Klarinet Archive - Posting 000371.txt from 2003/09

From: EClarinet@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Clarinetist/Musician
Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 19:11:47 -0400

In a message dated 9/14/03 3:16:20 PM EST, Matthew@-----.uk writes:

<>

As an opera singer, I must disagree with the above assertion. Pavarotti
is/was one of the most gifted natural musicians of the 20th century. I could list
many, many recordings of his that demonstrate this, but will only list 2
(since this is a clarinet list). Both are Donizetti, from London Decca recordings
done with Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge.

For sheer beauty of phrasing, sensitivity, and deep understanding of the
text, it is hard to beat "una furtiva lagrima" from L'Elisir D'Amore. In "questa
o quella" from Rigoletto, the way he snaps off the ends of phrases, and whips
his voice up for the high notes shows an understanding of the character of the
Duke, who is careless of and callous about women and his use of them. His
singing has the right kind of rhythmic impulse to suggest a man who uses women
and throws them aside almost immediately....he just flings the notes around.

I have many singer friends and they all agree that Pavarotti is/was a
wonderful musician. If you have seen any videos of his opera performances, you can
see in his face that he DOES mean what he sings and is connected with the
music. We had a huge discussion about Pavarotti on Operalist last year when he had
to cancel his final MET Toscas because he was sick. Though a few people took
the opportunity to bash him, most agreed that he had given great pleasure for
at least 30 years of his career, and these are discriminating listeners on
the whole.

I think perhaps your opinion may be colored by the Three Tenors and the
Pavarotti and Friends concerts. These were not the work of the great artist of the
operatic career, but just pop concerts, and as such, were successful. I
agree that he no longer gives much of himself anymore, which is why I don't watch
these 'entertainments'. Of course, at age 67 or 68, I guess he is entitled.

Ken, who I know is knowledgeable about opera, suggested that Pavarotti is
unmusical because of mistakes he makes, like missed or wrong entrances or screwed
up dynamics. This is not exclusive to Pavarotti, by any means. Most singers
I know have not had enough musical training to avoid doing the same, but this
does not make them unmusical....it just means that they are lacking in
musicianship, which is a different thing.

Elise Curran
coloratura soprano/clarinetist
Orlando

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