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| re: Isn't Marion usually a soprano? | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 04:34 pm EDT 09/05/19 | |
| In reply to: Isn't Marion usually a soprano? - BillyG 03:33 pm EDT 09/05/19 | |
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| They changed the keys for Chenoweth even though they didn't need to. (What a horrid thing that TV version was.) The original orchestrations were indeed iconic. This is true of many shows that when revived, right or not, seem to be given a complete musical makeover. Often for no crucial reason except that "new and improved" is always the flavor of the moment. |
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| re: Isn't Marion usually a soprano? | |
| Posted by: BillyG 05:41 pm EDT 09/05/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Isn't Marion usually a soprano? - Chromolume 04:34 pm EDT 09/05/19 | |
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| You're absolutely right that the TV version of MUSIC MAN with Chenoweth and Matthew Broderick lowered Marion's songs for some crazy reason. Maybe they felt that a higher soprano's voice would sound too shrill on TV? lol A few years later, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL presented MUSIC MAN and I got to appear in the chorus. Chenowith recreated Marion, sang the songs in the original key and sounded GLORIOUS?!!! Eric McCormack recreated Harold as he had just played it on Broadway. My feeling is that Meredith wrote Marion as a legit soprano for a reason. She exemplifies culture, class and small town sophistication. Her character is a great contrast to the ladies of River City who are more belters. I think her songs won't pop as much when they are lowered. Can you imagine "Goodnight My Someone" or "Will I Ever Tell You" sung by a belter--which Sutton certainly is. Last year I saw Sutton replace Chenoweth at the Bowl for their Bernstein tribute. Sutton sang "Tonight" with Brian Stokes Mitchell and really struggled. She even admitted onstage she's not a soprano. Sutton was amazing this year as the Baker's Wife in INTO THE WOODS. WOW!! I just don't know why they didn't get Kelli O'Hara or even Chenowith as Marion for this new revival. We shall see. |
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| re: Isn't Marion usually a soprano? | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 05:30 pm EDT 09/05/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Isn't Marion usually a soprano? - Chromolume 04:34 pm EDT 09/05/19 | |
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| They probably changed the keys for Chenoweth because they thought people couldn't handle hearing a soprano's high notes (and Marion doesn't even go that high!). There aren't many legit classical voices on network tv anymore like when they used be featured regularly on "The Tonight Show", variety shows, etc. A recent car commercial featuring one of Mozart's "Queen of the Night" arias features a soprano so softened from intent of the fiery Queen's aria to almost sound like it's been computer-altered to sound like human muzak. So the powers that be do stupid things like lowering the only principal soprano in a show famous for having one (Barbara Cook, Shirley Jones), even when they have someone more than up to singing it as written. | |
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| re: Isn't Marion usually a soprano? | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 06:19 pm EDT 09/05/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Isn't Marion usually a soprano? - PlayWiz 05:30 pm EDT 09/05/19 | |
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| A recent car commercial featuring one of Mozart's "Queen of the Night" arias features a soprano so softened from intent of the fiery Queen's aria to almost sound like it's been computer-altered to sound like human muzak. And, lowered a whole step. :-( |
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