Abstract
One of the challenges facing performers who wish to create a period-specific soundscape for vocal works composed in the eighteenth century centres on clothing the music in historical guises modern audiences might find appealing. Unfortunately, most of the performing conventions common at the time were never reflected in the skeletal notation that survives. Composers of the past simply did not write down subtleties of rhythm, phrasing, dynamics, pauses, accents, emphases, tempo changes, or ornamentation. This chapter considers a cantata by Francesco Conti “Dopo tante e tante pene” and, drawing on period sources, explains the rehearsal strategies that led to the historically informed performance that appears on the recording Secret Fires of Love (Talbot Records, 2017). The paper explores grammatical and rhetorical pauses, accent and emphasis, prosody, rhetorical figures, tempo flexibility, messa di voce, portamento, cadence, ornamentation, and the spoken nature of recitative.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
