Opera Prelude: Zwischenfach: Stuck in the Middle with You – Shades of Grey in a Black-and-White Industry

Rosie Clifford (mezzo), accompanied by Natalie Burch on piano.
The term zwischenfach means literally “between fachs”, the meaning of it only becomes clear when we gain a greater understanding of the German fach system of categorising voices. A relatively recent invention, we are faced with the enduring question: what happens to the voices that fall between?

Rosie Clifford is herself a zwischenfach, and in this lecture will explore what that means in today’s increasingly rigid industry.. When the single word soprano can encompass perhaps as many as seven vocal types, the process of voice categorisation has developed hugely. Rosie will explore the pitfalls – and the joys – that abound for a voice that falls somewhere halfway between vocal types.

Opera Prelude is a small charity passionate about supporting young professional opera singers who give lecture recitals in London. These friendly and inclusive events will introduce you to the international opera singers of tomorrow by way of recitals, concerts and masterclasses.