Vocal virtuosity : the origins of the coloratura soprano in nineteenth-century opera / Sean M. Parr.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Parr, Sean M., author.

Series:

Oxford scholarship online.

Oxford scholarship online

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Singing--History--19th century.

Singing.

Embellishment (Vocal music)--History--19th century.

Embellishment (Vocal music).

Sopranos (Singers).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (324 pages) : illustrations (black and white, and colour).

Place of Publication:

New York, New York : Oxford University Press, [2021]

Summary:

Nothing strikes the ear quite like a soprano singing in the sonic stratosphere. Whether thrilling, chilling, or repellent to the listener, the reaction to cascades of coloratura with climaxing high notes is strong. Coloratura - agile, rapid-fire singing - was originally essential for all singers, but its function changed greatly when it became the specialty of particular sopranos over the course of the 19th century. The central argument of this title challenges the historical commonplace that coloratura became an anachronism in 19th-century opera. Instead, the book demonstrates that melismas at mid-century were made modern.

Contents:

Cover

Half-Title

Title

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

List of Tables, Figures, and Examples

Acknowledgments

About the Companion Website

Introduction: Coloratura and Female Vocality

1. The New Franco-.Italian School of Singing

2. Verdi and the End of Italian Coloratura

3. Melismatic Madness and Technology

4. Caroline Carvalho and Her World

5. Carvalho, Gounod, and the Waltz

6. Vestiges of Virtuosity: The French Coloratura Soprano

Epilogue: Unending Coloratura

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Also issued in print: 2021.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-19-754266-2

0-19-754267-0

0-19-754265-4

OCLC:

1200038711