Differences between OPERA and MUSICAL THEATRE (MUSICALS)

With Opera:

 Typically sung in a language other than English

 The emphasis when casting roles is on the ability of the singer to sing the music in the role, not so
much looks. This is changing a little bit due to operas being telecast more than they have been in
the past, but overall, casting tends to be mostly color blind (unless the role specifically calls for a
particular racial makeup, like the roles in Otello-but that isn't very common)and not as particular
regarding the age of the singer.
 Opera singers are trained to make a particular type of sound/tone when singing-they don't utilize
other sounds when singing. Purity of tone in the entire vocal range is paramount in opera.
 Acting isn't really as important as the singing-the emphasis in opera performance is on the ability
to execute the difficult music well. If you are an amazing singer, but are a weak actor, that is
forgiven more than the other way around.
 Most of, if not all of the opera is sung, not spoken. The closest opera comes to dialogue would be
what is called the recitative-a portion of the aria that is sung like speech. It is not exactly spoken,
but the rhythm and speed the recitative is performed at has the feel of speech. It takes time to get
the hang of it, especially if you don't speak the language the opera is written in.
Required vocal ranges for opera are much more extensive-a vocalist has to have at least two octaves of
performance quality notes in order to sing the rep. Squeaking out a high C is not an option, the quality
of the tone at the bottom and the top of the singer's range MUST be consistent. In general, opera
singers have a much higher level of vocal training - they often sing much more difficult music more
beautifully, and project over a full orchestra without amplification. GENERALLY (not always) musicals
do not have the same vocal demands and do not require the same level of technique from their singers
With musicals:
 Singers only have to worry about one language for the most part: English.
 Casting is heavily dependent on the actor's look-the actor must look the role first and foremost.
Whether they are the best singer for the role is a secondary consideration. This is changing
somewhat with the move by directors and casting people to consider diversity in casting to give
minority performers more options for performing, but it will be a long time if ever, before
audiences see a black Maria for Sound of Music, or a white Bess for Porgy and Bess.
 Acting is more important than the singing.
 Singers can, and do, sing in various styles-they can sing like an opera singer (called legit singing) or
they can be expected to belt (think Ethel Merman), or simply chat their way through a song
without really singing it.
 Spoken dialogue is part of a musical-not all of the musical is usually sung.
 The music does not require as much of the singer technique wise, nor does it require the
extended range that opera does.
 Singers in musicals almost always wear mics. This does absolutely not mean that singers/actors
who do musicals are not talented and do not sing beautifully - many of them are fantastic, and the
ones who have long careers do have good vocal technique. But the vocal demands are different,
and while a classically trained voice capable of singing opera often can also sing musicals, the
same is not generally true in reverse.