ultrasoprano
Aug 24 2005, 06:14 PM
Hi everyone! Thank you so much for coming in here and seeing if you can help me. I'm grateful.
I need to find three different songs.
First, I need to find a duet between a baritone (no higher than a F) and a lower soprano (up to an A at the highest). I would like it to be from a musical, but anything that isn't too operatic should be fine. it should be a beginner's peice, nothing hard. Some harmonies are fine, as long as it it the female that is singing them.
Next, I need a laxus-soprano aria. It can go up to an F (not the one on the top of the stave but the one above it). It could be kind of like "Adele's Laughing Song" from "Die Fleadurmaus". It should farily upbeat and fun.
Thirdly, I need another aria, for a lower soprano. I'm not sure how high it can go, but it should be slow and smooth, with a slightly difficult melody. Something like "Think of Me" from "Phantom of the Opera" would be fine.
Again, thank you so much for all of your help.
Satine
Aug 24 2005, 07:41 PM
The piece which springs immediately to mind for your third request (slow, smooth, lower soprano) is The Sun Whose Rays from the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Mikado. Not strictly an aria, but then neither is Think of Me.
By "aria", do you mean an aria from an opera, or just any non-contemporary solo song?
I will trawl the internet (and my music, lol) and see if I can find anything which fits your first two requests.
thouston
Aug 26 2005, 01:10 PM
Actually Gilbert and Sullivan is a good place to start for all of your songs. There's "Poor Wandering One" from Pirates of Penzance, for coloratura soprano - that has an option to do an ending cadenza going up to a high e flat, plus a few vocal fireworks on the way. For the other soprano, as well as the song that Satine suggested, there are loads of other solos; for example "If somebody there chanced to be" from Ruddigore (with funny words about the problems of etiquette), or "When a merry maiden marries" from Gondoliers, to name but a few. There are also plenty of duets for virtually all voice combinations.
Away from G&S, how about "So in love" (Cole Porter) for your lower soprano, or "If I loved you" (Carousel). Both lovely tunes, not too high (about f top note) but both Grade 8 pieces, so not without challenge.
For your high song, there are also the other 2 great arias from Die Fledermaus - Adele's Audition Song (in which she is trying to impress with her singing ability, so is showing off a variety of techniques in a very flamboyant way) and the fabulous Czardas (Rosalinde trying to pretend she's Hungarian and again going over the top with technique). Both of them go up to high D in the professional edition. Both of these are fantastic fun to perform as there is the opportunity to act as well as sing.
My favourite Sop/Baritone duet is "La ci darem la mano" from Rigoletto. Although it's from an opera, there's plentry of scope really to ham it up (lecherous Count trying to seduce innocent young maid), though it might be a bit of a challenge if both your singers are inexperienced. Or for a complete change of style, how about "I can do anything better than you" (Annie get your gun)? Although it's a duet, mostly the singers take it in turns to sing, so if they aren't used to harmonising, that might be easier for them (as well as being a very entertaining song).
Hope this gives a bit of inspiration - I'll post again if I think of any more!
ultrasoprano
Aug 26 2005, 10:13 PM
wow.. those are some fabulous ideas- thank you both so much- the 3rd one doesn't have to be an aria- but something like it- thank you for everything- i'll keep all of your suggestions in mind
Satine
Sep 2 2005, 08:59 PM
Incidentally - I think the website
www.ariadatabase.com might help you a lot. You can put in different ranges and voice types and it'll churn out appropriate roles and arias...see if this helps.
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