Female Psychological Types for the Soprano Voice in Verdi's Works and their Musical Characterization
Female Psychological Types for the Soprano Voice in Verdi's Works and their Musical Characterization

Summary/Abstract: Verdi was a composer very passionate about music and theater and obsessed with stylistic perfection. His style is characterized by the belcanto technique, enhanced by an organic connection with scenic-dramatic truth, in which he anticipates verismo. The depth of the vocal line is matched by an evocative orchestral treatment, particularly rich, especially in the last compositions. Verdi's Romantic heroine embodies strength, passion and fragility, oscillating between radical decisions and self-destruction. Each psychological type is reflected, in the choice of all vocal characteristics: register, coloratura, ambitus, and particular attention to the treatment of phrasing, intensity and melodic line. The heroine's voice is not just a carrier of sound, but of a message, an emotional statement. The orchestra participates as a real character, supports the shaping of the profile of each heroine and, in addition, often translates into sound language the depths of silences, hesitations, inner strength. The character is built not only in arias but also in the orchestra with the help of specific instruments. Verdi's heroine is, in a world ruled by violent, blind or powerful men, the emotional and moral center of tragedy.

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