Expert: Gisele Afeche - 8/2/2008

Question
O, my name is Laila and Im 17. I have been learning voice for 4 years and I am a lyric coloratura soprano.
My problem/question is that a friend of mine has asked me to sing Bizets Habanera with his string orchestra. This is a problem as, although its in my range, I am not a mezzo-soprano. Will being a soprano affect my ability to sing this piece?

Secondly it is in French and I am having difficulty with pronounciation?

Answer
Dear Laila

Thank you for your question.

Carmen is definitely a mezzo soprano's role and not suitable for a soprano's voice. It all depends on how much you can cope with it and how important this concert is.

Some deeper sopranos, going onto mezzo can cope singing it though it is not ideal for their voices. Maria Callas sang it but it has at her later years when her soprano voice was starting to decline.

I'd advise you to say no, at your age it would be better to stick to the repertoire suitable for your voice. Have you asked your singing teacher about it?

If you need to do it for your friend, you could (as long as you can sing it comfortably, with no strain) do this as an 'one of' favour, though I repeat, it is not a role/song for your voice.

For the problems with French pronunciation, you will have to sort it out as French is a very important language for a singer, either with some private tuition or going to a French course. For the time being, try to get a French teacher to work the pronunciation with you, if you decide to go ahead with it.

If you need any more advice please do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope it helped.

Gisele