Stephen Sondheim slams Lady Gaga's 'Sound of Music' performance, Oscars producer slams back

[Americano 31,061]

Everyone has an opinion, it doesn't mean his matters. LOL.

Yeah, he was involved in the film, but who the **** said she needs approval on her performance to begin with? Getting people from the original track to enjoy a cover is a bonus, not a must.

He doesn't need to "shut up," but no one needs to listen either. Certainly not Gaga.

There's no such thing as a "respected" person disliking it and suddenly it's more valid than anyone else. Plenty of people probably didn't like it, but millions did, so who cares in the end.

[Der Meister 3,000]

How can a "living legend" call another artist a travesty… I'm sorry, but in my opinion his arrogance shows that he is just an old disrespectful man.

[Bambino 24,122]

Don't get all worked up over what he says. It's just his opinion  

[Andy McQueen 4,484]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7uj8flByqs 

 

[2007 5,291]

Whether or not you agree, the "no one cares about your opinion" comeback is the real travesty here

Why is it travesty? He didn't lie tho, after 100000000000000 praising from the media, public, and high figures, why would anyone care for his unpopular-unprofessional-late opinion? Lol

He doesn't need a seat, actually show him where his bed at cuz it seems like hes been sleeping the whole last month (if not year), giving me sleepinh beauty teas. Bye/

[Henry 2,374]

ooooooooo that flawless drag tho

[Punky 15]

A "travesty"? Really Stephen? 

[ChicaSkas 22,421]

The "who" comments

Ever heard of Into the Woods? Sweeney Todd? Yeah, he wrote those. Arguably, the greatest living composer.

Having said that, I (obviously) completely disagree. It wasn't her "versatility" that brought tears to people's eyes.

​Discussion of Sondheim and his works pretty much dominated my entire latter part of music history class last year  

And mentored by Oscar Hammerstein HIMSELF... when will your faves

I kinda see where he is coming from, it wasn't really operatic per se, but it was a great thing to see Gaga's versatility.

[Willy Wonka 4]

​

I don't know if this is directed at me too, but I wasn't hating nor trolling and I don't think Willy Wonka was either. It's not about defending what he said (personally I don't agree at all) but it's about people thinking he is an old random person, calling him all sorts of immature things, when in fact he's the one who has the most authority to say anything on the matter, not only because of his importance in the medium but because of his connection to Hammerstein, one of the Sound of Music composers. He's the most qualified person to comment on his work. They just don't want to acknowledge it because *gasp* he said something negative about Gaga and go automatically in stan mode, attempting to drag him like they would drag Perez Hilton. So everybody calling him pressed, jealous, stupid, irrelevant and not accepting the importance of his opinion, no matter how wrong, should pick up a book, learn who he is and then post.

​

Exactly. I couldn't have said it better. I've never said his opinion was right. I don't agree with it at all. I can see where he's coming from, but I don't share his opinion. I loved her performance and I've watched it over and over and over.

That being said, I respect him and his opinion. He phrased it harshly and bombastically, but he's more than qualified to comment on it.

Furthermore, I don't understand how someone can take issue with the use of the word "travesty" while simultaneously insulting and berating him. But that's the predictable stan reaction: you don't like what he said so you instantly make personal attacks. It's sad and disrespectful, not to mention hypocritical.

[Rae 86]

Obviously his opinion is wrong, and now he is tarnished.

Another L.A. Reid

[Willy Wonka 4]

​

.....wtf? You do realize you're doing the EXACT SAME THING right? People have valid criticisms of Sondheim but because he means a lot to you, you're making it sound like it's disrespectful to call him out.

He means nothing to me haha. I'm not really involved in theatre anymore. I've never done a Sondheim show and I've never seen one professionally performed (apart from recordings and movies). I would have this defense for anyone: Stan culture sucks and just because you don't like what he says doesn't mean you have to engage in personal attacks or try to trivialize his accomplishments. That's what is disrespectful. And Craig was unprofessional.

[djBuffoon 12,030]

​I also know about Grease and I don't care who the **** wrote it. And it's not like Sweeney Todd is a masterpiece. 

​Yeah, it's only one of the most iconic and widely respected musicals ever written.

[djBuffoon 12,030]

​Discussion of Sondheim and his works pretty much dominated my entire latter part of music history class last year  

And mentored by Oscar Hammerstein HIMSELF... when will your faves

I kinda see where he is coming from, it wasn't really operatic per se, but it was a great thing to see Gaga's versatility.

​Oh, I totally believe it. Been a huge fan for many years, his music is thrilling/complex/gorgeous, and many of his roles (Sweeney, Bobby in Company, Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods, etc.) are on my bucket list to play.  He's a true genius, and it's really hilarious to read people here being so proudly oblivious.

I also see where he was coming from. Gaga is a true alto, not a soprano. And while I loved the quality she brought to the performance, and I do believe she made a connection with the lyrics, I can understand why he might have wanted... not necessarily something better, but something else. 

[giskardsb 12,565]

I think the biggest problem was his choice of the word "travesty", which the performance clearly was not and is simply an inflammatory word to be using.   Basically like members here who drag Gaga to hell for something and then call it "constructive" criticism.

He could have simply said how he would have preferred it to be sung, or gave an actual reasonable critique.  Instead he chose to use inflammatory language which was unnecessary.  In the same interview it also seems he is quite biased by the fact that she is a pop star and that colored his perceptions.   Even musical geniuses have their own built in biases, and he clearly has a preferred way and type of person that he believes should sing those songs.

But "travesty", no way.   Was Gaga perfect, no.   She did on rare occasions lose strength in her breath, and she came into the last note just slightly flat.   But "travesty?"  Not even close.

[Der Meister 3,000]

He means nothing to me haha. I'm not really involved in theatre anymore. I've never done a Sondheim show and I've never seen one professionally performed (apart from recordings and movies). I would have this defense for anyone: Stan culture sucks and just because you don't like what he says doesn't mean you have to engage in personal attacks or try to trivialize his accomplishments. That's what is disrespectful. And Craig was unprofessional.

​Blablabla

Now can you imagine how Gaga is feeling right now? She is a human after all, when people criticise something that you worked really hard on it sucks. And she wasn't alone in this project, all of Oscar produtors were involved in too. So Craig has all the right to respond to his comment.