UNT
College of Music
Syllabus: MUAG 5980-030 /MUAG 4910-030
Agility & Ornamentation from Caccini to Verdi
Wednesdays: 4:00 – 4:50
Professor: Jennifer Lane
jennifer.lane@unt.edu
Room: 289
Course Description:
Agility and Ornamentation for Singers, from Caccini to Verdi (1600-1900)
Study of techniques and methods for achieving vocal agility along with study of
embellishment practices and improvisation
Repertoire: Arias and Duets in Italian and French, 17th, 18th and 19th century
Description: The tradition of florid, flexible, and inventive singing constitutes the
greater part of opera's over 500-year tradition and still dazzles the ear today. Often
during the 300 years between 1600 - 1900 (Caccini through Verdi), the great virtuoso
singers were also the great composers and pedagogues. Examples include Caccini,
Porpora, and Donizetti. This course will offer practical advice on how to better
understand the relationship between agility and inventive ornamentation from
monody through 19th century "bel canto," as well as methods for developing a fine
trill, clearly sung rapid passagework, good taste in ornamentation, and the vocal
longevity that comes from developing an agile and flexible manner of singing.
Texts: A History of Singing, by John Potter and Neil Sorrell, Porpora’s Elements of
Singing, by Marcia Harris, Introduction to the Art of Singing, by Johann Friedrich
Agricola, Observations on the Florid Song, by Pier Francesco Tosi, A Complete Treatise
on the Art of Singing, by Manuel Garcia; Handouts provided by Instructor
Requirements:
1. 2 prepared arias/duets representing 17th/18th century and 19th century florid
styles (coachings outside of class as needed at mutually convenient times),
5980 students will prepare and additional duet
2. Participation in class
3. Performance at UNT on the Square 4/30at 7:00 pm (to be confirmed)
4. Final paper, 6-8 pages on topic of choice. Grad students held to higher standard
Grading: Each component = 25% of grade.
A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=0-59%, I, W, WF
MUAG 5980.030/MUAG 4910.030
Schedule
Spring, 2015
January 21: First class. Brief Lecture. Discuss Syllabus. Hand out reading assignments and plan
repertoire to be studied.
January 28: Discussion. Prepare 3 to 5 questions based on the readings and repertoire.
February 4: Continue discussion on assigned readings.
February 11: Work on Handel cadences
February 18: Join Paul Leenhouts’ lecture on early Baroque diminutions (Organ Hall)
February 25: Work on Handel cadences
March 2 – 13: Individual coachings tba
March 4: Work on 17th century pieces: Zeffiro torna duet, Luzzaschi trio
March 11: Work on 17th century duet: Leçons de Tenèbres (Couperin)
Spring Break
March 25: Lecture and discussion 19th century repertoire (readings to be assigned)
April 1: Work on 19th century repertoire (Rossini duet, Viardot duet, Rossini aria)
April 8: Work on 19th century repertoire
April 9: Individual oachings tba
April 15: Work on 19th century repertoire
April 16: Individual coachings tba
April 22: Set repertoire and rehearse for UNT on the Square performance
April 24: Individual coachings tba
April 29: Dress rehearsal for UNT on the Square performance
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April 30 (Thursday): UNT on the Square 7:00 pm (call time: 6:15)
May 9 (Saturday): Final class session, reading with harpsichord and archlute, Final paper due
MUAG 5980.030/MUAG 4910.030
Spring, 2015
Suggested Repertoire
Two Tenors
Monteverdi's madrigal "Zefiro Torna" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85tCzdRt6UE,
http://imslp.org/wiki/Zefiro_torna_e_di_soavi_accenti,_SV_251_(Monteverdi,_Claudio,
http://www3.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Zefiro_torna_e_il_bel_tempo_rimena)
Duets of Carissimi et al. UNT Willis Library: LPCD 94303
Handel chamber duets/trios for soprano and tenor
(http://imslp.org/wiki/Duos_and_Trios_II_(Handel,_George_Frideric)
Duet for two tenors in Rossini's ELISABETTA, REGINA D'INGHILTERRA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5XUyRhVnEQ), and ERMIONE
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K07LMbzW9to, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ermione)
Two Sopranos or Soprano and Mezzo-soprano
Couperin’s “Troisième Leçon de Ténèbres” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zLh5CP7wGM)
Handel’s “Chamber Duets” (No, di voi non vò fidarmi, and many others:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzKnyA3qxUc,
http://imslp.org/wiki/Duos_and_Trios_II_(Handel,_George_Frideric))
and from Tolomeo
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNMMhtT_vgg&list=PLob8X_ftDqKmoyYJ0wrQU_edVGjL
W8033)
Pauline Viardot’s “Les cavaliers” (no youtube, but here’s a sample of her music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chSzbFg-7lM)
Donizetti: “Anna Bolena” Scena e duetto (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFFx0uVSVNQ,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Bolena
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Excused Absences
Excused absences include official University or College of Music activities, medical emergencies, and illnesses. If you have traffic
problems or other family emergencies, please email me. Excused absences do not count against your attendance or lower your grade.
Absences to work a job are NOT excused absences. If you have a chronic medical condition that might affect your class attendance or
performance, please see the Office of Disability Accommodations. But please email me or give me a copy of the documentation for
your excused absence from the Dean of Students Office or the Music Office, because I do not always receive them directly from these
offices. If you are ill, please email me as soon as possible, and when you return to class, show me your doctor’s excuse. But please do
not provide me with information about your medical condition, because of federal privacy laws. If you have an emergency and expect
to be absent for several weeks, please contact the Dean of Students Office, which will take your information and notify the faculty.
Please email me once a week with an update on when you expect to return to class.
