December 2006 – Page 2

With such a wide variety of books available on Mozart, and more being written all of the time, how do you know which are worth your hard-earned cash? An avid reader and book collector shares a summary of her Mozart library. Find out which books you might like to add to your own bookshelves.

Having heard many times that oft-sung phrase, “I love Paris in the springtime,” I was delighted when my inaugural trip to France’s capital city coincided with the lovely month of

The characters from the Italian Renaissance commedia dell’arte inspired all of Mozart’s comedic operatic roles. Understanding the genesis of commedia dell’arte and its characters will help you find greater dramatic depth in Despina, Giovanni, Figaro, Susanna, and more.

Celebrations honoring Mozart’s birthday took place round the world this past year. CS’ Fulbright scholar gives a full report on festivities in Germany.

As Mozart’s birthday year comes to a close, so ends the birthday year of another composer, Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich. Born in 1906, Shostakovich composed during the height of the communist regime and Stalin’s rule. In this first part of a series on Shostakovich’s vocal works, David Thomas sheds light on the life and times of a controversial figure.

Mozart composed thirty-four Lieder during his short life. Delve into these musical delights and discover which might be right for you.

As Mozart’s 250th birthday year comes to a close, CS asked readers to tell us about their Mozart experiences this year. Did they do anything special to celebrate his birthday? What kinds of Mozart musical experiences did they have? Did they sing his operas or solo in his concert works? Did they discover a new piece of his music that they had never heard before? Did they make new discoveries about a familiar Mozart piece? Enjoy readers’ recollections in this review and watch for other stories inserted throughout the Mozart Section of this issue.

Looking for some interesting music for an upcoming recital? Consider the musical contributions of the women composers of Mozart’s time. Here’s a thorough and compelling overview of these lesser-known works, including all the information you need to get your hands on these not-to-be-missed gems.

After three intense rounds of competition among more than 200 applicants, the judges of the AudComps 2006 named 13 singers Certified Classical Singers for 2006-2007.This month, read about Christine Steyer, from the Emerging Professional Division, and Anton Belov, from the Professional Division.

Ever wondered what to do dramatically during that favorite Mozart aria? Singer and stage director, Lawrence Vincent, suggests that all you really need to do is listen to the music and Mozart has spelled it all out for you. Use the musical examples in this article to help you make new dramatic discoveries in your own Mozart arias.

Ferruccio Furlanetto, one of the greatest bassos of this generation, has made a name for himself singing Mozart. In this edition of Classical Singer, Furlanetto discusses how to sing Mozart effectively; why he is reverting back to his Verdian roots; the ties between music, voice, language, and text; and the importance of movement and emotional commitment in creating vital characterizations. He gives his take on today’s stage directors, speaks about his upcoming role as Boris Godunov in San Diego and Vienna, and offers some valuable advice to young singers.

From requiring singing in an uncomfortable range to sometimes facilitating the spread of germs, choral singing presents a series of unique challenges for the singer. Dr. Jahn addresses these issues and more, offering his sage advice to see you singing safely through this holiday season.