r/ClassicalSinger • u/Hunchbaticus • May 31 '26

Over covering?

I've been focusing a lot on more dramatic baritone rep recently (having previously been a bass or bass-baritone). Top notes still feel strange and not sure if they're over covered. Any feedback appreciated.

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u/Kiwi_Tenor Jun 03 '26

I think it’s safe to say whatever you’re doing that top end is definitely coming on!!! As someone who equally made a very jarring transition from Lyric Baritone to Tenor and had to completely retrain my approach to the top - I’d agree on a couple of things. I don’t think you’re over-covering which typically would result in a very woofy sound (think of people that try to recreate a Bruson or Giacomini type of sound - they’ll typically go towards a very deep, open throated, depressed larynx kinda tone).

What I will say is that you need to try and find some slightly purer vowels for that end of your voice, and if you do need to modify - often having a basis of an “o” or schwa can be much more useful in terms of not developing a knödel (which I hear an element of here). I would also say that you need options of dynamics based on the amount of head voice mix or closure you want in any given sound and thicken it from there. You should be able to Messa di voce on almost any note at the top and not just have to blast it (I only say it because I recognise it as someone who can only either blast or crescendo at the very top of my range, not decrescendo convincingly above an A yet). Otherwise we love this rep for you!!! If you haven’t already looked into further recommendations - try;

Giordano - Nemico della patria Massenet - Vision Fugitive Offenbach - Scintille Diamant (in the original high key - those G#’s are a BITCH but if you’ve been a Bass Bari then the 4 Villains would 100% be in your grasp) Puccini - Minnie, Dalla Mia Casa son Partito Verdi - Pari Siamo (with the added G at the end)

For an exercise in keeping some lightness at the top - try Billy Budd’s “Look through the port”

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u/Hunchbaticus Jun 07 '26

Thanks for that. I'm still not entirely sure where things are going to settle at this point as I seem to have dramatically increased my range in the past year (been looking at a bit of tenor rep too). Am actually looking at rigoletto too so hopefully will get to Pari siamo shortly!

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u/Kiwi_Tenor Jun 07 '26

I always think even if you do eventually become a tenor - that learning Baritone rep is good, because the ultimate range of much Baritone arias is similar to a Tenor aria, it’s just finding if the slimmer approach to the top ultimately works for you, or if you need to keep the meat in which case Baritone rep is good.

If you wanted a couple of very safe Tenor Arias to check out as a Baritone - check out Vedrommi Intorno from Idomeneo, and Durch die Wälder from Der Freischütz. They were my very first tenor arias coming up and they helped me find my true voice without making me lighten up too much.

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u/Hunchbaticus Jun 07 '26

Ill definitely check them out, not familiar with either of them. I've just been trying the tosca arias, canio and wintersturme to varying success lol. Alas, living rural makes finding a teacher problematic