Assignments
Must be completed on the day due. If you do not understand how to complete an assignment, see me for help before the assignment is
due. You can turn in an assignment late for full credit if you had an excused absence. Please reference on the assignment why you are
submitting it late.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The College of Music complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodation for qualified students
with disability. If you have an established disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request
accommodation, please obtain an accommodation letter from the Office of Disability Accommodation no later than February 3rd, and
then see me to discuss your recommended accommodations. If you have a chronic medical condition that might affect your class
attendance or performance, please see the Office of Disability Accommodations, which will inform me of the accommodations that you
need. Do so even if you do not consider your condition a disability. This course is designed to be accessible. Many of the common
accommodations are built into the structure and delivery of the course materials.
Penalties for Cheating
Cheating on an exam will result in an automatic grade of "F" in the course. Identical assignments will result in a grade of “0” for each
student who handed in the assignment, regardless of who completed the assignment and who copied it. Do not work on assignments
together or hire a tutor to do your assignments. Tutors usually make errors and give incorrect solutions. See me if you need help with
an assignment. Under the new Student Academic Integrity Policy, I am required to report all violations to the Division Chair, who will
document them in a database that the Provost Office uses to track students who collaborate on assignments or cheat on tests. See this
web page for more details: http://policy.unt.edu/sites/default/files/untpolicy/pdf/7-Student_Affairs-Academic_Integrity.pdf.
Student Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect. Disruptive behavior in class, such as having
separate conversations, giggling, passing notes, doing other work, texting on a phone, etc. will not be tolerated. If you do it, you will be
asked to stop. If you do it again, you will be asked to leave. If repeated incidents occur, you will be referred to the Office of the Dean of
Students, in accordance with UNT Policy 18.1.11
Incompletes
You can only request an "I" in this course if you are ill within three weeks of the end of the semester or have a personal or family
emergency beginning or continuing within those three weeks. You must request the incomplete in a timely fashion and you also must
sign a form that indicates what work you must finish and when it is due. You must also be passing the course to qualify for an
incomplete. The Registrar can also help you receive a medical or personal emergency withdrawal from all of your courses if necessary.
Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETE)
Student feedback is important and an essential part of participation of this course. The Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETE) is a
requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available at the end of the semester to provide you with
an opportunity to evaluate how this course is taught.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Please tear off and hand in to Instructor:
I have read this syllabus and understand its requirements (MUAG 5215, Fall 2014).
4
Signature of student:_____________________________________________ Date:___________________
Print name:_____________________________________________________ Course: Studio Voice
Excused Absences
Excused absences include official University or College of Music activities, medical emergencies, and illnesses. If you have traffic
problems or other family emergencies, please email me. Excused absences do not count against your attendance or lower your grade.
Absences to work a job are NOT excused absences. If you have a chronic medical condition that might affect your class attendance or
performance, please see the Office of Disability Accommodations. But please email me or give me a copy of the documentation for
your excused absence from the Dean of Students Office or the Music Office, because I do not always receive them directly from these
offices. If you are ill, please email me as soon as possible, and when you return to class, show me your doctor’s excuse. But please do
not provide me with information about your medical condition, because of federal privacy laws. If you have an emergency and expect
to be absent for several weeks, please contact the Dean of Students Office, which will take your information and notify the faculty.
Please email me once a week with an update on when you expect to return to class.
Assignments
Must be completed on the day due. If you do not understand how to complete an assignment, see me for help before the assignment is
due. You can turn in an assignment late for full credit if you had an excused absence. Please reference on the assignment why you are
submitting it late.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The College of Music complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodation for qualified students
with disability. If you have an established disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request
accommodation, please obtain an accommodation letter from the Office of Disability Accommodation no later than February 4th, and
then see me to discuss your recommended accommodations. If you have a chronic medical condition that might affect your class
attendance or performance, please see the Office of Disability Accommodations, which will inform me of the accommodations that you
need. Do so even if you do not consider your condition a disability. This course is designed to be accessible. Many of the common
accommodations are built into the structure and delivery of the course materials.
Penalties for Cheating
Cheating on an exam will result in an automatic grade of "F" in the course. Identical assignments will result in a grade of “0” for each
student who handed in the assignment, regardless of who completed the assignment and who copied it. Do not work on assignments
together or hire a tutor to do your assignments. Tutors usually make errors and give incorrect solutions. See me if you need help with
an assignment. Under the new Student Academic Integrity Policy, I am required to report all violations to the Division Chair, who will
document them in a database that the Provost Office uses to track students who collaborate on assignments or cheat on tests. See this
web page for more details: http://policy.unt.edu/sites/default/files/untpolicy/pdf/7-Student_Affairs-Academic_Integrity.pdf.
Student Conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect. Disruptive behavior in class, such as having
separate conversations, giggling, passing notes, doing other work, texting on a phone, etc. will not be tolerated. If you do it, you will be
asked to stop. If you do it again, you will be asked to leave. If repeated incidents occur, you will be referred to the Office of the Dean of
Students, in accordance with UNT Policy 18.1.11
Incompletes
You can only request an "I" in this course if you are ill within three weeks of the end of the semester or have a personal or family
emergency beginning or continuing within those three weeks. You must request the incomplete in a timely fashion and you also must
sign a form that indicates what work you must finish and when it is due. You must also be passing the course to qualify for an
incomplete. The Registrar can also help you receive a medical or personal emergency withdrawal from all of your courses if necessary.
Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETE)
Student feedback is important and an essential part of participation of this course. The Student Evaluation of Teaching (SETE) is a
requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available at the end of the semester to provide you with
an opportunity to evaluate how this course is taught.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Please tear off and hand in to Instructor:
I have read this syllabus and understand its requirements (MUAG 4980-030, Spring, 2015).
5
Signature of student:_____________________________________________ Date:___________________
Print name:____________________________________________________
6