The Development of Opera Mezzo-Soprano Teaching Manual in Chinese Undergraduate Music Teaching

Ding Tianye, Natthawat Khositditsayanan, Chalermkit Kengkaew

Abstract


The current study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research, to achieve these objectives: (1) to develop a teaching manual for the mezzo-soprano part in opera for Chinese undergraduate music teaching, and (2) to evaluate and recognize the teaching manual designed for the mezzo-soprano part in opera for Chinese undergraduate music teaching. The study utilizes research methods such as literature review, performance observation, expert interviews, thematic analysis, and statistical evaluation to examine mezzo-soprano training comprehensively. The findings include a textual analysis of mezzo-soprano roles in Chinese and Western opera, expert feedback on the current situation of mezzo-soprano instruction, and an assessment of the newly developed teaching manual by five experts. This research contributes valuable insights to music teaching, providing guidance for both students and educators while promoting the development of bel canto vocal training in China. Additionally, the study highlights potential areas for further research, including expanding the range of examples and incorporating interdisciplinary content to enhance mezzo-soprano pedagogy.

Keywords


mezzo-soprano pedagogy, opera training, Chinese undergraduate music teaching, teaching manual development, bel canto vocal training

Full Text:

PDF

References


Bai, X. (2012). Research on the Italy opera flourishing reasons [Master's thesis]. Northeast Normal University, China.

Becky, L. M. (2013). The chest voice function in the classically trained soprano: A survey of selected vocal pedagogy treatises from the seventeenth century through the twentieth century and recording analysis from 1900 to the present with discussion of the implications for the modern vocal pedagogue [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Oklahoma Press, USA.

Chang, Z. (2020). The use of the Bel Canto in opera singing: A review of the study of Bel Canto singing technique and its application and practice in opera singing. China Education Journal, 141(1).

Changkwanyuen, P. (1996). Textbook writing and production techniques. Chulalongkorn University Printing House.Chen, W. (2021). Research on the development of the mezzo-soprano voice in China since the middle of the 20th century. Youthful Years Publishing House.

Chen, X. (2021). Voice classification for Bel Canto and others. Art of Singing Publisher, 18–28.

Chen, Y. (2019). Comparative study on curriculum and instruction for classical voice major: Based on the undergraduate programs of six conservatories in China and the United States [Doctoral dissertation]. East China Normal University Press, China.

Chongwutthiwet, K., & Nilphan, M. (1999). Research report on the study and preparation of a manual for local volunteers in the care of cultural heritage (V.S.). Faculty of Education, Silpakorn University, Thailand.

Christianne, K. R. (2014). Female musical theatre lead singers in the 21st century: A study of the pedagogy of vocal practice and performance [Doctoral dissertation]. Columbia University, USA.

Cynthia, L. S. (2014). “Hallo, hallo! Achtung! Achtung!...”: A performer’s guide to the Theresienstadt composition of Victor Ullmann for mezzo-soprano [Doctoral dissertation]. Ball State University, USA.

Danielle, M. M. (2011). Perceptions of adolescent female singers on their singing and training [Doctoral dissertation]. Columbia University, USA.

Fan, L. (2018). An introduction to the origins and early development of Italian opera. Yellow River Voice Publishing House.

Field, A. (2013). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. SAGE Publications.

Fu, H. (2020). Singing and research on baritone voice in Chinese vocal music [Doctoral dissertation]. China Conservatory of Music Press, China.

Gao, S. (2018). A comparative study of vocal species characteristics of Bel Canto sopranos with physiological conditions and vocal characteristics [Master’s thesis]. Central Conservatory of Music, China.

Guo, H. (2022). New developments in teaching practice of the Bel Canto from a Chinese perspective: A review of Theory and practice of diverse vocal teaching: A perspective on the Chineseization of the Bel Canto. China Education Journal, 128(5).

Guo, Z. (2016). A study of the relationship between vocal species characteristics of Bel Canto mezzo-sopranos and physiological conditions and voice usage [Master’s thesis]. Central Conservatory of Music Press, China.

Hongyuan, Y., & Smithitam, S. (2024). The Curriculum Design for Vocal Stage Performance in China. Journal of Roi Kaensarn Academi, 9(2), 743-753.

