How to sing Bel Canto I

This is just a small introduction to bel canto music, with the most important singers at that time:
Joan Sutherland
Marilyn Horne
Luciano Pavarotti
Richard Bonynge

[@ericarceneaux]

"It takes 10 years to make a sound like that." Pavarotti has such confidence in his skill... it's almost like arrogance, only his is earned and well deserved. This video is inspiring.

[@emarry1686]

That would only take 1/2 years to achieve that tone of your voice if you practice daily and depends on how much time you spent in it

[@debbiejohnson2789]

EricArceneaux, yes Pavarotti was so talented. He couldn’t read music which was said by Richard Bonynge, sutherlands husband. Luciano could hear the music & know how to sing the score, arias and all! Amazing artist he was and all the other artists in this segment!

[@toothless2323]

Jeffrey Woods but how do you actually cover? I heard that you don’t actually change the vowels, but they change by themselves when you have a stable larynx or smth. What exercises I can do to start approaching this sound?

[@Bulacio_Elias]

@@debbiejohnson2789 Actually that is fake, he doesnt know how to read orchestra scores but vocal scores yes, he was able to sing an aria without hearing it before, just with the score, he cant read the orchestal one.

[@Bulacio_Elias]

@@emarry1686 not really, believe me, is really difficult to make a good passaggio in all the register, most of the singer never do it, Pavarotti had an amazing colour in all the notes, he covered very good the sound

[@agnidas5816]

"I hear each note before I sing" "You have to hear the note" . This. This is not taught in most schools or even by most private teachers. This is called audiation. And he also mentioned that it should be loud. The louder the audiation thebetter the sound you sing. This also applies to all of the fiddle or violon type instruments as well. The music world suffers greatly for lack of instruction on audiation... students spend years practising fruitlessly.

[@huss2600]

This audiation thing, ive never heard of before. It sounds interesting what is your experience with it and how did it help you in singing?

[@rockon416]

I am a spinto-lyric tenor with a big voice but cannot read music. I get frowns and looks sometimes in a choir cuz of big voiced man cannot follow the musical notes. So I am better singing solos. Only way I could sing well is by memorizing the notes and sing with ears. I listen to the notes and I simply repeat probably similar how Bocelli sings.

[@XxQueenChristinaxX]

@@rockon416 It wouldn't hurt to learn.

[@rockon416]

@@XxQueenChristinaxX why? I don’t need to learn as long as I don’t sing with others.

[@pedrosilvaproductions]

@@rockon416 well you cant sing with others. There's your reason right there...

[@NS-py9cw]

Pavarotti was a excellent conscious singer. He seems to be most aware of what he is doing, and also being able to execute exactly what he is thinking of doing. Might I add charmingly so!

[@giovanniarioli2971]

Sublime Goddess Maryline Horne

[@flav2689]

Marilyn* but yes❤

[@TomIdelson]

Four legends!! I would love to hear the entire interview! Also, a few years ago, I bought a second-hand vinyl record of their famous concert, and when I opened it, I discovered all of their REAL signatures on a program!! A great treasure! ❤

[@AmhranaiAlainn]

Sorry my first comment didn't post. Artists such as McCormack, Bjorling, Schipa, Caruso, Tetrazzini were true Bel Canto style artists, but, McCormack and Bjorling. They new what the secret was. They were fortunate to have found the right knowledge. In this video, they all talk about the sound, which basically states that they have the wrong knowledge.

[@ShawDAMAN]

Wonderful video.

[@r.joshuareynolds2449]

I think the biggest little detail he mentions here is it takes 10 years to make a sound like that... in other words, give yourself grace while you're developing your sound. It's not guna happen overnight.

[@nathelondon3719]

Pavarotti was a gentle, caring, giving teacher. Callas was the same. I saw her masterclasses at Julliard but they have disappeared.

[@MIAHIP]

Tengo 14 años y me encanta la opera y me encanta cantar, espero que en un futuro tenga la accesibilidad para tomar clases de bel canto.

[@joseflores-jo7nl]

Ojalá ya hayas empezado , ya que es la edad más adecuada, si ya tienes 16 empieza lo más pronto posible.

