Murdoch, music and disappointed ambitions

[sawyl]

There's a moment in The Bell where Toby, Michael, Paul and Dora are walking by the lake at Imber and, just before the atmosphere is quickened by the overflight of a group of four jet fighters, they hear the madrigal group singing Orlando Gibbons' The Silver Swan from the other side of the lake. At the time, Michael comments on the fact that Catherine's voice is thin and triumphant, and later he refers to James Tayper Pace as having a Neapolitan tenor, much to James' embarrassment.

All of which literary exposition brings me to my question, which came up early over coffee: if you were a classical singer, what sort would you be? I've always rather hoped that, with a bit of practice, I'll turn out to be a heldentenor. I'd really like to be able to sing on those dashing, flawed heros like Siegfried or Waldemar or even a nice guy like Walter, but sadly I don't think it's going to happen — I'm probably more G&S than Wagner, if I'm anything at all.