Dear List,
this is longish but I hope to get at least some feedback. Thanks in advance.
MY PROBLEM After two years of private voice studies we've started to prepare arias for auditions (for university/conservatory). However, I really don't know, whether I should choose mezzo or soprano arias. I know that the fach question really should not matter now, but I feel I really can't sing both mezzo and soprano arias in the same audition! The problem is mainly caused by
1) my timbre, which is dark 2) my voice, which is quite heavy and 3) the fact, that there are plenties of "genuine" lyric sopranos around - thus I could have better chances in many auditions if I said "Nice to meet you, I'm the mezzo you are looking for"
My teacher is about as confused as I am. Those who hear me for the first time tell me I'm mezzo, those who have heard me over a long period of time and know my voice thoroughly are just not sure. The fach wasn't a problem as long as I sang merely lieder; sometimes the high key was more comfortable, sometimes I had to have lower transposition. I'm now attending an "opera class", which prepares excerpts from operas and it seems I'll have both soprano and mezzo roles.
MY BACKGROUND INFORMATION I've been taking singing lessons for two years. Until last May I sang only mezzo repertoire as I couldn't sing higher than G5. Then, I found my high notes (from G#5 to E6) in May when I realized I had to think "inwards", not "outwards". The high notes are getting each day easier and more beautiful. In the lower register, I hate singing below Bb4. Singing legato has always been very easy but fioritura is more difficult.
THE REPERTOIRE We've started to prepare soprano arias... (I need to have four of them)
Bellini: Eccomi in lieta vesta...Oh, quante volte (My absolute favorite, perfect for my voice) Dvorak: Rusalka's aria Rossini: Selva Opaca von Weber: Und ob die Wolke Mozart: Porgi amor* Mozart: Ach, ich fühl's* *= these are likely to be dropped from my list since they are so commonly sung in auditons
THE QUESTIONS
Should I stick to my soprano repertoire? (unless my voice takes a drastic turn to "genuine" mezzo during this year - the auditions are in May)
Should I compile a set of mezzosoprano arias for above mentioned reasons? timbre, "rareness") (e.g. Voi che sapete, Smanie implacabili... what else? My voice isn't flexible enough for Rossini and I don't have an idea, what the jury thinks about Händel's da capo -stuff)
Should I choose only "zwischenfach" arias like Dido, Santuzza and let the jury choose whether I'm a high mezzo or heavy lyric?
Of course, there's a slight possibility I end up becoming spinto or something even heavier but THAT takes time and I really need to sing something these next 15-25 years, too!
Best regards,
Marika
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