Roger Vignoles' Novel Version of Victor Herbert's "I Want to be a Prima Donna"

Roger Vignoles, a collaborative pianist/pedagogue of the first order, is in Toronto this week.  He is giving a masterclass on Wednesday at 10 am in Walter Hall, Faculty of Music, University of Toronto.  On Thursday at 7:30 pm, he accompanies two young American singers, soprano Kiera Duffy and tenor Nicholas Phan, in recital. Vignoles is a highly-sought after pianist and has worked with some of the greatest singers over the years. His masterclass is not to be missed. Here is his hilarious take on Victor Herbert's "I Want to be a Prima Donna," a frequent encore choice by sopranos and mezzos alike. Here we have Vignoles singing (!)—not half badly—and accompanying himself in his own lyrics. You will hear snippets of piano introductions to famous songs like Schubert's An die Musik and Strauss' Cacilie. I find it screamingly funny—well, I guess you have to be a lieder fan to appreciate the humour!

- Joseph K. So