Sometimes opera singers record some of the lighter repetoire on their CDs. They may record songs from shows or films. But what really strikes me is when opera singers sing pop songs. It's different and quite amusing to all the other things that get released in the charts. It's all right once in a while, but if you listen to it too much, it really makes you cringe!
I remember that they were talking about it on Room 101. The comedian who was doing it, I think it was Linda Smith, but she said "Imagine Kiri te Kanawa singing Oasis's Wonderwall!" That would sound quite odd, wouldn't it?

Have you realised that classical singers, especially the newer ones, are very fond of this whole crossover thing? On their albums, they've got Italian versions of pop songs, they've put words to film scores and recognisable tunes. It does get a bit cringy after a while! What do you think about the whole opera meets pop thing. I think it's something that causes just a bit of controversy but not too much. Anyway, I'll leave it up to you!

Crossover (at it's commonly known), is an attempt to introduce otherwise pop fans to classical music. Unfortunately, it rarely works - this type of music gives a distorted view of what classical music is all about. How can you compare some young scantily-clad violinist playing shallow virtuosic music to a disco backing to a Mahler symphony, or a Bach fugue? Stations like Classic FM arent helping the problem, it's amazing what seems to pass as 'classical music' these days. 'Relaxing' compilations present music as being wallpaper or to serve a certain purpose, instead of being taken for what it is. The classical charts are full of so-called artists, mainly singers (who are not of the highest calibre, to put it kindly) while serious artists are no-where to be seen. Oh, and Classic FM TV - I've never seen anything so 'cringeworthy' in my life!


Sorry if that sounded rude, it's an issue I feel very strongly about!

QUOTE (hannah @ Jun 2 2004, 04:28 PM)

Oh, and Classic FM TV - I've never seen anything so 'cringeworthy' in my life!

i have to agree!! i can't stand it!!

I have to agree about classic fm- it's becoming really terrible! Did anyone see the classical brits the other night? WHAT was going on with Vanessa Mae? It's just embarrassing, and i have never seen anything worse than that opera 'band' in my life. It was absolutely sickening- i don't even know whether they had nice voices or not because I was too busy being disgusted at the ridiculous outfits they were wearing! And in that whole programme, there was only singing and 2 violinists! Is that a good representation of classical music? I think not!!! Why couldn't there have been a nice Beethoven string quartet? or a woodwind/brass concerto? or a symphony??? Arghhh! it makes me so cross thinking about it! these so-called 'crossover' artists are giving classical music a bad name while doing nothing to convince non-classical fans that classical music is 'cool'. I've never known anybody to sit and watch vanessa mae or myleene klass dancing around in barely there outfits and then think 'hmmm, isn't mozart a genius'.
I HATE CROSSOVER ARTISTS!!!!
ok, got that out of my system! hope nobody's offended- it's just my opinion after all.

QUOTE (hgirl @ Jun 3 2004, 06:40 PM)

Did anyone see the classical brits the other night?

I watched the first half hour or so, then decided that going to sleep was a much better option... It was awful!

QUOTE (hgirl @ Jun 3 2004, 06:40 PM)

Did anyone see the classical brits the other night?

yes i saw it all!! i couldnt believe Ludovico didnt win, i was so upset!!

yes! i saw the classical brits! i thought vanessa mae's outfit was so revealing, don't you think? is it me, but everyone's trying to make classical music seem more sexy by wearing nothing, pouting and dancing whilst singing or playing an instrument.

amici forever i thought did quite a good performance but when i was looking at what the band members were wearing, the girls looked like turkeys in gold foil! sorry!

i thought nigel kennedy, bryn terfel and renee fleming did the best performances, they were fantastic!

has anyone heard of duel, that violin duo? what do you think of their album?


and it's a bit random, but has anyone seen lesley garrett on strictly come dancing, that new celebrity ballroom dancing show? what do you think of it? i used to think she was great, but i think that she may be going downhill. or she might become more popular because of the show

QUOTE (violingirl @ Jun 4 2004, 02:03 PM)

and it's a bit random, but has anyone seen lesley garrett on strictly come dancing, that new celebrity ballroom dancing show?

