English and German Diction for Singers

Amanda Johnston provides a comprehensive resource offering a modern approach to lyric diction and a thorough analysis of German and English. The third edition expands the discussion of many crucial concepts, such as stylistic diction choices for musical theatre, the varied treatment of "R" across genres, healthy glottal onsets, and the correct formation of the elusive epsilon, the curly-tail "J," and the extended epsilon. Unique features include the deconstruction of the schwa and the illustration of the rhythmic timing and release of consonants within musical examples. The book includes extensive oral drills, musical examples, as well as a multimedia package of chapter-by-chapter video clips and an e-workbook on IPA character transcription. It is designed for the study of both English and German lyric diction, either consecutively or simultaneously, and is a valuable resource for singers, vocal coaches, voice teachers, and collaborative pianists alike.

Amanda Johnston is professor of music at the University of Mississippi where she is music director for the opera theatre, teaches advanced diction, and coaches undergraduate and graduate singers. She is also instructor of German at the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA).

Contents
Musical Examples
Foreword
Preface
PART I: INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1: Elementary Concepts
PART II: ENGLISH
Chapter 2: Introduction to English Diction for Singers
Chapter 3: English Phonemes
Chapter 4: The Structure of English
Chapter 5: Characteristic English Phonemes
Chapter 6: Vowels 55
Chapter 7: Glides and Approximants
Chapter 8: Consonants
Chapter 9: Advanced Concepts in Diction
Chapter 10: Common Pitfalls
PART III: GERMAN
Chapter 11: Introduction to German Diction for Singers
Chapter 12: German Phonemes
Chapter 13: The Structure of German
Chapter 14: Characteristic German
Chapter 15: Vowels
Chapter 16: Consonants
Chapter 17: Advanced Concepts in Diction
Chapter 18: Common Pitfalls
PART IV: ENGLISH AND GERMAN-COMMON GROUND
Chapter 19: Commonalities between English and German
Chapter 20: Legato Singing
Chapter 21: Close but No Cigar
Chapter 22: Lyric Diction in Opera
Chapter 23: Concise History of the English Language
Chapter 24: Concise History of the German Language
Appendix A: Glossary of Phonetic and Anatomical Terms
Appendix B: Supplements
Appendix C: Suggested Repertoire for Lyric Diction Study
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author