Anybody else love classical, hate opera?

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

One of my son's friends is a sound engineer, and I was asking him about the opera soprano thing. Anyway, Aaron says that the higher pitched the voice, the more it needs to be recorded in a [insert the right technical word here, he used it and I don't remember it. The foam egg-carton-looking stuff on the walls.] studio with good microphones and filters. Filters? Go figure.

Is opera recorded on stage? As in during performance? Could that be why so many of the sopranos sound worse than they do live? Or am I all wet here?

Anyway, I'm going to try to get to live opera again. Usually it's only the summer-theater musical stuff in the park, but I am encouraged by all you guys.

[barfle]

"anechoic?"

[OperaTenor]

Anechoic (i.e., sound-absorbing) is indeed the word.

Selma, Selma, Selma! You are hereby cordially encouraged to come to one or more of the shows in the SDO 2004 season. Turandot, Traviata, and The Pearl Fishers, you can't miss. I even know someone who works there...

[barfle]

It's a good thing he's not an operadancer!

[OperaTenor]

You know Barfle, you don't realize how true that statement is! I've avoided music theatre like the plague because I move as gracefully as a wounded rhinocerous (sp?)! Nice thing about opera: NO TAP DANCING!!! :p

[Kyle]

Originally posted by operatenor:
You know Barfle, you don't realize how true that statement is! I've avoided music theatre like the plague because I move as gracefully as a wounded rhinocerous (sp?)! Nice thing about opera: NO TAP DANCING!!! :p

I felt like I almost went deaf from a live Opera performance...either that or the sopranos went really high a few too many times.

[OperaTenor]

Originally posted by Selma in San Diego:
Is opera recorded on stage? As in during performance? Could that be why so many of the sopranos sound worse than they do live? Or am I all wet here?

Most are recorded from actual performances, and IMHO, there is a broad range of quality in them. Some are recorded in the studio, and to me those are the best to listen to, although the technology of recording performances is catching up.

[bignaf]

the "studio" is very frequently a concert hall.

[OperaTenor]

Mea Culpa, Big.

What I meant is that some recordings are done purely as a recording: much more elaborate recording equipment and setup, no audience, etc.

[Rob Richardson]

Yes! Me, too! Well, somewhat.

I DON'T LIKE SOPRANO SOLOS!!!!!

I don't care much for tenor solos, either.

The more people singing, the more I like it.

Give me choruses!!!!

Rob

[dkm32]

Originally posted by Rob Richardson:
I don't care much for tenor solos, either.

Oh, dear. And, now you've hurt OT's feelings I'm sure.

[bignaf]

tenor solos my favorite!!!!!!!!!

[OperaTenor]

Aw shucks, Big!

Hi Rob, You like skating on thiiiin ice, eh? :p

[Andante]

OPERA? Wonderful!
Used to listen to the Gotterdammerung before going to work! (I had to get up fairly early mind you...)

[priya978]

I'm sure you did Moderato (couldn't resist ) Andante I mean.
2 o clock in the morning!!