The Valuation of the Original Text in an Opera Vocal Score: Meaning and Pronunciation

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the problems of working on the text of opera librettos in a foreign language in the process of learning opera. The stages of this work are considered - from understanding the meaning, which makes it possible for the interpreter to approach the most appropriate interpretation of the composer's intention, to the elaboration of a foreign pronunciation as an important indicator of the vocalist's professionalism. The relevance of the subject is related to the practice of staging operas in the original language that has taken place root in the activity of opera houses in recent decades. The author offers modern methods of working on a text in a foreign language of an opera libretto and shares extensive practical experience in this field of activity. The idea is especially emphasized that the process of studying a vocal work in a foreign language should take place in stages: from reading and learning the text without music to understanding the idea of the work as a synthesis of music and words. The process organized in this way will allow solving the task of creating a convincing artistic image. When practicing pronunciation, the importance of correct articulation and clear diction is noted and practical advice is given to improve them. Typical mistakes of vocalists in Italian and French pronunciation in singing are listed, and ways to correct them are indicated. The author of the article emphasizes that a good knowledge of foreign languages is an indispensable tool condition for a vocalist who dreams of a successful career.