From: Karen Mercedes
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Subject: Re: Art song performing style
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

On Sat, 5 Feb 2000 LElectrica-at-aol.com wrote:

> This is a very broad question and open to lots of differences in opinion, but
> what exactly is Art Song Style? I have had lots of theatrical experience,
> but some comments I get in competitions point out that I perform art songs in
> a pop style. When I say perform I mean gestures, not singing. I have been
> told that it is a very intimate style, but I have never quite grasped the
> real picture yet.


General rule of thumb: In art song, the drama is conveyed by vocal
gestures, not physical gestures. The idea is to create the nuances with
your voice.

This doesn't mean standing there like a piece of wood. I tend to approach
art songs as "conversational" (vs. arias or musical theatre pieces, which
are more "declamatory"). I then imagine how I would gesture were I simply
saying the words in a conversation with a friend. And I don't do anything
bigger gesture-wise than that (warning: this rule of thumb probably
wouldn't work for Italians :) ).

The size of the gesture in an art song is also driven, to some extent, by
the text. If it's an "over the top" comic text or otherwise
particularly dramatic text that absolutely cries out
for a bigger gesture to drive home the meaning, make the gesture. But
generally, I think the "less is more" rule applies.

Also remember that "gestures" - whether in art song or opera - are not
limited to what we do with our hands. Change of focus in the eyes, a
shift of weight from one foot to the other, a slight change of posture,
lift of an arm, step forward or back, turning slightly to another
direction, etc. - all of these are gestures, and can be even more
meaningful than just "waving the hands around". Also less obtrusive, and
more appropriate to art song style.

Last concept that might help: an art song is to poetry what an aria is to
a monologue or soliloquy in a play. The best actors, when reciting
poetry, do their acting almost entirely with the voice.

KM
=====
There is delight in singing,
tho' none hear Beside the singer.
- Walter Savage Landor
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