Publisher's Synopsis
Nicola Harrison is an award winning singer and is Singing Teacher at Pembroke College, University of Oxford. In her time she has worked as a specialist nurse in ENT departments, as a journalist and, has her own performing troupe, Casa Maguerita. As such, there could probably no better author for a book on English Song. This book is different to any other in that it doesn't just tell the singer how to sing some of the classical works. Rather, it informs the reader on the poetry - it's true meaning and the context in which it was written. This poetry, myth and meaning is very much a la mode in singing right now as it helps performers to truly understand that which they are singing and in so doing, improve their performance. THe depth of coverage is great, the writing engaging and the content has been subject to academic rigour but is very much written for the singer. A companion volume - The Wordsmith's Guide to English Song: Poetry, Music and Imagination - The Songs of Roger Quilter - has been published simultaneously and a course workbook for students as well as further volumes are planned.
