German Diction for Opera

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

60 hours.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Students will study the pronunciation, articulation, and enunciation of the German language in order to fully convey the emotional expression of operatic singing to ensure a clearer understanding by the audience. This subject teaches students to correctly use tools specific to the articulators, the International Phonetic Alphabet, and the speech sounds of the different vowels and consonants in order to ensure the high level of emotional expression required of professional opera performers. This study of German diction will be applied to specific role(s) that students may be undertaking in operas being performed during the semester and/or to other operatic repertoire.

On completion of the subject, students will be able to:
• demonstrate professional level skills in the pronunciation, articulation, and enunciation of the German language in operatic performance;
• demonstrate understanding and application of the principles of the pronunciation, articulation, and enunciation of the German language in opera production relevant to their roles within a fully professional opera company; and
• demonstrate a knowledge of the stylistic conventions and tools specific to the articulators, the International Phonetic Alphabet, and the speech sounds of the different vowels and consonants in relation to the opera repertoire.

50%: Continuous assessment of studio based work. Assessment throughout the semester but including formal monthly individual feedback to each student.

50%: Practical test (30 minutes). End of semester.

Adams, D. (2007), A Handbook of Diction for Singers: Italian, German, French, Second Edition (OUP)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
• demonstrate the capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection;
• demonstrate skills in evaluative thinking, and in the application of theoretical / analytical criteria to practical outcomes; and
• demonstrate analytical skills in the context of artistic performance.