Tako:
I cannot speak for the methods used by English tenors because such techniques vary greatly. Generally, the degree of subglottal pressure is a determining factor in the quality of tone because it is determined by, and determines the amount of closure time during each oscillation. The longer the vocal folds remain closed (within an acceptable limit) during each oscillation the more likely that the sound produced will be richer in upper partials.
It is not possible for a tenor (such as Pavarotti) to continue singing in a form of chest voice up to high C's and D's. This would require that the musculature of the vocal folds was an active vibratory part of the mechanism which is not possible at these pitches, at least not if any longevity of singing is sought. Pavarotti has had a long and illustrious career. His ringing high C's are in head voice with the vocal ligament and mucosal membrane being the primary active oscillating portions of the folds and the muscular portion only "along for the ride". The fact that he chooses to sing these tones more brightly than say, Björling, is more a matter of his innate vocal tract characteristics and his use of brighter forms of the vowels. The vocal folds are in head voice mode.
-- Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA Professor of Voice, Pedagogy School of Performing Arts Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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