Singing ballads as duets, and in harmony. . . .    I'd have to think about that some. Although I think ballads generally go well without accompaniment, I usually like to accompany them (guitar), making sure that the accompaniment supports the ballad and doesn't detract or distract in any way. It would seem to me that two voices singing in harmony might render a ballad more a musical piece than a narrative. As I say, I'd have to think about that.

There are a few ballads that do go well as man-woman duets—dialogs—and I have occasionally performed them that way with women singers and we were well received. Two I can think of right off are (the dreaded) Lord Randal and Edward.

Don Firth