TRANSCENDING FACH: A SEARCH FOR IDENTITY INSIDE AND OUT OF MEZZO-SOPRANO REPERTOIRE
TRANSCENDING FACH: A SEARCH FOR IDENTITY INSIDE AND OUT OF MEZZO-SOPRANO REPERTOIRE
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Date
2006
Authors
Han, Seung-Hee
Advisor
Ziegler, Delores
Citation
DRUM DOI
Abstract
The German Fach system is a tool to classify voices in classical singing. This
dissertation comprises three different programs that reflect my search for identity as a
mezzo-soprano and my desire to transcend the limitations of Fach. The three
programs, all presented at The Clarice Performing Arts Center, contain repertoire
written for male and female voices thus allowing me to explore areas outside of the
mezzo-soprano Fach, gain a better understanding of the Fach system and guide me as
I strive to become a more mature performer.
In my first program, I sang the role of Sesto, a role that was composed
originally for a castrate, in the opera La Clemenza di Tito by W.A. Mozart. The
Maryland Opera Studio production took place April 30, May 2,4&6,2003.
Performing this gender-bending role provided an experience of physical behavior
from the male view point along with the demands of coloratura singing.
Program two (November 30,2004) contained the song cycle Dichterliebe by
Robert Schumann and songs by Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert and Felix
Mendelssohn, which are usually sung by male voices. This program experimented
with extended range, tessitura and a gender-bending performance in the art song
arena.
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In program three (April 21 &23,2005), I sang the contralto role of Cornelia
from Giulio Cesare in Egitto by George Frederic Handel. The role of Cornelia is
psychologically complex, expressing emotions such as love, melancholy, rage, malice,
joy and fear. To convey these emotions a voice needs warmth and darkness of quality.
Although the range is close to that of the mezzo-soprano, Handel wrote Cornelia for
contralto voice because he wanted a dark timbre and this role allowed me to develop
my lower register and manage suitable ornamentations.
The programs are documented in a digital format available on compact disc and are
accompanied by the oral presentation at the defense of this dissertation.