On a high note

Countertenor Stephen Diaz explains why JS Bach presents such a challenge to singers.

- RICHARD BETTS

'Oh, Bach is tough," Stephen Diaz says, sounding rueful. The countertenor will 'O take the alto part in the composer's Christmas Oratorio, the first half of which is presented by Bach Musica on December 10, and Diaz is bracing himself for Bach's vocal curlicues.

"Bach writes quite instrumentally for singers. He didn't really consider our facility when he wrote, so the focus is a bit different in terms of stamina, and a lot of the time there's something extra on the phrase that comes way faster than it usually would for a singer, so a lot of preparation goes into phrasing."