The Old Italian School of Singing

This work describes in accessible language the technical foundations of the Old Italian School of Singing. It enables the reader to grasp the teachings of the old masters theoretically and practically. The research for this book used not only the old treatises from the 1700’s onwards but also firsthand testimonies, biographies and recordings from historical singers. The author systematically takes us through the basic elements of historical singing with practical hints and exercises tested by extensive teaching experience.

Daniela Bloem-Hubatka is a concert singer and teacher of singing. She lives in the Netherlands.

Daniela Bloem-Hubatka
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 219
Bibliographic Info: musical notation and lyrics, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6153-0
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8895-7
Imprint: McFarland

Foreword by Ward Marston      1

Preface      3

Introduction      5

1. The Attack      15

2. The Breath      38

3. The Resonance      55

4. Mouth Position and Articulation      75

5. The Registers      89

6. Movement and Agility of the Voice      108

7. The Words in Singing      123

8. Interpretation      131

9. Expression      146

A Summary of Essential Directions for Historical Singing      161

Appendix 1. Jenny Lind Solfeggi      163

Appendix 2. Rossini Gorgheggi (Vocalizes)      166

Appendix 3. Cover: Airs Détachés d’Orphée et Euridice, par Gluck; Air: J’ai perdu      173

Appendix 4. The Singer’s Assistant “On the Formation of the Voice”; “General Directions to Singers”      175

Notes      179

Bibliography      195

Index      209