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Music Voice

Bel Canto

A History of Vocal Pedagogy

by (author) James Stark

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Mar 2003
Category
Voice, History & Criticism, Techniques
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780802086143
    Publish Date
    Mar 2003
    List Price
    $67.00
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802047038
    Publish Date
    Dec 1999
    List Price
    $94.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442690929
    Publish Date
    Mar 2003
    List Price
    $57.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442687417
    Publish Date
    Mar 2003
    List Price
    $108.00

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Description

In this well documented and highly readable book, James Stark provides a history of vocal pedagogy from the beginning of the bel canto tradition of solo singing in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries to the present. Using a nineteenth-century treatise by Manuel Garcia as his point of reference, Stark analyses the many sources that discuss singing techniques and selects a number of primary vocal 'problems' for detailed investigation. He also presents data from a series of laboratory experiments carried out to demonstrate the techniques of bel canto.

The discussion deals extensively with such topics as the emergence of virtuoso singing, the castrato phenomenon, national differences in singing styles, controversies regarding the perennial decline in the art of singing, and the so-called secrets of bel canto.

Stark offers a new definition of bel canto which reconciles historical and scientific descriptions of good singing. His is a refreshing and profound discussion of issues important to all singers and voice teachers.

About the author

James Stark is a singer, vocal instructor and musicologist, with a lifelong interest in vocal pedagogy. He has taught for the last twenty-five years at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.

James Stark's profile page

Editorial Reviews

'In Bel Canto: A History of Vocal Pedagogy, Stark has brought together the worlds of voice teacher, laryngologist, and acoustician in a highly readable and informative resource. Never before has this information been more accessible. This is a treasure trove for all those interested in the human voice, and helps them to 'reason why' -- with specific information, old and new.'

University of Toronto Quarterly

'Bel Canto is an extraordinarily well written, carefully researched, and meticulously documented work that demonstrates the author's vast knowledge and mastery of historical and current pedagogical literature. Uniquely authoritative, highly informative, it is a monument in its field and highly recommended to all students of singing.'

Journal of Singing