questions & answers (photo credit: flickr)
Someone did a search for this question on my blog.
Short answer: Yes!
“Rejoice Greatly” is written for soprano, not specifically coloratura soprano. When a “non-coloratura” sings the aria, a slower tempo would be indicated. The voice needs more time to navigate the melismas. (Scroll down after you click on the link for the best visual example of melismas.)
Listening to, say, 3 different singers gives us a better idea of matching the tempo to the voice.
In addition to the individual singer’s voice, acoustics must also be considered to ensure clarity.
Hope this helps!
(photo credit: flickr)
What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Dan Inglis said:
YES! In fact, EVERY soprano should develop the fioritura needed for this and similar Handel arias. For heavier voices, the flexibility this repertoire requires is “the lifeline of the voice.”
GretchensPianos said:
Hi Dan,
Thanks!
Would you like to attribute the quote to someone?
Gretchen
Beth Sperry said:
There’s also a version of it that Handel wrote in 12/8 instead of 4/4 that’s pretty fun…
Dan Inglis said:
Sure. In his book Discover Your Voice: How to Develop Healthy Voice Habits (Singular, 1996), Oren Brown attributes this statement, “flexibility is the lifeline of the voice,” to Jerome Hines, in his Great Singers on Great Singing (Doubleday, 1982). Especially as singers age or work a lot, they need to know how to regulate the thickness or depth of contact of their vocal folds. A teacher once said to me, “quit singing Mozart like Verdi!”
GretchensPianos said:
Hi Beth,
Yes, I know that version. Love it!
Gretchen
GretchensPianos said:
Thanks, Dan.
It’s true… singing Mozart like Verdi doesn’t work at all!
Gretchen