[@antonsyd7077]

​@@joseflores-jo7nl Don't think so. At that age people should work on breathing and vocalizes, but not practicing a beloved repertoire for mature voices. Of course there were some exceptions, but still their voices became more mature until 30

[@joseflores-jo7nl]

@@antonsyd7077 Lo que dice Mia es que en un futuro tenga la posibilidad de estudiar bel canto, y justo ella ya está en una edad cercana para poder a empezar a estudiar bel canto , canto lírico o canto clásico. En el estudio del bel canto se da precisamente el aprender a usar el instrumento vocal , oséa el aprender a usar y a cultivr el desarrollo de la voz y en ése aprendizaje también está el tener una adecuada forma de respirar para el canto, dentro de ello están las vocalizaciones , pero escencialmente el desarrolllo de todo el instrumento vocal, está en la edad adecuada para aprender.

[@nazlideniz]

"A singer is an athlete" point

[@AdventuresWithYHWH]

Fact

[@overthetip]

GENERALLY!

[@debbiejohnson2789]

Completely!

[@thephilosopher666]

Only those who never made squats with 300 kg or ran 10 km every day can say that. Athlete. Ha-ha. Have you ever seen fat athletes? No. But I saw a lot of fat singers.

[@TheAgustina1989]

@@thephilosopher666 Vocal chord athlete, and opera olympics, not games olympics

[@ronzy5779]

When Pavarotti starts singing at the end it's just about the most beautifull sound I've ever heard. Horne's tone when she sings the legato scale is unbelievable.

[@aminul1984]

I am studying and practicing classical vocal technique but I sing POP. My speaking voice is so clear now that I can actually feel the proper resonance inside when I speak. And I can talk for hours without getting hoarse.

[@huss2600]

Lovely

[@XxQueenChristinaxX]

Nice.

[@abi1]

I hope to achieve that too, even when i speak i get tired 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@11calman]

Mate, you should meet my Mother-in-Law, she can also speak for hours on end

[@Catthepunk]

How's it going?

[@takethebox.06]

When Pavarotti said that thing about the difference between a real tenor and high baritone, I had flashbacks to when all the “tenors” in choir all had to scream to even touch F# and the rest of the choir had to try not to start cackling!!!!! Hahahahhahahah !!!!!!

[@damianvelazquez6103]

6:25 Name Aria please!

[@Guy-bm5wh]

An F#？ They had to be garbage singers to not even be able to hit a F# lol.

[@signekroner4588]

Well its more sad than funny how many singers have their natural voice ruined from singing in a choir under a bad conductor.

[@pedrosilvaproductions]

@@Guy-bm5wh a baritone to hit an F# with full voice is not easy. An F#4 is pretty high for a baritone. I would say that a good baritone should reach a G/G# with some strain but that F#/G should be full imo

[@Dualis58]

​@@Guy-bm5wh belted baritone F# is incredibly difficult.

[@SirErwinJamito]

2019 october whos watching this? :) im a bigfan of belcanto... and im 26.. my classmate told me, yah know u weird... while they are playing ladygaga and some koreans... i play bel canto :)

[@aimanisahac]

i feel you brother! 😂

[@slicerprime]

I'm 52 now. When I was in high school (freshman yr. '83), we used to sit in the Band/Orch room between classes and listen to recordings of these three in whatever combinations were available. Entire operas, duets, trios... They were the rock stars for us. I remember almost getting into fights over Pavarotti v. Domingo or Sutherland v. Callas. But Horne always ruled the roost for Mezzos. (Yeah. Our school was kinda weird.)

[@blonda.bacoviana]

I am 29. Oh...you can hardly find some teachers that love their job so much to dedicate. They want the polished voice from the start.

[@anniemc381]

Wonderful to read your post! I’m very much older and watching in 2021! No idea how this popped up but very happy it did! My favourites in bel canto (from the “younger” operatic stars) are Cecilia Bartoli, Juan Diego Flores and William Brownlee...although the list could go on!

[@SirErwinJamito]

@@anniemc381 i really appreciate this higher form of art, few people with my same age love this kind of higher art.. the lesson i have learn from them is the patience, humility and perseverance that you cant find in todays pop culture were everything is instant, automatic and all but easy to come easy to go with out a mark,, thats why i love this higher form of art :) thankyou for being one :)

[@dianaventura7999]

What a joy it is to see Dame Joan talking with her dear friends Marilyn Horne and Luciano Pavarotti.

[@aminul1984]

That yawn feeling is what helps to sing higher and bigger. Taking in breath like a yawn will lower the larynx naturally, so you don't have to use the root of the tongue to lower it which is very abusive. A low larynx will give you a slight opening of the voice and you can sing higher and bigger.

