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| Maria Callas (1923-1977) |
On the stage
Most likely, singers are the first people we imagine when we think of opera. In fact, in the Italian tradition, singers were held in the highest esteem. Remember the bel canto style discussed in the Opera at a Glance section? This style of opera was totally devoted to the vocalist.
Training
Opera singers are specially trained, like a type of athlete. They must acquire skill in controlling the flow of air, which means developing abdominal muscles and good lung capacity. Many singers attend a college music school or conservatory. There they study their craft and practice technique—including breath control, vowel production, and diction.
A singer must also study multiple languages, literature, and history. In addition, singers must have knowledge about an opera’s composer and librettist, as well as an understanding of the reason for its creation. Then they can begin the process of practicing the piece.
Try this...
Find the singing muscle! Place one hand on your belly and laugh. The muscle that is moving is the diaphragm. It controls the flow of air. |
The Types of Singers
| Soprano |
Female singer with a high voice. |
| Mezzo-soprano |
Italian term meaning “middle soprano.” Woman with a voice slightly lower than a soprano. |
| Tenor |
Male singer with a high voice. |
| Baritone |
Mid-range male singer who sings some high notes and some low notes. |
| Bass |
A male singer with a low voice. |
Did you know?
The term alto is usually used to refer to a woman who sings in the mid to low range. This term is used in choral singing but not when referring to opera singers. |
There are variations on each voice category. The most common are:
| Coloratura soprano |
Female singer with a very high voice who is capable of performing fast-moving notes with ease. |
| Contralto |
Rare female singer who can sing very low notes. |
| Countertenor |
Male singer who can sing in a woman’s voice range. Men are able to sing in falsetto, a style of singing that allows them to reach almost all the notes that women can reach. A countertenor has developed this style of singing so that he is able to sing in this manner naturally. |
| Bass-Baritone |
Type of male singer who can sing high notes and low notes with ease. |
Did you know?
Women singers did not appear on stage until the late 1700s. Until that time, men played all the female roles. |
Other People on the Stage
| Supernumeraries |
“Supers” are actors who perform a number of functions. They fill stage space during large crowd scenes, handle props, and sometimes dance. “Supers” do not sing but are essential to the opera. |
| Down Below: The Orchestra |
| Orchestra |
The orchestra is a group of instrumentalists who accompany the singers. The orchestra performs in a pit, the sunken area in front of the stage. |
| Keeping it Together: The Conductor |
| Conductor |
The conductor has the task of unifying the singers and orchestra. Since the orchestra and the singers cannot see one another, conductors are charged with directing all musicians. With the use of their hands they provide tempo, volume, and other expressive elements of the music. |
Behind the Scenes
While all the action is happening on stage, some very important people are orchestrating all the action backstage. They are the production crew, and this is what they do:
The Stage Manager leads the crew and directs all the action that happens backstage. Stage Managers direct scene changes, artists’ entrances and exits, sound/light changes, curtain movement and all other activities that make the opera run smoothly. Their job requires great leadership and quick decision making.
A crew of stage hands work in synchrony with the Stage Manager. They move scenery and set props (short for “properties”), which are objects used in the scene. The Props Supervisor makes sure that all props are placed appropriately and are available when the singers need them. The Wardrobe Supervisor oversees the costumes and attends to last minute fittings and repairs. The Wardrobe Supervisor may be assisted by dressers, who help with fast costume changes.
The Makeup Artist assists singers with dramatic stage makeup that must be applied in order for their features to be seen from the back of the theatre.
Not all crew members work backstage. The Sound Engineer, working from a table in the rear of the theatre, operates the microphones and adjusts the sound. The Master Electrician, also working in a booth in the rear of the theatre, directs the positioning of the lights and then operates the lights during a show. Both need to be in the audience to hear and see what is happening onstage.
Did you know?
Professional opera singers are expected to project their voices into large theaters without any amplification. |
The rehearsal pianist accompanies the artists as they rehearse the opera. This job also entails serving as a coach, assisting the artists with language and musical preparation.
As we can see, the production of a fully staged professional opera requires the commitment of many people willing and able to work together.
Continue Reading...
The Elements of Opera...
The Creators...
The Interpreters...
The Performers...
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