Vocal Teaching Selected Songs (Foreign Opera Selections)

Author: Han Mei
Publisher: Henan University Press
内容简介:
Opera is a comprehensive art form that integrates literature, drama, music, dance, stage design, and more, primarily centered around singing. Western opera, since its birth in the early 17th century, has traversed nearly four centuries of history, achieving remarkable accomplishments and accumulating a vast number of outstanding works and classic arias, enriching humanity's artistic treasury. At the same time, the prosperity and development of opera have greatly advanced the field of vocal art and vocal education, gradually forming and perfecting the bel canto system, which holds significant influence in the world today.
Singing is one of the primary expressions of opera art. The development of plot, dramatic conflicts, as well as the characterization and emotional expression of characters in opera, are primarily conveyed through singing. The most captivating aspect of opera singing is the aria performed by the characters, many of which have become timeless, widely loved classics.
Opera is a comprehensive art form that integrates literature, drama, music, dance, stage design, and more, primarily centered around singing. Western opera, since its birth in the early 17th century, has traversed nearly four centuries of history, achieving remarkable accomplishments and accumulating a vast number of outstanding works and classic arias, enriching humanity's artistic treasury. At the same time, the prosperity and development of opera have greatly advanced the field of vocal art and vocal education, gradually forming and perfecting the bel canto system, which holds significant influence in the world today.
Singing is one of the primary expressions of opera art. The development of plot, dramatic conflicts, as well as the characterization and emotional expression of characters in opera, are primarily conveyed through singing. The most captivating aspect of opera singing is the aria performed by the characters, many of which have become timeless, widely loved classics.
Opera arias combine drama, lyricism, and technical skill, with a wide range of expression and high technical difficulty. In vocal education, the study of opera arias plays an irreplaceable role in enhancing students' qualities, honing vocal techniques, and cultivating performing abilities. As a vocal teaching material for music majors in higher education institutions, this book features a collection titled "Selected Arias from Foreign Operas." During the compilation process, the book fully considers the characteristics and practical needs of vocal teaching, selecting 51 arias from the vast body of opera works. The selection principle emphasizes both the representativeness and classicism of the arias while catering to different styles, characters, voice types, and skill levels. In terms of arrangement, to help students clearly grasp the historical context and stylistic features of opera development, we have organized the arias solely in the order of composers' birth and death dates, rather than by voice part or skill level. Therefore, in teaching, instructors should select and arrange learning progressions based on students' actual conditions.
Singing selected opera pieces requires a certain level of difficulty, and students must first build a solid foundation in singing and master basic vocal techniques before practicing and performing arias. Some opera arias may appear short and seemingly simple on the page, such as "You Know, You Know" ( "Vesti la giubba" from Cavalleria Rusticana), "If You Were a Man" ( "Se vuol ballare" from Lakmé), "Oh, My Father" ( "Vesti la giubba" from Cavalleria Rusticana), and "Aria of Love" ( "Vesti la giubba" from Cavalleria Rusticana). In reality, these seemingly short works possess profound depth and highly challenging vocal techniques, demanding rigorous control over vocal power and tone color.
Table of Contents:
1. "If There Were No Euridice, How Could I Live?"—Aria from Orfeo ed Euridice
2. "No More Shall I Do Wrong"—Aria from The Marriage of Figaro
3. "Oh, Love, Give Me Consolation"—Aria from The Marriage of Figaro
4. "Where Shall I Seek?"—Aria from The Marriage of Figaro
5. "I Know Not Why My Heart Is Troubled"—Aria from The Marriage of Figaro
6. "You Know, You Know"—Aria from The Marriage of Figaro
7. "I Love You, This Love Is True"—Rondo from Il Pastore
8. "Strike Me!"—Aria from Don Juan
9. "My Dearest Love"—Aria from Don Juan
10. "I Feel"—Aria from The Magic Flute
11. "Oh, How Marvelous the Vision"—Aria from The Magic Flute
12. "Oh, How Sweet Heaven Is"—Aria from African
13. "Sweet Voice, Like the Wind"—Romance from The Barber of Seville
14. "Spill the Tears"—Romance from The Elixir of Love
15. "Like an Angel"—Romance from Don Pasquale
16. "A Deep and Dark Night"—Aria from Lucia di Lammermoor
17. "Oh! All the Flowers Are Fallen"—Aria from La Sonnambula
18. "His Voice Is Full of Tenderness"—Aria from The Puritans
19. "I Am Sad, I Am Suffering"—Aria from Ivan Sусsin
20. "As If in a Dream"—Aria from Martha
21. "The Man Is Unpredictable"—Duke's Song from The Barber of Seville
22. "My Beloved Name"—Aria from The Barber of Seville
23. "Grant Me Peace"—Aria from Fate's Power
24. "Fire on the Bonfire"—Song from The Bohemian Girl
25. "Fire Is Burning"—Aria from The Bohemian Girl
26. "He May Be the One I Long to Meet"—Aria from La Traviata
27. "In Provence"—Aria from La Traviata
28. "Farewell, My Dream"—Aria from La Traviata
29. "Song of the Willow"—Aria from Othello
30. "Holy Cottage, I Bow to You"—Romance from Faust
31. "Song of Gems"—Aria from Faust
32. "Ah! I Would Live in a Dream"—Aria from Romeo and Juliet
33. "Habanera"—Habanera from Carmen
34. "O Moon"—Aria from The Water Maiden
35. "Among the Brown and Golden Girls"—Aria from Manon Lescaut
36. "They Call Me Mimi"—Aria from La Bohème
37. "Cold Hands"—Aria from La Bohème
38. "Walking in the Streets"—Aria from La Bohème
39. "Returning to My Solitary Home"—Aria from La Bohème
40. "Sacrifice to Art, Sacrifice to Love"—Aria from Tosca
41. "A Wonderful Harmony"—Aria from Tosca
42. "Starry Night"—Aria from Tosca
43. "Bright Sky, Butterfly"—Aria from Madame Butterfly
44. "Farewell, My Love"—Aria from Madame Butterfly
45. "My Dearest Father"—Aria from Cavalleria Rusticana
46. "Doretta's Dream"—Aria from L'Amour des Rats
47. "Oh, Listen to Me"—Aria from Turandot
48. "No One Sleeps Tonight"—Aria from Turandot
49. "You Know, Good Mother"—Aria from Cavalleria Rusticana
50. "Song of Laughter"—Aria from The Giaoconda
51. "Willia's Song"—Song from The Merry Widow
Appendix
1. Overview of Western Opera
2. Singing Tips