Masters of the Italian Art Song [Hardcover]

Timothy LeVan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0810823632 | ISBN-13: 978-0810823631

An invaluable reference text for singers, teachers, and vocal and operatic coaches, this volume contains the complete song texts of the songs for voice and piano of Bellini, Donaudy, Donizetti, Puccini, Rossini, Tosti, and Verdi, with word-by-word and poetic translations. All these song texts are in an easy-to-read three-line format, giving the user an exact, accurate knowledge of each word as it is understood by a native-language singer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a welcome addition...I find the precise word-by-word translation particularly valuable, for then the singer can actually think in the language... (Valorie Goodall )

...a valuable addition...the three-line format for the translational process is especially valuable... (Brown, Oren )

...significant additions... (Nats Journal )

Bravo, Mr. LeVan, for giving teachers of singing such an important linguistic and expressive tool. (Barbara M. Doscher )

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (April 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810823632
• ISBN-13: 978-0810823631
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,498,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars very useful, May 12, 2009

By 

systems student (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Masters of the Italian Art Song (Hardcover)

This is a collection of song lyrics (or libretti) and translations.

The only thing I would call into question is the claim that the book had "poetic" translations of the songs. I'm not sure what this would mean. What's there is a word-by-word translation and then an interpretation of that, such that it makes sense in English. That part, of course, sounds like poetry because the songs are largely poetic. These are not "dumb translations" like so much of what I see. Are they perfect? I don't know enough to say. But I think that LeVan paid attention to every line and understands quite a bit about the sometimes ancient, poetic Italian that these songs contain.

Both of these types of translations are very useful to the voice student or anyone wanting to learn or simply study these songs. The selection of songs is quite good. There are many which are somewhat obscure and hard to find. It seems a simple little book, but a lot of work and thought must have gone into it. It's a great reference.