Huang, X. (2018). A study of Italian pronunciation in the teaching of “Bel Canto.” Singing Arts Publishing House.

Jiang, S. (2015). On the development of mezzo-soprano roles and characterization on the operatic stage: An analysis of the singing of the arias “I don't know what I've done” and “A beautiful song floats in the wind.” New Sounds of Music (Journal of Shenyang Conservatory of Music), 33(03), 216–220.

Jin, X. (2007). Research on audience aesthetic psychology in vocal performance art [Master’s thesis]. Fujian Normal University, China.

Kraimak, E. (1998). Creating a manual for procuring and utilizing local lecturers to teach industrial engineering subjects in secondary schools under the Department of General Education [Master of Education thesis]. Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand.

Lang, J. (2012). On the significance of "vocal phonetics" in vocal music learning [Master’s thesis]. Hebei Normal University, China.

Li, L. (2019). On the importance and value of the division of parts in vocal music learning: Take the soprano part for example [Master’s thesis]. Nanchang University, China.

Li, N. (2019). Study on the mezzo-soprano in the opera "Orphan Zhao" [Master’s thesis]. Shanxi Normal University, China.

Li, W. (2019). A study on the Chineseization of the Bel Canto in the perspective of Chinese opera history [Doctoral dissertation]. Nanjing Arts Institute Publishing House.

Li, Y. (2018). The influence of the spread of the Bel Canto on China's national vocal music: A review of The Complete Songbook of the Bel Canto. Newsfront Press, 155(1).

Li, Y. (2019). Text analysis and teaching analysis of the "villain" for bass and baritone in Italian opera [Doctoral dissertation]. East China Normal University, China.

Li, Z. (2020). An introduction to the implications of music psychology for memorizing song scores and vocal performance. Northern Music Publishing House.

Likert, R. (1932). A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Archives of Psychology.

Liu, Y. (2018). How to enhance the pronunciation of Italian speech in Bel Canto teaching. Art Research Press.

Liu, Y. (2019). The role of the mezzo-soprano voice in the teaching of opera arias in colleges and universities. Northern Music Publishing House, 39(02), 128–129.

Lu, Y. (2010). The development of the mezzo-soprano on the opera stage in the classical and romantic periods. Popular Literature and Art Publishing House.

Lv, J. (2014). Opera mezzo-soprano roles in the development of European creative inspiration for us: Reflections on creation mezzo Chinese opera [Master’s thesis]. Henan Normal University, China.

Ma, L. (2016). An introduction to Bel Canto and Bel Canto style. Popular Literature and Art Publishing House.

Man, X. (2006). Naissance of modern Chinese opera Nascita D'Opera Lirica Della Cina [Doctoral dissertation]. Xiamen University, China.

Meng, Z. (2018). A study on the thinking of singing Chinese art songs [Doctoral dissertation]. Northeast Normal University, China.

Pan, Y. (2017). A study on ethical thoughts of Verdi’s opera works [Doctoral dissertation]. Hunan Normal University, China.

Phruksawan, B. (1994). Techniques and experiences in writing academic textbooks. Thai Wattana Panich, Thailand.

Qin, S., & Zhang, W. (2009). The use of Bel Canto in the singing of Yunnan mountain song "The River Flows." Popular Literature and Art Publishing House.

Rebecca, B. E. (2013). From the vocal studio to the practice room: An overview of the literature on effective practice and an in-depth study of vocal exercise books [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Maryland, USA.

Sadie, S. (1980). The New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians. Macmillan Publishers.

Sheng, W. (2013). Research on the history of the acting art of modern Chinese opera [Doctoral dissertation]. East China Normal University, China.

Sun, G. (2015). Analyzing the artistic form of mezzo-soprano roles in opera with the example of Samson Dalila. Theatre House Publishing.

Sun, J. (2023). The status quo and reform countermeasures of teaching Bel Canto in colleges and universities under the background of mass development of Bel Canto. Theatre House Publishing.

Suwannaroj, S., et al. (1992). The path of advancement for civil servant teachers: A manual for preparing academic works. Pradiphat Printing, Thailand.

