Musica Ficta in the 16th Century – Composers rarely notated sharps and flats in madrigals, chansons, and motets, as they expected singers to apply signa chromatica during performance. Discussion of the principles surrounding the extempore addition of sharps and flats, as well as practical examples.
Patti Sings Mozart – A discussion of Mozart's "Voi che sapete" as sung by Adelina Patti (1905) and what we can learn about early 19th-century vocal performance from Patti's recording.
Sing as You Speak: Legato and Staccato – Cornerstones of Expression. Late 18th- and early 19th-century singers incorporated legato and staccato in their performances to animate recitatives and arias with a pleasing variety. Discussion of the various practices associated with the terms.
Sing as You Speak: Portamento di voce – The Perfection of Vocal Music. To unite expression and sentiment, singers connected notes in a variety of ways (sostenuto, legato, sliding). Discussion of sources from the 17th to 19th centuries, as well as practical examples.
Sing as You Speak: Messa di voce – The Soul of Music. Through the swelling and dying of the voice, singers communicated emotion to listeners. Discussion of sources from the 17th to 19th centuries, as well as practical examples.
Sing as You Speak – Principles of da capo aria delivery. Discussion of period sources and an example of singing an aria with 18th-century expressive devices (Conti, “Dopo tante e tante pene,” 1750).
Sing as You Speak – Principles of recitative performance. Discussion of period sources and an example of delivering recitative in a half spoken / half sung way (Conti, ”Dubbio di vostra fede,” 1750).
Sing as You Speak – The four pillars of 18th-century performance style. Discussion of period sources and principles of vocal delivery common between c.1700 and c.1800.
