Graduate Student Research Day 2011

Florida Atlantic University

DOROTHY F. SCHMIDT COLLEGE OF ARTS & LETTERS

Mathilde Marchesi: A study of her life and work in vocal pedagogy, including historical and modern implications

Joanna Lee Craik and Susan Dorchin

Department of Music, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

Mathilde Marchesi played a significant role in vocal education during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Ms. Marchesi taught many of the prominent female vocalists of her time and published a wealth of material based on the bel canto style and her own personal vocal techniques and methods. The research presented includes an examination of Mathilde Marchesi’s life dating back to musical influences in early years, and provides extensive information related to her studies with Manuel Garcia II, who played an important role in Marchesi’s training and her future devotion to the bel canto style of singing. Section II defines the Marchesi method, with in-depth analysis of her instruction books and vocalises. Background information on three of her most well- known students – Nellie Melba, Emma Eames, and her own daughter, Blanche Marchesi, is presented in Section III, along with autobiographical narrative which reveals the relationship between teacher and student and offers insight into Mathilde Marchesi’s personality and character. The thesis concludes with discussion of the viability of Marchesi’s vocal pedagogy one hundred years after her death, and its applicability in modern voice studios.

Mathilde Marchesi: A study of her life and work in vocal pedagogy, including historical and modern implications Joanna Craik AbsIrod: Mathilde Man:hesi played a significant role in ""'01 educonon dunng the nmeleenth and early lwenneth centuries. Ms Marches Ioug"' mon of the prominent r..male YOCOlis" of her nme and publIShed a wealth of molenal based on the bel canto style and her own per>ono ""'0 ie<:hniques and method, The research presented includes on examinonon of Mathilde Man:hes, s Ie da ng bock 10 mus;cal tnRuences in early yeo" and des exJenSM! infonnotion related 10 her studies WIth Manuel Garcia II. who p on mponont role in Mathilde's training and her re ae.o>: 10 the bel conlo style of sing;ng Section II defines the Marchesi me w n.c/ep ano!y.,s of "",alises and YOCOI instnJclion bOO Bod.ground infonno . on nee of her .most well-known studen" - el 'e ...... be Emma Eames and her own daughter nche Marc'1eS " presented in Section III. along WI autob'ograph,cal norrollve wh,ch reveal' the relononsh p be!ween teacher and studen and offer, ies L- --I ilde Man:hesi's per>OIlOlity and character The thesis concludes with diSC\lss'on on the ability of Marchesi's vocoI pedagogy ace yeo" after her death. and whether it is applicable in voice studios today...... DM-1I2t 1_19Ifi 1121-1913 1861-1931 1863·1940 186lt-1952 1923-1911 192&-211• 1!5t- \ I I I I I I I I I 1 __n - ..... _IISIII .....1arcII" ...... "elnl .....1IelIa IIIIICIIe larcItsl ElIlulllllS IIariI CIIIIs _SldMo1 0rigN lei Canto 1nsIructors: Modem implications: Marchesi Exercises: Famous Students of Bel ConID: :1.:1 __ ------... _._- .. - -­- ; ; ... ; I • Nicola Potpora Mario Colas - 'loco 1nsJrudor.'(arflO"!' - 5lu:>ent ra oe ';;";'-b . . • • -. . -~ -

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