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It is not easy to understand the text sung in an opera, even if it is in the listener’s native language. A study involving 30 opera singers from Europe and North America suggests that to improve the intelligibility of opera texts, closer collaboration between opera creators should be encouraged, ideally from the moment the opera is written.
Many people who have been to the opera may not have fully understood exactly what was being sung and therefore left feeling dissatisfied. This is understandable. Text intelligibility makes the opera more engaging, enhances enjoyment of the performance and deepens the meaning conveyed through the music. To achieve this, it is essential that all the important sounds in each word are heard clearly, writes Veeda Kala, a doctoral candidate and junior researcher at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.
At first, it might seem to be an issue that only concerns the singers. In part, these expectations are unfounded. Studies show that certain pitch range makes it impossible to clearly sing vowels. However, there are other situations where the words sung in opera are still hard to understand.
This is an interesting problem from the standpoint of perception psychology. The author was surprised that none of the researchers working on the problem had asked the singers themselves about their experience and viewpoints. Hence, in 2023, the author interviewed 30 opera singers of varying ages and voices from around the world, ranging from Estonia to Italy and Canada.
The interviews revealed that singers actually put a lot of effort into ensuring text intelligibility. Among other things, they focus on the accuracy of pronunciation, understanding the meaning of the text and applying the correct emphases. They also study the context of the song and create a unique artistic interpretation. Finally, they must integrate the text with the melody and their movements on stage.
The concerns and challenges of opera singers are also connected to the work of composers, librettists, conductors, directors, teachers, producers, acousticians, and researchers. Even the listener can take steps to better understand the text.
It all starts with the writing of an opera. Singing becomes easier when the composer and librettist make sure that the rhythms and emphases of the text and melody align and are comfortable to sing. Clear pronunciation can only be learned from a teacher who is qualified to teach it.
When creating a staging, the director should consider whether their desired poses and body language support the singer’s words. In the interviews, opera singers mentioned instances where they were asked to sing while lying down or suspended in midair. Singing in such positions is challenging, let alone pronouncing words clearly.
During rehearsals, a singer relies on the conductor’s feedback. The most important thing is to understand what did not come across clearly so that they can adjust their technique. When singing opera, however, clear pronunciation becomes much harder when the singer has to strain to be heard above the orchestra. A skilful conductor ensures a balance between the orchestra and the singers’ voices.
Both the length of the rehearsal period and the acoustic conditions influence opera rehearsal and performance. Depending on the type of theatre, the producer or someone in a similar role is usually in charge of this. To ensure clear text delivery, it is important to consult with an expert acoustician about the design of the rehearsal rooms and opera halls. For example, the theatre hall at the Estonian National Opera was designed with spoken theatre in mind, not opera.
In practice, there are still gaps in the communication between singers and other key people. However, as a result of this research, the ideas and guidelines listed above emerged on how to improve the text intelligibility of operas. While my research focused primarily on the singers’ perspective, Professor Allan Vurma’s research group at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre is investigating other perspectives.
It is clear that, rather than pointing fingers, everyone involved in the opera’s creation and performance can contribute to improved text intelligibility. A little tip from singers to opera-goers is to familiarise yourself with the plot of the opera before the performance. Once you have a sense of the plot, it’s easier for your ear to pick up on the words the singer is singing.
Author of this article is Veeda Kala, from Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Editor Jaan-Juhan Oidermaa.
Article written for the contest “Science in 3 minutes”.
If this look into opera struck the right note, don’t drop the curtain just yet! Raise your voice and explore our next article for an encore of melodious insights so you could get to know what are the Tricks that make opera sound less incomprehensible!
