Discover Top Posts Tagged with #opera advice

opera advice 1

if we want to kill someone we shouldn’t just go and stab them. we should come up with a complicated plan that will kill everyone by the end, including us, but it causes a lot of singing.

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Any aspiring opera singers NEED this. It's like the bible of opera singing

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What do you think about the current idea that the vibrato is out of style?

That’s a very good question! So for me, vibrato depends very much upon the repertoire you are singing. For early music (e.g. Renaissance and Baroque) “straight-tone” is used. This means a complete lack of vibrato and a flat sound to the note, meaning the pitching must be precise, this is characteristic of the music at that time. The use of vibrato developed across all of Western music from Baroque (1750) onwards. For most people, the use of consistent vibrato is associated with the classical opera repertoire. For opera, vibrato should be used consistently throughout the entire range and at all volumes. Too fast vibrato (flutter) and too slow vibrato (wobble) are particularly undesirable in nearly all types of music.

That’s enough about classical music, onto musical theatre which I’m assuming is what you’re talking about in terms of “out of style.” Due to the distinctively classical sound of vibrato, in a popular musical vibrato can seem incredibly out of place. To me, usage of vibrato depends on the piece being sung. For example, in something like Hairspray (a pop based musical) vibrato is not particularly suitable for the style. In this situation, vibrato should be used to colour and express emotion. Vibrato adds a depth which can be used to portray various emotions e.g. excitement, joy etc and to highlight particular parts in the music. On the other hand, a classical influenced musical like the Phantom of the Opera, is suitable for a classical use of vibrato. The Phantom of the Opera, telling the story of an opera singer, has a history of classical influence with singers like Rebecca Caine and Harriet Jones playing the role of Christine. In recent years, a more “contemporary sound” has been desired for people playing that particular role, meaning that like most modern pop music the use of vibrato is decreased. In my opinion, this is incorrect as something designed to be a pastiche/parody of an opera, should be sung by those who have a solid classical technique.

To me, musical theatre has sort of been unified with a minimal amount of vibrato across all the different musicals, it is a lot less distinctive than it should be! Classical use of Vibrato is out of style, however, a different type of “masking” vibrato seems to be emerging, this is what should be avoided.

I would say to people who think it is “out of style”, based on my experience, vibrato should not be a mask for poor pitching, however, It should only be a way to create a particular timbre in all types of music! If vibrato fits the piece and produces the desired effect, use it. If it does not fit and masks poor singing (or in fact any type of instrument) do not!

(note: this is just my opinion, I’m not a voice teacher so it may depend on what you’ve been taught)

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What are some good operas for beginners who do not have a very long attention span?

Now that’s a good question! I’ve thought a lot about beginner’s operas and how to get into opera and here are my top operas I’d recommend for beginners (although an attention span is pretty necessary for all opera!):

1. Carmen by Bizet - depending on the production it tends to be around 3 hours including interval. The exciting story follows the gyspy Carmen and her various love affairs. It is FULL of some of the best known opera arias and chorus pieces. The Royal Opera House (ROH) 2015 Autumn season sells particularly cheap tickets, a production not to be missed. Some of the most famous songs include: Toreador, Habenera and the Gypsy Song

2. Le Nozze di Figaro by Mozart - full of bright and memorable arias, Le Nozze di Figaro is amusing as well as musically stunning. It is the perfect opera in terms of amusing characters and lyrics, great story (based on the plays of Beaumarchais), brilliant setting/costume and of course most importantly phenomenal music. As part of the ROH Autumn season Le Nozze di Figaro is also on. Some notable arias are as follows: Voi Che Sapete, Porgi Amor and Deh Vieni non Tadar (as well as the incredibly well known Overture.)

3. Dido and Aeneas by Purcell is less well known, but for opera, Baroque opera is often easier to listen to, even if productions are few and far between. Written in 1688, it was initially written for a Girl’s School in London meaning the parts are easier than some and therefore less of a challenge to listen to than some. With a running time of only an hour it would probably be the most appropriate to someone who has no exposure of the music of opera. The story is also well known and also has some beautiful (if a little depressing) arias: Dido’s Lament and Oft She Visits This Lone Mountain

I hope this helps, if not I’m always happy to recommend more! xx

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