Character and Non-character in Art Song

<p><b>Whom is a singer portraying when performing? While this is a straightforward question in opera where there is usually a concrete character to play, it is not always obvious in art song. The persona that the singer portrays in art song is not always clearly delineated: they may be a familiar figure, a nameless wanderer, a detached narrator, or even a disembodied consciousness. The outburst of singing may be an act of soliloquy or an internal thought process. It could occur as part of a chronological sequence of events or perhaps fall outside of time entirely. These portrayals require different embodied instincts from those in operatic singing.</b></p> <p>My exegesis explores some of the different kinds of vocal personae one can portray in art song performance. I posit a framework within which I categorise my personal methods of performance, relating to how an audience member might perceive these personae in relation to themselves. With reference to four selected solo vocal works, I detail how my application of this framework informs my performance, resulting in a unique embodiment of these abstract personae.</p>