[@pattylyons9645]

The voice is an instrument that must be carefully maintained and given both exercise and rest, like a muscle.

[@pedrosilvaproductions]

Its not "like" a muscle. Your vocal chords are muscles and a part of you. Hence the losely used term of athletes. Your vocals folds, larynx, diaphram all have to be in tip top shape to actually be a good singer. And have to be exercised frequently

[@gcmacyman]

Some of THE best in operatic history. Fantastic voices, superior.

[@CaptFitzbattleaxe]

When Richard Bonynge makes the comment about the human voice being the most beautiful instrument, he looks straight at his wife. =)

[@federicoj.piantinijr.2301]

Absolutely, and you must have it naturally, not invented or infused.....

[@debbiejohnson2789]

I love that couple! They were lucky to have had each other! What he said is so true. That man is extremely handsome! Dame Koan was an awesome lady & musician. She was hilarious at times, but very serious about her great work!

[@debbiejohnson2789]

I’m sorry, I meant to say Dame Joan. Excuse me for my above typo!

[@debbiejohnson2789]

I love your comment and it’s so true & yes he did look at her!

[@ransomcoates546]

Debbie Johnson I believe Bonynge was known to have, shall we say, a complicated private life.

[@Tolaanto]

Your fear could make you hold back and strain your voice. don't do that. you have to believe that you can do it. But, don't visualize the high note as "up there", see it as "just as simple as another note, but just further sideways". This helped me a lot. make sure not to tighten your throat, just use more air(but not all your air at once) Imagine singing to someone 50meters away. The day after I Learned these tips, I aced "angels" by R.W, which I wasnt near being able to do before. post back...

[@gwirgalon3758]

One of my greatest teachers, Richard Conrad, was an extraordinary technically aware singer, who did a whole series of The Age of Bel Canto records with Mme Horne and Mme Sutherland. Pure, clear tone, he also knew his stuff, and how! A true artist and a generous person. His art and the teaching of a true bel canto line is missed in a time where many no longer know that there IS singing without wobbles and heavy push...

[@rosairedubrule60]

lessons from pavorotti sutherland and horne all in one place WOW

[@aminul1984]

I think Whitney's chest voice was really powerful, this is why she never completely mixed 50/50. Her speaking voice was quite high this is why she could sing very high in her chest or chesty mix.

[@jordanmicahcook]

Wow! This is a fountain of golden nuggets from some of the greatest vocal masters of our time.

[@CharloCrossley]

And get some rest...vocal rest. Take care of your body...don't over sing or over warm up.

[@Yitzhakhazak]

Yes. Use the singer´s siesta. Especially for basses.

[@blackwidow4759]

I’m here in 2018 I feel SO YOUNG 💀😩

[@slicerprime]

You probably are! But, it's GREAT you're listening to these three. I grew up listening to them and fell in love with opera because of them, It was perfection when Pavarotti and Sutherland sang together; but, it was jaw dropping when the three got together. This was called the "Concert of the Century"... kzbin.info/www/bejne/maqrc5uarZuheq8 I was eleven.

[@Nobody-mz9cr]

malia lula same bitch, I’m only here bc bey uses this 💀

[@minamishi]

2020!

[@flav2689]

Same. 2021 and I’m 25. I feel like I must be quite an old soul, considering all my prefenrences when it comes to music and culture. My younger sister calls me a granny sometimes - on purpose. 🤨

[@marcoc6329]

tre mostri sacri del 20^ secolo: la più grande soprano di coloratura Dame Joane Sutherland, il più grande tenore lirico Luciano Pavarotti la grandissima mezzo soprano Marilyn Horne ..

[@aminul1984]

The thing with opera singers is they are very protective with their voices. The pronounce each vowel correctly and they cover, they don't belt anything out from the throat, they learn to support properly with the lower body. Singing pop is like speaking on pitch, you don't use too much head resonance, but use more chest this is why pop singers tend to have shorter careers because of the nature of how pop singing is. But if a pop singer uses good technique then they can have a healthy voice.

[@pedrosilvaproductions]

@everyday tenor true. Hence why we singers have to be very protective. Once I started actually studying bel canto I use a scarf even if theres a light breeze. I dont want to get a cold or have a sore throat. If I can sing like this in the sense of voice health (or better ofc) when im 70/80 i'll be very happy

[@takemyhand1988]

you can belt and still preserve your voice: barbra streisand, patti labelle and Shirley bassey

[@lukkash]

I've realised thanks to this video that Pavarotii spoke English with a quite good accent. How couldn't he with such a good hearing and his great perception of sound and melody.

