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.
Expert: Pamela Thomas Date: 7/1/2008 Subject: Humorous duets?
Question Hello!
I need some repertoire help. My friend and I were both vocal performance majors in undergrad; I'm a high-ish mezzo and she's a not-so-highish soprano. We decided to duet for our school's talent show this past year and ended up winning with a very hammed up version of "Via Resti Servita." We'd like to repeat our success this upcoming year if at all possible. :) Since practically nobody in the audience is going to be familiar with opera, I thought it would be safest to stick to comedy, but the only duets that I can think of are too similar to "Via Resti Servita." Do you have any suggestions or advice?
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Answer Hi Leslie,
What about singing the Cat Duet ("Duetto buffo di due gatti") by Rossini. The only words are "meow" - but it's cute and funny.
Also - what about "Anything you can do, I can do better" - from Annie Get Your Gun by Irving Berlin. In the show it's done by a man and a woman - but I think you two could do it - it's a "one-upmanship" song... and you can improvise in it too if you want.
Or if you want something very pretty - what about Hansel & Gretel - "When at night I go to sleep" - it's very beautiful...
If you had a third woman you could do "Three little maids from school are we" from The Mikado. It's sung by Yum-Yum and her 2 friends Peep-Bo and Pitti-Sing (the names are hysterical). Wikipedia has a nice spread on The Mikado...
Anyway - good luck with your talent show - sounds like fun!
