Tenor Nicky Spence celebrates great voices and the power of unforgettable singing, exploring what makes a voice distinctive.
A great singing voice can stop us in our tracks and have a profound effect on our senses.
In this final essay, tenor Nicky Spence celebrates moments when the human voice achieves something extraordinary. Revisiting legendary performances by singers such as Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti and Freddie Mercury, he asks voice specialist Declan Costello what separates one voice from another and makes them truly distinctive.
Together they explore the science and psychology behind vocal brilliance, from technical mastery and emotional communication to the mysterious physical sensations listeners experience when music gives them chills. Nicky also celebrates the joy of singing together, from community choirs to massed voices, exploring how being part of a choir can connect us to one another and remind us that the voice is not only a solo instrument, but a shared human experience.
Produced by Calantha Bonnissent
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- Fri 18 Sep 202621:45BBC Radio 3
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