The Works of Paul Corfield Godfrey and Volante Opera

[simoncrosbybuttle]

Oh, I’m on here now, so I’ll pop in and out.

My Tolkien is a bit skewed these days towards these adaptations - after eight years of recording them I still go back to the books and surprise myself when things are different! But it’s always a pleasant surprise.

As for a few people here that have commented on voice types - whilst we all have our choices for certain characters they may not always be appropriate for the style of music. A counter tenor is a specific sound but there’s a reason they are not written for in certain styles of music.

A good benchmark for your favourite characters in these adaptations is “how much do they actually speak in the original Tolkien?” Paul has not added dialogue but in some cases has moved poetry around so that characters like Idril actually have a voice.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Wow, thank you for joining us, @paul corfield godfrey ! We're honored to have you here! Thank you for explaining your reasons for your creative choices. You'll have to forgive me for being biased towards Maedhros and Fingon, as they are very dear characters to me and their story is my favorite in the Silm.

I've been playing classical violin for most of my life and I've been taking classical voice lessons for almost 3 years, so I have a very deep appreciation for classical music and opera. And given my love of the Silm, I was thrilled to discover your work online.

It's too bad Spotify doesn't pay the artists what they deserve. I wish I could hear more of your beautiful music!

A counter-tenor in the midst of that clamour would have caused major problems of balance.

That's interesting. I didn't know that about sound balance.

Thanks again for stopping by my little topic! I wasn't expecting this at all and it really is an honor to (virtually) meet you!

 

[simoncrosbybuttle]

I add my thanks to Paul and Simon for coming here to give background and context about this ambitious project. I can't begin to imagine the amount of work involved.

You are more than welcome! We are a small company fighting our way through to get these pieces heard. We try to keep an eye out for things being discussed.

To be very honest, this forum is wonderfully polite! Some of the others I’ve had to wade into have been an experience…

It’s a massive amount of work - the entire Tolkien Cycle from Feanor to the Appendices of LoTR crosses the 30 hour mark…

 

[simoncrosbybuttle]

Wow, thank you for joining us, @paul corfield godfrey ! We're honored to have you here! Thank you for explaining your reasons for your creative choices. You'll have to forgive me for being biased towards Maedhros and Fingon, as they are very dear characters to me and their story is my favorite in the Silm.

I've been playing classical violin for most of my life and I've been taking classical voice lessons for almost 3 years, so I have a very deep appreciation for classical music and opera. And given my love of the Silm, I was thrilled to discover your work online.

It's too bad Spotify doesn't pay the artists what they deserve. I wish I could hear more of your beautiful music!


That's interesting. I didn't know that about sound balance.

Thanks again for stopping by my little topic! I wasn't expecting this at all and it really is an honor to (virtually) meet you!

A counter tenor generally will not be heard if large operatic voices are going full pelt… although I felt like I was singing in their range during the Oath!

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I don't know what is happening here but I'm excited.👀

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

A counter tenor generally will not be heard if large operatic voices are going full pelt… although I felt like I was singing in their range during the Oath!

Ah, makes sense. As a soprano, if I'm singing in my weak middle range with a large group of people who are belting, I can't even hear myself. Get me up higher!

To be very honest, this forum is wonderfully polite!

We try to be!

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

And for those who aren't:

 

[Ent]

To be very honest, this forum is wonderfully polite! Some of the others I’ve had to wade into have been an experience…

We consider ourselves, and handle ourselves, as a big family here.
All of us are working to learn Tolkien in every way we can, share in his sub-creation (as he felt it to be), and enjoy ourselves at the same time.
We don't allow much 'impolite' here. It's not conducive to discussion and learning. Discord went out with Melkor and Sauron, and those they have attracted to their cause just don't last long. 😁

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I'mma be honest, I can't really connect with opera music Like other genres. I know there's a Russian Rock Opera of Silm out there, but I didn't really like it much. Maybe because I don't really like rock music either.😅

I'd like to give it a listen though, as I love anything Silm and anything that has these guys excited must be good!

