The Verdi Baritone: Studies in the Development of Dramatic Character

About this book

One of the most significant innovations in the development of dramatic characterization in nineteenth-century Italian opera was the genesis of the Verdi baritone. As Geoffrey Edwards and Ryan Edwards argue the composers baritone characters embody ""a quintessential humanity expressing needs and temptations confusions and understandings griefs and joys that transcend the particulars of time and place."" Often far removed from ordinary life in either the nineteenth century or today these roles provide insight into the ""struggle of the individual in a universe that is often beyond control and even comprehension."" The authors provide an unprecedented and probing discussion of the way Verdis baritone roles were conceived and executed. They analyze the composers use of ""the unique potential of the baritone voice to create a gallery of subtly nuanced characters that are among the most complex and challenging in the operatic repertory."" This eloquent volume explores the unfolding of the baritone roles in seven operas starting with Verdis early triumph Nabucco; proceeding with Ernani Macbeth Rigoletto La Traviata and Simon Boccanegra and concluding with the composers final great tragedy of Otello. As a further aid to understanding these operas plot synopses are given in the Appendix. Voice students professional performers and their teachers and coaches as well as opera lovers will gain a greater appreciation of Verdi whose masterful use of text music and staging so precisely portrays each characters inner self.