Singing in Brazilian Portuguese - (Guides to Lyric Diction) by Marcía Porter (Paperback)

About the Book

Singing in Brazilian Portuguese: A Guide to Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire makes Brazilian modinhas and canções accessible to singers through an overview of the history of the language and music, brief biographies of major composers, and a sampling of selected texts transl...

Book Synopsis

Access audio files at: https: //soundcloud.com/singing_in_brazilian_portuguese_recorded_examples_marcia_porter

While popular forms of Brazilian music include bossa nova and samba, Brazil also has a rich classical music tradition dating back to the 1500s that exhibits a unique and diverse amalgamation of many styles and influences including African, Italian, French, and indigenous. Singing in Brazilian Portuguese: A Guide to Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire makes Brazilian modinhas and canções accessible to singers through an overview of the history of the language and music, brief biographies of major composers, and a sampling of selected texts transliterated into the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

Part I introduces the alphabet and pronunciation of sounds through IPA and is enhanced by online audio recordings of native Brazilian classical singers. Marcía D. Porter covers such topics as oral and nasal vowels, diagraphs, onset and final consonants, word stress, and syllabification. It also includes an overview of the newly implemented Acordo Ortográfico. Part II provides IPA transliterations and both word-for-word and poetic translations of representative songs, including Villa-Lobos's Bachianas brasileiras, no. 5. The book also offers a brief overview of the history of Brazilian vocal music and biographical sketches of select major composers from various periods.

Singing in Brazilian Portuguese is the first resource of its kind geared toward singers, voice teachers, vocal coaches, collaborative pianists, and others who are interested in exploring, teaching, and performing this beautiful and exciting repertoire.

Review Quotes

"Singing in Brazilian Portuguese is an excellent addition to the literature for the study of lyric diction. The research is exemplary, and Porter offers directives for the study and performance of repertoire that merit attention. The volume is highly recommended." --Journal of Singing

"Marcía Porter's contribution to the performance of the art song repertoire is invaluable! This book not only opens the door for international interpreters to explore the Brazilian art song repertoire but it will also become the most important available reference for Brazilian singers and pianists. There is no longer the language barrier that kept this rich repertoire isolated from the rest of the world." --Luiz Ricardo Ballestero, Pianist and vocal coach, University of São Paulo

Marcía Porter's contribution to the performance of the art song repertoire is invaluable! This book not only opens the door for international interpreters to explore the Brazilian art song repertoire but it will also become the most important available reference for Brazilian singers and pianists. There is no longer the language barrier that kept this rich repertoire isolated from the rest of the world.

Singing in Brazilian Portuguese is an excellent addition to the literature for the study of lyric diction. The research is exemplary, and Porter offers directives for the study and performance of repertoire that merit attention. The volume is highly recommended.

About the Author

Marcía D. Porter, award-winning soprano, made her New York solo recital debut in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in 2005 and has sung in numerous venues throughout the United States, Italy, Brazil, and the Czech Republic. She has presented numerous recitals, conducted master classes, and taught courses on Brazilian classical art song. She serves as associate professor of voice at the Florida State University College of Music.