Sell it for a tenor?

[Audiognome]

This is probably a really long shot, but you never know ....

My father has a long-standing passion for opera and discovered, rather late in life, that he has somewhat of a talent for singing. Indeed, he is rather a fine tenor & has won many local competitions, etc. Now about to turn 73, he's wondering how long his voice will last.
Recently, the owner of a local studio saw him perfom & was rather enthusiastic about recording what he'd heard - not for any commercial venture, but just for fun / for a challenge / for posterity.

Problem is ... accompanyment. My father knows a couple of accomplished pianists who would be up to the job and that would be fine for lighter stuff, but what he would REALLY like is to have full orchestral backing. The sort of stuff he likes to sing are favourite tenor arias, such as "Nessun Dorma"

OK - I'm showing my ignorance here - that's the only one I know the title of!!! Can't stand opera myself !

Now, finding a spare orchestra knocking about is not so easy. So, I'm wondering if any pre-recorded backing for this type of thing exists (minus the vocal) and is available? Obviously it would need to be of fairly good quality.

So, anybody got any ideas? As I said above, this is not a commercial venture, it's just for family/friends, so the cost must be reasonable (hiring an orchestra is NOT an option!!).

Any suggestions gratefully received

Nigel.

[pre65]

Hi-might be worth contacting the local paper.

It would be a good story for them and the paper might be able to attract a local orchestra perhaps during a practice session.

Good luck in your quest to make this happen.


Philip

[pre65]

Hi-as i had a bit of spare time i did a Google "karaoke opera cd" and came up with

http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/...40/a/Opera.htm

so there are such things about.



Philip

EDIT-just had a listen to the Nessun Dorma track and it has vocals !!

try this http://www.hitkaraoke.com/music_details.asp?MSID=8714
http://www.hitkaraoke.com/category_search.asp?CATID=257

[Audiognome]

Thanks Philip, I'll take a look !

[Marce]

Try some local schools, they may have an orchestra, mine did (but that was a couple of years ago!)
Edit.
The smiley face thingy was supose to go at end of text!
But I think a school would be up for it, a good educational outing.

[BOONDI]

X Factor auditions....

[hal55]

Similar to the above, but try the regional office of your Education Dept for schools where the music teacher takes the band/orchestra on tour, they might be the sort of teacher that would like to have a vocalist for end of school year concert etc and you might be able to record rehearsals.
Similarly, local communities often have their own community orchestra (mine does) and give them a try. Just down the road (well 100kls) we also have the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra which started as just a group from Murwillumbah, now the darn thing is one of the best orchestras in Australia with stacks of graduates from the State Conservatorium of Music on their roster of players. You might be very surprised what is available with a bit of digging.

Hal55

[Scottmoose]

Yes indeed, or the local County Youth Orchestra (like the East Riding Youth Orchestra for example). I know people might baulk at the word 'Youth' but many of them are very slick indeed, and capable of excellent quality performances.

[Audiognome]

Thanks for all the ideas, guys

I'll put these to the old fella & see what he thinks!

Ta,

Nigel.

[pre65]

Originally Posted by Audiognome

Thanks for all the ideas, guys

I'll put these to the old fella & see what he thinks!

Ta,

Nigel.

Hi Nigel-just go ahead and arrange something-then tell him !


Make his day.


Philip