Question about Buenos Aires in Evita

[broadway guy]

Posted: 7/23/15 at 8:31pm

How come in the revival, none of the Evitas' used their chest voice for the "AAANNNDDD If ever I go to too far..."  and the "AAAAnndd if I need a moment's rest" ?

All the Original Evas like Patti, Nanci, Elaine, Loni and Florence belted those notes. How come Elena and her understudies did not? Were they told not to by the musical director so their voices wouldn't be warn out? Not even the touring Evitas do it either.

The song sounds electric when those notes are belted. Just listen to Patti at 1:10..

https://youtu.be/XWGchv7kHzw

It just doesn't make sense why all the new Evitas' don't belt it. 

 

 

Updated On: 7/23/15 at 08:31 PM

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 7/23/15 at 8:35pm

The entire revival was synthetic - everything was built not around a singular presence, like the original, but one that, like Wicked, could survive with anyone in the title role. There was no electricity, no passion. Just read the NYT review - the spark that made the original so special was gone.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/23/15 at 9:27pm

Do you hear how the new orchestration pulls back and becomes lighter in that section too? It would be musically inappropriate to belt over top of it.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/23/15 at 10:00pm

^ That was probably done to complement the fact that she didn't belt it, not the other way around.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 7/23/15 at 10:04pm

The entire revival was synthetic - everything was built not around a singular presence, like the original, but one that, like Wicked, could survive with anyone in the title role. There was no electricity, no passion. Just read the NYT review - the spark that made the original so special was gone.

 

Ya cant do evita like that. I think the orchestra was like that because she didn't belt it. Also the choreography when she sings the note is her being lifted up by some guy. I think that was done deliberately so she didn't have to belt it also.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 7/23/15 at 10:13pm

I think it's pointless to do Evita if you aren't going to belt it or at least use a strong mix. The show loses its musical power and edge if you don't have a belty Evita. 

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 5:01am

The revival Eva's (including the tour) all had the ability to belt that part. They belt much higher in A New Argentina. David Cullen's orchestrations dictate how that section of the song is sung, end of story. 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 1:55pm

I agree. I also wish i could have understood her better. So screechy and with an accent. omg

[ChrisTyler12882]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 4:54pm

They must have been directed to sing it as such. Caroline Bowman was more than able to belt that phrase.

Caroline Bowman's "Buenos Aires"

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 7:48pm

I don't think there is any question that the actresses can sing the notes. I think the Original Poster is wondering why none of them are. The truth is, none of us really know. It could have been Elena's choice, It might have been the Musical Director's choice or maybe the Director didn't think it was fitting. We may never know the exact reason. Luckily, we still have the original cast recording to listen to. 

Updated On: 7/24/15 at 07:48 PM

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 8:02pm

"The truth is, none of us really know. It could have been Elena's choice, It might have been the Musical Director's choice or maybe the Director didn't think it was fitting. We may never know the exact reason. Luckily, we still have the original cast recording to listen to. "

Actually I do know for a fact, and I explained it twice already.

 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 8:16pm

"Actually I do know for a fact, and I explained it twice already."

I think Glinda the Good was correct, it's obvious the orchestrations are the way they were because she didn't belt it. They changed them for her. Not the other way around.

Although I do think, since Eva belts the rest of the song, not belting that section kind of makes sense musically.

Updated On: 7/24/15 at 08:16 PM

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 8:50pm

You're entitled to think whatever you want, but it does not change the absolute fact that David Cullen arranged that section of the song to be quieter, and all the women playing Eva sung it quieter because that's what they were told to do.