Famous lesbian opera couple

Yikes!

She one-ups Michelle in the linebacker category.

They are talented people who have gone through a long training period to rise to the top of their field.

True, the video is not very polished and their dialogue on camera is a little awkward. So what?

Lame queen posting here is dying to be on the A-List. Methinks his arse is too fat.

Ah, DL! No place better for focusing on non-essentials.

The tall lady didn't have to walk into the frame like that. It scared the shit out of me.

That's great, thanks for posting that OP, I don't know much about Opera so I'm not familiar with them and always like to hear about couples.

Bravi!!!

Pat Racette is the most prominent out lesbian in a small artistic world lined with closet doors. Good for her!

I agree, OP -- and the looks on the blonde's face while the brunette was doing it told volumes.%0D %0D %0D I say abusive and/or co-dependent relationship.

If anyone wears the strap-on, it's the blonde (who is also a great singer). You boys are pretty clueless re our sisters.

Beth is the Portia of the opera world. She hitched her trousers to Pat's star and ditched her partner of almost 10ys back in '97 at Santa Fe. It was a gross spectacle to be witness of but their relationship has lasted and I applaud their visible OUT status.

Is that the conductor/singer couple or is that another out lesbian couple in the Opera world?

whose who?

Glass houses, OP.

They look like a nice couple to me. The tall one is hot, except for the nose.

[quote]conductor/singer couple %0D %0D who might that be?

I know them both and they are good people.

Creepy possessive body language. And Pat reminds me of Giada a little bit (that 32-tooth smile).

They are both wonderful people. Being open about their sexuality hasn't hurt either of their careers, which says something positive about opera over other fileds like theater, movies, pop music or tv. Yes, there are still some closeted or "not openly gay" opera singers and conductors but to criticize Pat and Beth for doing something public seems really really petty, even if it isn't as polished as others.

So are there rumors about any other lesbian opera couples?? Why does it seem that in any field there are loads more out gay males or couples than lesbians?? %0D %0D Pat Racette has said in interviews that she recieves far more unjust treatment because she's a woman than because she's a lesbian. The bitchy comments on this thread only serve to prove that point. %0D %0D Posters here always complain about high-paid entertainers being closeted to protect their pocket books, yet when one of the best sopranos today does an extremely brave thing what we get are petty and idiotic comments about looks and imagined relationship "issues".%0D %0D Why must DL always have the stink of misogyny??

You hit the nail on the head r19. Both the straight and gay men in opera OVERWHELMING make it a horrible place women

Anymore lesbiaopera couples?

Anymore lesiaopera couples= Anymore lesbian opera couples??

They're a beautiful, talented and successful couple.%0D %0D Of course the bitter queens on DL would have a field day with them.

Why do you stay then r23?

Cute, out, conducting a new production of Don Carlo at the Met in December. New music director of Philadelphia Orchestra.%0D %0D Bitch away!

what about the picture of the lady with a bird in the background?

Who are the "not out" opera performers and conductors?

What about it R26? The interview, which was lively and charming was filmed in the lower lobby of the Metropiolitan Opera, which serves as a portrait gallery of opera greats; haven't you ever been there?

It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.

Isn't Jessye Norman rumored to be gay?

I've never heard that about Jessye Norman, but it makes sense. Joan Sutherland(RIP) was always rumored to be gay and in a co-beard situation with her husband Richard Bonynge. There is a dramatic soprano, Jeanne Michele Charbonnet who is not famous but very successful. She sings all over the place, mostly in Europe. She's been in a relationship with her partner for 25 years or so, maybe more. They have a son together. She is very out. I'm a singer too, again not famous. I have to say the misogyny in the opera world is staggering. It's almost better to be a lesbian there because while you might be mocked, at least you are afforded a little respect. If you are a straight woman in opera, you are at the mercy of mean,jealous queens everywhere you turn. This isn't to say that there aren't really wonderful, supportive, massively talented gay men in opera as well because there are. But it really does attract the worst kind of bitter queens. I'm not sure why.

I found out who the the conductor/singer couple is: Karla Lemon and Christine Brandes. %0D %0D Unfortunately Karla Lemon died last year aged 55. What a shock.

