Kat'a Kabanova: Translations and Pronunciation [Paperback]

Timothy Cheek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2004 | Series: Janacek Opera Libretti

Responding to the ever-increasing popularity and international performances of operas by the Czech composer Leo? Janácek, this volume is the second in a series to meet the needs of English-speaking singers, conductors, coaches, and stage directors. Every word of Kát'a Kabanová is translated into English, and idiomatic translations are provided, including translations of stage and musical directions. In addition, the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is used to indicate pronunciation, following the clearly-presented method given in the author's book Singing in Czech: A Guide to Czech Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire (Scarecrow Press, 2001).

Included are practical notes about Janácek's style, both in general terms and specific issues relating to this opera. A plot summary is provided along with translations of characters, ranges, and the pronunciation of their names. The entire volume is organized in a clear, readable format, resulting in a book that will help to make productions of Kát'a Kabanová in the original Czech much easier a task than ever before.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Timothy Cheek succeeds brilliantly in giving his readers an exciting and richly detailed overview of how this Russian heroine came to life. I especially love the way he traces the musical love motive, illuminating its many transformations throughout the opera. The meat of this book is in the painstaking rendering of the Czech text into four rivers of information: the original text, the IPA pronunciation guide, the literal word-by-word translation, and the idiomatic rendition. Come journey through these rivers with Kát'a and be seduced! (Catherine Malfitano, Soprano )

This guide for English-speaking singers, conductors, coaches, and stage directors clarifies the meaning of Janácek's Kátá Kabanová. Each line of the original Czech text of the libretti is presented, accompanied by both the literal and idiomatic translations as well as IPA pronunciations. The author discusses Janácek's musical style and offers background information on the opera and its characters in the introduction. (Reference and Research Book News )

Today's artists must do more than simply have 'an idea' of the story and the text that is spoken. We as artists must infuse every role we portray with a real offering of ourselves...to this end Timothy Cheek has compiled what I consider to be an essential tool in accomplishing that task. Not only does he include extensive yet straightforward information about the background and context of the stories set to music, but he is also offering a viable set of tools to decode the phonetics AND literal meanings of the text and story, which gives the artist the ability to give a truly invested and unique performance of the role. Without such a tool, the very basic level of artistry cannot be achieved. I salute Timothy Cheek's efforts to clarify and enlighten this integral aspect of our art form. (Patricia Racette, Soprano )

About the Author

Timothy Cheek, a pianist and vocal coach, is Associate Professor of performing arts at the University of Michigan School of Music in Ann Arbor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (August 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810850141
• ISBN-13: 978-0810850149
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,343,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)