La dispositione di gorgia, a pedagogical approach to 16th and 17th-century ornamentation and vocal agility

Résumé En

The richness of musical ornamentation in the 16th and 17th centuries is well documented, revealing a considerable distance between ordinary musical notation and refinement of expected sound result. The elegance, mastery and precision of vocal ornamentation generally refers to the concept of dispositione di gorgia, a technique of singing widely used to articulate agile vocalizations. Based on breath (sul fiato) and glottal control, it is hardly ever taught today, as it is considered risky if poorly mastered. In order to better understand and teach this musical quality and singing ability, a major artistic research project studied a corpus of Italian didactic works from 1593 to 1626. A clear didactic objective was to exercise this dispositione, which remains in the shadows of pedagogical and musical research and practice. Through the conceptual, morphological and technical definition of the dispositione di gorgia, we have tamed its precise vocabulary and technical aspects. A pedagogical material that will contribute to its teaching today was created. This workshop presents the results and practical applications of this artistic research. It is aimed in particular at singers and voice teachers wishing to familiarize themselves with the techniques of ornamentation and vocal agility used in Renaissance and Baroque music, and also for the teaching and practice of virtuosity in the 18th and 19th centuries. Those interested in a better understanding of laryngeal foundations of vocal agility and ornamentation in classical singing will also find interesting and up-to-date answers, supported by acoustic, electroglottographic and endoscopic analysis of expert vocal productions.