In Reply to: I've been reading Hogwood's biography of Handel recently posted by Chris from Lafayette on February 17, 2017 at 09:26:50:
I think it a little unfair to accuse the HIP movement itself of hypocrisy in recordings /DVDs having singers using vibrato or inauthentic opera settings and costumes.
In practice neither the choice of singers nor the staging/costumes are under the control of the musical director. The singer is selected by the record company no doubt with the view that an opera is very expensive to record and that a star singer* is necessary to secure adequate sales. Of course the staging and costumes are in the producer's gift. Neither record company nor producer may have any allegience to HIP ideals.
One may accuse the musical director of accepting compromises but as much performing art involves a group effort nothing would ever get done without them.
* Normally an opera star of the standard repertoire with a huge voice and concomitant technique who is unlikely to abandon their style viz. my copy of Rinanaldo being the Jean-Claude Malgoire one with , for an HIP performance, the unlikely selection of Ileana Cotrubas.
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Follow Ups
- RE: I've been reading Hogwood's biography of Handel recently - PAR 06:17:28 02/18/17 (3)
- I think you're too kind! - Chris from Lafayette 09:27:40 02/18/17 (2)
- RE: I think you're too kind! - PAR 15:31:17 02/18/17 (0)
- I can only think of one thing that might bring you to your senses... - Ivan303 14:12:40 02/18/17 (0)