Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy [Paperback]

James Stark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2003

In this well documented and highly readable book, James Stark provides a history of vocal pedagogy from the beginning of the bel canto tradition of solo singing in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries to the present. Using a nineteenth-century treatise by Manuel Garcia as his point of reference, Stark analyses the many sources that discuss singing techniques and selects a number of primary vocal 'problems' for detailed investigation. He also presents data from a series of laboratory experiments carried out to demonstrate the techniques of bel canto.

The discussion deals extensively with such topics as the emergence of virtuoso singing, the castrato phenomenon, national differences in singing styles, controversies regarding the perennial decline in the art of singing, and the so-called secrets of bel canto.

Stark offers a new definition of bel canto which reconciles historical and scientific descriptions of good singing. His is a refreshing and profound discussion of issues important to all singers and voice teachers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Bel Canto is an extraordinarily well written, carefully researched, and meticulously documented work that demonstrates the author's vast knowledge and mastery of historical and current pedagogical literature. Uniquely authoritative, highly informative, it is a monument in its field and highly recommended to all students of singing.'

(Richard Dale Sjoerdsma Journal of Singing )

'In Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy, Stark has brought together the worlds of voice teacher, laryngologist, and acoustician in a highly readable and informative resource. Never before has this information been more accessible. This is a treasure trove for all those interested in the human voice, and helps them to 'reason why' -- with specific information, old and new.'

(Darryl Edwards University of Toronto Quarterly )

About the Author

James Stark is a singer, vocal instructor and musicologist, with a lifelong interest in vocal pedagogy. He has taught for the last twenty-five years at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division; 1 edition (March 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802086144
• ISBN-13: 978-0802086143
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for voice students/teachers, February 4, 2005

By 

db "Jasmine" (Malta) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy (Hardcover)

This book covers the history of vocal pedagogy from its very beginings to detailed discussions on the thoeries of Manuel Garcia, Lamperti and so forth. It also gives you some glimpse on other techniques that were brought into being, backing them solidly with proofs to why the old italian school of voice production was and still is the most natural and favourite. It gives detailed description on the vocal technique itself with description of how the larynx works and so forth. (the title makes you think its only history but IT IS NOT! It is what one calls a professional down to earth book which talks about the practical but it is not an exercise workbook!) I never found a book so detailed in describing the many 'things' that are part of this technique so well put and easily understood. it also talkes about idiom and expression in the voice. Makes you love technique and not be bored just by reading about it, makes you appreciate this great gift our culture has handed upon us, to continue to nurture it in our own little ways. The Language is very well written - serious, steady and professional. Presentation is excellent. Points well made and clearly understood. This book has so many good virtues, that words just cannot measure what I mean to say. for me, it is THE definate voice bible I have been so long waiting for, both for my thesis and vocal studies! Then for further reading, I suggest J.T. Caldwell Expressive Singing Dalcroze Eurhythmics for voice. It sort of contiues where J.Stark leaves off as regards to discussing expressivity. With this later book Please be careful cause I was greatly dissapointed with the damaged one they sent me (without any reply when I complained) but nonetheless, a good book is a good book - sufferes a bit with presentation though.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars No direction, July 31, 2007

By 

J. Lindsay "Tenor" (Bloomington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy (Paperback)

I don't know what these other people got out of this book. I am a DM student in voice and have had to read over 37 books on pedagogy, including this one, and this one seems to be one of the weaker ones. Yes, the content is all factual, but it is poorly organized and it is hard to follow. There are so many other books out there that are a whole lot better. I was amazed that so many people lauded the book. I'm sorry I have to be a naysayer but I thought you all might like an other opinion.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recovering a Golden Age for tomorrow's singers, May 5, 2006

By 

Heldenbaer1 (Minneapolis, MN. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy (Paperback)

My students at University and I used this text as one of the books for our Graduate Vocal Pedagogy Class. Having a desire to complement a more technical tome, (McCoy's "Your Voice: An Inside View") I chose this newer work by Stark for the 'historical overview' of the subject.

Today was our last class, and we all found that Stark's 'Bel Canto' has been a very good choice. His voluminous use of resources (Both primary source documents of singers, composers, vocal pedagogues speaking not only on vocal issues, but on composers, music, national styles, etc.) as well as Stark's 'historical overview' approach - starting and ending with Garcia, "the Master" -was an excellent tactic, in trying to put what we singers call 'The Golden Age' into both historical and aesthetic perspective.

I might not have purchased this book for my own personal library from the cover alone, nor might I have searched it out for post-doctoral study, had I not been 'assigned' the task of teaching Pedagogy by the rest of the Vocal area; (the 'new kid on the block' syndrome- you tenured faculty know what I am talking about!- lol) but I am very glad that I did teach this class. Coming after my Doctoral Orals, and achieving ABD status, I found this book to be a fitting summation of what the last twenty years has been about- that elusive 'search' for the 'secrets' of how to sing. Stark's own journey thus became MY journey, and, as a result of reading his book, it will now join it's place next to other books that have changed my view- for the better, (Reid's trilogoy, Ristad's Soprano on her Head, Hines' Great Singers on Great Singing, etc.) on matters of vocal pedagogy, music making, and what it means to be a Singer, entrusted with this most elusive and ephemeral of Arts. Thank you, James Stark. Your work is a gem.