never thought I'd be singing caro mio ben on a video game music channel but here we are.

Ellen McLain who voiced for GladOS and also voiced all the turrets in the game who was an opera singer back then. Man her voice was heavenly. She was the one who sang this song and all the ending songs of Portal series.

You really need to watch a video of the moment this plays in the game to get the true experience, its beautiful

I adore the Portal 2 ending. Cara Mia Addio is such a lovely sendoff. It's cute, silly, and surprisingly heartfelt.

I absolutely love that this song effectively serves as the finale to Portal and at least as the dynamic between GLaDOS and Chell. GLaDOS acts spiteful towards Chell through the whole game and at the end effectively says she's not worth killing and just needs to go away and then sends Chell out with an entire song effectively referring to Chell as her beloved child

There's a double meaning in this song: the Italian lyrics say "oh, ciel" (oh, heaven), which sounds like "Chell", the name of the main character. Which makes it quite touching when you take the meaning of the rest of the lyrics (a mother saying goodbye to her dear child) if it's directed at Chell.

This video would have been so much better with the actual cutscene :') Like the confusion of the turrets playing the song and then the singing kicks in... I'd gladly vote for a second part just for you to get the true experience lol

Ellen McLain is an opera singer who sang this mostly off improvised and they loved it, added it to the game itself. Chances are she was just thinking back to those exact songs and singing whatever was foremost in her head. The context, the visuals and the fried mind I had when I got to that part of the game makes this song so intertwined with emotion for me.

This is a song that plays after GLaDOS finally lets you leave Aperture Sciences. It's GLaDOS' final goodbye to someone she got attached to despite herself. It's also something she was preparing to do (probably far less gently) since you can see a few turret practice during a previous level.

I love that the bass that kicks in halfway is the payoff of a joke, there are background bits throughout the game about a King Turret, and right as you're ascending you pass the Fat Lady Turret singing this and then the giant King Turret in the background that you might not have even noticed sings bass.

0:56 You can literally pin-point the moment the funny Italian singer man's heart lit up, and I adore it

I am not ashamed to say that i cried in the ending when i heard this masterpiece

For those who don't know 1:15 what you Can hear is the sound of the animal turret king. To make very easy to understand. Imagine a turret with the size of a flat. That "bong" nose is when he opens and close his "arms" (where the guns are located)

So here's a fun fact: GLaDOS's voice actress is actually an opera singer!

Ah yea, Cara Mia Addio is weirdly enough complementary to the credit song of Portal 2 that plays right after, "Want you gone". The tone is noticeably different but somehow the intention and meaning is the same, and Marco did catch the meaning of the song from the lyrics. Thus combined, it makes for a very satisfying conclusion i won't spoil, it is just that gratifying. Also the scene where Cara Mia Addio is played has the entirety of the song sung by portable turrets that at every turn before the aforementioned scene, was shooting infinite barrages of hot lead with full intention to unalive Chell (the player). Fun to see you analyze the musical aspect of it, Marco.

Wow this explains a lot. I remember hearing that Ellen McLain, GLaDOS's va, despite not actually speaking Italian, basically improvised these vocals based on what she learned in opera xD

Fun fact; Ellen McLain, the singer behind this song, was also asked to make up some lyrics for it. She said in an interview that she basically threw together something that vaguely sounded Latin-ish, but was by no means actual Italian or Latin.

The fact that the lyrics sounds like they were written using Google translates makes it even funnier, damn love this song ahaha

After hearing this song I immediately went to search who sang it and I was VERY surprised it was Ellen McLain, who also voiced the villain in the game (in retrospect it makes sense that GladOS would sing the farewell song). I was even more surprised to learn that she did opera back then.

The expression when the vocal comes in at 0:55 is so good

You know, it's kind of really nice that this one got you to bust out the opera chops so quick.

You'd have to watch the accompanying "gameplay" for the full experience. All the turrets working as instruments instead of shooting you... The situation is so surreal. And at the same time so endearing. .D

You really have to experience that song at the end of the game. The heart sinking feeling right before it begins is something I remember to this day almost 10 years later

Your face at the beginning, glorious XD You have the best 'wait what' expressions! Portal's songs have always been absolutely inspired.

