Countertenors

[Dorsetmike]

Having sung countertenor for many years (from age 20 through 40, a voice that I appeared to have inherited from my father), having read a bit many counter tenors sing falsetto i.e. outside their "modal voice" others of us have shorter vocal chords, or the voice does not break in the usual way so we are not using falsetto.

I have always had an interest in hearing others and have picked out a few youtube performances.

First a Japanese with (in my opinion) a beautiful voice, Yoshikazu Mera with Solveig's song followed by Greensleeves, then Ombra Mai Fu

[Dorsetmike]

Next Phillipe Jaroussky from France with a Vivaldi aria, followed by Fauré's Pie Jesu, and to compare to others Ombra Mai Fu

[Dorsetmike]

Now David Daniels with Vivaldi's 'Barbaro Traditor', followwed by Purcell's "Sweeter than Roses" and "Ombra Mai Fu"

[Dorsetmike]

Andreas Scholl, first off get ready for a few tears, Purcell "When I am Laid in Earth", Bach, Agnus Dei from Bminor mass, and Ombra Mai Fu.

[Corno Dolce]

Hi Mike,

What a "Weepie" the Agnus Dei was - I went through a whole box of kleenex because of it........

[wljmrbill]

Very much enjoyed your selections of the countertenor. The Scholl's singing of Agnus Dei was heavenly and as My friend already stated. "Ombra mai fu" is one of my all time favorites.I have a friend who is a countertenor and is a professor as well as tours at the Conservatory in Moscow. Thanks for posting.

[Corno Dolce]

I wonder if Andreas Scholl is not the "Countertenor of the Century" - I mean, that dude has so much musicianship........

[Dorsetmike]

I think the other three possibly have a greater range, especially Jaroussky but it's a hard to draw a line between all af them in my opinion.

[GoneBaroque]

Countertenor David Daniels sings Victor Hely-Hutchinson's "Old Mother Hubbard" in the style of Handel to the delight of the audience and us.