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From:  "Jeffrey Snider" <snide76258@a...>
"Jeffrey Snider" <snide76258@a...>
Date:  Sat Feb 3, 2001  12:58 pm
Subject:  Re: What's in a name?


--- In vocalist-temporary@y..., "Lloyd W. Hanson" <vocalist-temporary@y..., "Lloyd W. Hanson" < > Dear Vocalisters:
>
> It is my understanding that the term Mezzo Soprano is a 20th
Century
> invention.

I've done some research on this topic. The terms baritone and mezzo-
sopran start to creep in during the mid 19th century. As late as
Wagner, however, there are still 4 voice types: SATB. I once had my
hands on an original "Ring" libretto, and it lists FIVE voice types:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Hoher Bass, Tiefer Bass. BTW, only Fafner is in
the last category.

I have found some early editions labeled "for mezzo-soprano" and
clearly the tessitura is for a type of soprano (lots of Gs, for
example.) Look at the "New Imperial Edition: Mezzo-Soprano Songs" and
I think you see the same thing.

Does all of this mean anything? Maybe, maybe not. You are what you
are, and can sing whay you can sing. Still, people like labels. I
favor less rather than more specific. e.g. "Tenor" rather than "Lyric
tenor." Let me decide what kind of tenor you are.

If you want the full lecture on the terms "Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and
Bass," I have that, too.

-JS



  Replies Name/Email Yahoo! ID Date Size
9037 Re: What's in a name? Lloyd W. Hanson   Sun  2/4/2001   2 KB

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