Vocal virtuosity : the origins of the coloratura soprano in nineteenth-century opera / Sean M. Parr.

9780197542675 (ebook) :

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, 2021.

1 online resource (324 pages) : illustrations (black and white, and colour).

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Nothing strikes the ear quite like a soprano singing in the sonic stratosphere. Whether thrilling, chilling, or repellent to the listener, the reaction to cascades of coloratura with climaxing high notes is strong. Coloratura - agile, rapid-fire singing - was originally essential for all singers, but its function changed greatly when it became the specialty of particular sopranos over the course of the 19th century. The central argument of this title challenges the historical commonplace that coloratura became an anachronism in 19th-century opera. Instead, the book demonstrates that melismas at mid-century were made modern.

Oxford scholarship online.

Print version :

Books / Online

English

May 27, 2021

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Specialized.