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From: John Alexander Blyth
Subject: Re: Opera on the Organ, Anyone?
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
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I've heard solo singing with organ that worked well and that didn't. These
points are probably obvious but...
1. The organ should be not too loud, using fairly smooth registration
choices so as not to kill the rich resource of partials in the singers' voices.
2. Make sure that the volume level of rehearsals is the same as for the
performances.
3. Music that requires too much rhythmic precision might be very hard to do,
since(depending on the organist, undoubtedly a strange and wonderful
creature) there is often a delay from when the keys are depressed to when
the sound comes out, not counting the delay from being a long way off in a
big church.
4. This is a chance to sing with something which has a sonority comparable
to that of an orchestra, with the kind of sustain that isn't possible on
piano. At the same time listeners often can't shake the timbre association
of church services and weddings, so 'Carmen' selections might not go as well
as something from 'Faust' or 'Parsifal'! Desdemona's prayer from 'Otello'.
Anything from the Verdi Requiem will sound operatic enough but be genuinely
churchy too! You may want to explore operatic sounding church music, and not
do actual opera at all!
The Haydn "Nelson" Mass has the most marvellous soprano solos. I imagine
Karen Mercedes could furnish you with a complete list, so I'll retire now
:o) john
At 19:37 08/02/00 -0500, you wrote:
>I would like to ask those of you who are knowledgeable on opera for your
>opinion.
>
>An esteemed organization of organists would like to put on a concert
>utilizing singers and do a recital of opera arias and duets.
>
>I am not too keen on the idea - but I was wondering if any of you out there,
>have ideas on repertoire (arias/duets) that would lend itself (tastefully) to
>organ accompaniment. The singers would be a lyrico spinto soprano, lyric
>tenor, & lyric baritone. The organist would be first rate.
>
>Any ideas or BAD IDEA?
>
>Anita
>
John Blyth
Bass/Baritone (as opposed to Bass-Baritone) though I'm really a baritone
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada