As usual, when I read something averse to my beliefs, I feel the need to respond. I am referring to the use of microphones in the performance of classical music. In my opinion, this practice would produce invalid and unnatural sounds. Great serious artistic rendering of music, either vocal or instrumental, deserves to be as near what the composer envisioned as possible. Conductors should be willing to achieve equilibrium between the orchestra and the soloist.

Many conductors seem to care more about the orchestra and volume than they do about the poor struggling artist. To allow the ensemble to overwhelm individual effort seems to show neglect to obtain the best rendition available. Human voices were not created to sing above a large orchestra playing at triple fortissimo. There should be no "occupational hazard" involved for anyone. What is the point, if a beautiful voice or piano, or violin, is drowned out and not heard?

I feel that the use of microphones does not create a stronger performance but creates distortions. Many times the performer's faces are obscured. Sometimes the technology fails and the whole thing becomes ineffective. Those in non-classical music who resort to amplification would be nothing without microphones, and the world would be just as well off withhout some of them.

I hope the time never comes when the pure tones of classical greatness are forced to give over to the admission of weakness which involves augmentation of sound through microphones.

Demand for classical music has held steady over the last 20 years without microphones and it can continue thusly. Classical music can still excite a modern audience and should be rendered in an acoustically-appropriate hall, suitable for the style of music of the composer. Serious performers rue the use of these devices and are trained to perform in large halls. Conductors must consider balance and moderation when needed. After all, the buck stops with them.

Adam Allen

All depends on the venue. If Pavarottie was singing at Central Park in NYC, don't you think he would need adequate amplication to 50,000 people?

Perhaps you are only referring to venues at concert halls of a certain size. If so, what about Tanglewood in Massachuessetts. People sit in the shed to listen to the Boston Symphony but there are thousands who sit on the lawn to listen. They need amplication.

Carson Bennett

Three tenors used microphones when they performed in Central Park. Doesn't always have to be the purists who think that they know better and should be without microphones. Whatever enhances the overall experience is what really counts. Of course, sometimes it has the opposite effect.

Blair - Tuba