Chansons and romances from Béranger to Berlioz
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Presentation
“Out of ten individuals claiming to be singers, it would be saying a lot if one could find at most two or three capable of properly singing a simple romance,” Berlioz claimed in his article on “The present state of the art of singing.”
Pierre-Jean de Béranger, chansonnier and poet, magnificent and unhoped-for according to Sainte-Beuve, brought the art of chanson to its highest level.
Béranger was also the inspiration for the greatest romances written by Liszt, Gounod, Lalo, Maupou, Berlioz etc.
Yet, what in fact is a romance: a mélodie, a chanson?
It’s doubtless that grande dame, forerunner of the French art song, and will have existed for such a short time solely because a choice was made to let it fade into oblivion.
German music, however, never forgot its lied; and any German singer knows that to sing well, one needs to sing lieder, romances and chansons!
This workshop on romances and chansons will revolve around three poles of study:
> the rediscovery of a repertory which immerses us in the very heart of French Romanticism, at the moment of the Battle of Hernani, at which time Béranger was in prison for his subversive chansons and Berlioz could be found on the barricades, in 1830, encouraging the people to sing La Marseillaise and Le Vieux Drapeau (by Béranger!);
> historical coloration in music, with a choice of instrumental accompaniment by the pianoforte (Chopin) but also by the guitar (the instrument of Paganini and Berlioz);
> the reflection by the singer-artist on his status of “conveyer” of words and emotions. The singer is an orator who expresses himself via music and can make use of this language as a tool to awaken consciences: “Language, language — it is the soul of the peoples; therein may be read their destinies,” asserted Béranger.
Theoretical instruction
Contextualisation of the repertory studied
Stylistic analysis
Practical instruction
In-depth study of chansons by Béranger and romances by Berlioz
Vocal interpretation: piano-voice and guitar-voice
Method
Alternating group classes and individual instruction
Faculty
Arnaud Marzorati, singer
Daniel Isoir, pianist
Massimo Moscardo, guitarist
Calendar
Auditions
Friday 22 January 2010
Session
Saturday 26 through Wednesday 30 June 2010
Monday 8 through Friday 12 November 2010
for a total of 10 days of instruction
Public presentation
Fenêtre sur cour[s] Friday 12 November 2010
Places available for
5 chanteurs (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass)
Fee information
The cost-sharing fee is made up of a compulsory registration fee, a compulsory membership in the Association des amis de Royaumont, tuition, and boarding expenses.
For this session a scholarship arrangement with the AFDAS is pending.
Financial aid for tuition
› for casual entertainment workers (intermittents du spectacle): through the AFDAS under the following conditions: 2 years in activity, 48 fee units (days) within France, as attested by payslips and Congés Spectacles certificates.
› for salaried employes (full or part time): via their employers’ continuing education programs.
› for the unemployed: instructions available from the local ANPE and/or ASSEDIC offices.
› for RMI beneficiaries: via authorities in each département (Conseil Général) – contact the appropriate services for further information.
If you are eligible for such financial assistance, a total amount of 150 € remains at your expense.
Scholarships
Every year L’Association des amis de Royaumont grants scholarships to artists under 29 years of age who do not yet have a regular professional activity.
This grant is made by a commission on the basis of a portfolio (resume, photo, letter of motivation).
If you are eligible for this scholarship from the Association des amis de Royaumont, a total amount of 150 € remains at your expense.
For participants who are not in a position to qualify for any other financial aid, the Foundation grants scholarship stipends on request and based on a portfolio.
If you are eligible for such financial assistance, a total amount of 350 € remains at your expense.