George Boyle
In Season 5, Episode 14 of Parks and Recreation, Donna (Retta) surprises viewers with a solo performance of The Flower Duet from the 1883 opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes as Ben and Leslie walk into their wedding. While some viewers were critical of her performance, the song choice was a recognisable one, having been used in movies and TV shows before, including the 1983 vampire movie The Hunger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the character singing at the wedding | Donna |
| TV Show | Parks and Recreation |
| TV Episode | Season 5, Episode 14 |
| Song | "The Flower Duet" aria from the 1883 opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes |
| Singing ability | Untrained in opera, off-tune, and out of her natural range |
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What You'll Learn
Donna's singing ability
In the Season 5, Episode 14 of 'Parks and Recreation', Donna (Retta) surprises viewers with a solo performance of "The Flower Duet" aria from the 1883 opera 'Lakmé' by Léo Delibes as Ben and Leslie walk into their wedding. While some viewers were taken aback by the character's hidden talent, others were less than impressed, with comments on her pitch, tone, and breathing technique.
Despite the mixed reactions, it is established that Donna is indeed singing in the episode, and her performance showcases a soprano vocal range. This is notable as opera singing is often associated with the mezzo-soprano or soprano ranges. While some viewers speculated that the actress might have opera training, others refuted this, suggesting that her performance indicated a lack of formal opera training.
The choice to have Donna sing at the wedding may be rooted in the actress Retta's own background, as she includes an opera-themed bit in her stand-up routine. Additionally, it is worth noting that "The Flower Duet" has been prominently featured in other films and television shows, such as the 1983 vampire movie 'The Hunger' and a series of British Airways advertisements.
Overall, Donna's singing ability, as showcased in the wedding episode, adds a unique and memorable touch to the celebration, contributing to the episode's impact and leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
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The song choice
In the TV show Parks and Recreation, Donna (played by Retta) sings a selection from "The Flower Duet" aria from the 1883 opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes at Leslie and Ben's wedding. This was a surprise to viewers, as it was not known that Donna could sing. While some viewers questioned the quality of her performance, others pointed out that Retta has an opera-themed bit in her stand-up routine.
"The Flower Duet" has been used prominently in movies and on television before, including in the 1983 vampire movie The Hunger and in a long-running series of TV advertisements for British Airways.
If you were looking for wedding songs by the artist Donna Summer, some popular choices include "Dim All the Lights", "Hot Stuff", "I Feel Love", and "Last Dance".
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The opera-themed bit in Retta's standup
Retta, the actress and stand-up comedienne, is known for her role as Donna Meagle on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. She is also a former opera singer, having trained in opera and performed for Conan O'Brien in 2012.
During her stand-up performances, Retta often incorporates her love of opera. In one such instance, she recounted a story about a woman who sneered at her for singing along to rap music. In response, Retta rolled down her window and belted out Vivaldi's Laudamus Te, showcasing her impressive vocal range and mimicry skills.
In another instance, during the wedding episode of Parks and Recreation, Retta's character, Donna, showed off her soprano pipes, which was a nod to Retta's own opera-themed stand-up bit. This multi-talented performer has also showcased her singing abilities outside of her stand-up, such as when she performed for Conan O'Brien.
Retta's journey into the world of comedy and acting began when she decided to pursue stand-up comedy after working as a chemist. She moved to Los Angeles, toured colleges, and honed her craft. Her unique perspective and witty commentary, often shared through Twitter, have made her one of the most beloved and relatable comedians on television.
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Donna's range
In the TV show Parks and Recreation, Donna (played by Retta) sings an aria from the 1883 opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes. She performs a selection from "The Flower Duet" as Ben and Leslie walk into their wedding.
While Retta has an opera-themed bit in her stand-up, Donna's performance in the show is considered by some to be out of her natural range, with her breathing off and her tone described as "high and airy". This is especially noticeable when she sings the Lil Sebastian song.
Despite this, Donna's soprano pipes are showcased in the wedding episode, and her performance adds to the natural glee of the occasion.
If you are looking for songs by a singer called Donna to play at a wedding, Donna Summer, the "Queen of Disco", has a range of songs that would be perfect for a wedding vibe. "Dim All the Lights" is a romantic slow song, while "Hot Stuff" is a high-energy banger. "I Feel Love" and "Last Dance" are classic hits that will get your guests on their feet.
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The song's recognisability
The song that Donna (Retta) sings as Ben and Leslie walk into their wedding is "The Flower Duet" from the 1883 opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes. This famous aria has been used in several movies and TV shows, including a British Airways advertisement and the 1983 vampire film The Hunger.
The choice of this particular aria, with its recognisable melody and associations with love and romance, was likely deliberate to create a familiar and heartwarming atmosphere for the wedding scene. The use of an opera duet also adds a touch of elegance and humour to the scene, especially as Donna performs it solo.
While some viewers have commented on Donna's apparent lack of opera training, with observations about her breathing and pitch, it's clear that the performance was meant to showcase the character's hidden talent and add a unique and memorable touch to the wedding celebration.
Overall, the choice of "The Flower Duet" for Donna's performance at Leslie's wedding demonstrates the show's attention to detail and its desire to create a meaningful and recognisable musical moment that would resonate with viewers and enhance the celebration.
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Frequently asked questions
Donna sings "The Flower Duet", an aria from Léo Delibes' 1883 opera "Lakmé".
Yes, the actress who plays Donna, Retta, is singing. However, it is clear that she is not trained in opera.
It is unclear why Donna sings a duet on her own. One possible explanation is that the character sang when she was younger and knew the song.
Yes, the song is from an opera. Specifically, it is an 1883 opera called "Lakmé" by Léo Delibes.
Yes, "The Flower Duet" has been used in other movies and TV shows. For example, it was featured in the 1983 vampire movie "The Hunger" and in a series of British Airways advertisements.
