Bob Draper responds to Ron Chaplin:
>>One thing I don't understand about the recording is having a contralto,
>>Helen Watts, sing the role of Israelite Man. Was this
>>customary during Handel's time?
>
>This is one of the reasons I wrote the other day about the
>castralto/falsetto question. Personally I prefer a man to a woman in this
>role whether he has all his faculties or not.
I'd prefer to go with women singing these Baroque roles every time. I love
the speaking voice of women and the singing voice of women: I just love
everything about women. So, I have no problem recognizing these females
voices as belonging to male characters. Also, the story lines in Baroque
operas and oratorios are rather lame; it's the music which attracts me.
I don't have any of the Brilliant Classics releases of Handel vocal works
and doubt I'll be buying them. The HIP recordings I have suit me just
right. Although Brilliant prices are as low anyone could reasonably want,
it just wouldn't be a good use of my music funds.
Don Satz
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