'Boy sopranos lose their voice'

Subject: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: Thompson
Date: 20 Jan 17 - 11:34 AM

There's a common belief that brilliant boy sopranos almost never go on to become beautiful baritones or tenors or basses. But is this actually true or a myth? Any examples?

Subject: RE: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: meself
Date: 20 Jan 17 - 01:24 PM

... well (clears throat) ... being the humble fellow I am, I would not go so far as to say I was a 'brilliant' boy soprano, but, in my salad days, I was on occasion - in fact, on a number of occasions - invited to perform for the local gentry and other discriminating audiences. When my voice changed, I laid back for a few years, but by the time I was nineteen or so, I started performing again, getting into the folk thing. I don't think I was ever accused of becoming a 'beautiful baritone', or a beautiful anything for that matter - in fact, my singing voice was once described (by me) as a cross between those of Popeye and Long John Silver - but it was once or twice sufficient to attract the fond attention of the beautiful ....

Subject: RE: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: GUEST,Ebor Fiddler
Date: 20 Jan 17 - 03:02 PM

Anyone heard Aled Jones recently?

Subject: RE: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jan 17 - 03:12 PM

I think that most people who love singing as children, continue to love singing all their lives. If they're child prodigies, there's a good chance they won't be as prodigious as adults - but most will keep singing.
I was an alto, never a boy soprano, but I have loved singing since I joined choir in fifth grade at the age of 12 or so. I was never what one would call "brilliant," but Sister John Bosco the choir director said I was "really sharp." Until I reached the age of 40, I took that as a compliment.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 20 Jan 17 - 03:53 PM

It is a myth. Boy singers are usually selected for their musicality, good ear, motoric talent and diligence. Since all this together is rare enough, the beauty of sound is usually considered sufficient.

Well-trained adult singers are not quite as rare, so that the sound quality, which mainly depends on the physiology of the skull and respiratory organs, makes the difference.

To become a well-trained adult, it certainly helps if you had some training as a child. Nevertheless, both sexes must rediscover their voices from decade to decade.

Subject: RE: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: Iains
Date: 20 Jan 17 - 03:56 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX_wqn1ILE8

These young lads have talent in abundance.

Subject: RE: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: Thompson
Date: 20 Jan 17 - 05:40 PM

Thanks - hadn't thought of Aled Jones, and of course there was Al Jolson.

Subject: RE: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: GUEST,lou Judson
Date: 20 Jan 17 - 07:51 PM

Pardon some snark, but lose your voice or lose your … ahem. Never mind.

Subject: RE: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: leeneia
Date: 20 Jan 17 - 10:29 PM

Vincent Cole is an opera singer and voice teacher from my city, and his talent was discovered in during boyhood.    He told us at a meeting that it is important for a boy to keep singing during "the break."

That's only distantly related to this topic, but I thought people might be interested.

Subject: RE: 'Boy sopranos lose their voice'
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 21 Jan 17 - 09:21 AM

As well as Aled Jones, the other singer of "Walking in the Air", Peter Auty, seems to have a pretty successful operatic career.