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Music and Embodied Action In Opera : A Reflective Practitioner Dialogue

Jalhed, Hedvig LU orcid and Wilén, Sara LU (2024) Interface Research Lab April 2024
Abstract
How can we talk about musico-dramatic methods and models for operatic acting, and how do these relate to other kinds of acting? Observing the tendency of operatic professionals and peda-gogues to import concepts and ideals from theatrical and cinematic practices with non-operatic application of music, we reflect upon what possibilities and problems this discursive choice in-stils. Interestingly, while operatic practice predates many of the acting schools influencing opera today, there is an apparent lack of documented genre-specific and singer-centered methodology related to operatic acting. This observation has instigated a mutual exchange of reflections in parallel with our respective practical endeavors. As operatic practitioners, we... (More)
How can we talk about musico-dramatic methods and models for operatic acting, and how do these relate to other kinds of acting? Observing the tendency of operatic professionals and peda-gogues to import concepts and ideals from theatrical and cinematic practices with non-operatic application of music, we reflect upon what possibilities and problems this discursive choice in-stils. Interestingly, while operatic practice predates many of the acting schools influencing opera today, there is an apparent lack of documented genre-specific and singer-centered methodology related to operatic acting. This observation has instigated a mutual exchange of reflections in parallel with our respective practical endeavors. As operatic practitioners, we come from simi-lar backgrounds as trained opera singers in the classical tradition, but with different explorative approaches as artistic researchers in music drama. In our view, a musico-dramatic acting methodology needs to address the core aspects of operatic acting. These aspects concern performative and interpretative as well as operative and cognitive skills. Turning our attention to the same issue from different positions has highlighted both common ground and the need for further development. By displaying the core arguments of our dialogue in annotated and recited form, we hope to raise new questions and ideas about musico-dramatic performance. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
How can we talk about musico-dramatic methods and models for operatic acting, and how do these relate to other kinds of acting? Observing the tendency of operatic professionals and pedagogues to import concepts and ideals from theatrical and cinematic practices with non-operatic application of music, we reflect upon what possibilities and problems this discursive choice instils. Interestingly, while operatic practice predates many of the acting schools influencing opera today, there is an apparent lack of documented genre-specific and singer-centered methodology related to operatic acting. This observation has instigated a mutual exchange of reflections in parallel with our respective practical endeavors. As operatic practitioners, we come... (More)
How can we talk about musico-dramatic methods and models for operatic acting, and how do these relate to other kinds of acting? Observing the tendency of operatic professionals and pedagogues to import concepts and ideals from theatrical and cinematic practices with non-operatic application of music, we reflect upon what possibilities and problems this discursive choice instils. Interestingly, while operatic practice predates many of the acting schools influencing opera today, there is an apparent lack of documented genre-specific and singer-centered methodology related to operatic acting. This observation has instigated a mutual exchange of reflections in parallel with our respective practical endeavors. As operatic practitioners, we come from similar backgrounds as trained opera singers in the classical tradition, but with different explorative approaches as artistic researchers in music drama. In our view, a musico-dramatic acting methodology needs to address the core aspects of operatic acting. These aspects concern performative and interpretative as well as operative and cognitive skills. Turning our attention to the same issue from different positions has highlighted both common ground and the need for further development. By displaying the core arguments of our dialogue in annotated and recited form, we hope to raise new questions and ideas about musico-dramatic performance. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
keywords
opera, drama, action, acting, singer, performance, discourse, methodology, opera, drama, action, acting, singer, performance, discourse, methodology
conference name
Interface Research Lab April 2024
conference location
Stockholm, Sweden
conference dates
2024-04-08 - 2024-04-09
project
Anthology on musico-dramatic acting
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7a5e1a5d-4a6d-40e0-818b-393947256a50
date added to LUP
2024-10-21 19:51:28
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:28:24
@misc{7a5e1a5d-4a6d-40e0-818b-393947256a50,
  abstract     = {{How can we talk about musico-dramatic methods and models for operatic acting, and how do these relate to other kinds of acting? Observing the tendency of operatic professionals and peda-gogues to import concepts and ideals from theatrical and cinematic practices with non-operatic application of music, we reflect upon what possibilities and problems this discursive choice in-stils. Interestingly, while operatic practice predates many of the acting schools influencing opera today, there is an apparent lack of documented genre-specific and singer-centered methodology related to operatic acting. This observation has instigated a mutual exchange of reflections in parallel with our respective practical endeavors. As operatic practitioners, we come from simi-lar backgrounds as trained opera singers in the classical tradition, but with different explorative approaches as artistic researchers in music drama. In our view, a musico-dramatic acting methodology needs to address the core aspects of operatic acting. These aspects concern performative and interpretative as well as operative and cognitive skills. Turning our attention to the same issue from different positions has highlighted both common ground and the need for further development. By displaying the core arguments of our dialogue in annotated and recited form, we hope to raise new questions and ideas about musico-dramatic performance.}},
  author       = {{Jalhed, Hedvig and Wilén, Sara}},
  keywords     = {{opera; drama; action; acting; singer; performance; discourse; methodology; opera, drama, action, acting, singer, performance, discourse, methodology}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  title        = {{Music and Embodied Action In Opera : A Reflective Practitioner Dialogue}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/197986278/Wilen_Jalhed_2024_Music_and_Embodied_Action_In_Opera.pdf}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}