Interpretive Gde Operatic Arias-CL [Hardcover]

Martial Singher (Translator), Eta Singher (Translator), Eta (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

A premier singer and master teacher here tells other singers how to get the most from 151 famous arias selected for their popularity or greatness from 66 operas, ranging in time and style from Christopher Gluck to Carlisle Floyd, from Mozart to Menotti. For each aria, the author gives the dramatic and musical context, advice about interpretation and the lyric - with the original language (if it is not English) and an idiomatic American English translation, in parallel columns. The major operatic traditions - French, German, Italian, Russian and American - are represented, as are the major voice types - soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, bass-baritone and bass. The guide should be of value to professional singers as a source of reference or renewed inspiration and as a memory refresher; to coaches for checking and broadcasting personal impressions; to young singers and students for learning; to teachers who have enjoyed less than half a century of experience; and to opera broadcast listeners and telecast viewers who want to understand what goes into the sounds and sights that delight them.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French, German, Italian

About the Author

Martial Singher, most recently director of the voice and opera department at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, also has served on the faculties of the Curtis Institute of Music, Chicago Musical College, Mannes College, and the Aspen and Marlboro Festivals. He has performed with the Paris, Metropolitan, Chicago, and San Francisco Opera Companies and the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0271003510
• ISBN-13: 978-0271003511
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,629,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE most useful book I've purchased on the art of singing!!, January 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Interpretive Gde Operatic Arias-CL (Hardcover)

Singher gets right to the heart of operatic interpretation! His no-bones-about-it guide leads the singer through aria after aria like a personal coach and includes literal (more or less) translations of the lyrics -- most helpful indeed! Each aria includes background information about the scene and the opera that it comes from, followed by an almost line-by-line instruction that is absolutely right on the money! Each singer should always be encouraged to bring his or her own inspiration and interpretation of the music; Singher's book offers a wonderful and insightful "standard" guide for the performer without overpowering individuality. I couldn't recommend it more highly!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth it!, December 30, 2002

By 

Wolverine (Flint, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Interpretive Gde Operatic Arias-CL (Hardcover)

Singher has provided an excellent reference for students and teachers alike. While I'm not a proponent of cookie cutter interpretations, this book provides an excellent starting point for interpretive musicianship. A must have for any serious vocalist.