AboutPamela Thomas Expertise Questions on Opera performance, repertoire, vocal technique, acting for opera. I have some 20 years experience in opera in both leading roles and chorus. I have sung with New York City Opera since 1981. I have studied voice in NYC for over 20 years and have also taught technique and coached singers in acting.
Question Caruso was my favorite singer of all time.What was his vocal technique? I have a very big voice with a lot of ring to it and very little training. I'm a baritone with a
range of low E to high A. Could I learn Caruso's technique?Forgive my ignorance,I'm not saying my voice would compare with the beauty and power if his but would love to know what I could do with proper training
Answer Hi Charles,
It's actually hard for us to really tell what Caruso sounded like - the recordings are really accurate (which means he was better than the recordings). But other tenors to listen to - Franco Corelli, Carlo Bergonzi, Pavarotti, Ben Heppner - there are so many wonderful tenors and baritones out there.
I think what you need to do is find a great teacher and start studying. It's nearly impossible to learn correctly on your own - because we can't hear or see what we are doing because our instrument is inside our body.
If you have a big voice with ring and a high A - you're halfway there! But, really - find a teacher and coach - I think that's the only way you will know where you are on the "singer scale"..
