Degree

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Department

School of Music

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Voices of Heritage and Resilience: A Performance Guide for Soprano Arias Celebrating the Black Experience explores a selection of soprano arias that illuminate the depth, complexity, and resilience of Black identity through opera. This study provides historical context, musical style, and vocal performance strategies for works that center around the African American experience, spanning both traditional and contemporary repertoire.

By examining the relations between text, music, and historical significance, this dissertation highlights how these arias convey themes of struggle, conflict, oppression, love, and perseverance. It also supplies guidance to the singer through the use of vocal methods, interpretation, and stylistic considerations. The soprano will then be equipped with the tools to deliver performances that are both artistically captivating, honest, and knowledgeable.

Additionally, the research addresses the broader landscape of Black representation in opera, acknowledging the contributions of African American and American composers, librettists, and performers in expanding the repertoire. It is my hope that this performance guide inspires all who encounter it. Those who discover this guide shall discover a deeper connection with these works, form a greater appreciation for these stories of the past and their reflection on opera, become an advocate for Black opera, and to be a storyteller through your gift.

Date

3-28-2025

Committee Chair

Sims, Loraine

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