Tuckman, B. W. (1999). Conducting educational research. Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

Wang, H. (2022). Analysis of the biting skills of Bel Canto singing: Taking "I Love You, China" as an example. Yellow River Sound Publishing House..

Wang, K., & Bai, C. (2022). Changes in modern Chinese music pedagogy and its contemporary value. China University Teaching Press.

Wang, N. (2022). The research on the singing paradigm of Chinese opera [Doctoral dissertation]. Northeast Normal University, China.

Wang, S. (2019). Exploring the significance and teaching methods of introducing Western opera art into university aesthetic education classrooms. AEIC Academic Exchange Information Centre (China).

Wang, X. (2011). A brief discussion on the psychological factors influencing imagination and emotion in vocal performance and their cultivation. Proceedings of the Fourth Academic Symposium of the Society of Music Psychology of the Chinese Musicians' Association Press, 363–373.

Wang, X. (2022). The intermingling of the Bel Canto tradition and the science of the voice: James Stark's The Bel Canto - A History of Vocal Pedagogy. Journal of the Central Conservatory of Music Press, 11(3), 103–110.

Wang, Y. (2022). The knowledge and practice of vocal music performance art from the perspective of embodied theory [Master’s thesis]. Inner Mongolia Normal University Press, China.

Wei, W. (2018). Bel Canto singing techniques and emotional processing: A review of Bel Canto singing techniques. China University Science and Technology Press.

Wei, W., Zhao, T., Kou, Y., & Zhang, W. (2017). The importance of voice teachers' language art for the teaching of Bel Canto. 13th Five-Year Plan Research Management Office. Thirteenth Five-Year Plan Compilation of Scientific Research Achievements (Volume II) Press, 1269–1274.

Wen, Z. (2012). An infusion of Eastern and Western music styles into art song: Introducing two sets of art songs for mezzo-soprano by Chen Yi [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Nevada, USA.

Xiao, J. (2022). Exploring the importance of vocal pedagogy for vocal learners. Contemporary Music Press.

Xue, C. (2022). Combining Kodály pedagogy to introduce Northern Jiangsu folk songs into higher education institutions. Drama House Press.

Yang, Y. (2022). Re-discussion on the historical influence of Gluck's opera reform: Taking the opera "Orfeo and Eurydice" as an example [Master’s thesis]. Northeast Normal University, China.

Yao, J. (2022). Exploring the second degree of vocal performance in vocal art. Drama House Publishing.

Zhang, B. (2015). The romantic period Italian songs: Ethical thought and artistic expression of the opera [Doctoral dissertation]. Hunan Normal University, China.

Zhang, H., & Yang, M. (2010). The true self and the false self: The psychological transformation process between the role of the work and the vocal performer. Popular Literature and Art Publishing House.

Zhang, L. (2020). On the influence of Bel Canto on Chinese opera singing art. Proceedings of the 2020 Symposium on Educational Reform of Classroom Teaching in China Press, 1278–1279.

Zhang, W. (2020). A study of the language of Northern Shaanxi folk songs in the perspective of oral tradition [Doctoral dissertation]. Shaanxi Normal University, China.

Zhang, X. (2019). "Teaching without a fixed method": An analysis of the teaching method of vocal music for music education majors. Huang Zhong (Journal of Wuhan Conservatory of Music) Press, 5(1)140–145.

Zhang, Y. (2018). The effect and influence of breathing on the expression of emotion in Bel Canto singing. Northern Music Publishing House, 38(01), 63.

Zhao, M. (2021). Research on the singing art of female roles in Chinese opera [Doctoral dissertation]. Northeast Normal University, China.

Zhao, Z. (2015). Problems in China's Bel Canto education as seen from the process of Bel Canto Chineseisation. Singing World Press.

Zhong, J. (2019). A study on the relationship between physiological structure and acoustic characteristics of different voice types of Bel Canto tenors [Master’s thesis]. Central Conservatory of Music, China.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.13n.2p.188

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Bookmark and Share


License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

2013-2025 (CC-BY) Australian International Academic Centre PTY.LTD.

International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies  

You may require to add the 'aiac.org.au' domain to your e-mail 'safe list’ If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox'. Otherwise, you may check your 'Spam mail' or 'junk mail' folders.