lloyd wrote:
<< By vowel line I mean the connection of the vowels (even through the consonants) such that the musical line is more stressed than the text itself. For me the result is that the text is more clearly stated because the intention and direction of the musical line carries the text.>>
and later wrote:
<< Few opera stories are worthy of consideration beyond the music they inspired >>
yikes! we are in agreement three times in one day! in the case of the first statement, we might not agree on the practice but, we do agree on the principle. as the consonants are basically 'filters' for the vocal tract, it is possible to continue the vowel while enacting the consonant. a vocalized consonant will certainly be more easily 'projected' if it has the vowel line continued behind it. one of my favorite practitioners of this aspect of technique is tony bennett. at his best, in something like 'a time for love' or, 'the shadow of your smile', there are times where he sustains consonants. it is a wonderful nuance that style of music makes possible and in bennett, there is a wonderful sense of line, even during rests.
in the case of the second statement, i was sorry i ever bothered to find out what they were singing about.
mike
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