothing else can compare. And Ol Man River is the greatest, bravest song in musical theater history.
John McGlynn found his calling. To watch him conducting is a joy to behold. May he RIP. I could watch this video over and over and never tire of it. Just wonderful!! ❤️
It is hard to believe that both Jerry Hadley and John McGlinn are gone. There is a book published about Showboat (the musical) that was shown to me by Sam Sanders, who was the chief sound engineer for The Library and Museum of the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center summer of 1969, which mentions him (Sam) in the preface. I’ve lost touch with Sam, who is by now surely retired from working for Vermont Public Radio, after contacting him circa 2005 or before. I now live about three miles east of the Mississippi River and not far from one of the remaining Showboats at Mud Island, which may no longer be there.
So hard for me to believe they're both gone. Living in NYC I was lucky enough to see Mr. Hadley perform in almost all his roles at the Met and also heard Maestro John conduct 'Pinafore' at the City Opera. I got to meet them both and tell them personally how much I loved the Show Boat recording. Jerry Hadley seemed like such a cheerful, positive person, what a tragedy. May they both rest in peace.
I have enjoyed this stunning and authentic recording for many, many years! Thank you for posting the background of Ferber's coming to create the story. This piece is so important, not only for the musical values, but for the story!
I've just discovered Show Boat, and I am completely obsessed with the music. I just picked up the EMI Angel set on CD for a very reasonable price, and now I discover there is a doc to go with it. Thanks for posting!
I remember reading that Bruce Hubbard had many reservations about the role and the language until he spoke to Eartha Kitt who was a good friend of his and she told him to sing it in memory of what had gone before, so that the era should be remembered and commemorated.
I get quite weepy listening to this. I have owned the recording since it came out but to see the cast and McLynn perform is magic. So sad that the principal men all dies so young BUT this is their epitaph
Thank you so much for sharing this recording! I have enjoyed this studio cast album since I was a teenager in the early '90s and getting into musicals in a major way, and it's so lovely to get a glimpse of the work behind the scenes as well as a history of the show. How sad that we've since lost so many of these stellar musicians!
Thank you thank you for posting this. I recorded it on its original PBS broadcast but couldn't get the damn VHS tape out of the cellophane wrapper in time to catch the beginning!
I have yet to hear a better performance of "After The Ball".Ido not think it could be sung better than Von Stade. She is just perfect. As for John Mc Glinn ,such a wonderfull musician.The world of music owes hima huge debt for his restoration of many "lost " scores
Thank you for posting this. I have long enjoyed the CD of the full work, and love the voices. Now I have some context behind making the recording and more context for the creation of the show itself as the liner notes weren't as detailed. Hammerstein was right to use the N-word. It was correct for the period and place of the show, and it hurts to hear it. Both necessary for the show.
There’s an entire book written about all the productions up to the date of publication. The chief Sound Engineer at Library and Museum of the Performing Arts (formerly together, now split) at Lincoln Center showed me the text, summer of 1969. He was listed in the credits, as best I recall. I remember that the book detailed that the production was rewritten almost every time it was produced. (Not the music of course, but elements of the plot and dialogue). There are still riverboats on the Mississippi and Ohio.
Yes, the book is by Miles Krueger, who is featured in this video. It starts by talking about showboats, then the book, then the musical. Lots of photographs and information.
It's really good they tak about the preserving the context of this -- there's a lot of social commentary here - the N word is used but they explain why they preserved some of that racist language - part of the way slaves were referred to themselves and how they were viewed by the white oppressors... the music here, the acting and singing, this is THE BEST recording of Show Boat I've ever heard
After all these years, I still don’t understand McGlinn’s attitude when the black men’s chorus refused to sing the opening lyrics. McGlinn seemed casual in replying, Well, thank you very much, and then brings in the Ambrosian singers. So much for the authenticity that McGlinn wanted to replicate. The authenticity of the black male chorus was expendable - it would’ve been to McGlinn’s credit if we had some evidence that McGlinn tried to talk to them about what he was trying to accomplish and what Showboat was trying to accomplish. Perhaps McGlinn had no words to convince the black mens chorus members. If so, it would’ve been strange for McGlinn to be at a loss for words …. He goes on and on about Showboat in all other respects ….
