The tragic diva: The evolution of illness in soprano roles
by Owens, Christin Michelle, D.M.A., UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 2009, 116 pages; 3354820

Abstract:

Throughout the history of opera, the soprano heroine has often been afflicted by disease and has fallen tragically. Many of these roles require the singer to exhibit extraordinary vocal strength to convey the emotion of the music while maintaining the facade of physical weakness within the character – (ex.: singing a "high C" from a prone position on the death bed.) Other operas test our willing suspension of disbelief with the use of deranged sopranos performing arias fraught with technical difficulty. This document will demonstrate the use of illness as a historical dramatic device in operatic plots as well as the evolution of the heroine's nature affected by tragic forces. It will be contrasted with the ever-changing societal perception of women through the centuries. Six operas ranging chronologically from the baroque era to modern times will be cited.
 
AdviserLaury Christie
SchoolUNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
SourceDAI/A 70-04, p. , Jun 2009
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsMusic
Publication Number3354820
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