I think the difference is the opera singer is their own name and you can point to some parts or performances, but the songs belong to someone else. “Toxic” by Britney Spears is considered her song… even though it was written by other people, for example. Nobody thinks that Queen of the Night is Diana Damrau’s song.
And I get there’s a difference, because nobody think Beyonce’s version of “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” is anything but Elton John’s song regardless. But the line is so blurred amongst pop singers (as some write their own and some don’t) that credit seems falsely attributed often.
Basically, if you’re a songwriter/composer, you have songs. If you’re a singer, you have performances.
I think the difference is the opera singer is their own name and you can point to some parts or performances, but the songs belong to someone else. “Toxic” by Britney Spears is considered her song… even though it was written by other people, for example. Nobody thinks that Queen of the Night is Diana Damrau’s song.
And I get there’s a difference, because nobody think Beyonce’s version of “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” is anything but Elton John’s song regardless. But the line is so blurred amongst pop singers (as some write their own and some don’t) that credit seems falsely attributed often.
Basically, if you’re a songwriter/composer, you have songs. If you’re a singer, you have performances.
Toxic by Britney Spears et al.