Cough *Phantom of the Opera* cough

 

[simoncrosbybuttle]

I run a Discord for Paul's music but keep it friendly and I'm not afraid of bumping people for misbehavior... but I understand your aversion, some of the other discords are a minefield and Reddit is a war zone.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Reddit

Finrod says dungeons of Tol in Gaurhoth were friendlier.

 

[simoncrosbybuttle]

I'mma be honest, I can't really connect with opera music Like other genres. I know there's a Russian Rock Opera of Silm out there, but I didn't really like it much. Maybe because I don't really like rock music either.😅

I'd like to give it a listen though, as I love anything Silm and anything that has these guys excited must be good!

Cough *Phantom of the Opera* cough

Opera is a very general term - back when it first started it was basically the pop music of its day!

It has an avid community that prefers one thing over another (there's a few communities like that out there...)... from my point of view - find something you like and follow a thread from there. There some glorious music and entertainment to be had.

 

[Ent]

some of the other discords are a minefield and Reddit is a war zone.

Indeed. When I was finally able to get to a deeper dive into Tolkien starting about 2 years ago, after a 5 decade delay, I visited many places and joined a few.
I've subsequently left all but TTF.
I'd errantly thought anyone appreciating Tolkien would be of a more understanding bent. But then, MANY years ago, I thought those appreciating Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, and a bit of logic would think differently as well.
I thought incorrectly, I discovered.
(insert frown here. but insert big smile stumbling onto this forum.)

 

[simoncrosbybuttle]

Finrod says dungeons of Tol in Gaurhoth were friendl

I've waded in in the past with actual information... they didn't seem to like it...

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

I've waded in in the past with actual information... they didn't seem to like it...

Yeah, unfortunately. Any sort of disagreement and BAM, banned and blocked.
TTF is the only place you can find people to hold a discussion with without feeling like you're insulting your own intelligence.

 

[simoncrosbybuttle]

Here's the trailer for our current work in progress...

 

[Ent]

like you're insulting your own intelligence.

or being insulted because you hold a perspective. (Often, not even an opinion, but a real perspective..!!)

 

[simoncrosbybuttle]

Yeah, unfortunately. Any sort of disagreement and BAM, banned and blocked.
TTF is the only place you can find people to hold a discussion with without feeling like you're insulting your own intelligence.

I've said to people on our Discord I'm ok with opinions shared and people not agreeing - that's life, but be respectful of each others opinions and move on.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

@simoncrosbybuttle I'm from Iran and unfortunately, having access to any purchased stuff(musics, movies, etc.) is pretty much impossible for me, unless it is from an Iranian site.
Do you think perhaps, sometimes in the future, this could be possible?

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

Thank you for your explanations, Mr. Godfrey and Mr. Buttle, and welcome to The Tolkien Forum! It is an honor to have you both here with us, and very kind of you to so quickly take notice of our new discussion. Your work is very impressive, and I appreciate all the genius, efforts, and talents that went in to bringing this to life. Opera is such a unique medium, and I love the idea of The Silmarillion being adapted for the stage, as you have done here. May it one day have the opportunity to actually be performed live!

I understand how tricky and impractical it would be to attempt to bring every moment of The Silmarillion to life on stage, so the omission of certain characters and scenes would have been necessary. We meant no disrespect for your work by lamenting the absence of Fingon. It is wonderful you have strived to stay as faithful as possible to the direct texts of Tolkien for the whole project, which is an admirable feat unto itself.

Like Maedhros here, I am also classically trained, having been taking vocal lessons for over six years now. Classical music is my favorite style to sing, and I love musical theatre and opera. Discovering there is a professionally-done opera for The Silmarillion (and more!) has genuinely made my day, along with the treat of having the two of you join us. Thank you!!! 😊 How I would love to learn to sing some of this music someday!