[@NynyshAulia]

This is the freaking reason why I wanted to learn to sing again. Their knowledge about bel canto is so priceless until I wanted to study over and over again

[@stephaniestanley8041]

❤do it Ann. How inspiring these artists are. I had the privilege to see and hear Pavarotti.

[@NynyshAulia]

@@stephaniestanley8041 Thank you. And it's Annysha, but you can call me Ninis. That's my nickname

[@wedidntknow]

there is no way to know if a voice is going to be dramatic at 21. when a dramatic voice does not start to mature until around the age of 21. i say dont get caught up in the hype of what everyone is telling you about your voice and learn to sing beautiful regardless of size. work lagato, trills, fioratura, agility and all other techniques and just let your voice grow with time. don't think too much about having a big voice. think about singing beautiful. its a hype that can hurt u in the future.

[@raigekimaru]

I'm so grateful for the fabulous bel canto singers like Sutherland and Horne. I am starting to pick things up from them via hours of listening to them

[@jackieb8265]

I REALLY MISS PAVAROTTI....HE COULD SING A TELEPHONE DIRECTORY AND IT WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL.

[@abelcsabaika]

OMG! I'm watching it the first time and I'm stopping it all the time, I don't want it to end, because I know that it's the HIGH point of my week

[@rongriffiths6927]

Watch again just by chance, it blows your mind, What wonderful amazing people these were. Still my absolutely favourite four.

[@maxzevs7681]

Just a meeting with gods! All the people in the clip are legends!

[@jacobpaul6116]

"Here he goes again..." 6:37

[@tenorandrewowens]

I saw him at the Met in Aida in 2000 (or 2001, can't remember the year) He had some memory lapses and some very short high notes, but it was still amazing to have been able to hear him before he formally retired

[@debbiejohnson2789]

These folks were all masters in their field!

[@lojundolo]

That is "Angiol di pace all'anima" a terzetto for tenor, soprano and mezzo from BEATRICE DI TENDA by Bellini. They sang it live at Lincoln Center, New York, in a very famous concert in 1981, and I think that it could be the same day or days of this video recording. There are a lot of parts of that live-concert on KZbin, in video.

[@Hako2004]

To a certain extent each voice is a unique instrument, and a law unto itself. Each singer has to uncover the secrets of their voice. Sutherland always talked about delaying until around B or Bb the "flipping back" of breath or resonance to total head voice. She seemed to feel if she did so too early, she could never reach the E and Eb. I'm not a soprano, but I would assume most are in total head voice by A natural.

[@yuliana703]

I feel difference at B, it seems to be total headvoice. And Bb still the same as A. But I don't have E or Eb and I wonder will I have someday😢. Even in exersizes I have only D. Sometimes😂. I have big dramatic voice but I want to learn how to sing higher. Maybe it's not in nature of my voice? But I think that every soprano has that notes, it's just much more hard for heavy voice to learn how to sing that high. Though I have powerful chest voice and good 3d octave with contralto/tenore sound low tessitura is very uncomfortable for me and since I found my upper register it's much more easy and comfortable for me to sing in quite high tessitura and the main task is not to sing too heavy at low and middle to keep good tone, flexibility and free high notes

[@raigekimaru]

do you take lessons? people with large voices and large ranges are often confused about which type they are until they have had significant training. this is especially true in voices with versatile abilities (for instance, I'm a significantly large voiced baritone but my teacher says I'm very agile so we've started doing some leggiero exercises too) the only advice I can give you now is to find a teacher that will help you find your natural placement and not be quick to type you

[@Zamstein]

I have that exact experience.

[@CharloCrossley]

Yes, and done correctly...you will preserve your voice and not ruin it! It get's better with time...

[@archiloque]

I would be happy to sing an F like this. Whereas Pav hears a "gwaaah"...

[@aminul1984]

You can call it flip, skip or whatever but it doesn't matter what you call it. What matters is what it is and why this happens which you have explained very well. After doing some research on Bel Canto I have learnt that the vowels they teach help to go through the passagio without flipping. You definately need to learn diaphragmatic breathing to support the throat and also open up the parhynx so that the sound resonates and protects the larynx and the vocal cords from abusive closed singing.

