Simon Corley wrote:

>And how often I'd like to have the subtitles when a French opera is sung in
>French, just because many singers - most of them, French speaking - are
>completely unintelligible!

This is interesting to hear, since we English-speaking opera listeners
frequently have the experience of not understanding English as sung by
so many opera singers, also.  Yet, curiously enough, I rarely have that
problem with German operas.  That is, even though it is not my native
language, I find that it is usually sung clearly enough, whether by
German-speaking or non-German-speaking singers, that I can at least tell
what words are being sung.  Is it the case that English and French are more
difficult to sing understandably?

P.S.  A very happy New Year, filled with the most glorious music listening
and making, to all!

Jon Johanning // [log in to unmask]