What is the "correct" tempo for the alto section of this duet? I'm not doing the recitative.
It's marked larghetto, but I'm confused. The time signature is 12/8. If I use the metronome setting 80, is that the tempo for each 8th note or the dotted quarters? I want to be able to sing these long phrases comfortably.
Thanks in advance. I've sung this aria.
The beat would be for every three eighth notes. In other words, 4 beats to a measure. And 80 is pretty accurate, but you might need to go a little slower, maybe as slow as 60. It depends, of course, on the director of your performance of "Messiah". If you're singing it solo, sing it at a pace between 60 and 80 bpm where you can make it through the phrases comfortably. And don't be afraid to take breaths if you need them; just plan ahead and make sure they make sense with the text.
Please feel free to email or IM me if you have any questions about this or other arias in "Messiah", or choruses in the work. Are you doing it in "period" tempi or modern? what is the conductor/music director using as his/her source?There are so many versions of the Messiah...
You should be taking your tempo direction from the director, not choosing it yourself, unless of course, you are also conducting the piece, in which case, I will be quiet for now. ;) |
