tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956070.post1657906229381012959..comments2023-11-03T11:37:13.579-04:00Comments on Something Old, Nothing New: Giuseppe Di StefanoJaime J. Weinmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15128500411119962998noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956070.post-29892371835643119162008-03-07T17:20:00.000-05:002008-03-07T17:20:00.000-05:00I have always loved opera, but I know very little ...I have always loved opera, but I know very little about music, and in particular about the human voice. Are there any alternative theories about why some singers seem to 'loose their voice'? People have said that about Josep Carreras, giving the exact same arguments. I won't comment on the fact that I find later Carreras breahtakingly expressive, and in many ways, a lot better than early Carreras, despite the obvious strain in his voice. I am strictly interested in whether there is some other explanation for the voice strain that occurs in some singers. And, if indeed this was due to their singing style or repertoire, we must respect their choices for what if gave them emotionally, for their courage in taking risks, and for the interpretations of amazing beauty that precisely these singers have given us.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05673198932965016185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6956070.post-14918408626378755402008-03-05T17:31:00.000-05:002008-03-05T17:31:00.000-05:00The notion that di Stefano lost his voice because ...The notion that di Stefano lost his voice because his vocal technique was imperfect (too "open" in the high notes, a way of singing which produces the most beautiful and natural sound but at the price of tiring the voice) or because he sang roles which were too "heavy" for him is without a scientific basis. It is nothing other than a speculation based on the fact that if you sing too loudly or with too much tension you lose your voice for a day or so. If this sort of trauma produced permanent damage the quality of the voice would diminish rateably, but it does not. Unlike singers, all athletes believe that strain only makes them physically more proficient: no pain, no gain. Even more unsupportable is the notion that di Stefano's life style--his gambling and lack of self-discipline, and the like--was a contributing factor to his early and drastic vocal decline. Callas lost her voice at virtually the same time as di Stefano did--they were both in their early 40's. But no one accuses Callas of having a poor technique or of assuming roles which were too heavy for her voice or of having led a profligate life. Satan hates God not because He has faults, but because He is perfect. I have always believed that the same impulse has been the unconscious motive behind the lack of generosity which so many have shown toward Pippo, who gave us so much.Don Firenzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203825585892314739noreply@blogger.com