Thank you, r32. That is so sad. How old is Brandes?

What about Nathan Gunn? Can he be gay, please?

Don't think so, [R34] but there are plenty of very cute baritones who are.

Name them, r35.

No, I do not live in the United States. I also wondered if the bird had a special meaning to the interview.

wow, Clayton could strap on for me anytime.

and I'm a man.

and usually top.

I have heard of Jeanne Michel. I knew her teacher, the notorious Trish McCaffrey. Glad to hear she has a good life.

Trish McCaffrey ahhhhhhhh

I studied with her, mega nightmare and for the life of me I couldn't see what was so special about her "technique". Also seems to be married to a very sweet gay man. Go figure

What about Jeanne Michel? Is she family?

There are several gay opera singers. Historicaly several were gay, including Schorr, who fled the Nazis, and Max Lorenz, who was tolerated and protected. Crespin was a lesbian and Tebaldi never married but was said to be married to art. Hmm. I know of one current gay singer, a very handsome Pole. Don't know if he discusses being gay but it is well known in the biz. See link.

In Australia, there's the out and proud couple of Judi Connelli and Suzanne Johnston. Both terrific performers, and they do make the occasional trip to the US to perform.

Judi Connelli has a very in-crowd following in NYC, after an incredible US debut many years ago at the Cabaret Convention at Town Hall. She performed a Sondheim medley that sent the boys through the rafters.

I have met Judy Connelli - she sings Fifty Percent with feminine pronouns. Great performer.

Judi Connelli interview.

Judi Connelli sings THE ROSE - 1994

Amazing what one can surmise from ones body language. I've worked with both these singers in numerous productions. Beth is controlling and insecure which is understandable due to pat's career completely overshadowing her own.

I know Miss Racette to be a good singer, I heard her Butterfly from the Met a season or two ago. On the other hand, Miss Clayton just sang the role of Carmen here in town this past weekend. There was a big article in the local rag about her being Racette's partner and the couple having made the "It gets better" spot. %0D %0D I attend her performance Saturday evening and I have to say that in all my experience as a musician and opera lover that I have never heard a worse performance of this opera in my life. Vocally, there there was so much wrong with this performance. It sounded like she was working with one lung. Half her lines were lost because of poor projection and her phrases ususally ended flat. She seemed rather stiff in her acting throughout the opera. She was not the worse, the Micaela was actually worse than Clayton. The conductor must have spoken to both women after the act 2 intermission because Micaela's singing got better in act 3. All the leads in this performance except for Peter Volpe who sang Zuniga were awful. The comprimarios did a better job than the leads. %0D %0D I'd never heard of Clayton before here appearance here, don't know if I would ever want to hear her again. She'll never sing at the Met with Patricia if she keeps on like this.

the big one simply seems like a mezzo to me, they all have those jaws and squared shoulders. The soprano reminds me of my sister's partner

R25, I was happy that when he was given the "Grand Tour" of the PHilly after becoming Director designate that he openly wandering the city with his partner, and that it was openly recounted that way by the press.

Lose the strap-on fantasy, I'm eating breakfast.

[quote]She was not the worse%0D %0D Sigh.

Oh shut up R[52] unless you've never made a typo

Judi Connelli looks like she could be Judy Davis's older sister.

Hey R42, thanks!!!%0D %0D I had no idea Mariusz Kwiecien was gay; he has a wonderful voice and he is really dynamic on stage. He has quite a good career these days.

Cuties!

sweet

I really liked the video of Pat and Beth!

Judi Connelli is gay?

"Judi Connelli is gay?"%0D %0D Both gay and a lesbian!%0D %0D (Surely she doesn't look straight to you, does she?!?)%0D %0D She's a nice person, by the way.

I am appalled and ashamed of some of the comments about pat and beth, two gifted and brave women who represent our community with dignity. I watched the video, which I find kind, sweet, natural and effective.

there is absolutely NOTHING in it that could possibly warrant these nasty, ignorant, and homophobic posts. SHAME !!! whose side are you on ?

Well, Patricia Racette just won a Grammy. Best opera recording, The Ghosts of Versailles.

Any info on Leontyne Price or Marilyn Horne?