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From:  "Michael" <chosdad@y...>
Date:  Wed Mar 5, 2003  12:40 am
Subject:  Re: Countertenors and repertoire.

Dear Michelle:

Michelle wrote (among other things) that she doesn't like
countertenors, and that "it leaves me cold watching men pretend to be
women".

Just a few quick thoughts - I'm not a countertenor so I'll defer to
others.

Especially with a long message like yours, some paragraph spacing
helps readability!

I think everyone is entitled to their own taste. But I think it is a
mistake to lump "countertenors" into a single group - you might
generally dislike them but there is quite a variety of sound out
there, so be open!

I don't think being a countertenor is strongly connected to
sexuality - for some men it happens to be their best and most natural
voice. I also don't think countertenors are trying to be women -
many of the characters they portray (such as Julius Cesar) are men.

Lastly, as has been mentioned, in other areas of music (rock, gospel,
barbershop, etc.) voices that are not "classical" but could be called
countertenor are common - does your bias against higher male voices
include these styles also?

Cheers,

Michael Gordon




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