Bags..
I almost agree with you in regard to voices.. for instance, I too greatly cringe at Country singers who sing through their noses (NASALLY).. plus use un-natural phrasing.. good grief..I DO cringe, shudder and generally pass out at such attempts to sing...
However; the finest vocalist in any genre, in my opinion; is FRANK SINATRA, for he understands TECHNICALLY how to sing... breath control, but also PHRASING is extremely important.... tonal quality .. Sinatra’s voice, after all those Camels, and Jack Daniels...came to sound like dark brushed mahogany in the late 1960’s.. but also how to tell a story within song. Just listen to the TECHNICAL aspect of HOW he sings a song. By the way; Sinatra loved Opera, specifically Pavarotti. NO Cringing allowed here!
However; I continue to think that some people who have a problem with Opera, are reacting to highly trained voices, .. I DO think that it takes some time to understand why Opera fans are so CRITICAL of how a vocalist sings...there is a terrific “fight”.. over Elina Garanca for instance... some of us think she is one of the finest Mezzo Sopranos in the world at this moment, while others think she stinks on ice.
We, um.. each have our own opinions.
In regard to “CRINGING at the sound of Operatic voices”...I DO think, as I’ve said; that one must continue to LISTEN to the music...but ALSO, it’s very important to begin to understand what is being said in the vocals. Read the stories, understand what the individual opera, and each individual aria is about. The music may make more sense.
Another point; Americans have very little patience in listening to music sung in another language... they tend to rapidly lose interest if they can’t understand what is being said. This is why it’s important to be familiar with the libretto, translations of each aria into english..
So, Bags.. therein may lie the answer...(1. UNFAMILIARITY with the music itself (2. No ability, or perhaps even desire to understand what is being said in the songs.. “Who’s got time for DAT?”
And, just to be fair ..NOT all opera is filled with screeching, screaming, cacophonous voices. Most Opera arias can be quite beautiful..
Listen to Georges Bizet’s “CARMEN”..I bet when you understand what the play is about, then actually LISTEN to the gorgeous music.. which you’ll possibly be familiar with; because these songs have been around forever, but also have been used in commercials, movies, tv shows.. it’s a great tragic love story, you can find the entire opera on youtube.. it’s written in French.. but there are English subtitles available. Enjoy~! Have Fun! :>)
I too greatly cringe at Country singers who sing through their noses (NASALLY).. plus use un-natural phrasing.. good grief..I DO cringe, shudder and generally pass out at such attempts to sing... Country singers sound like a guy you'd go to the riverbed in your 4-wheelers with your underage buddies and chicks on a Saturday night, build a fire out of pallets, drink beers with and sing with Curt Gibbs playing a masterful guitar (he could play any song ever made) until the sheriffs came and you had to bury the beers under the sand and disperse.
Opera singers sound like space aliens.
Diva Plavalaguna song (The Fifth Element)
By the way; Sinatra loved Opera, specifically Pavarotti.
While there are those who genuinally love opera, many people affect a love for it, just like some people wear glasses made out of regular, non-prescription lenses cause they think it makes them look smart or sophisticated.
Sinatra was trying to 'class himself up' when he told that whopper. How do I know this? He told me when he had had one too many at the blackjack table in Vegas.
You are so right about his technical prowess and the tone and fiber of his voice.
Speaking of technicality, phrasing, fiber, and tone, maybe this can bring both of our divergent worlds together. Check out this one in a million singer.
Mama, Just Killed A Man
