How Applicable Is the Label ‘diva' to the Concerto Delle Donne? Please Support Your Answer with References to the Musical Performances Provided in the Module Materials

Assignment 03

Part 1 The Diva

How applicable is the label ‘diva' to the Concerto delle donne? Please support your answer with references to the musical performances provided in the module materials.

I would agree with Elaine Moohan that the label ‘diva', can be applied to the Concerto delle donne (The Open University, The Arts Past and Present Book 1, Reputations, Chapter 6.6). My only reservation in applying this term wholly to them, is that, with its 19th century origin and first known use (Oxford Online Dictionary), the term diva, may not have been used to refer to this famous 17th century vocal ensemble. Moreover, the term is normally used to refer to a lone female singer, like Maria Callas or Madonna, and not a group as in their case. Even so, what has been documented about their vocal skills and performances does place them, in the 'diva' league.

It is said that their "signature style was florid and filled with ornaments, and they inspired composers and musicians across Italy.” One such composer, Luzzaschi, "composed expert madrigals that required virtuosic vocal skill and advanced musicianship." His famous publication, 'Madrigali per cantare e sonare’, expressing "a highly ornamented soprano line", is said to have "contained repertory performed by this expert troupe" (www.britannica.com).

In 'I'mi son giovinetta', the theme, rhythm and the dynamics of the song all come together to suggest to the audience, that it is about "a young maiden" who sings at the “lovely Springtime of Love." There's concordant harmony, which is reflected in the "imitation" spread throughout this madrigal (e.g. 0:26-1:00). Word painting technique is also depicted in the 'flutter' of a "heart's wings" "spread wide like a little bird's" sound (0:28-0:38). (The Open University, AA100, The Arts Past and Present, Book 1, Reputations, Chapter 6, Reading 6.9).

Another diva, Maria Callas, was renowned and praised in her day as the Ferrarese ladies were in their time. It is said that "critics praised her bel canto technique, wide-ranging voice and dramatic interpretations" (wikipedia.org). Like the Concerto delle donne, Callas was famed for her ability to make the situation of the character she was singing seem real. A typical example being in Puccini's Tosca, where her dramatic voice brought the character alive, expressing her vulnerability and anger.

Like Callas and the Ferrarese ladies, Madonna, has been famous for her music and is "possibly the biggest female pop star of the 1980s and early 1990s." In contrast to the Concerto delle donne and Callas, her vocal ability isn't always what has given her this fame. Reviewing her song 'Material Girl', Elaine Mooney says Madonna’s “voice does not display any of the vocal qualities typically associated with the diva.” What has made Madonna a diva, seems to be her ability to reinvent both her music and image, and ”the significant degree to which she