From: Karen Mercedes
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Subject: Re: Un bel di questions
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

I remember my coach telling me that Puccini, like Massenet, is one of
those composers who indicates EXACTLY what he wants the singer to do in
the music. This does not mean that singers always (1) know; (2) respect
that fact. I think you also need to listen to some more recent sopranos'
renditions of the aria. There are often a lot more liberties taken with
music by the "Golden Age" singers (including Tebaldi era), particularly
the Italians.

I'd say you can't go wrong listening to Callas' recording of "Un bel di" -
she never played Cio-Cio-San on stage, but she is arguably one of the best
Cio-Cio-Sans on recording.

KM
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There is delight in singing,
tho' none hear Beside the singer.
- Walter Savage Landor
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