Opera singer reacts to Diana Ankudinova: I can't help falling in love

I react to one of the most requested performances of Diana Ankudinova - I didn't regret it!

I talk a few times about head voice and chest/closed vocal cords in Diana's singing. Check out more about it and how to sing with head/chest voice on my blog:

[linororen]

How about doing what Diana did a long time ago, taking a singing lesson? I give online singing lessons:

[vampboy]

I swear this Diana is a descendant of sirens, her voice is so magical I can't describe it any other way

[douglaspensack]

You know she's something special when experienced singers ask, "how does she do that?" 😃

[AnthonyRodriguez-zmrc]

Welcome to the extraordinary sound of Diana Ankudinova! To those that don’t know, Diana Ankudinova was 18 years old when this performance took place during the 2021 season of a Russian vocal competition called the "ShowMaskGoOn". This cover of the Elvis Presley classic "Can't Help Falling In Love" now belongs to Diana and demonstrates Diana Ankudinova is developing to a true contralto sound. For those that don’t know about female voice types, a contralto is the lowest female voice type and is very rare.

First, to answer a very common question about Diana's vocal range. In 2017, her range was measured from a low of D3 to a high of A5. As of September 2021, about 4 years later, her functional range was measured from a low of C3 to a high of B♭5. But, it's not just how low she can go, it's the exceptional quality of her tone in her lower range. It's also her timbre, the roundness, fullness, and the depth of her voice, along with her ability to create and access an enormous amount of resonance that further define Diana as a "dramatic contralto" voice type, which is the rarest of the rare contralto voice types.

A lot of Diana’s ability has been attributed to her just being born with unique vocal anatomy. Her vocal folds appear to be longer and thicker than most female singers, and her larynx and vocal track also appear to be bigger and longer, which gives her the ability to produce such deep, rich sounds. To really appreciate Diana Ankudinova's vocal progression you should really listen to "Rechen'ka", which is a Russian folk song sung in Russian when Diana was only 14 years old during a vocal competition called "You Are Super!" during their 2018 Season. Next listen to a cover of Chris Isaak's, "Wicked Game" during the 2019 Season of "You Are Super!".

Diana is also a true polyphonic singer which in itself is also an extraordinarily rare talent. What is a polyphonic singer? A polyphonic singer is defined as a singer who has mastered a vocal technique that creates two different tones at the same time which adds to the harmonic overtones and undertones that make it sound like two different voices at the same time. To have s singer as young as Diana master this technique is not only impressive, it is extremely extraordinary. This polyphonic sound is why some people mistakenly believe Diana Ankudinova is using auto-tune, a voice synthesizer, a vocoder or pitch correction software, or some other artificial form of electronic voice manipulation to alter or adjust her sound. Others think another person is singing off stage in the background, or she is lip-syncing over a previously recorded vocal track. There is no artificial manipulating of any kind going on at all. This is a very prestigious vocal competition and Diana Ankudinova is required to use the equipment provided for her to use as all the other competitors are required to do. There was no opportunity for her to bring in, let alone set up, calibrate and test any extra electronic vocal manipulating equipment. What you are hearing is all Diana Ankudinova.

Female singers usually don't reach full vocal maturity until they are somewhere around 24 to 28 years old; some reach it sooner, others, later. I am looking forward to what Diana will sound like when she does reach her full vocal maturity. When she does she will have had many more years of voice training with her voice teacher in addition to more years honing her on-stage performance skills. When that day happens, there will be no doubt that Diana Ankudinova will be a wonder to behold on stage and a vocal force to be reckoned with.

Diana took part in the “ ShowMaskGoOn on” vocal competition in September of 2021. The judges were a panel of nine professional singers that compete against each other and also award judging points to each other. The judge on the top row that stands up first is the famous Russian opera singer, Yusif Eyvazov from Azerbaijan. and the blond woman in the red dress stands and looks shocked at the end of Diana's performance and puts both hands on the top of her head in what looks like total disbelief also knows she is listening to a once in a generation talent. Finally, Diana won this competition.

[odysodys]

Thank you for your expert analysis. Diana was abused by her mother, abandoned at a Vladivostok bus stop in freezing winter with a broken collarbone when she was three. Adopted by an orphanage staff worker. Given singing lessons as a child to overcome speech difficulties. This performance moves me very deeply.

[DaroffApFire]

She's a true Contralto, and it's absolutely amazing to hear.

[teresalehtonen]

The man who stood up is opera singer Yusif Eyvazov husband of Anna Netrebko and he said he has heard many kinds of singers but nothing like this. The power is unmatched.

[daktusdurggery]

It’s extremely upsetting that I can’t find more things like this, I need more music in this key and tone, I need need need this

[bunnybgood]

I love her airy voice. It sounds almost like she's singing two notes at the same time. She is magic.

[hsedbwz]

The traditional performance of the song "Can't help falling in love" evokes a strong association with something cozy, like a homemade fireplace fire, in which a very elderly person once again confesses his love to a loved one. Diana Ankudinova's performance of the song "Can't help falling in love" gives a completely different picture, instead of a cozy fireplace - a raging sea over which the nymph Calypso sings a song to her Odysseus. Grand sound picture, hurricane love like a natural disaster And the hidden sadness of inevitable separation, just magic.
Bravo, Diana!

[Bingbangbingbangbing]

Is nobody gonna mention how abnormally beautiful she is ? The darkness of her eyes can light up the whole universe 😮

[Victory_Gardener]

She sounds otherworldly. I had goose bumps the whole time. I was pleased with your reaction.

[thedolphin]

Anyone who remembers the early versions of this song will immediately hear that she has arranged it into a minor key, for no other reason than it intensifies the natural depth, timbre, and melancholy of her voice. Her power is not in diva-like runs and trills but in the sustaining of a perfectly pitched power-note. An incredible, totally unique performance.

[snzh]

I love her darkness in the voice! Stunning !!!

[FitzieJJ]

And only 18 years old during this performance. Can't imagine what she'll be able to do as her voice and technique continue to mature.

[ObakuZenCenter]

Diana is a force of nature. All singers are to some extent. Some realize it. Some don't. It was wonderful to see your reaction Linor. Thank you.

[lalastahl]

Diana's voice is the most magical I have ever heard in my life, it is out of this world😍😍😍😍😍

[carnagefxmarketslayers]

That voice is definitely from another dimension. I'm beyond goosebumps on another level. Absolutely magnificent!

[Zoom_]

Isn't Diana considered a Contralto? She definitely is one-of-a-kind. The color and timbre of her natural singing voice is just nothing I've ever heard. I also love her stage presence as well.

[suzannesantos]

That darkness in her chest voice kinda sounds like a connected airy rasp, which a makes no sense to me musically. But it’s awesome and unique. I’m scratching my head and trying to Vocalise that sound and timbre. Massively good at resonating that dark sound too. Almost like an echo in a cavern (my mental picture of the soundscape 🥰) Great reaction, Linor! Thank you xx