Just wanted to say how interesting I find this thread, especially the first post because my experience is totally opposite. For me opera is the section of classical music which I am most comfortable with & have been since I started seriously listening to classical music some six years ago. I think it is because I got into opera via musicals (I can see all the purists backing away in horror!) and operettas so was used to a style that was at least approaching opera. I think it also helphed because I never had the problem some people have found of apparently finding people singing unatural. In fact my problem is when I go to ballets and find myself thinking all the mime is fine but it would be so much clearer if they'd just sing!

Also re the amplified/unamplified I recently went to a musical for the first time in something like 3 years and after being so used to unamplified voices it was a real aural shock with all the amplification. I definitely would rather hear unamplified singers. The other thing I noticed was the lack of spatial variation in the voices, by which I mean at opera when a singer turns upstage you can hear the difference as well as sing it but when the singers are miked the voices don't really move when the singers do, which I found most peculiar.

Hi SusanDoris

Yes, Emma Kirkby's is the kind of voice that I have found most easy to take.

Interesting topic, Mr. Z. It could almost be me writing the above statement!

I still struggle with the "operatic voice", and though I'm starting to appreciate opera more, my general opinion is "nice music, shame they had to have singing in it 

I do like music for chorus rather than for solo voice. I also found I like older vocal music (baroque or earlier) more than recent (18th-19th centruy) vocal music. And finally I isolated the problem I have with the "operatic voice" -- it's the "warble" factor, or excessive vibrato that puts me off. I prefer the more "pure" tones of older-style singing. (Apologies if I'm not using the correct technical terms; I hope people understand what I'm trying to say.)

Incidentally I find the same is true of modern (pop) singers. I much prefer voices that hold a pure note over those who warble all over the place. Sadly, warbling is the "in" thing these days.