Operetta songs that I'd like to be covered.

[morwen9]

I've been following CC artists (mostly Hayley Westenra and Celtic Woman) for a few years, starting from when I was 13 (I'm 18 now) and listening to operettas, such as Naughty Marietta. I can actually sing some arias from operettas. (The Song of the Brass Key from The Desert Song is one. Others are too high for me, so I can't stay in tune. I can just sing parts of Neath the Southern Moon. Emphasis on parts. "Tell me, kindly Fortune, tell me..." ) Looking at the Youtube lists of operetta performers like Nelson Eddy, Jeanette MacDonald, and Kathryn Grayson, I noticed quite a few of them did classical material too.

So here's my short list of operetta songs composed by Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert that I would love to hear even one CC artist cover. Anyone. It'd make a nice change from the usual stuff. (I wonder how much of that is due to record labels thinking "that's what people want to hear?")

"Stouthearted Men" from Romberg's The New Moon. This was done by Nelson Eddy and Gordon MacRae. And Barbra Streisand, who is the only recent artist to do it. But she isn't CC.

"Softly, As a Morning Sunrise" also from The New Moon.

"Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life" from Herbert's Naughty Marietta. I can't stay in tune for this one, even though I'd really love to be Jeanette MacDonald. )

"Italian Street Song" from Naughty Marietta. Much harder than "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life" due to all those high Cs and coloratura. And that last high note. I have a feeling Hayley Westenra could do this one.

"One Flower Grows Alone In Your Garden" from Romberg's The Desert Song. It's not that hard for a woman to sing. I can sing it, (without the high C, but still..) even though it's meant for a man. This is one of those songs I'd love to hear anyone contemporary cover.

"One Alone" from The Desert Song.

"The Riff Song" from The Desert Song

"The Sabre Song" from The Desert Song. Probably one of the hardest songs in the whole operetta, and the most operatic sounding. The only version I've been able to find on YouTube is Carlotta King's in the 1929 film version of The Desert Song.

Anyone have some ideas of operetta songs they'd love to hear a CC version of? (How do you start a CC career anyway? I'd really like to know:) )

[klamath]

Welcome aboard Morwen. You brought back some memories of my mom singing "Ah sweet mystery of life" when I was a boy.
You listen to music outside of the box for you age group.

[morwen9]

Thanks, klamath. I seem to be told that my voice sucks on "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life" pretty often by my family. But I'd really love to be a CC singer myself and sing operetta in concerts. Got to improve my voice first, though. It's not professional standard yet. I'd particularly like to do Italian Street Song or Neath The Southern Moon. Especially NTSM. Adah is my favourite character in Naughty Marietta.

[nicola]

Hello Morwen,

I am not at all familiar with operatta's so I can't answer your main question. It's wonderful for you to share your expertise with us though! <3

As to your last question - you start it like you start any other recording career - building a profile, building a name for yourself, gathering followers around you - it's so much easier these days with the internet. The biggies are: Official website, youtube profile, facebook page and a twitter. Youtube is vital - people must be able to hear you sing and know your sound. Facebook and Twitter allows for a community within your following and allows them to share you with their friends.

Once you have all that - start putting yourself there! XD

[morwen9]

Thanks, Nicola!

[morwen9]

Following Nicola's advice, I've posted my first Youtube video ever. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz4_V3Y1b4c. This is me singing The Song of The Brass Key. Unfortunately I have a bit of a stuffed nose. Tell me what you think.

And no, I'm not fishing for compliments. I want to know what people who don't know me actually think of my singing. (Even if they hate it.) And IMO a good way to start is to post a link on an Internet forum dedicated to Classical Crossover, since that's kind of what I want to do. And everyone here knows about CC singing. Most people I know and have met who have heard me sing tell me I'm a good, even great, singer. But then, they know me personally and have heard me sing before. No one here knows me personally or has heard me sing.

[nicola]

Hello Morwen,

I think you should wait until you no longer have a stuffed nose before you post videos of yourself! Judging by what you posted, there is a lot of room for improvement. Be patient, prepare your voice properly, and concentrate! Select pieces that are within your range. Would like to hear how you sound when you are on form.

How did you come to be interested in operettas? As Klamath said, it's very unusual for somebody your age.

[morwen9]

Nicola, I'm a bit confused about that range thing. Are you saying that piece isn't in my range? How could you tell? Was I out of tune or something? I can't always tell when I'm out of tune. Maybe I'll try that song again when my nose has cleared up.

I've always loved musicals and old movies. I got into operettas through watching old R&H musicals. Then my brother showed me a song on Youtube.

[nicola]

You may be able to technically hit high notes - but your vocal range is where your vocals most comfortably sit - it didn't sound like they were "comfortable" in the higher notes. xx

[morwen9]

Jul 1, 2012 12:14:12 GMT nicola said:

You may be able to technically hit high notes - but your vocal range is where your vocals most comfortably sit - it didn't sound like they were "comfortable" in the higher notes. xx

Oh, that's why. Thanks. I guess I'll wait for my nose and throat to clear up. I hate stuffed noses and sore throats, they take away my high notes. Or sing it at a lower pitch. (Funny thing is, I'm a soprano, according to some of my singing teachers. But most people think I'm a mezzo. Even me. Despite the fact that my F and G aren't that good. This song was written for a mezzo. And I can't hit a sharp well with a sore throat.)

Anyway, after my throat's cleared up I'll try this song again, to see if I sound better, and post it in another thread.

[klamath]

I have to agree with Nicola, in that the stuffy nose harmed your presentation. Remember to only post your work for public viewing when you are on top of you game. Don't post anything when you know you are having problems that are adversly effecting your performance. Pick your best work for public viewing.

[morwen9]

Ok, thanks, klamath. I'll try that song again when my voice is better. Or "Neath the Southern Moon", which has a great crescendo. And some fantastically low notes. jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2/3588/075.118.001.webimage.JPEG?sequence=7
jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2/3588/075.118.002.webimage.JPEG?sequence=5 Here's the first two pages of the sheet music from the Levy Sheet Music Collection. The low notes I'm talking about are on "I cannot- dare not know!" It reminds me of "Someone Else's Story" from Chess. (I'd like to sing NTSM to improve my low range).

[morwen9]

And on the subject of classical crossover and operettas, but moving out of operettas; anyone have any older musical theatre standards that they'd like to hear covers of?

[morwen9]

Anyone else think CC artists should sing operetta songs, or (and this is really outrageous, but could be awesome) there should be a full-length operetta production with CC artists in the lead roles?

The image of Lisa Kelly from Celtic Woman singing "The Song of the Brass Key'' while dressed in a 1920s dress won't leave my head. As well as a duet between Chloe Agnew and a male singer on "The Desert Song". Or the idea of Chloe singing "The Sabre Song." Classical Crossover does Romberg, anyone?

[John]

The first time I saw Alfie Boe live was when he took the role of Nanki-Poo in Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado.