Date sent: Sun, 30 Jan 2000 00:37:34 EST
Subject: Musical Theater Fachs
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Having done ALOT of Bway in my life - as well as opera - I thought I'd add my
2 cents:
Musical Theater "fachs" have MUCH more to do with physical and "tempermental"
types than with vocal types, though this is important as well. But, for
example, - Joan Sutherland would never have played Lucia in the musical
theater version - she simply doesn't look like an ingenue.
That said, there are some roles, and productions, where a more "legit" sound
is required. Candide is a perfect example. Sweeney Todd and Phantom are other
examples - and productions of these shows typically hire many opera singers,
especially in the ensemble, where physical type isn't so important.
Now - it is my understanding that the original question was about auditioning
for opera companies that are doing a musical or two - and would singing a
song "outside" your normal classical fach be considered an error in
judgement. I really don't know the answer to this - but my suggestion is to
sing what you love and show who YOU are - whatever the "fach" that is (bad
pun....)
toi toi
Lorraine Goodman