Florence Foster Jenkins

[Lokasenna]

So, I went to the cinema last night to see the exceptionally wonderful biopic of Florence Foster Jenkins. It was a superb film, with Oscars surely heading in the direction of Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, and the balance between comedy and tragedy was beautifully done: there were times when I howled with laughter, and I'm not afraid to admit that I cried at the end. Anyone else seen it?

For those who might not be familiar with this leading light of the musical world, Madam Florence (as she liked to be known) is famous for being the worst opera singer in history. She was to the realm of classical music what William McGonagall was to the field of poetry, combing supreme confidence and sincerity of purpose with a total absence of talent. She enjoyed enormous popularity, however, as people flocked to hear her recitals for the unintended comedy they provided. I'm sure some people were laughing at her, which is quite cruel, but I like to think that she brought a lot of joy to people's hearts, which was certainly her intention - even if she managed it in an unorthodox way. There is such joy in her singing - bloody awful she may be on purely musical terms, but there are few artists out there who sound so genuinely happy while performing. Listening to her mangled attempts at Mozart never fails to lift my soul.

For example, what should sound like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP9SX7V14Z4

...is transformed by Madam Florence into this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtf2Q4yyuJ0

Anyone else a fan of Madam Florence?

[Jackson Richardson]

I believe she sang the role of Bellini's Norma - a Druid priestess and often thought of as the trickiest prima donna role in bel canto opera - with a stuffed owl on her shoulders.

I'm not a movie buff but I might be tempted.

[Danik 2016]

I enjoyed the film and specially the music. Your examples are to the point. Marryl Streep probably took unsinging lessons for her role.

[desiresjab]

This is one I will want to see. Streep could pull this role off. It makes me laugh to think of her doing it. I thought her performance in Ironweed was about as good as it gets. To date, that is my favorite, an incredible role. But she always comes up with incredible roles.