[@donfry2287]

And Ms. Horne couldn't do it... and by the end of her career, she sounded like a mac truck.

[@Ising4u333]

bel canto is the best training you can get, my first teacher was in her 70s and was clear as a bell. the technique used is good for a life time it changes your ear and how you feel the tones. good for you.

[@sarcasticmania]

I like to think that Horne's face at 6:38 was because Pavarotti messed up the words XD

[@overthetip]

If intentional, it was a very clever change of words. Instead of "la voce tua mi suona" (I can hear your voice) he sings "la voce mia risuona" (my voice resonates)

[@flav2689]

@@overthetip OMG I didn’t even realize that. That’s so funny - and it would explain her expression quite well. Like ”…really?” 😂😂😂

[@rongriffiths6927]

This is so remarkable and wonderfully interesting and satisfying to view these fabulously talented people, three of the best in the world for ever, My favourite trio of singers, and of course the amazingly talented Richard Bonynge who contributed so much wisdom to this particular period of music, I am so appreciative that I have there God like voices on compact disc's and videos, I love you all for the sheer pleasure you have brought into my life listening to your enormous talents and skills.God Bless you all, May you rest in peace dear Joan and Luciano, Again a Huge Thank You for my hours of heavenly bliss listening and watching your performances.

[@aminul1984]

You mention Celine Dion, lol. Do you know that she still studies SLS. She doesn't have a big voice, its all amplification from the sound system. And I saw a lot of interviews about her vocal technique and the exercises she uses are similar to SLS. She is even named on the SLS website.

[@dianaventura7999]

Somehow I lost this video and able to find it again. And to "like" it, of course. I wonder why it's in 2 parts...

[@pechan2]

uploaded on 2007, maybe was to big for the time

[@aminul1984]

If Whitney had good classical training then I would say she could have been an Opera singer, she has the gift for it. Her tone is naturally big, and she has good breath support, not all the time though.

[@Zamstein]

aminul1984 yup

[@Zamstein]

She had emphysema.. they found out after she passed away.

[@gwirgalon3758]

she was sucha beautiful singer. Yes indeed, had she wanted itm she would have been very fine on the opera stage. I was so surprised by her death, and so sad. She and we deserved far better, and more of her art.

[@colino72]

But Caruso had nodules removed surgically more than once, I believe, and was known for forcing.

[@tenorotti]

Pavarotti had nodules removed also.

[@autoheatlh]

No sé si será el micrófono o el equipo de audio, pero el volumen del canto que hizo Pavaroti en el minuto 4:50, es al mismo nivel del habla.

[@tebza84]

i just love all four of them their just great, can i see more?:)

[@Willzito]

Somethings i don't get: 1)If a terrible singer learn BEL CANTO, it means she would be a terrific singer? 2)If Pavarotti hasn't used BEL CANTO, still his voice would be marvelous? 3)If BEL CANTO is such a incredible thing, why tenors like Domingos, Carreras or Bocelli don't use it?

[@oshoosho5713]

Willzito , I think at some point they all have to switch to their head voice. May be where they focus to resonate is quite another thing! My break happens at C4 meaning I get ready mentally to switch right before I approach C4 and once I make the switch I can glide through the higher notes more easily. But learning to make the switch was the key! I learnt it from a teacher who taught me to do 2 things - do not sing loudly and while at that, switch early. When you practice the exercises putting these 2 together, you will see that you can make the switch a bit more easily after a few years of practice. But navigating the break so it happens involuntarily has so far been a struggle for me mostly due to mucus. It has become easier over the years but hasn't become involuntary...yet! Once you learn this, practising Bel Canto becomes easier I think.

[@AmhranaiAlainn]

They sing Bel Canto repertoire but not true Bel Canto style. They never knew and never will know the true art. It has been overshadowed by science and complexity. They trained to imitate nature when all they had to do was think and be natural. The secret is so simple but the hardest to come to terms with. The true art lies not in the sound of your voice but the use of it - in its simplest form. Search for 'Tito Schipa Teaches'. Now that video is one that all students and teachers should watch.

[@senna6773]

I laugh at these teachers of God. Never achieved anything and make disparaging comments on internet about superior artists. What a joke!

