Beyond the Aria: Artistic Self-Empowerment for the Classical Singer: Why You Want It, Why You've Been Denied It, and How to Achieve It

by Neal Goren

Overview

It is no secret that the opera industry is contracting and that there are fewer professional opportunities. But what causes one singer to be in demand over another is not exclusively a special instrument or exceptional vocal technique—rather, the ability to interpret the music and portray character convincingly plays an increasingly vital role in today’s opera industry.

Beyond the Aria: Artistic Self-Empowerment for the Classical Singer provides singers with the tools to develop an inquisitive and analytical mindset about the artistic details found in scores. Neal Goren takes singers through a careful reading of clues provided by the librettist and composer, informed by performance practice, and empowers singers to make their own valid artistic choices. Sample analyses of six standard arias and songs are provided as a guide of characterization.

Chapters also address artistic collaboration and audition strategies. Also included are exclusive interviews with eight great singing actors of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including Jonas Kaufmann, Christa Ludwig, Audra McDonald, and Barbara Hannigan, who share their individual methods for constructing a character.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538137932
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/15/2020
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.45(d)

About the Author

Neal Goren was the founder and artistic director of Gotham Chamber Opera, which popularized and legitimized the formerly ignored genre of chamber opera. Goren’s newest opera venture is Catapult Opera. Goren has conducted standard operas, non-standard operas, and premieres throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. As a recital accompanist, Goren has concertized extensively with Leontyne Price, among others. He is an associate professor at Mannes College, The New School for Music, and a frequent judge of national and international vocal competitions. His writings on opera and the arts have appeared in numerous books and periodicals.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Why you want artistic self-empowerment
Why you have been denied it
Notes to coach-accompanists and aspiring conductors

Part I - Tools for Musical Self-empowerment

Chapter 1: Know Where You’re Going
Chapter 2 Where to Begin: Text Analysis and Expression Marks
Chapter 3: Ornamentation and Recitative

Part II - Performance Practice

Chapter 4: Performance Practice: Overview
Chapter 5: Song Interpretation
Chapter 6: Abstract Music and Vocalizes
Chapter 7: Performance Practice: Conclusion

Part III - Musical musings

Chapter 8: Some vexing musical examples
Chapter 9: The (in)validity of tradition in vocal music
Chapter 10: Professional artistic collaboration strategies
Chapter 11: Audition Strategies
Chapter 12: Maria Callas: self-effacing purist

Part IV - Six Example Analyses

Chapter 13: Six Example Analyses
“Mi chiamano Mimi”, from La Bohème by Puccini
“Se come voi piccina”, from Le villi by Puccini
“All’afflitto e dolce il pianto”, from Roberto Devereux by Donizetti
“Va, laisse couler mes larmes”, from Werther by Massenet
“Il lacerato spirito”, from Simon Boccanegra by Verdi
Du bist wie eine Blume, Lied by Schumann

Part V - Interviews with great singing actors

Chapter 14: Harolyn Blackwell
Chapter 15: Barbara Hannigan
Chapter 16: Audra McDonald
Chapter 17: Diana Soviero
Chapter 18: Christa Ludwig
Chapter 19: Iestyn Davies
Chapter 20: Jonas Kaufman
Chapter 21: Davóne Tines

Editorial Reviews

Unable to afford a vocal coach? Buy this book and have the next best thing on your shelf. Neal Goren presents a sound methodology for analyzing musical text and character development based on his extensive experience in the professional opera and vocal performance world.

Music Reference Services Quarterly

Neal Goren has compiled a thorough roadmap that serves as a guide towards excellence for emerging artists. His personal insight, relationships, and years of experience inform the reader on every facet of artistry needed to excel in opera. A wonderful, real-world application of solutions to many issues that will confront singers at any stage in their career. Bravo Neal!

Brandon Jovanovich

Having had the opportunity to work with Neal Goren early in my career, I learned so much about musical style. Neal is one of the true geniuses of classical repertoire coaching and his words and ideas have remained with me to this day.

Danielle de Niese

This handbook offers broad guidance in score analysis, text study, and performance practice, and shares interviews with eight notable singers as a source of practical insight.

Nats Journal

Beyond the Aria is a personal reflection of Neal Goren's unique and diverse talents as recitalist, vocal coach, and entrepreneur. His insights will prove invaluable to singers, aspiring vocal coaches and opera conductors. As one reads, it is clear that Goren has spent a lifetime in pursuit of helping singers reach a higher level of artistic expression.

Lydia Brown