Stratus was past her soubrette days by1988. Besides Stratas had a fluttery feminine soulful intense tone. Von Stade was a lyrical naive sound with a slight boyish quality that she was able recreate into a pert dreamy tone. Both made this recording very interesting.
I also.think that Von Stade wasnt right as Magnolia. Maybe they should have changed roles with Stratas who was a soprano. There was the perfect Magnolia in a small role in the recording Rebecca Luker who few years later played Magnolia on stage and I saw her and was excellent.
Jerry Hadley was so special. He is so missed. What a unique talent.
Paul Robeson’s occasionally noticeable vibrato adds so much plangency and humanity to what he’s singing - and of course Robeson’s struggle for justice - brings tears to my eyes when he sings these songs - no one else is imaginable in this role. And to think of his bitter, hopeful belief that the future might be better for his people - it adds more to his compassionate take on the lyrics.
I always feel tears coming to my eyes when Hadley sings almost anything - and here he has so many wonderful colleagues giving perfect expression to the text - oh, Flicka, you beautiful genius - and now it’s Robeson who brings even more wet eyes - how great is our debt to these stunning, perfect artists! 💕
Brilliant recording - outstanding telling of the story, brilliantly casted and directed.
Thank you so much!! This is a gem. I saw it on TV in Australia about 20 years ago and then bought the John McGlinn CD recording, and have longed to see it again. Through it I discovered Frederica Von Stade and Jerry Hadley, and of course the delightful John McGlinn, who was such a joy to watch conducting. I feel so blessed to live in an age where You Tube gives us access to so many wonderful shows and voices.
I was searching for the words but you've said it!!!
Show Boat is the greatest musical play ever written. Nothing else can compare. And Ol Man River is the greatest, bravest song in musical theater history.
Wow, just Wow!
I have been blessed to have this long and remember this . beautiful video . thanks with tears in my eyes. thank you. granny 90
Thank you for your kind words!
John McGlynn found his calling. To watch him conducting is a joy to behold. May he RIP.
I could watch this video over and over and never tire of it. Just wonderful!! ❤️
I agree with you, I would loved to have had the honour of working under his baton, he was ajoy to watch.
Wonderful! Thank you!
Yes, what a breath of fresh air and such Voices! Ah...Thank you!
It is hard to believe that both Jerry Hadley and John McGlinn are gone. There is a book published about Showboat (the musical) that was shown to me by Sam Sanders, who was the chief sound engineer for The Library and Museum of the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center summer of 1969, which mentions him (Sam) in the preface. I’ve lost touch with Sam, who is by now surely retired from working for Vermont Public Radio, after contacting him circa 2005 or before. I now live about three miles east of the Mississippi River and not far from one of the remaining Showboats at Mud Island, which may no longer be there.
So hard for me to believe they're both gone. Living in NYC I was lucky enough to see Mr. Hadley perform in almost all his roles at the Met and also heard Maestro John conduct 'Pinafore' at the City Opera. I got to meet them both and tell them personally how much I loved the Show Boat recording. Jerry Hadley seemed like such a cheerful, positive person, what a tragedy. May they both rest in peace.
Thank you for posting this. I really enjoy watching McGlinn speak here. You can’t fake that kind of passion.
Delighted to find this endearing. Peek behind the scene....with the “greatest” .. thank you for posting this joyous hour.❣️
I have enjoyed this stunning and authentic recording for many, many years! Thank you for posting the background of Ferber's coming to create the story. This piece is so important, not only for the musical values, but for the story!
I've just discovered Show Boat, and I am completely obsessed with the music. I just picked up the EMI Angel set on CD for a very reasonable price, and now I discover there is a doc to go with it. Thanks for posting!
THANKS!
Spectacular account. Thank you for posting. The cornerstone of Musical Theater.
