Book: "Actors At Work" Patti LuPone Discusses Evita AND Sunset Boulevard- Page 2

[Weez]

Posted: 6/23/08 at 5:50pm

I have little-to-no knowledge of opera, so forgive me if I'm massively wrong. But this is as far as I can tell: as opera doesn't go in for belting and doesn't usually go for the 8-a-week schedule, the voices are required to do a heckuva lot of work, but there's more downtime in between shows, so there's much less risk of serious vocal damage.

Anyway. That's about as far as my opera knowledge goes. ^_^

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/23/08 at 5:51pm

Patti is amazing. She's allowed to have her opinions and be hurt when she's hurt. The woman deserves respect and both her Tonys.

That's how I remember the SUNSET disaster, too, Benny and Reginald Tresilian.

ALW is a tactless jerk when it comes to "work" and people's feelings.

Goth: Patti is a tough broad

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 6/23/08 at 5:55pm

Also, many opera singers have in fact hurt their voices by singing scores that don't fit their fach. Or, conversely, they refuse to sing something that they think will damage their voices.

One final thing about LuPone's comment: I think it was obviously a joke, albeit a bitter one. I don't know that it bears that much scrutiny.

[jaso937]

Posted: 6/23/08 at 7:03pm

having just listened to the complete score of Evita i think that ALW is kind of a bitch. I love a good high belt, but this score just sounds like a number 1 death of vocal chords. I do appreciate his work but I feel its necessary as a composer to understand vocal limitations and human limitations.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/23/08 at 7:09pm

There is an interview on Youtube where she discusses both in depth.