"at first i thought you were my worst enemy, but in the end i realized you were my best friend all along" *proceed to put together an entire turret orchestra as your elevator music as she sends you to your freedom*

I had the privilege and honor of meeting Ellen McLain at two conventions and she is an absolute treasure, and loves the Portal fans. She's an accomplished singer and would probably be totally down to join you for an interview.

Both ending songs for portal are must listens. Still Alive, and Want You Gone

In retrospect it’s a shock this wasn’t already covered

I highly recommend you play Portal 2 (and Portal if you haven't yet). Getting to this point at the end of the game honestly made me tear up, and when you look up the lyrics it's doubly more emotional after the events of the game and the relationship of the the main character and GladOS. It's SO good! The ending is very bittersweet in the best sense.

This song unironically changed my life by getting me into language learning. I learnt firstly what the lyrics meant but then realized I really enjoyed doing it. So then I learnt Italian for a few weeks, then dropped it for Japanese then dropped that for German (which I’ve been learning fora few months now and am enjoying a lot more than Italian xd)

I loved stumbling across this in the game. Your expression when she first starts singing is great. Helps that Ellen McClain is an opera singer, so she was definitely pulling from that experience. I'm not sure how much input she had with the song though. I think regardless of her input she probably found it just as funny. GLaDOS is so damn good. Your singing is amazing and it's great to hear you sing.

You're kind of freaking me out Marco, I have listened to this exact song about 40 minutes ago after someone sent it in discord while we were talking video game music..

The song carries a very great theme for the game. The Singer is the same person who voiced the antagonist and its theorized that GLaDOS when she was human was the adoptive mother of the main character Chell. She is sad to let Chell go but she knows its best for her to leave and stay far away from science the very thing that robbed Chell of a childhood and robbed Caroline (GLaDOS) of her life. Also an interesting fact the voice actor for GLaDOS was actually an opera singer when she was younger before she began voice acting.

Funny thing about the lyrics sounding like a sad farewell is that the song is immediately followed by a different song called "Want You Gone".

I can only remember crying once at a video game. And it was because of this song. It's one of those that hits so much harder when you've played the game.

This gives me chills every time I listen to it!!!! Also I again suggest more StarCraft music. The original music was so unique for its time. And gosh dang you’re an amazing singer!!!

I so do wish you watched this with the visuals, it's such a tear-jerker for someone who loves this world and these characters and this story. It doesn't surprise me at all that this style of song is very old, because this kind of theme is very old, of someone you love going away and how few words it requires to get across that feeling of grief when you send them off. It's a farewell from GladOS to Chell certainly, but it's also a goodbye to the players, a final send-off for such an amazing game.

i love how in the beginning you are just questioning where this will go and then you just don't believe were it went. its fantastic

This song never fails to make me feel things. I love how, right after it, the more robotic version of glaDOS sings her own piece with a completely different tone. But even it's regretful

This song is being played through turrets in the cutscene you should absolutely watch the actual cutscene! It’s really pretty!

I did not expect this to end up here. In fact, i forgot it existed. Brings up many fobd memories... And thanks for the double feature, hearing you sing for an extended part of this vid was very nice ;) Obligatory reminder that Poetal 2 is great. The gameplay, but especially the humour makes it ubique and i wholheartedly recommend you play it if you find the time. It's not too long either. And the impact of this song's scene in context is on a different level.

Personally this song gave me one of the most unforgettable video game experiences 😂

this is one of those tracks where you kind of lose a lot without having the visual aspect along with it.

this song hit extra hard on the second playthrough after looking up some lore. holy shit i got chills

I didn't expect to hear you sing in this video!! This was delightful to watch. ♥️ You should give Portal a try as well!

Woah the amount of the opera singing you do in one breath is amazing

Another great reaction! I also got the chills when you started singing! Thank you for the mini live opera concert!

This song is really funny to me too, but for perhaps a different reason lol. The devs have described the end of Portal two as a breakup in The Final Hours of Portal 2, a book they published on the games development. I've also heard "Bambina" is used a lot like "baby" is for a girl in english, but I'm not Italian so I'm not 100%. But the image of GLaDOS writing an entire opera piece (even a basic one) to break up with a girl who has never talked to her and she says she hates is immensely funny XD

oh men, the video adds so much context to it, still, I'm happy you like this one, such a surprise for everyone, all of the portal songs actually ❤ loved to see you sing 🎉🎉🎉

This was a fascinating video to watch I hope you succeed here, I’ve always been a fan of the opera but never took time to learn the craft behind it

I just watched the full version. It was amazing! And surprising! I smiled thru the entire video. ♥️🙏😍

I love this song so much. I remember when the bass started and I felt a huge sensation but this was pretty enlightning.

