Rise of the belting-sopranos- Page 2

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 2:24pm

that's because it's a fairly intellectual/knowledgeable thread.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 2:35pm

While I cannot speak for nearly everyone on the original list, I can say that McDonald, Chenoweth, and O'Hara received degrees in classical music before pursuing musical theater. Interesting that they are considered some of the best out there.
As for the others - they certainly sound classically trained.


Updated On: 4/10/08 at 02:35 PM

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 2:39pm

Chenoweth never received a degree in classical. She received a BA in music theatre, with a concentration in Voice.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 2:43pm

Thanks for the correction - it wasn't that she had the degree, it was that she was going to move to Philly to attend the Academy of Vocal Arts to study opera. Her friend convinced her to audition for a theater (was it papermill?) and the rest is history.

[Sirius Black]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 2:44pm

How about my favorite - Laura Benanti. Is she belting anybody?

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:06pm

I too found Sierra Boggess' voice refreshing. Even near the end of Part of your World, she doesn't belt. I saw her in Denver in the show and I remember getting chills near the end of the song. Such a beautiful voice.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:10pm

I'll have to give her a listen. Haven't had the desire to see the show, especially with the reviews, but I'd love to hear the voice.

As for Ms. Benanti - that's another one i haven't yet heard. Shame on me! I know!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:39pm

I thought Chenoweth had a degree in opera performance?

I wouldn't say Benanti was belting at all; I think she has one of the loveliest, purest soprano voices I've heard in musical theater. she sounds all classical training to me.

[somuchtodo]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 3:59pm

If you are a young girl (child) in musical theater, it is basically a requirement that you belt. At the local level, the loudest singer often gets the role. For Broadway, the young girls roles - Annie, Jane in MP, Baby Louise in Gypsy - need big voices.

[Pianist3912]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 4:04pm

Yes, Chenoweth has a Master's in Opera Performance, I'm pretty sure.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 4:10pm

There have been plenty of Elphabas who mix. Cassie and Lisa are two that come to mind.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 4:29pm

I've only heard Benati recently in The Secret Garden benefit, but she mixed to hit the high notes in it. I think that she was losing her upper register, TBH. Though I'm sure many will disagree with me. Not sure if she's improved or not, though I heard that she was good in Gypsy.

Isn't Kristy Cates actually a soprano who played Elphaba?

Updated On: 4/10/08 at 04:29 PM

[pants2]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 4:34pm

A few things....
1. Kristin Chenoweth has a vocal performance degree, I do believe, which is the degree that a person gets to pursue opera.
2. Idina or Eden's belting technique are good examples of the modern scream. Shoshana, however sings with an opera core. If you go to the forbidden site and search for her "Ain't No Way" from Joe's Pub ( I went, love her alot) you can hear that her projection is operatic, because she utilizes the head voice concentration, and just puts an R&B sound out. She went to CCM I mean they don't put out girls with bad technique, I mean come now.
3. Those of you who said Sutton mixes arrre correct. It's wonderful :)

Updated On: 4/10/08 at 04:34 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 4:36pm

Celia Keenan-Bolger mixes, too. She actually has a lovely, strong upper register.

[Pianist3912]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 4:48pm

Yeah, I was about to say...Shoshana Bean's technique definitely does not = screaming. Her classical head voice is actually very nice too.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 4:49pm

Hey Pants - you're completely correct. I should not have used Shoshana's name in that Defying Gravity comment. I'm actually a fan of her's..."Bean" just had a better ring than Idina. Sorry about that.
And yes, I have a ton of friends from CCM. We're talking REAL singers over there.

Sutton also rocks.

The current batch of singers on b-way isn't my main concern. I'm worried about the younger set - those singers working out their junk in MT programs around the country right now. I know that's a very blanket statement, but I feel like there's a trend that could prove painful.
Updated On: 4/10/08 at 04:49 PM

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 5:12pm

Words cannot express how much I'm enjoying reading this thread. I LOVE talking about technique.
Regarding Wicked, I saw Julia Murney, who was phenomenal and didn't seem to strain at all, even when belting those high Fs.
As for Benanti, she mostly mixes in Gypsy and Wedding Singer, and uses her head voice in ITW and Nine.

OT: I'm actually double-majoring in Vocal Performance and MT, mostly because I want to have a dual career in Opera and MT, but partially because I know the vocal and music training I'd get as an MT major wouldn't be enough to have a successful, lasting career.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 5:15pm

I can always tell MT sopranos from classically trained ones. Even if I didn't like singing opera/classical better, I'd want to learn classical technique for that reason.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 5:18pm

Good for you bwaylvsong!
I got my undergrad in vocal performance and did a year of graduate work in it, as well. It really does help inform your theatrical singing (though it presents some challenges, too!).
You'll be golden if you can pull from the best of both worlds.

As for dual careers - never let ANYONE tell you that it isn't possible. It's hard (especially for women) but it can be done. Create your own path.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 5:26pm

Thanks, jrb! Two of my teachers in HS had each both sung at the MET (one even did leading Dramatic Soprano roles there) and on Broadway (the other understudied Patti LuPone). So, since I know two people who have done it, I know it's possible. Though they are both women, I'm a guy so it should theoretically be easier for me.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 5:28pm

Anthony Warlow does it

Girls have an easier time of it if they're light sopranos, IMO. Compare Sumi Jo singing MT to Renee Fleming singing MT.

[jrb]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 5:41pm

It's true. Light lyric voices can transition nicely. The lyric soprano sound is pretty similar within opera and MT lit. Your average ingenue has the same sound as a subrette on the operatic stage. It's a neat developement.

Men have it easier only because there are less of us and we take longer to mature vocally AND a more legit technique is acceptible for us. I mean, there's still debate as to whether or not men can even belt at all. We're allowed to have a little more vibrato - especially in classic MT.

[caitlinette]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 7:24pm

jrb - that is why Sierra is a breath of fresh air.

she has a stronger chest voice (than I expected) but does not BELT. she doesn't mix but utilizes both her head and chest voice very nicely. no damaging going on there.

See, I just thought she was belting -- by the way that everyone talks about her doing it, and things I've heard her say before. I wish I was able to hear for myself whether or not she is. I guess I assumed she was because the end of "Part of Your World" has a totally different sound than the end of the reprise. It sounds like she is -- how can you tell?

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 7:53pm

she is NOT belting/screaming.... she just has a powerful upper register, before her vocal "break" (she has no mix)

[nygrl23]

Posted: 4/10/08 at 8:04pm

Could someone explain what is meant by "mix"?