A Handbook of Diction for Singers: Italian, German, French

Now in its second edition, "A Handbook of Diction for Singers" is a complete guide to achieving professional levels of diction in Italian, German, and French, the three major languages of the classical vocal repertory. Written for English-speaking singers and offering thorough, consistent explanations, it is an ideal tool for students and an invaluable reference for voice teachers, vocal coaches, and conductors. The book combines traditional approaches proven successful in the teaching of diction with important new material not readily available elsewhere, presenting the sounds of each language in logical order, along with essential information on matters such as diacritical marks, syllabification, word stress, and effective use of the variety of foreign-language dictionaries. Presented in an attractively concise format, the book goes into greater detail than comparable texts, providing specific information to clarify concepts typically difficult for English-speaking singers. Particular emphasis is placed on the characteristics of vowel length, the sequencing of sounds between words, as well as the differences between spoken and sung sounds in all three languages. Featuring significantly expanded coverage of each of the three languages and illustrated with numerous examples, this second edition of "A Handbook of Diction for Singers" is an exceptional text for courses in diction and a valuable reference source for all vocalists.

CONTENIDO:

- Italian Diction
Introduction
Internacional Phonetic Alphabet Symbols for Italian
Italian Vowels
Specific Vowel Sounds in Italian
Glides in Italian: /j/ and /w/
Italian Diacritical Marks
Italian Syllabification
Italian Word Sress
Apocopation
Italian Diphthongs
Italian Triphthongs
Phrasal Diphthongs and Triphthongs
Vowel Length in Italian
Italian Consonants
Consonant Combinations and Their Sounds
Single and Double Consonants in Italian
Characteristics of Double Consonants
More About Vowels
Amhiguous Spellings: Is It a Vowel or a Glide?
Phrasal Doubling in Italian
Articulating Italian Double Consonants in Singing
Singing Consonant Clusters
Musical Settings of Italian Diphthongs
Italian Diphthongs: Vowel Distribution in Singing
Musical Settings of Italian Triphthongs
Singing Phrasal Diphthongs and Tríphthongs
Vowel Distribution in Singing Phrasal Diphthongs
Patterns of Phrasal Triphthongs in Italian
Italian Word Underlay in Scores
Other Posible Assimilations of rt
Italian Dictionaries
Sample Texts
Appendix: Guidelines for Determirling Open and Closed e and o in the Stressed Syllable

- German Diction
Introduction
International Phonetic Alphabet Symbols for German
The Umlaitt
Word Origina Germanio and Non-Germanio
German Vowels and Vowel Length
Word Stem, Word Stress, Vowel Length
Specific Vowel Sounds in German
Diphthongs and Adjacent Votivels
The Glide /j/
German Consonante
More about Syllabic Stress and Vowel Length
More about German Word Structure
Certain Consonant Clusters and Vowel Quality
German Monosyllablic (Some Polysyllabic) Word Patterns for Vowel
Quality and Length
Words of Non-Germanio Origin ras Glottal Separation in German
Glottal Separation versus Legato Connection in Singing German
Phrasal Consonant Clusters in German Posible Assimilation of Consonant Sounds in German
German Dictionaries and Pronunciation Reference Books
Sample Texts

- French Diction
Introduction
International Phonetic Alphabet Symbols for French
French Diacritical Marks
Definition of Terms Relating to French Diction
French Syllabification
Word Stress in French
Vowel Length in French
French Vowel Sounds and How They Are Spelled
Mixed Votivels
Nasal Vowels
Glides in French
French Consonants
Liaison
Musical Settings of Mute e
Musical Settings of Glides
French Dictionaries
Sample Texts

Bibliography

Index of Sounds by Spelling
General Index