Well, here's a third opinion to toss into the mix for what it's worth . . . To me, the term "Classical" is a misnomer. "Classic" (meaning popular beyond its age) would be a better term but even it no longer works in my estimation. The bulk of the opera performed today is from other periods than "Classical" in any case.
Things change; they change whether we like it or not. Popularity changes values AND values determine what is popular. Ironic huh? The two are inextricably intertwined but then, that's the way the real world is.
I see vocal music and the education required to perform it, as it exists today, as having a range from the extremely formal to the extremely informal. In formal singing, i.e.; opera, operetta, oratorio or art song recital, a formal education is an absolute necessity, but after that, it's optional. If a singer is smart and they want to keep their instrument in shape, they'll realize that they need some training no matter what their style, but ultimately, it's up to them.
I consider myself a connoisseur of vocal art but, at the same time, I despise pretentious, elitist snobs. I like all kinds of vocal music and feel that there is good to be found in nearly everything, everywhere. Any style of music must have some intrinsic value or no one would listen to it.
Musical style and vocal technique are not necessarily the same things. For what ever reason, many singers today - in many styles - have poor diction, poor production, poor pitch perception and not much dynamic, timbral or expressive range. Many performers (I hesitate to call them "artists") rely on gimmicks to cozen a generally vocally ignorant public. Flash a little belly button; squeal, sigh, coo, grab your crotch, simulate an orgasm and you can fool a lot of the people a lot of the time. And finally, if they can't sing, they can always "tweak it in the studio"! And then their fans wonder why they don't sound so hot live. Hey, there's no accounting for taste, right?
NYCO and many other opera companies that enjoy excellent reputations do what used to be called "musicals" a la "Sweeney Todd", "A Little Night Music", etc., and La Boheme (yes, Puccini's) is running on Broadway. According to a recent show on NPR (http://discover.npr.org/features/feature.jhtml?wfId=1039237), opera is in the middle of a tremendous resurgeance. Go figure. Regards to all, Les
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