To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: Un bel di questions
Date sent: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 00:17:37 -0800
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

I sang Un bel di in a class last week and am a little confused by some of
the comments I received. Not being a Puccini expert, I'm hoping perhaps some
of you can offer me educated opinions.

Firstly, every recording I have listened to (including all of the biggies -
Scotto, Tebaldi, Caballe, etc.), with perhaps the exception of the unnamed
soprano on Karen's website, has the soprano making liberal use of portamento
(aka scooping) between notes. However, I was told in class that it makes
Butterfly sound really old, and should be avoided except where Puccini
specifically indicates with slurs. Was it just that the sopranos I was
listening to recorded it when they were older? What is stylistically
correct?

Also, how big a voice do you need to sing this aria? I am a lyric soprano,
and while I wouldn't necessarily take on the whole role, the orchestration
in this aria isn't such that you need an overpoweringly huge dramatic voice
to be heard (especially when doing with piano). But I got quite the shocked
reaction about how "big" it was when I announced what I was singing (very
intimidating reaction to get right before singing!). My voice teacher thinks
it is appropriate for my voice - what is the usual requirement for size?

Thanks in advance for your help. I really appreciate all of the knowledge on
this list!

Jennifer

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine
picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not
obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human
soul. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer and scientist (1749-1832)