[@trblcleft]

You've got to be kidding me with your comments, you have must not have heard some of the records produced by Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland, I doubt anyone passed their president would argue with the beauty of their Bel Canto. Science is merely used to enhance or explain what they already know, which I imagine was taught through them through the teachers and lineage of their great upbringing. We are not that far removed from many of the greats with direct lineage to the original bel canto artists

[@rapsodie1211]

Bel canto = 17th 18th, they're almost dealing with romantic period, in bel canto no cover, in Donizetti yes.

[@aminul1984]

Listen to Marylin Horne's speaking voice now, you see hear that even at the age of 75 her voice is still crystal clear. Why? Its because her technique she uses to sing opera is healthy.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Enrico Caruso never had throat nodules, however you were correct about the rest. He did however have surgery in the last year of his life due to a condition called purulent pluerisy and it was caused by an untreated pnuemonia and then compounded by an injury he sustained in "Samson et Delilah"

[@alf2540]

It’s like the league of superheroes but for singers lol

[@SandrineAnterrion]

I have a great deal of admiration for Maestro Bonynge, whom we had the privilege to meet and work with in london.

[@jinzz9434]

What a pleasure to be able to learn directly from the god of high C 😍

[@mr.yellowstrat3352]

Steven Tyler: hold my cigarette *Hits E6 with ease (crazy)

[@thrombeyking]

👏🏻🤘🏻 YESS!!! ♥️

[@nikosoutsikas9643]

COME ON NOW....THE POINT ITS NOT TO HIT NOTES, BUT THE SOUND TOO HOW BIG AND FULL IT IS

[@Nictric1]

I came here because I found out that all my favorite singers use this method and he's the one I found out from

[@senna6773]

Oh, please! Don't compare crap with REAL artists.

[@valentinna7183]

All the three were so amazing, very talented ,very rigurous, listening to all this theory music seems to me more difficult that maths ...

[@aminul1984]

You don't listen to much opera do you? Marylin Horne is known as one of the greatest opera singers and she has performed show after show.

[@Snowydog123]

All three of these once in a lifetime singers did their best work after being exposed to Richard Bonynge. Is that just coincidence (I don't think so) or was he a great great coach who knew how to impart the mysteries of singing in certain styles. He is so rarely given his due.

[@roosterrooter13]

Bonynge, Sutherland, Luciano and Horne having tea and scones. Just a normal day….

[@aminul1984]

Sinatra didn't belt like singers do nowadays. He still used the Speech Level technique, it wasn't called Speech Level Singing before but it was the same thing. SLS only allows you to sing up to the mix register and maybe a bit more than that, but anything above that would be a closed throat technique. And it should not be used for heavy belting like singers do now. You need special instruction on how to belt healthily.

[@Valkyrie91a]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Pavarotti has ruined arias???? I am afraid the majority of the world will probably not agree with you. Pav is THE MAN!

[@FabioPoianMusic]

For anyone wondering what Luciano is singing at 6:00, it's this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4GomJSQj9qDoqM

[@rjasontwenty1099]

i love this...great singers of the opera....

[@sobatinyela]

Pavarotti demonstrates how it's done in this video.. and like he says it sounds simple but it might take ten years to learn how to do it properly and consistently.. for me, the process involves attempting to change my experience of the sensations of my voice.. in the area of the voice that you speak of, I like to have a feeling of cushion, space and roundness to find the "cover" you're looking for.. you have to practice everyday to become intimate with your voice, there's no magic bullet!

[@garygreen3845]

Take a look at the book Singers on Singing. It's interesting to hear how some singers speak about technique. You can tell that some singers understood how it felt for them, but they couldn't really put it into words. Marilyn Horne claims she would warm up pushing against a piano with her diaphragm...

[@hiyadroogs]

legalrule, some have argued across the decades, that the invention of the microphone has been the death knell for the great voices. The reason for this position, is that the operatic voice & the popular voice have very different tonal characteristics. the 'pop' voice tends to be round mellow & soft in texture, while the true operatic voice of the 'old' school, is diamond hard up close, & possesses huge high frequency overtones called partials, which give the voice carrying power in the theatre.

[@aminul1984]

I actually listened to one of Whitney's live songs, back in 1987. She was singing 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody'. She was mostly using chest and mix and sometimes going into a very breathy like head voice. Check it out

[@aminul1984]

Info about Gary Catona: A friend of mine emailed him about vocal technique and he replied back with this. Lower the larynx and go through the scale on a sustained note going through all the vowels. He claims that the exercises strengthens the depressor muscles. His technique is similar to SLS but the approach is different, look up Eric Arcenaux on youtube, most of his exercises are similar to SLS but the approach or the method is different.

