Customer Reviews

Twenty-Four Italian Songs & Arias of the Seventewenth and Eighteenth Centuries: Medium High Voice (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics, Vol. 1722)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although the music in this book has been used "ad infinitum" since the late 1880's, even the most rudimentary scholarship has shown that the editing (and in at least one case, the composition) of these pieces is not to be trusted.

The editor of "The 24" and its sister two volume set "Anthology of Italian song" is Alessandro Parisotti. Mr. Parisotti was a publisher who was suspiciously eager to have his own edited works published. This "24" has its share of dubious songs. Three quick examples:

1.) "Se Tu M'ami" is attributed to Pergolesi, but the style is laughably un-Pergolesi-like. No original of the score exists before Mr. Parisotti "discovered" it in time to publish the original 24. It is quite likely that Parisotti is the composer.

2.) "Il mio bel foco" is fine until the last 11 measures, where once again there is no original of what's in "the 24". It appears that Parisotti sliced, diced and re-composed the last 11 measures including French sixth chords, and a piano accompaniment which is distinctly not from the Baroque era.

3.) "Danza Danza fanciulla..." does have an original; it's all figured bass (no treble accompaniment written at all.) It's OK to place your own accompaniment there, but Parisotti's offbeat (and unnecessarily difficult) accompaniment does not follow the typical contrapuntal style of the Baroque period at all.

There are several other problems with the realizations of these 24 pieces - too many to go into here, but worth exploring in research.

That being said, Parisotti does get credit for at least noticing these pieces and arranging them for student voices (which may or may not have been his intent). The current edition is ridiculously cheap - which actually reflects the rather large (and much improved) collections of Baroque Italian songs that are out there.

It still (for some reason) remains a staple of too many voice teachers out there (possibly because they are "comfortable" in some way), so accompanists should continue to purchase it due to the large number of voice students and performers who (unfortunately) rely on it.

It probably deserves two stars, but because it's receiving way too many five star reviews, I'm giving it just one.

this edition of this book is very easy to read. having the translation directly underneath italian is nice. This is 1 of my favorite books for soprano singing.

I do recommend this as part of the serious singer's repertoire, and have asked several of my students to pick it up. it does contain some great songs. HOWEVER, a more well-rounded approach would be the "First Book..." series which contains several of these same songs, but it also includes repertoire in English, French, German, Spanish and a wide range of styles.

It is essentially tradition that keeps this book in the essential repertoire category.

If she sings them that means that you should sing them also. ok good be good. they make you a better person like spinach it builds character or something like "eating suasages together"-eddie izzard She sounds incredible so if you wish to sound somewhere near incredible you should sing them i love them

Ever wonder why Maria Callas got so famous? Well, believe it or not she sang every song from this book. (To bad none of them are available on a recording!) This book teaches you the art of bel canto, a technique for an opera singer in training. As said before, they are also great audition pieces. To go into a bit more detail, these songs will impress a judge at a vocal competion, or a choral teacher for a choir department, professional or at a school. If you have any problems learning the tunes, Cecilia Bartoli has recorded a CD with most of these songs recorded onto it...Every GOOD vocal coach knows that with out this book, you can never really excell. Even if you want to become a pop singer, you should get this book. I say this because these songs will help you become the best singer that you can be, and they will also prevent you from becoming the worst singer you can be.

A tip- don't get the CD with the back ground music, they are not very good CDs. They play to slow, so just have your vocal coach play for you...

This book is perfect for both students and teachers. This book has alot of well known pieces and it is essential for any young singers repertoire. It contains songs like "Sebben,crudele by Caldara", "O del mio dolce ardor, by Gluck", and "Caro mio ben, by Giordani". I give this book 5 stars because it was very useful to me throughout highschool,college,and now as a teacher.

For any beginning singer, this is a must have. It teaches the basics of necessary Italian singer. After a few years, it becomes exhausted do to the overuse of the songs within, however, a necessity for any beginning!

My name is Lisa and I am a 13 year old opera singer. When I started my singing lessons the first book my teacher have me was this one. Each song is very unique and is challenging in some way or another. I have sung a few songs from it and it has helped my technique a lot! It is great if you are beginning opera singing.

Another reason to buy this book is because everyone that sings opera owns this book and it is refered to a bunch in the "Opera World." They are also great audition pieces (I know from experience)! In addition, it is not rare that you will be asked to sing these arias at recitals since all the songs are very beautiful. You must get this book!

After 15 years, I have yet to begin a voice student without this book. I can't imagine a voice teacher who wouldn't have a student use this collection. I would recommend that you purchase your book new since you will want to make your own notations, phrase markings, etc.

Oh - and check out Ceclia Bartoli's interpretations of these pieces!

This book is great for the beggining singer or the advanced singer. I'm using it to develop a singing technique. Its great for tenors and sopranos a like.