Which opera singer do YOU think has the most beautiful vocal tone/color?
I'm simply asking about the VOICE (the tone and color of the voice) itself, not so much about the technique or skill etc. Just purely about the VOICE.
Just curious to know others' opinion here. I personally like the timbre of Kathleen Battle's voice, but there may be many other vocally-gifted opera singers out there I haven't heard about yet. How about you?
Btw, when I say opera singer, I meant that as in REAL opera singers, NOT popera (pop classical) or classical crossover artists like Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, Sarah Brightman, Andrea Bocelli, Katherine Jenkins, Paul Potts, Hayley Westenra etc. Those people are NOT real opera singers so please DO NOT mention their names. Learn to differentiate both genres. Opera is NOT the same as popera or classical crossover. Thanx in advance.
Again, please read my Q's carefully. I only meant the VOICE and just the VOICE alone, not the technique/skill, nor power, nor artistry, nor diction, nor phrasing, nor feeling/soul etc. But simply the VOICE itself. It doesn't matter if the singer has a great technique/artistry/musicianship or is able to sing many different genres, that's not what I expect. I only talk about the singer's VOICE. Which opera singer do you think has the most beautiful vocal TONE or COLOR or TIMBRE? Thanx!
Hey I love Joan too =D I also love Leontyne Price and Jessye Norman.
Another fave of mine is Sumi Jo, but I adore her rather for technique and amazing skill, but NOT necessarily for her vocal tone. Don't get me wrong, I love Sumi Jo and I basically like coloratura voices. Coloratura singers can demonstrate flawless technique and skill. But sometimes coloratura singers' vocal tone tends to lack of warmth (but not always) and breathiness might get in the way.
Ms. Chick, I totally agree with you. There are so many talented singers/performers out there who never got big. These people SHOULD be famous instead of some of the singers we see these days.
I really hate it when the industry tries to force it into our mind that great artists are only the ones who have recording deals or still able to maintain their existence in the industry. That is so NOT true! So many great artists out there don't get the chance they deserve because they don't have the right look or story for the industry. They are like falling trees in the wood. They're extremely good, but no one knows them.
You & I both know that regardless of talent, those recording artists can make it in the industry because of many other factors. Not to say that they aren't talented at all, but there must be more than just talent that excells their way to the top. Supposedly they're fat, ugly or have no sob story to back their image, would they still manage to get the record deal? Exactly!
And opera is supposed to be not akin with pop music/industry, but unfortunately, the reality is that many great opera singers are getting passed by over some less-talented but more attractive singers. The modern opera world is now becoming more and more like its pop counterpart, although it's still much better than the superficial pop scene/industry.
Btw I'm surprised that no one mentions about Rosa Ponselle. Is there anybody who likes her here? I think she had one of the richest voice in opera. I really like her voice.