Listening in Action: Singing Practices in Early Recordings

Episode 1: O del mio dolce ardor: how was it sung in 1935? How can we learn from the singers of the past? In this first episode, I explore O del mio dolce ardor from Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Paride ed Elena, listening to a 1935 recording by the Italian tenor Beniamino Gigli. Through listening in action and close analysis, we explore expressive details of the performance, focusing on vowel clarity and diction, rubato, and portamento. By bringing the recording into dialogue with the score, we can discover interpretative possibilities that go beyond the written notation. This series brings together my research into early recordings and vocal performance practices with my work as a soprano and singing teacher. It is intended for classical singers, students, and anyone interested in listening more closely to the art of singing. SINGING LESSONS WITH ME Would you like to develop your voice, explore classical repertoire, and build greater awareness of your body, breath, and vocal technique? I offer individual online singing lessons tailored to your needs and experience. Find out more and book a lesson: https://www.superprof.co.uk/soprano-m... SUPPORT MY WORK ON PATREON Join me on Patreon for more singing resources and content, including Vaccai for Beginners.   / lolapalomo   LISTEN TO THE ORIGINAL RECORDING Beniamino Gigli – O del mio dolce ardor (Gluck), recorded in 1935:    • Paride ed Elena: O del mio dolce ardor (Re...   Thank you for listening!