I don't know how I managed to see this, but yes.

I don't particularly like opera singing but I quite like Lesley Garrett.
It helps as she's such a down to earth person.

But yes, I saw it........Mmmmmm.
I'm not sure how strong the cringe factor was.

Fiona

Hate to say this guys, especially as I agree with you all and loved Nigel Kennedys performance, but I recorded the Brits and my kids aged 7 and 5 were so taken with it, especially Vanessa, that they have decided this is what they want to do and I hardly been able to stop them practising since, not that I've tried very hard, and we had to watch the whole D### thing 3 times.

They were the same with last years proms though so there is hope.

QUOTE (Digby @ Jun 5 2004, 09:08 PM)

, but I recorded the Brits and my kids aged 7 and 5 were so taken with it, especially Vanessa, that they have decided this is what they want to do and I hardly been able to stop them practising since, not that I've tried very hard, and we had to watch the whole D### thing 3 times.

not good that you had to watch it 3 times but at least your kids are practising!

QUOTE (Digby @ Jun 5 2004, 09:08 PM)

but I recorded the Brits and my kids aged 7 and 5 were so taken with it, especially Vanessa, that they have decided this is what they want to do and I hardly been able to stop them practising since, not that I've tried very hard, and we had to watch the whole D### thing 3 times.

well, I'm glad there was ONE good effect of it! you may hope that they don't literally want to be vanessa mae!

This has nothing to do with Classical Brits/Proms but there is a Queen (rock band) symphony!! What on earth is going on? And there are orchestrated versions of REM songs and Phil Collins songs!!

Don't forget ,it was worse a little while ago- remember "Hooked on Classics"?--- bits of Mozart 40 and Tchaikovsky's Piano concerto etc ,all played at the same tempo to fit with a totally inane drum beat-- A shameful time in our musical history !

I have just this minute Myleen Klass' Moving On playing on my hi-fi.

I borrowed a copy, and I have never in my life not listened to a CD the whole way through, so I am determined to stomach it, but the drum beat on track 1 makes me fele nauseous. What's more scary is that I am starting to get used to it after 3 minutes.

Although I do agree with some of your opinions, you aren't completely right about classic fm tv, I mean, Paverotti's 'Il Canto' is amazing, and anything by Bryn, Lesley, Andrea, etc.Plus, ok, maybe Myleene and Vanessa don't need to be so revealing, but you can't expect them to be dressed in old floral gowns and such to suit the image of classical music.For people like me, who sing opera, its good to know you no longer have to be a 6ft 20 stone woman named Helga and that you can look good and unfrumpy while playing classical music.I know people at school who are beginning to get into classical because its not just for 'old people' anymore. However, charlotte church singing on a dance track............so NOT right!

I agree about charlotte church lol

The whole 'crossover' thing is totally cringe-worthy and if anything, makes young people switch off to the whole idea of 'classical' music. If you want to get the music to the masses then I'm pretty sure that this is not the way forward. They already think there's something wholly uncool about classical music, opera etc and trying to make it 'accessible' by adding a shaming drum beat or having opera stars singing pop music (it so doesn't work) is just adding to the idea that classical musicians and those who enjoy it are clueless!! I for one just don't get why people keep insisting on trying it out! [/color]

I think it makes us all look way too desperate. Bah. However, I agree that we don't have to insist that young classical artists wear corsettes and long frilly dresses just to impress on people that they are playing classical music. It's enough to look comfortable with your own image without appearing too...disastrous, if I might add.

I hate it when people slay decent songs by putting synthesisers and electronic drumbeats behind them. I think instrumental crossover can sometimes be ok but only if its a pop song made so classical that it's hardly recognisable! I can understand why classical singers in particular would want to make the cross over- classical music can be a bit heavy at times and jazz and pop tends to be more laid back, they want to break free from the constraints of their own style but instead usually end up sounding twee and out of place. I do however love to hear the more diverse singers make the crossover, there's nothing better than a performer who dabble in different styles and pick up the individual characteristics of each one successfully.