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From:  Axwell@a...
Date:  Fri May 26, 2000  6:36 pm
Subject:  Re: [vocalist-temporary] American School of Countertenors WAS: David Daniels,...


In a message dated 5/26/00 9:11:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time, toda@m...
writes:

<< IMO, any countertenor with a true CT instrument who trains for the
operatic repertoire will start to sound more like a female opera singer,
since he is using a phonational technique similar to that of a woman
(fully adducted cords for a true head voice instead of falsetto). >>


What I don't understand is why is there any need for a man to
sound like a
woman. Aren't there more than enough women to play these parts ? What is
the
advantage of having female sounding men. Is it so that they can play drag
parts,
and if so, what are the drag parts ? Would baba the turk be considered a
drag
part because she has a beard ? What are the other drag parts in opera ? Or
have I misread the use of counter tenors ? I don't particularly care for
David
Daniels. I think that there are too many real women that sound better. Why
should
a sopranoish sound be coming out of the mouth of Caesar ? Is the author
trying to
make some type of historical statement about his manliness of lack of
testosterone ? I can understand if a character such as Caligula were
protrayed
in such a manner, but I have never read anything about Julius Caesar to
justify
this type of portrayal. I understand the use of mezzos to portray adolescent
boys.
It is easier to imagine youth with a sopranoish voice than a fully developed
masculine voice. Also I believe the writers had an idea that they were
giving their
audiences a thrill by showing female calves and ankles in those days.













  Replies Name/Email Yahoo! ID Date Size
1912 Re: American School of Countertenors WAS: David D John Alexander Blyth   Fri  5/26/2000   3 KB
1923 Re: American School of Countertenors WAS: David D Oberon603@a...   Sat  5/27/2000   2 KB

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