I love your takes about how specific musical passages invoke certain feelings or carry certain vibes. I mean I knew music makes people feel things, but the way you break it down makes sense to a layman. I’ve been trying to get into making music as a hobby and it got me to think about what I was doing in ways that I haven’t before. You’re awesome!

It's interesting that you mention how this song reminds you of the songs people practice when they start singing since at this point in the game most of the robots are starting to experience autonomy and a sense of self (especially that 'main' robot, GladOS).

Was not expecting Marco singing. x_x Ever since I heard you sing Nessun Dorma (Which I still can't find the clip of you singing, you did it brilliantly) I've really enjoyed getting to hear you sing.

Just watching the visceral reactions to different parts of the song makes this one so worth rewatching.

When I first heard this song I felt like the whole facility was say ingeniería farewell, and then I stumbled with a translation and I was right, GLaDOS is saying goodbye. I honestly got to like her in the second game.

This was my request, and I'm so, so glad that Marco enjoyed it. I hope the rest of you do too!

AAAAAAAA PORTAL! I used to be so obsessed with Portal lore. I didn’t expect this from you, glad you’ve done it! I’m going to enjoy this 🍿 will edit when I finish watching. OMG thank you for that book recommendation. I’m going to build an OC around it and learn from it myself. Hearing you sing was nice! Made me want to listen to my Ali Project playlist. I hope you’ll play Portal 2 cause it’s definitely a nice (and very challenging) game. Great reaction video :D

The "Chell" in the lyrics is actually a note towards main characters name. Which is literally Chel yeah. And the lyrics may or may not hint some kinda blood relation between her and glados.

I always forget that the voice actor that plays GladOS is actually a professional opera singer

Its so entertaining to see you having so much fun:)

If you listen to this song alone (without seeing the scene and the context) it can sound indeed really bizarre.

It’s the gun turrets who are singing by the way, all of them were made sentient but have to fire at you anyway, just as you are forced to either knock over or destroy many of them, and they say things like “I don’t blame you” “No hard feelings” and “Goodnight” when you knock them over, and this song is all of them gathering to sing you a goodbye

Sophomore vocal music major here. Didn’t expect to hear about the 24 Italian Songs and Arias on a video about Portal 2, but here I am

Oh wow, never actually heard you sing. Based on the pitch of your speaking voice i wouldve never guessed you'd sing in such a low register. Its beautiful

Kind of surprised to see you react to this, it’s has been a beloved song to me for many years. I also very much enjoyed hearing you sing Caro mío ben, a song I also enjoy.

I think an important part you maybe missed or that didn't make it into the video is the line "perche non passi lontana? si lontana da scienza". Scienza has a very multilayered meaning here, and is kinda what makes this song so profound as a "send-off" at the end of the game.

Gotta be honest, this might be the ONE song I've wanted to hear you react to, and you definitely did not disappoint. I've been a HUGE fan of the Portal series ever since the first game came out in 2008, and I *HIGHLY* recommend playing both games whenever you get the chance. They're both relatively short (first one can be completed in a few hours, second is a bit longer because it not only has more levels but also more secrets). So, this song plays at the end of Portal 2, just before the end credits as your character, Chell, ascends from the facility. I won't reveal more than that, because there's a very good reason why not only this song is played but also why it sounds the way it does. It's such an incredible send-off, though... really cathartic, but also melancholic (which you picked up on).

You need to give these games a Chance. Unique experience for game and story!

Love that you bursted nto songs to insinuate your thoughts. Showing instead of telling is much easier to feel while articulation is to understand. Incorporating both style is really awesome.

You nailed every note even sitting down, hats off

I knew I'd see Marco sing in this one! Great video!

