When I first heard this duet from the Pearl Fishers with Jussi Bjorling and Robert Merrill I was 12 years old. Sitting alone, I remember weeping uncontrollably. I didn't know why.
Today, many years later, after years of study and singing, I weep still. I do not know why. I suspect it has something to do with the undefinable, the oft inexpressible nature of life and love, heartache and beauty.
4 comments:
What is amazing are the overtones...they are so vivid that it is almost as if a soprano is singing an octave higher.
What is your voicepart? I trained as a soprano. I wish we could sing a duet via blog...sadly there are some things the internet just can't really do well, singing together would be one.
Bjorling and Merrill are simply masters.
Believe it or not, I have a three octave range, so I've always felt rather comfortable in the soprano or alto range. My choir teachers loved me because they could assign me to whatever part needed the most help.
As a kid I struggled to lessen the voice, as not to drown out the other kids. To my chagrin I was not always successful. I did manage to master sotto voce later on to my great delight.
Regarding that duet, I would gladly sing mezzo with your soprano. :-)
Ah, we are members of the three octave range club! I'll trade parts with you anytime.
I know what you mean about singing sotto voce. I had a hard time singing in choirs and finally stopped because it hurt too much to be so held back and 'blendy'. I much prefer small ensembles and solo opportunities. I miss my music friends in California and am looking forward to getting involved again sometime relatively soon here in NC. Although maybe I should switch to Old Timey Music, :-). Although I think a nice medieval niche could be carved here. It is a niche that is surely lacking in these here parts.
LOL! North Carolina is awfully beautiful, though. I have not sung professionally in quite a few years, though I find that the voice is still there. I do a concert every now and then, sing at church occassionally, and sit in with the guys sometimes. Cole Porter in the vein of Fitzgerald and Vaughn are favorites.
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