Click on Classical: A tenor speaks out, a soprano breaks out, and a pianist gets locked out

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Every Monday morning at about 9:15, I join John Birge on Classical MPR to discuss some of the stories we're featuring on our site. Three stories we'll be talking about this morning:

• We've seen extraordinary interest in our "alto's-eye view of choral music" and our "bass's-eye view of choral music" posts — it seems that each section of the choir has been dying to be heard, not just musically but in the form of opinionated essays! This week, Classical MPR's own Vaughn Ormseth weighed in with "a tenor's-eye view of choral music." Despite what one might think, writes Vaughn, "tenors aren't perfect — they're the first to let you know on those blue, blue moons when they fail their own sublime standards. And they attract imitators and wannabes who sometimes imperil their reputation: baritones who can't quite cut it, contraltos who presume mere vocal range gains them admission into the tenor sanctum. Then, too, there's that problematic tenor sub-species: countertenors."

• It's not very often that a soprano becomes nationally famous for not singing, but that's precisely what happened when 29-year-old Sharleen Joynt, a talented up-and-coming coloratura, went on ABC's The Bachelor​. That's the reality show where dozens of women vie for the affection of a single lucky man. Despite being the only professional singer on the show, Joynt didn't want to sing on the show. Find out why — and learn about the decision she made that surprised millions — in Fred Child's fascinating interview.

• Musicians lead crazy lives, and piano soloist Andrew Staupe is no exception. This week, he shared three of his strange but true tales from the road. Read his post​ to find out how Staupe has found himself locked in Latvia, blocked by a volcano, and even interrupted during a recital to be asked to leave the stage.