Singing in Style: A Guide to Vocal Performance Practices [Hardcover]

Ms. Martha Elliott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2006

The first historical overview of vocal performance practice and style ever published, Singing In Style provides an introduction to how such issues as ornamentation, vibrato, rubato, portamento, articulation, tempo, language, and accompaniment with period instruments have been handled since the seventeenth century. Each chapter presents a historical period and gives background information on the singers and composers, the vocal repertoire, and the stylistic conventions of that time. Specific repertoire examples are discussed as well, to show how to use the music itself as a context for making stylistic choices. Each chapter also has an extensive reference list arranged by topic, so the interested reader can pursue a particular subject in more depth.

Covering the Baroque period to the present, Elliott casts a wide net, bringing together information from historical treatises, personal accounts from composers, performers, historians, critics, and current scholarly commentary into one convenient handbook for the student and the amateur and professional performer who want to learn more about how vocal works were sung in their day.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An indispensable guide for singers, pianists and teachers. Written from a singer’s viewpoint, Singing in Style raises a host of important issues, addressing them with clarity and insight."—Brian Zeger, Artistic Director of Vocal Arts, Juilliard School

(Brian Zeger )

“This is just the kind of book I wish I''d had access to when I was a student, but I am still ever so grateful to benefit from it now.  It is thorough, thoughtful, inclusive, and a real joy to read.  I know I''ll be referring to Singing In Style frequently in the years to come . . . not to mention recommending it to countless others.”—Dawn Upshaw, soprano

(Dawn Upshaw )

"Singing in Style opens the door for singers to a better understanding of how to put more thought into their performances of the past four hundred years of song. In some cases, Elliott raises useful questions herself; then she gives us tools and resources for finding the answers. I wish such a book had been available when I was a student."—Drew Minter, countertenor

 

(Drew Minter )

“Full of information which enlightens our interpretive choices, Singing In Style is a most welcome resource and a must read for our profession.”—Lucy Shelton, soprano

(Lucy Shelton )

"A very important addition to the field. I recommend it to students and teachers."—Paul Sperry, Manhattan School of Music

(Paul Sperry )

About the Author

Martha Elliott has established a reputation as a dynamic singer with a diverse repertoire. She has performed throughout the world and is on the performance faculty at Princeton University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (January 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300109326
• ISBN-13: 978-0300109320
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #448,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educates the performer to make informed musical decisions, September 1, 2007

By 

E. Seligmann (Aurora, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Singing in Style: A Guide to Vocal Performance Practices (Hardcover)

Very thoughtfully written and researched. Elliot provides some suggestions based on her research, but stresses that, particularly in earlier music, many aspects of performance practice were arbitrary. For example, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to ornament a Handel aria, but within the scope of appropriate ways, there are countless varieties and interpretations that are equally valid. Even in the composer's time, this was the case. The author presents research designed to aid performers in making informed decisions about their own performances. Therefore, this book is best suited to the serious and studious performer and is not for those looking for a quick, mindless answer.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hola, El 19/05/2010 hice una compra a ustedes de 19,78 por el libro *"Singing in Style: A Guide to Vocal Performance Practices", September 13, 2010

By 

Enric - Xavier Naval Llorca - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Singing in Style: A Guide to Vocal Performance Practices (Paperback)

Hola,
El 19/05/2010 hice una compra a ustedes de 19,78 por el libro *"Singing in
Style: A Guide to Vocal Performance Practices", *Ms. Martha Elliott;
Paperback.
Con fecha de 14 de septiembre an no he recibido el libro. Por qu? Pido
explicaciones. Quiero el lbro o que me devuelvan el dinero.

Atentamente,
Enric X. Naval

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A detailed guide for singers and all other musicians, September 23, 2008

By 

Iouri Ilinov - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Singing in Style: A Guide to Vocal Performance Practices (Paperback)

A perfect book! In one small volume we find hundreds of details on performance of vocal music from Baroque to contemporary authors. A great feature for students is that the author helps develop analytical thinking applied to performance!