Portal 2 is one of my favourite games of all time- I've recently gotten around to actually playing it, and.. I've loved every second of it. The soundtrack for me is up there in my favourite soudntracks together with Undertale and Deltarune's, it's so good. I'm so glad you reacted to Cara Mia Addio. Also, I don't know if it's just me, but... I've always personally interpreted this song as not necessarily GLaDOS herself saying goodbye to Chell, the player character, but more so as the entire science facility of Aperture where both of the games take place saying goodbye to her- because Chell is the child of Aperture. She was there both when she was little and as an adult, she has influenced the events of both of the games... she's the one whose life got shaped by Aperture, and Aperture's story got shaped by hers. This is the whole entire facility letting go of her. The song is sung by turrets, these robots that shoot bullets at you in the test chambers, trying to kill you... but now, they don't shoot. Instead, they sing- saying goodbye to Aperture's daughter. ...Regardless, this song is beautiful and I love it- I appreciated your comparison with traditional opera songs as well. And, also, I think that you'd enjoy more of this game's soundtrack- I think that it would be especially cool to see your reaction to the song Machiavellian Bach, or to the credits songs of the games- Still Alive and Want You Gone.

awesome lol, yeah so basically when making the little farewell chip tune they asked the voice actress for Glados (an evil ai) to just make up some tonal sounds theyd mix into a song, but she was a trained opera singer and knew Italian, so she basically improved that tune at the end.

You singing Per la Gloria d’adoravi pulled a memory out of the depths of my brain of me singing that song for a competition in high school. I have not thought of that in years. Thanks for bringing that memory back, though you enlightened me on the pronunciation that I definitely butchered as my high school self.

This song really takes me back.

Man... Portal will always have its place in my soul and memory. Such a unique experience that i didn't get from any other puzzle-platform game. (Although i should say that i haven't played a lot of them) The story and atmosphere of these 2 games always hit me deeply Man... After watching this i think im gonna go listen through the whole soundtrack

Watching it in game (or at least a video of it) is the best way to consume this song. Or so I thought- apparently Marco watching it lets us hear him sing some stuff, too

12 years later and I learn something new from the game. It just keeps on giving, even after all these years.

Oh wow I didn't expect my last comment on the Bagel Goose video to be so on point! 😄 I watched my bestie play Portal 2 and when we got to this part, I felt like it was the entire facility serenading Chell as you left the Aperture labs, with all the turrets and stuff joining GladOS' farewell. The song lifts as you too are lifted up and freed from the facility. It's a beautiful moment. I had no idea it was rooted in something so basic as...well, a book of basics!

I can't believe I never made the connection to Caro Mio Ben before! My very first voice teacher brought me that song as an introduction to classical singing and I've completely forgotten it. I'm so glad KZfaq brought me to your channel, I don't think I would have never made the connection otherwise! Great stuff, keep it going! :)

When your actually in the game, you would usually not pay attention to/not care about what is actually being sung. The 100+ turrets singing it to you gets your attention a bit more.

you gotta definitely play Portal 1 and 2 now

Ok so now we just need a video of you singing Cara Mel Addio

I'd love to watch his reaction to this scene in game, I can't imagine his face seeing the turrets singing the opera.

I remember learning Caro Mio Ben in my own choir class, and was bummed that the other students weren't as invested into as it as I. Very sweet and tender to hear the song brought up while reviewing one of my favorite Portal 2 tracks, thank you.

I had no idea there was this much behind the song! (Hope I'm not spoiling anything) I think GladOS was expressing herself in a way that the player character was not supposed to understand, because the things she overtly said were pretty much the exact opposite of what she hid in the song. And ... being the egomaniac she is, she had to prove that she actually could have won in the end, but chose not to, which also contradicts what she said several seconds before that. And, based on what the game hints that GladOS actually is ... man, it's perfect.

I didn't know opera was something I needed in my life.

Great reaction!

Interesting to know theres actually a book that every opera singer has, like a sort of how-to-basics opera edition

I have had Cara Mia Addio stuck in my head for the past two days now. Thanks Marco!

Love Portal and Portal 2 and the ending part with the video is one of my favorite things ever!

I'd love to see you cover this now you've played it and understand Caroline's emotions

This has been my favorite song for a very very long time.

This is awesome! Your voice is amazing.

Love that you got caught off guard when the vocals came in

This song is so happy but sad at the same time.

I haven't read Caro Mio Ben or Per la gloria since highschool. I forgot I still have copies of them on hand. I didn't know I needed this.

you should include this on the next round of "opera conductor reacts to video game music", I think it would be a great treat for that sweet lady.