Alatar wrote:My point was that most succesful Broadway/West End singers are trained and capable in both.
I know there are some crossover singers, tenor Jerry Hadley comes to mind, but my experience is that most people find opera singers who sing showtunes over-sing them, while Broadway performers who attempt to sing opera are found sorely lacking. Some of those may sound okay with amplification (and a lot of technilogical hocus pocus as one might find on a recording), but they wouldn't be able to cut it on the operatic stage.
Can you name a successful Broadway performer who can capably sing opera? I'd be interested in hearing them. (Please don't name Sarah Brightman. Eruname isn't the only one who doesn't care for her warbling.
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I respect your opinion, Alatar, but I believe you've oversimplified things a bit. I don't think opera and those who perform it can all be lumped together. There are numerous styles and vocal types in the field of opera alone, many of which don't include the ability to "belt". For example, one whose voice is best suited for singing works that require light, flexible singing would find most works by Richard Wagner completely unsuitable for their voice.
I believe there are many Broadway performers who are successful because of their acting and stage presence while their singing ability isn't very strong. I'd say the majority of those who perform in musicals fall into this category. Of course there are professional opera singers I've heard whose voices are so unpleasing that I scratch my head wondering how they ever land roles.
Alatar wrote:Sweeney Todd is as musically challenging as most Operas. Any musical singer worth their salt could perform Porgy and Bess. There is no intrinsic superiority, they are merely different art forms.
I totally agree that Sweeney Todd is extremely challenging musically, not necessarily vocally, but certainly musically. Porgy & Bess is sometimes referred to as a "folk opera". Some don't consider it opera at all. I'm not sure I agree with your comment about it, though, based on the quality (or lack thereof) of singing that I've heard in musicals. I also agree that opera isn't intrinsically superior. I'd
generally say that musicals require better acting and movement, i.e., dancing, abilities from their stars while opera is more challenging vocally.
Oh, I'd be remiss if I did not add that I am certain that there are those who perform in musicals who are blessed with wonderful voices and, if given sufficient training, would be very capable of performing opera. From what I've heard, however, I believe they are in the minority.
(I apologize if I make my point a bit too vehemently. Singing is one of the few things I consider myself reasonably knowledgeable about.
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