I watched a PBS show the other night on Sting performing the aires of John Dowland. Anyone else see it or listened to the CD? My own view is that he just doesn't have the voice nor range to do Dowland justice.

I have always loved Dowland. I have great respect and admiration for Sting, but whether his is the right voice (what on earth is the right voice, anyway?) I cannot say. Obviously I did not catch the programme, but I would have been very interested to have experienced it. The songs, pieces for solo lute and viol ensembles are superb, are they not? Lovely music from nearly 400 years ago...fabulous...

Over the years here at AP I have not made any secret of the fact I love the music of the English Renaissance...Byrd, Morely, Weelkes, Bennet, Tallis. And especially Dowland, whether it be ayres, lute solos, consorts or madrigals. His genius in combining words and music is stunning "Flow My Teares," "In Darkness Let Me Dwell," "Can She Excuse?"
Singing these well for me requires several things as regards vocal technique: a clear, pure voice, no vibrato, accurate pitch, phrasing and breath control. After decades of rock, Sting displays none of these. His voice is on the raspy side, his pitch circles around without finding, he takes breaths when he has to, ignoring the sense of the phrases.

I know all the others whom you mention quite well, JR other than Bennet, whom I do not know at all. I shalle attempte to rectifye this, forthwithe, yf notte sooner!
Cheers, Ritz... ...

quote:

JR other than Bennet, whom I do not know at all.

Perhaps Bennet's two best known madrigals are "Weepe O Mine Eyes" and his "All Creatures Now Are Merry-Minded" from The Triumphes of Oriana

P.S. You may see him listed as Benet. I've seen both spellings.

OK. Cheers, JR...