Chris Bonds wrote:

>But I have a new theory (ok, so it's not new): There are 2 kinds of
>people--those who value intensity in opera, and those who primarily value
>a certain standard of singing and vocal technique.  I also suggest that
>who these people are can be determined by whether or not they like Maria
>Callas.

Now I am confused, since Maria Callas certainly exhibited intensity in her
operatic roles [at least as recorded - I only saw her in one performance.]
Furthermore, Callas also exhibited a formidable vocal technique [viz.
trills, runs, arpeggios], flawed only by an inherently unattractive voice.

I think, Chris, you would have a dichotomy if you replaced the
"...standard of singing ..." by "beauty of vocal tone."

 [It sounds to me as if you have not listened to much Callas and have
accepted the "conventional wisdom".]

Regards,

Bill Karzas                     [log in to unmask]