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To: "Vocalist" <vocalist>
Subject: Re: Arias Transposed
Date sent: Fri, 4 Feb 2000 20:49:17 -0500
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

the flames sure came out on this one! I guess Placido Domingo
better quit singing since many of the high tenor arias in things
he regularly does are transposed down more than a semi-tone. We
know nothing about the singer who made the original request.
Maybe he is a tenor in baritone clothes as Melchior was (and
probably Domingo, truth be told). If this fellow wants to sing
some popular arias for his own enjoyment let him do it.

How many performances of La Boheme have you been to where the
tenor doubles the soprano on a high "C" in the act closing duet?
Did Puccini write it that way?

Look at all the recital arias that are transposed all over the
place. Last I looked "where 'ere you walk" was written for tenor
voice yet we have recordings from all vocal categories. The 26
songs and arias that everyone sings, including in competition are
transposed for various voices. Most art songs are available in
multiple transpositions. Many don't sound quite write in the
alternate keys.

Alan