Ethan:
In music, I find versatile peformers dull, and vastly prefer artists committed to a defined style or discipline. In film and theater, stars bore and chameleons thrill (on the other hand, I do pay attention to the body of work of directors).
When I was what they insist on describing as a "classical" singer I was deeply into versatility in what I thought was the best meaning of the word. All music has its own voice. I remember Benjamin Britten saying that all his vocal music was written for specific singers and I know that was true of Verdi and others. With new scores I never knew what sound I would make until the music showed me. I was nauseated by agents and teachers who viewed the voice as a "product". "If you don't have a recognisable sound they won't know how to cast you". Of course I had my own "voice" but I regarded it as a blank sheet of paper.
Writing is different in that one is also the composer but for me the principle remains. The voice comes with the poem. It's up to others to know whether the "voice" is characteristically mine.
Janet
[This message has been edited by Janet Kenny (edited July 06, 2005).]
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