Patrick Bade
Introduction to Opera, Part 2: French Opera
Summary
Patrick Bade continues his introduction to opera series, exploring and focusing on the rich world of French opera and the many wonderful singers and composers it includes. Part 2 of 4.
Patrick Bade
Patrick Bade is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He studied at UCL and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was a senior lecturer at Christie’s Education for many years and has worked for the Art Fund, Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and V&A. He has published on 19th- and early 20th-century paintings and historical vocal recordings. His latest book is Music Wars: 1937–1945.
I think really that, yes, there might be. I mean, as I said last week, Vishnevskaya said it was much easier for her to sing in Italian than singing in Russian. But I think, you know, the way you produce your sounds is probably formed very early by the way you learn to speak. So I think most French sopranos would still sound French even if they were singing in Italian.
That’s a very interesting one. Needs a whole lecture to itself. I personally love rapid vibrato. I don’t like a wobble. Nobody likes wobble. But I think a rapid vibrato is an exciting feature.