| While innate talent is undoubtedly a solid foundation required by many successful singers, there are other important aspects of singing that must be acquired. One of these is a knowledge of foreign languages and its role in performing music. However, a singer must not merely be familiar with a wide range of foreign languages, but be able to translate the song he/she sings with accuracy, interpret the music to appeal to others, and have comprehensive knowledge of the historical background of the music.; This dissertation discusses one effective approach to this issue, presenting an innovative method that proves equally effective across all different languages. Currently, there are no materials that offer a comprehensive approach to preparing foreign art songs, only handbooks that address diction issues (for example, Adams, 1999). The comprehensive approach detailed in this dissertation includes three primary elements: translating the text, getting familiar with the music, and researching the song. This threefold process will be applied to a Schubertian Lied and a Ravel song cycle in order to demonstrate its applicability across different languages and styles. Ultimately, this research will benefit singers who are just beginning their foreign language training. |
