Date sent: Tue, 8 Feb 2000 01:12:45 EST
Subject: Re: Arias Transposed?
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

karen,
with the exception of your 'this way and only this way' stance, i
generally agree with you that most composers have had a specific intention
when composing their operas as well as their other works. whether their
intentions are perfect or not is not the issue either.
a musician is to make music. there are all sorts of music and all sorts
of musicians. if a musician seeks to be the servant of composers and is happy
doing so, fine. there are musicians who are not happy doing things the way
they are and they must be allowed their way without prejudice. if some
baritone wants to sing 'come dal ciel precipito' and he moves it up to f or
f#min. and does a good job singing it i don't think verdi would have minded
too much, especially if it has been excerpted. i certainly think he would
appreciate a baritone doing a nice job of it in the wrong fach over a bass
screwing it up in the right fach. (and speaking of verdi baritones, haven't
things changed since battistini and de luca?)
i hadn't thought of it before but when i read the word 'unacceptable'
in your post, i started wondering what key 'no, non chiamano mimi' would be
best in.

mike