Singing Zarzuela, 1896–1958

Approaching Portamento and Musical Expression through Historical Recordings

Eva Moreda Rodriguez author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:19th Dec '24

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Singing Zarzuela, 1896–1958 cover

With portamento at the centre, this Element traces the history of singing practice in zarzuela as transmitted in historical recordings.

By focusing on portamento, this Element sets the foundations for a sensitive history of vocal performance practices in zarzuela. It tells us about the transformation of the expressive code of zarzuela. Other changes include the make-up of audiences, the discourses about the genre's connection, and the influence of other genres and languages.In the last few years, digitizations and reissues of historical recordings of Spanish zarzuela - from wax cylinders in the 1890s to long-play records in the 1950s - have revealed a range of contrasting vocal performance styles. By focusing on portamento, this Element sets the foundations for a contextually sensitive history of vocal performance practices in zarzuela. It takes stock of technological changes and shifts in commercial strategies and listening habits to reveal what the recorded evidence tells us about the historical development of portamento practices and considers how these findings can allow us to reconstruct the expressive code of zarzuela as it was performed in the late nineteenth century and how it transformed itself throughout the next half century. These transformations are contextualized alongside other changes, including the make-up of audiences, the discourses about the genre's connection to national identity and the influence of other musical-theatrical genres and languages.

ISBN: 9781009419246

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 119g

72 pages