You have to know the language of the words you are singing. Then it is working with a person that is fluent and can coach the diction of the language. You absolutely do not have to be "conversant" in the language to sing in the language and sing well in terms of the language. It helps, of course, but is not a requirement. I would love to be conversant in all the laguages I sing in, but it won't happen in my lifetime. The music is very compelling and se we do the hard work needed.
@KittyRokher Not necessarily so, as Ira said. Many sing songs phonetically; in fact it's done all the time. Carreras I think sang a Chinese song that way (he obviously didn't know Chinese!). I think Mario Lanza sang Italian songs phonetically; though, of course, of Italian-Spanish heritage (his mom was Spanish, "Lanza"), from what I understand he did not know Italian or Spanish. Nor is it likely Johnny Mathis knew Hebrew enough to sing "Kol Nidre," and numerous other examples.
@pohlpiano Thanks for input. You're right. That doesn't change the general principle that many singers sing phonetically (tho impossible with concert opera). Lanza sang some Spanish songs ("Granada," etc.) and prob. didn't know Spanish (mom was Spanish). Pop singers used to issue records for European markets (Connie Francis, Darin, Anka); I doubt if they knew the languages. The Beatles may have known at least rudimentary German when they recorded "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in German.
frenettikus
bullogh 7 months ago
He did, indeed, speak Russian. He spoke it with my great-grandfather, who said it was "passable." In other words, pretty damn good.
samdieternel 11 months ago
You have to know the language of the words you are singing. Then it is working with a person that is fluent and can coach the diction of the language. You absolutely do not have to be "conversant" in the language to sing in the language and sing well in terms of the language. It helps, of course, but is not a requirement. I would love to be conversant in all the laguages I sing in, but it won't happen in my lifetime. The music is very compelling and se we do the hard work needed.
selash2 11 months ago
Didn't he live in Russia for a time? Can't recall.
1HiMimi 1 year ago
@1HiMimi
Yes, he did.
columbusmozart 5 months ago
Indeed, Mr Robeson is singing this with only a slight accent 0_o Bravo)
PticaLetit 1 year ago
Did he speak Russian? His pronunciation is so good and he sings with such an intonation, that is possible only for a person who speaks the language!
Delifine 1 year ago
@Delifine
No shit, Sherlock. You need to know the language before you sing it.
KittyRokher 1 year ago
@KittyRokher Not necessarily so, as Ira said. Many sing songs phonetically; in fact it's done all the time. Carreras I think sang a Chinese song that way (he obviously didn't know Chinese!). I think Mario Lanza sang Italian songs phonetically; though, of course, of Italian-Spanish heritage (his mom was Spanish, "Lanza"), from what I understand he did not know Italian or Spanish. Nor is it likely Johnny Mathis knew Hebrew enough to sing "Kol Nidre," and numerous other examples.
Richard40171 4 months ago
@Richard40171
Hm. You learn something new every day.
KittyRokher 4 months ago
@Richard40171 According to online sources Lanza could speak Italian fluently...
pohlpiano 3 months ago
@pohlpiano Thanks for input. You're right. That doesn't change the general principle that many singers sing phonetically (tho impossible with concert opera). Lanza sang some Spanish songs ("Granada," etc.) and prob. didn't know Spanish (mom was Spanish). Pop singers used to issue records for European markets (Connie Francis, Darin, Anka); I doubt if they knew the languages. The Beatles may have known at least rudimentary German when they recorded "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in German.
Richard40171 3 months ago