Thanks, Alan for invoking me -- I feel kind of like Elvira in "High Spirits"! :)
Anyway, Chromie knows his stuff. I'd just say that Nettie tends to be cast with a somewhat darker hue of tone to contrast with the youthful sounds that would be preferable for certainly Carrie and to always sound more mature than Julie, especially as quite a number of years pass during the show. I'd also think that since Nettie has had a number of contraltos (when more ladies would classify themselves as that) and mezzos in the role who have sung opera, a more legit sound, with some more vibrato would also be more welcome than not for someone singing this role. Like Julie, a warm tone is also desirable as well as a really lovely legato to sing a beautiful vocal line. I'm thinking more in terms of the roles in total, but as for "June is Bustin' Out All Over", I've heard some full-throated tones in the verse used "March went out like a lion", etc., but the quick main refrain moves so fast that it doesn't really need much vibrato, except perhaps for the last "June June, June!" where the note is held. Yes, some sopranos with more heft to their voices have sung the role, too. |
