But the most important thing is "Can you sing the rep?" I would never say "Callas was great because it says somewhere in a book that she had THIS big a range". I would say that her persona on stage, her phrasing, her tone, her communication with the audience and many more things are what made her a great performer. So, if someone reads that Mariah Carey can actually physically sing lower than you can hear, and also songs purely for dogs to listen to, then fair enough if that's how they want to judge someone. Personally I'd rather use my ears.
Colin Reed, tenor Newark, UK
----- Original Message ----- From: "Earl Presley" <egpburk@s...> To: <vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com> Sent: 02 February 2003 19:32 Subject: Re: [vocalist] Question
> > Range has always been part of the criteria for vocal catagorization. Tessatura is probably more important than range, but the great ranges of Minnie Riperton, Mariah Carey, and for that matter Sills and Calas separate them from their competition and allow them to do repertoire that others find difficult if not impossible. So to answer the question "who cares?" - everyone does. It is reflected in audience participation everywhere. Countertenors, coloraturas, whistleregisters - all intrigue us as singers, teachers, and audiences alike. > Earl Presley, MM, MTS, BME > LYNDA313@a... wrote:In a message dated 2/2/2003 1:15:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, > johnlink@n... writes: > > > I'd like to know who is doing the crediting. It is absurd to believe > > that Mariah Carey, or anyone, for that matter, could posses a range > > greater than the piano. > > > I know it must sound flip, but honestly, who cares how super-wide a range is? > If a voice is beautiful, expressive, healthy and flexible, having 3 or 4, or > 8 (!) octaves is great...if it is harsh or inflexible or unhealthy, even the > widest range is not something I want to hear in a performer. Just my gut > reaction to the topic. I know some may be impressed from a scientific > standpoint, but I'm not in that group. > > Lynda Lacy-Boltz > Raleigh NC > > > > > > > > > > > >
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