A technical and historical analysis for selected art songs and arias for tenor voice by George Frederic Handel, Jules Massenet, Roger Quilter, Stefano Donaudy, Gabriel Fauré, and Agustin Lara.

Abstract

This report contains an extensive technical and historical analysis of tenor repertoire. It contains modern technical approaches to “Every Valley” and “Thou Shalt Break Them” from Messiah by George Frederic Handel. The report also reviews the history, music theory, and performance techniques of several late Romantic and Neoromantic art songs and arias from Italy, France, and England. The pieces reviewed are the following: “Ouvre tes yeux bleus” by Jules Massenet, “En fermant les yeux” from Manon by Jules Massenet, Three Pastoral Songs by Roger Quilter, Nell by Gabriel Fauré, “Quando ti rivedró” from 36 Arie De Stile Antico by Stefano Donaudy, and “O del mio amato ben” from 36 Arie De Stile Antico by Stefano Donaudy. Finally, this report reviews the popular Spanish art song Granada by Agustin Lara.