Date sent: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 17:53:05 EST
Subject: Re: Domingo - a baritone?
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>


chosdad-at-concentric.net writes:

<< Isn't it possible he is kind of in-between, and tenor top notes
are hard for him because tenor isn't a perfect natural fit for him,
even though his competitive advantage is optimized as a tenor? >>

I think that the truth is that many, many singers are an in-between fit
for the recognized fachs. Since we all come in so many different sizes why
wouldn't it follow that our voices also come in so many various sizes ? I
know someone who has to buy 2 pairs of shoes because their left foot is
larger than their right foot. I know a girl with one breast that is larger
than the other one. I think that vocal categories should only be a general
approximation anyway. I have also found that some of the most beautiful
voices have a little of the characteristics of the voice category just below
them in them. Such as Caruso with a baritonal bronze in the voice or a Rosa
Ponselle with something of a dark mezzoish quality to her dramatic soprano
voice. Probably much harm has been done to voices by trying to force them
absolutely into these rather artificial categories with no room for variation.