This article places in historical context the three operas written by Alan Ridout for the choir of Canterbury Cathedral during the 1960s. Analysis of these works and their gestation is presented as a microcosm representing wider developments in music education since then. The analysis weaves together personal recollections, authenticated through…

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…

Purpose: To advance our current knowledge of singer physiology by using ultrasonography in combination with acoustic measures to compare physiological differences between musical theater (MT) and opera (OP) singers under controlled phonation conditions. Primary objectives addressed in this study were (a) to determine if differences in hyolaryngeal…

The article is devoted to the development and formation of the Italian vocal schools in the era of the New Age. The most important aspects of the development of the Italian vocal school are the domination of castrate singers in the 18th century and their gradual ousting in the era of the romantic opera formation. During the 20th century, the…

Teaching traditional art forms in schools and the community has proven an effective way of ensuring the transmission of traditional culture. But due to the lack of valid and normative assessment guidance, the assessments of Cantonese operatic singing are still developing, impairing the instructiveness in its teaching and learning and restraining…

For decades, the transmission of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong and China has faced considerable challenges, including a lack of valid assessment. This study aims to propose a holistic theoretical framework for the assessment of Cantonese operatic singing after {1) analysing two graded examinations of Peking opera and Cantonese opera and {2)…

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of vocal function exercises (VFEs) on the physiologic range of the operatic voice. The primary outcome measure was total voice range profile (VRP) area. Method: Forty graduate-level opera majors were randomly assigned to experimental (training with VFE + vocal hygiene) and control (vocal…

A revised abstract is as follows: Cantonese operatic singing is widespread in Hong Kong with numerous amateurs learning in community club settings. However, limited research has been taken on how amateurs learn in the community. This article reports on an autoethnographic study of a community music club catering to Cantonese operatic singing in…

Huai Opera is a traditional Chinese operatic form known for its distinctive vocal techniques,melodic tunes, and captivating storytelling, originating from the Huai River region in China. Thestudy's primary objective is to investigate vocal technique literacy in Huai Opera for school-based musicians education in Shanghai Municipality, China.…

The aim of this paper is to determine both the influence of musical compositions' genres on the students' musical literacy formed using artificial intelligence technologies and the musical literacy skills among music and non-music major students. Accordingly, the method of analysis was used to identify the most common musical genres in the Chinese…

The Chinese Luoyang Quju Opera holds significant cultural importance in Henan Province. Despite its historical richness, this art form confronts challenges amidst modernization and evolving entertainment preferences. This study investigates literacy strategies for preserving and contemporaneously developing the Chinese Luoyang Quju Opera. The…

Opera singers face psychological and occupational demands that often compromise well-being and career satisfaction. In this repeated measures study, professional and pre-professional opera singers participated in either a two-week or four-week intensive training program that was designed to enhance performance skills. Curriculum was taught in an…

In recent years, opera companies throughout the United Kingdom have begun to provide educational programs for children that offer opportunities for "apprenticeship" training in the context of professional opera productions, alongside formal choral musicianship training. This article outlines a qualitative case study of a recently…

Schooling has been the main approach for transmitting knowledge and skills in both Eastern and Western cultures. The conservatory, for instance, has been the main cradle of great musicians. However, traditional folk arts in the East relied on apprenticeship using an oral approach for transmission. Applying Lave and Wenger's theory of legitimate…

Preparation for the operatic stage means that for some students their voice will undergo significant transformation during training. For most operatic singers, voice type will determine future roles, the music they perform and potential career trajectory. Voice type becomes a facet of identity and position within the operatic world. This article…