The triumph of diversity: Theories of french accentuation and their influence on Verdi's french operas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2003

Abstract

This study investigates a variety of primary sources dealing with French poetic rhythm and concludes that the variety of approaches discussed in these sources must be kept in mind when evaluating a composer's setting of French verse. French poetic theory discusses practices such as scanning verse in iambs and trochees regardless of interior accents; determining the number of accents based on the metre of the verse; and observing only the most essential accents based on syntactic considerations. Focusing on Verdi's French operas, this study examines the relationship between these possibilities and the melodic style. © Oxford University Press.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Music and Letters

First Page

55

Last Page

83

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