Mark Ross Clark - Böcker

Truly powerful vocal performance in musical theater is more than just the sum of good vocal tone and correct notes. As experienced teacher, director, and performer Mark Ross Clark lays out in The Broadway Song, powerful performance communicates the central function of a song within the context of the surrounding narrative, or the "truth" of a song. Because unstaged performances of a song, such as auditions, are key to the success of all aspiring singers, Clark provides here the essential practical manual that will help performers choose the right pieces for their vocal abilities and identify the key truths of them. Clark begins by walking readers conceptually through how a song's truth is based in contexts: what show is a song from? Which character sings it? When in the show does it occur? Answering these questions will lead readers to more convincing performances that are grounded in the text, music, character, context, and larger environment (setting, time frame, and circumstances). The Broadway Song provides a comprehensive guide to the formal characteristics of key Broadway songs on a song-by-song basis, including main voice type, secondary voice qualities (such as soprano-lyric or alto-comic), range and tessitura, as well as larger contextual materials about the source -- from the musical's background, information about the character singing, and synoptic narrative information for the song -- that provide the performer a way into the character. Clark moreover brings his wide-ranging and extensive experience as a director, performer, and teacher to bear in his performance notes on the individual pieces. Additionally, he includes excerpts from short interviews with artists that provide insight into the song from the perspective of those who first created (or re-created) it. The interviews, conducted with composers, lyricists, performers, and -- in one case -- book collaborators, are snapshots into the creative process, and act as conduits to further study of the selected songs.

Truly powerful vocal performance in musical theater is more than just the sum of good vocal tone and correct notes. As experienced teacher, director, and performer Mark Ross Clark lays out in The Broadway Song, powerful performance communicates the central function of a song within the context of the surrounding narrative, or the "truth" of a song. Because unstaged performances of a song, such as auditions, are key to the success of all aspiring singers, Clark provides here the essential practical manual that will help performers choose the right pieces for their vocal abilities and identify the key truths of them. Clark begins by walking readers conceptually through how a song's truth is based in contexts: what show is a song from? Which character sings it? When in the show does it occur? Answering these questions will lead readers to more convincing performances that are grounded in the text, music, character, context, and larger environment (setting, time frame, and circumstances). The Broadway Song provides a comprehensive guide to the formal characteristics of key Broadway songs on a song-by-song basis, including main voice type, secondary voice qualities (such as soprano-lyric or alto-comic), range and tessitura, as well as larger contextual materials about the source -- from the musical's background, information about the character singing, and synoptic narrative information for the song -- that provide the performer a way into the character. Clark moreover brings his wide-ranging and extensive experience as a director, performer, and teacher to bear in his performance notes on the individual pieces. Additionally, he includes excerpts from short interviews with artists that provide insight into the song from the perspective of those who first created (or re-created) it. The interviews, conducted with composers, lyricists, performers, and -- in one case -- book collaborators, are snapshots into the creative process, and act as conduits to further study of the selected songs.

Fifteen years since the publication of its first volume, this invaluable guide to some of the most challenging aria excerpts continues with Volume II. Featuring an entirely new selection of arias, Guide to the Aria Repertoire, Volume II brings together many sources to aid the singer on their journey toward powerful, informed performances. Volume I of this guide has proven a tried-and-true resource for the developing operatic singer, with a wealth of insightful commentary from world-famous singers, directors, and other professionals as well as comments on interpreting arias and roles. Volume II follows in this tradition, discussing additional works and including some contemporary and lesser-known works beyond the standard selection. The arias in this guide are organized by voice type, and represent canonical, contemporary, and obscure works from different languages. Each reference listing addresses level of difficulty, voice and character type, special techniques, tessitura, accompaniment, and more. Guide to the Aria Repertoire, Volume II will be invaluable to the performer, student, and teacher of operatic repertoire throughout their developing careers.

Fifteen years since the publication of its first volume, this invaluable guide to some of the most challenging aria excerpts continues with Volume II. Featuring an entirely new selection of arias, Guide to the Aria Repertoire, Volume II brings together many sources to aid the singer on their journey toward powerful, informed performances. Volume I of this guide has proven a tried-and-true resource for the developing operatic singer, with a wealth of insightful commentary from world-famous singers, directors, and other professionals as well as comments on interpreting arias and roles. Volume II follows in this tradition, discussing additional works and including some contemporary and lesser-known works beyond the standard selection. The arias in this guide are organized by voice type, and represent canonical, contemporary, and obscure works from different languages. Each reference listing addresses level of difficulty, voice and character type, special techniques, tessitura, accompaniment, and more. Guide to the Aria Repertoire, Volume II will be invaluable to the performer, student, and teacher of operatic repertoire throughout their developing careers.

". . . a remarkable collection of observations and reflections on past experiences by many excellent artists and teachers that will doubtless help . . . those interested in creating 'opera magic.'" —Tito CapobiancoSinging, Acting, and Movement in Opera is designed for use in opera and musical theater workshops and by beginning professional singers. Drawing on years of research, teaching, and performing, Mark Ross Clark provides an overview of dramatic methodology for the singing actor, encouraging the student's active participation through practical exercises and application to well-known works. The Singer-getics method emphasizes integration of the various dimensions of opera performance, creating synergies among vocal performance, character development, facial expression, and movement on the stage. The book presents important information about stagecraft, characterization, posture, historical styles, performance anxiety, aria, and scene analysis. Excerpts from interviews with performers, directors, conductors, coaches, composers, and teachers offer insights and advice, allowing the reader to "meet the artists." An appendix by postural alignment specialist Emily Bogard describes techniques of relaxation and self-awareness for the performer. This lively book will appeal to students, teachers, professionals, and general readers alike.