Was Elvis an Opera Singer? The Truth May Surprise You!
Elvis and Opera: A Match Made in Music?
Well, if you've ever heard Elvis Presley belt out a ballad like It's Now or Never, you might have wondered—was he secretly an opera singer? I mean, the guy had an insane vocal range, those deep, rich lows, and a dramatic, almost theatrical delivery at times. But does that actually make him an opera singer? Let’s dig in.
The King’s Voice: How Powerful Was It?
Elvis Had a Ridiculous Vocal Range
Most sources agree that Elvis had a two-and-a-half to three-octave vocal range. That’s huge. For comparison:
- Most trained singers have around two octaves.
- Opera singers usually stretch between two and four octaves.
- Elvis? His voice comfortably spanned from baritone lows (D2) to tenor highs (B4, and sometimes even C5!).
I once read that Luciano Pavarotti, one of the greatest tenors ever, praised Elvis's voice. That’s wild. My friend Jake, a music geek, swears that if Elvis had gone into opera instead of rock ‘n’ roll, he could have held his own. Maybe? But it’s not that simple.
Classical vs. Rock Vocal Technique
Now, opera singing isn’t just about hitting notes—it’s about projection, breath control, and singing without a microphone. Elvis, for all his power, used a mic and a different technique. His voice was rich, but he didn’t train in bel canto or classical phrasing like Pavarotti or Domingo.
So, while he had an operatic quality, he wasn’t an opera singer in the technical sense.
Did Elvis Actually Sing Opera?
His Love for Classical Music
Here’s something that surprised me: Elvis loved classical and operatic music. He listened to Mario Lanza, a popular crossover opera tenor, and even covered O Sole Mio (which became It's Now or Never).
But did he ever perform a real opera aria? Nope. He adapted operatic-style melodies into pop ballads, but he never went full La Traviata on stage.
The Neapolitan Influence
Many of Elvis’s biggest hits (Surrender, It’s Now or Never) were based on classical and operatic compositions. These songs had soaring melodies that required operatic-like control. But again, they were sung with a rock/pop technique—not the full-blown operatic power you'd expect at the Met.
Could Elvis Have Been an Opera Star?
Honestly, I go back and forth on this one. He had:
The vocal power
The dramatic delivery
A love for classical music
But he never trained classically. Opera isn’t just about a great voice—it’s about years (sometimes decades) of rigorous training. Would Elvis have had the patience? The discipline? Maybe, but rock ‘n’ roll was his world.
Jake and I actually debated this once, and he threw a curveball: What if Elvis had lived longer? Would he have explored opera later in life, like some rock stars do with symphonic music? Now that’s a thought.
So, Was Elvis an Opera Singer?
No. But could he have been? Maybe.
Elvis had one of the most powerful and versatile voices in popular music history. He could croon like a jazz singer, belt like a gospel star, and even flirt with opera-like grandeur. But when it comes down to it, he was the King of Rock 'n' Roll—not the King of Opera.
Still, listen to It’s Now or Never again. Close your eyes. Tell me that doesn’t sound like a guy who could have worn a tux and sung at La Scala. 🤔
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.