Nothing strikes the ear quite like a soprano singing in the sonic stratosphere. Whether thrilling, chilling, or repellent to the listener, the reaction to casca

David Kimbell traces the history of Italian opera from the Renaissance to the early twentieth century.

Introduction. Coloratura and Female Vocality -- The New Franco-Italian School of Singing -- Verdi and the End of Italian Coloratura -- Melismatic Madness and Te

This book offers a novel interpretation of the sudden and steep decline of instrumental virtuosity in its critical reception between c. 1815 and c. 1850, docume

A history of vocal pedagogy from the beginning of the bel canto tradition of solo singing in the late 16th century and dealing extensively with such topics as t