"As far as I'm concerned, it's more that the singer is at the service of the story -- rather than that the singer is the vessel for the ballad"

Yes, Anne, that's just what I feel. Rest of your post is good, too - we all keep learning or else we're dead (and Richard H is with us too).

Right, Crow Sister, 'expression' doesn't have to be 'panto'. Get out and do it.