Matching Items (70)
Description
This paper explores the representations of suicide among three titular heroines in Giacomo Puccini’s operas: Tosca, Suor Angelica, and Cio-Cio-San. As women in highly rigid patriarchal societies, these characters are relegated to lives dictated by oppressive outside forces of anti-feminine culture. I argue that the suicides of these characters are not a representation of intrinsic weakness but are an exhibition of independence and agency to control their own fates. This research combines the specific disciplines of suicidology, feminism, opera criticism and the soprano voice. While there are plentiful resources covering Puccini’s biographical information and theoretical analyses of each opera, this paper fills an existing gap in its performance-centered research approach. Interviews with celebrated interpreters of these heroines present a personal perspective behind the vocal, physical, and emotional demands of performing these roles. A detailed look at the words of the libretti and letters from Puccini himself provide insight into his desire to infuse these characters with strength and intelligence. The significance behind the composer’s preference for large, powerful voices known as the lirico-spinto soprano is also explored. The operatic suicides of Tosca, Suor Angelica, and Cio-Cio-San each exhibit autonomy and strength, debunking the stereotype of the “tragic soprano.” A holistic and detailed survey of these heroines reveals that their suicides transform them into women who are no longer passive—the acted upon become the actor.
ContributorsSabrowsky, Kaitlyn Elizabeth (Author) / Hawkins, Gordon (Thesis advisor) / Feisst, Sabine (Committee member) / Weiss, Stephanie (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
This project includes recordings, composer biographies, and performance guides for four original works commissioned for me. All four compositions were written specifically for the baritone saxophone and piano accompaniment, to contribute and expand the repertoire for baritone saxophone while incorporating pedagogical and performance practices that will aid in the development of a baritone saxophonist. In addition, I will highlight the problems that have become consistent with the limited amount of repertoire for baritone saxophone, and how these commissioned works can be one of many ways to amend these issues. Within these four works, I will discuss and expand on fundamental pedagogical concepts, suitable healthy practice and performance habits to ensure wellness to the performer, as well as my personal approach to each piece. Two of these four original compositions were recorded in Organ Hall at ASU on April 19, while the other two compositions were premiered at the 2023 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference held in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Friday, March 31st. Furthermore, all four compositions will be recorded in a recording studio by the Azure Duo, which consists of myself on baritone saxophone, and John Fabius Solari on piano. Recordings will be done at the recording studio Fusion on First, located at Arizona State University Downtown Campus in June 2023. The first piece, On the Hunt (2022) was written by Jorge Machain (b. 1993). The second piece, written by Brooke Herndon (b. 1995), is titled Vignettes (2022). The third piece, Fantasia V (Five) (2023), was written by Kevin Day (b. 1996). The fourth and final piece in the set of commissions is Lonepine (2023), written by Tanner Bayles (b. 1999).
ContributorsLee, Bonson (Author) / Creviston, Christopher (Thesis advisor) / Gardner, Joshua (Committee member) / Navarro, Fernanda (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
ContributorsNiu, Fangyi (Performer) / Creviston, Christopher (Director) / Jiang, Zhou (Performer) / ASU Library. Music Library (Publisher)
Created2015-04-17
ContributorsBuck, Nancy (Performer) / Schwerzmann, Magda (Performer) / Ryan, Russell (Performer) / Schuring, Martin (Performer) / Creviston, Christopher (Performer) / ASU Library. Music Library (Publisher)
Created2015-09-20
ContributorsNiu, Fangyi (Performer) / Creviston, Christopher (Director) / Jiang, Zhou (Performer) / Mitchell, Alexis (Performer) / Malork, Melissa (Performer) / Holley, Dominique (Performer) / Paley, Ben (Performer) / Driftwood Quintet (Performer) / ASU Library. Music Library (Publisher)
Created2014-10-28
ContributorsMicklich, Albie (Performer) / Buck, Elizabeth (Performer) / Creviston, Christopher (Performer) / Schuring, Martin (Performer) / Spring, Robert (Performer) / Campbell, Andrew (Pianist) (Performer) / Gardner, Joshua (Performer) / Smith, J. B., 1957- (Performer) / ASU Library. Music Library (Publisher)
Created2015-02-20
ContributorsLeblois, Franck (Performer) / Buck, Nancy (Performer) / Creviston, Christopher (Performer) / Creviston, Hannah (Performer) / ASU Library. Music Library (Publisher)
Created2017-08-27
ContributorsSpring, Robert (Performer) / Hamilton, Robert, 1937- (Performer) / Hur, Jiyoun (Performer) / Schuring, Martin (Performer) / Micklich, Albie (Performer) / Gardner, Joshua (Performer) / Creviston, Christopher (Performer) / Rotaru, Catalin (Performer) / Smith, J. B., 1957- (Performer) / Alpizar, Mark (Conductor) / ASU Library. Music Library (Publisher)
Created2017-09-17
ContributorsWeiss, Stephanie (Performer) / Evans, Bartlett R. (Conductor) / Neish, Julie (Conductor) / Schildkret, David (Conductor) / Choral Union (Performer) / Women's Chorus (Performer) / Men's Chorus (Performer) / Barrett Choir (Performer) / ASU Library. Music Library (Publisher)
Created2016-10-31
ContributorsSchildkret, David (Conductor) / Burns, Brandon (Performer) / Weiss, Stephanie (Performer) / Chamber Singers (Performer) / Concert Choir (Performer) / Chamber Orchestra (Performer) / ASU Library. Music Library (Publisher)
Created2017-03-02