My dearest reader. I have a message from the opera ghost.

He regrets to inform you that he could not write this letter himself as at the moment as a fictional character he has no arms. However he has been looking over my shoulder and whispering in my ear. It has come to his attention that some of this 'fanfiction' uses a dramatic amount of incorrect musical knowledge. Erik informs me that he bangs his metaphorical head on the table at some brilliantly written fanfiction which provide the wrong information. So as Erik is feeling kind (and has nothing better to do) he has agreed to give some help to anyone who want some more information about performing a realistic opera at the Opera Populaire.

Metaphorical head bang Number One. Voice Parts.

Many many many writers mistake the voice parts that the characters would sing in.

For the record I am going with the character from the 2005 Movie as these seem to be the characters mis-used the most often. Erik has provided the most common characters with their Part and Fach. As I will prove Christine could not sing Carlotta roles properly.

What is a fach? (Taken from Aria database)

Fach originated as the system by which many opera companies classified voice. If a singer signed a contract with a company to sing a certain fach in the company, that singer would be responsible for singing all roles for the company that were designated for that fach. For that reason, fach is more specific than voice part and can be a better way of classifying voices.

What is Range?

Range is the amount of notes a singer can sing.

What is a voice part?

A voice part is a wide range of fach usually judged loosely round range.

Christine.

Now Christine is a difficult one. Although she overtook Carlotta's roles in the play in a real opera someone who played the role Christine could not sing the Prima Donna.

This is because of Christine's fach. Christine is a Soprano Soubrette.

Soubrette is a light voice usually a younger soprano, best in middle voice. As Christine is only 16 in the play she would not be able to sing like Carlotta. Erik will explain further although he is loath to admit the truth.

Carlotta.

Carlotta is a Dramatic Soprano is able to sing of a full orchestra but with a lower range. Unfortunate as it is there really was no one to replace Carlotta. Christine did well to do it one night. However as this is judged by the film I am assuming that in the book Christine would also have been a Dramatic Soprano. At 16. Remarkable, although Erik reminds me she was taught by a genius. Realistically Carlotta was the most accomplished opera singer although she decorated too much. Adds a whole new spin on the story doesn't it?

Meg Giry.

Erik wishes to tell you for God's sake Meg is not an ALTO!. Or in opera terms a Contralto. Technically a Contralto is a registered as a Mezzo Soprano in opera but that still does not make Meg one. Meg is a Mezzo- Soprano. Her Fach is a Lyric Mezzo- a lighter Mezzo voice. However Erik wishes to remind you that in no shape or form would make ever make in onto the stage as a singer until his body was dead and buried and held down with cement. She doesn't have the range. Please let her stay where she's happy in ballet.

Piangi.

Piangi is the lead tenor. His Fach is a dramatic tenor. Powerful able to sing over Orchestra. Most tenors at the time would have had his ummm bone structure.

Erik.

Erik would like to inform you that he is not as the film suggests a baritone and kindly asks that you do not write him in as one. He would also like to be seen as a tenor although I feel he would be better suited as a Lyrical tenor.

Raoul.

Erik would like to ask why in Gods name would you put the fop on stage. Apart from that he would say that Raoul was a lyrical tenor a strong but not heavy voice.

Original Characters: The greatest sinners of the lot.

If your character is the lead she has to be a dramatic soprano. There is no way she would get the role otherwise. Erik regrets to inform you that he can't kill the whole audience.

Mezzos cannot be trained to become high sopranos. Ever. Enough said.

Last but not least. It would be impossible for an actress to be Prima Donna and Prima Ballerina. Mainly because their legs would fall off, there are no opera's in which the lead would be both. Also because at the time the Prima Donna was usually… well built and would in no way be able to dance.

These are avoidance tactics to creating Mary Sues if you do not this you WILL get flamed.

In Summary.

Voice Parts from highest to lowest used in opera are.

Soprano.

Mezzo- Soprano

Tenor

Baritones/Basses.

Other Voice types some times used:

Male contralto/mezzo-soprano/soprano: Cast originally for Castrato men (balls chopped off so stay high). Sung by females or made lower so men can sing them.

Buffo roles: Written usually for men who couldn't sing very well but were good at acting.

Meg is not an alto.

Erik is not a Baritone.

Christine could not be Prima Donna at her age and ability.

There are other Fachs in each part if you are interested or want more information for your story feel free to email me and Erik will let you know more.

Some of my information was acquired from the Aria Database a really useful website. The rest was general knowledge. If you think anything is incorrect feel free to tell me.

Any reviews would be appreciated.

Note: I am correcting Music not grammar. Please don't kill for mistakes.

Next: The Opera and Aria's: Why Musicals and Show songs make Erik want to metaphorically drown himself in the lake.