[@titanfan5]

wow. finally someone who thinks the same way i do. i completely agree with u danbarthy. Joan was a great singer, but her diction was horrible, she would just mumble and diction is sumthin extremely important. Callas on the other hand had a fantastic diction which is one of the many things that made her who she was and still is, a legend.

[@aminul1984]

I don't know about the rasp being a dramatic effect, I could see her struggling in her facial expressions. Only she would know that. But in my opinion I would say that she sounded raspy not on purpose.

[@flaze3]

One thing I find peculiar is that the [i] vowel is extraordinarily difficult to sing from bottom to top of the range. [a] is no trouble, nor [e], but [u] and [i] are very difficult, and you feel more of a shift as well, which I'm trying to avoid.

[@aminul1984]

Listen to Alfredo Kraus, he was one of the best opera singers in my opinion. His technique was excellent, and he sang night after night without getting hoarse. Just listen to when a baby cries and screams, you would think that they are ruining their voices but in fact a baby is using the natural way to make those sounds this is why their voices don't get hoarse after they stop crying or screaming. Good technique helps you get back to nature, how ur voice was meant to work.

[@randalcolucci6833]

And an opera singer is an Olympic athlete.....

[@violinpraxis]

3:14 4:28 5:15

[@zehnthaus]

"If you can not sit comfortably in the lower middle register and in the low register, forget it! Because you have to put out sound!" (Marilyn Horne 0:26)

[@luclafor]

What year, please?

[@kuromifytheworld008]

what are all these comments from 12 years ago

[@fokmertek]

Pavarotti sounds like Borat here :D

[@ricban1950]

I sing "Cante Bellow".

[@aminul1984]

I watched that video of Whitney singing saving all my love on letterman and I have to say that she sang it almost perfect. Only problems was she moves her jaw a lot when she does the vibrato and that is not a healthy thing to do. Vibrato does not come from shaking the jaw. There was less squeeze in the voice than the other performance she done and she covered her voice really well, meaning she used vowel modification to reach higher notes and used good breathing for belting out some notes.

[@Zamstein]

aminul1984 she had it

[@aminul1984]

Well your teacher obviously had some sort of classical training in the past if she was an opera singer. That is why she emphasizes on breath support and avoiding resonating in the throat. I never said your teacher was bad or her technique but the SLS technique is not complete, it lacks a few things. She is probably teaching you the good things about SLS and adding a bit of classical technique in there, that should be fine. SLS is good but its not complete, it lacks a lot of things.

[@jenni4claire]

Perhaps I am mistaken in my impression of him.I was first struck by it watching the tributes paid to Pavarotti after his death, and he seemed so begrudging in his praise, in the context. I know RB was always said to be a Svengali without which we would not have Joan Sutherland as we know her. Obviously he is a talented man at what he does. Perhaps I am projecting: who would NOT want to sing like these performers?

[@operaox10]

First of all it's correctly pronounced bel cahnto, not bel cannto. So that already disqualifies Richard B. as being any kind of expert on what it is.

[@yoshiyyachben-moshe6890]

빠바로띠 매스터 클래스인가?

[@christianjohnson3580]

4:50 I love how he called himself out for not covering after lecturing about it's importance haha.

[@beringtoloru60]

Nothing to it! Anyone can be Pavarotti. And I have ocean front property in Las Vegas.

[@MichaelRainboy]

Those women talking about whatever and Pavarotti comes in the only one with real vocal advice. Just shows how opera has become a fancy-shmancy nonsense thing.

[@JeeRant]

I remember seeing this on an arts channel some years ago...thanks so much for posting, it's great to see it again!

[@zehnthaussteinbach5377]

Hear Marilyn Horne say: "If you can not sit comfortably in the lower middle register and in the low register, forget it. Because you also have to put out sound!" (0:27)

[@aguacun]

You must to know how to cover the Fa (F) but you must not always cover it. It depends of the phrase you are singing. Even some vocal excersices you must cover some sounds that in other you must not, even you cannot because naturally they came opened but in good position. That´s why Pavarotti did open that F in the scale played by Bonynge. To sustain an F you almopst always must to cover but not necessarily in a shor note of a scale or phrase.

[@aminul1984]

Whitney Houston uses Speech Level Singing technique. I don't know if she uses it now.