I remember reading that Bruce Hubbard had many reservations about the role and the language until he spoke to Eartha Kitt who was a good friend of his and she told him to sing it in memory of what had gone before, so that the era should be remembered and commemorated.
I get quite weepy listening to this. I have owned the recording since it came out but to see the cast and McLynn perform is magic. So sad that the principal men all dies so young BUT this is their epitaph
oh gosh，this is so precious！
Thank you so much for sharing this recording! I have enjoyed this studio cast album since I was a teenager in the early '90s and getting into musicals in a major way, and it's so lovely to get a glimpse of the work behind the scenes as well as a history of the show. How sad that we've since lost so many of these stellar musicians!
48:42. That's what pure joy looks like! :)
Thank you thank you for posting this. I recorded it on its original PBS broadcast but couldn't get the damn VHS tape out of the cellophane wrapper in time to catch the beginning!
Aha! I have searched in vain for this (apart from a brief excerpt). THANK YOU for posting it!!
Just found the CD of the EMI Studio recording from 1988 on Amazon for $7.00!
But only one brief CD out of 3 originals. One (or two) used copy(ies) remain(s) for sale of the extracted highlights (on one CD)
Best Recording of the Complete SHow
unbelievable thank you so much! 12:21
I have yet to hear a better performance of "After The Ball".Ido not think it could be sung better than Von Stade. She is just perfect. As for John Mc Glinn ,such a wonderfull musician.The world of music owes hima huge debt for his restoration of many "lost " scores
Thank you for posting this. I have long enjoyed the CD of the full work, and love the voices. Now I have some context behind making the recording and more context for the creation of the show itself as the liner notes weren't as detailed.
Hammerstein was right to use the N-word. It was correct for the period and place of the show, and it hurts to hear it. Both necessary for the show.
Gee thanks, Mr voice of Authority
There’s an entire book written about all the productions up to the date of publication. The chief Sound Engineer at Library and Museum of the Performing Arts (formerly together, now split) at Lincoln Center showed me the text, summer of 1969. He was listed in the credits, as best I recall. I remember that the book detailed that the production was rewritten almost every time it was produced. (Not the music of course, but elements of the plot and dialogue). There are still riverboats on the Mississippi and Ohio.
Yes, the book is by Miles Krueger, who is featured in this video. It starts by talking about showboats, then the book, then the musical. Lots of photographs and information.
I hope a 100th anniversary is being considered in all its original and traditional glory.
It's really good they tak about the preserving the context of this -- there's a lot of social commentary here - the N word is used but they explain why they preserved some of that racist language - part of the way slaves were referred to themselves and how they were viewed by the white oppressors... the music here, the acting and singing, this is THE BEST recording of Show Boat I've ever heard
After all these years, I still don’t understand McGlinn’s attitude when the black men’s chorus refused to sing the opening lyrics. McGlinn seemed casual in replying, Well, thank you very much, and then brings in the Ambrosian singers. So much for the authenticity that McGlinn wanted to replicate.
The authenticity of the black male chorus was expendable - it would’ve been to McGlinn’s credit if we had some evidence that McGlinn tried to talk to them about what he was trying to accomplish and what Showboat was trying to accomplish. Perhaps McGlinn had no words to convince the black mens chorus members. If so, it would’ve been strange for McGlinn to be at a loss for words …. He goes on and on about Showboat in all other respects ….
I would have preferred Teresa singing Magnolia and Frederica singing Julie ; their respective voice range.
Stratus was past her soubrette days by1988. Besides Stratas had a fluttery feminine soulful intense tone. Von Stade was a lyrical naive sound with a slight boyish quality that she was able recreate into a pert dreamy tone. Both made this recording very interesting.
I also.think that Von Stade wasnt right as Magnolia. Maybe they should have changed roles with Stratas who was a soprano. There was the perfect Magnolia in a small role in the recording Rebecca Luker who few years later played Magnolia on stage and I saw her and was excellent.
David: I agree!!
I've been listening to this recording since 1989. Magnificent. Tour de force.