Introduction to the Art of Singing by Johann Friedrich Agricola (Cambridge Musical Texts and Monographs)

Rating:
Summary: Far more than a translation
Review: Julianne Baird's "Introduction to the Art of Singing" (1995) is far more than it appears. It is, of course, an English translation of Agricola's German text (1757), which in turn was a translation of the original Italian text by Tosi (1723) -- a monumental and often amusing work in itself. Agricola made his own observations regarding Tosi's work, and Julianne Baird has truly created an entirely new book by virtue of the observations she makes in her footnotes, which are very extensive. Baird is not only a scholar, but also an accomplished performer and so takes a very thorough approach to this treatise. She and Cambridge University Press are careful to delineate what parts of the text are Tosi, Agricola and Baird. It is an invaluable reference work for the serious student of historical vocal practice.

Rating:
Summary: Far more than a translation
Review: Julianne Baird's "Introduction to the Art of Singing" (1995) is far more than it appears. It is, of course, an English translation of Agricola's German text (1757), which in turn was a translation of the original Italian text by Tosi (1723) -- a monumental and often amusing work in itself. Agricola made his own observations regarding Tosi's work, and Julianne Baird has truly created an entirely new book by virtue of the observations she makes in her footnotes, which are very extensive. Baird is not only a scholar, but also an accomplished performer and so takes a very thorough approach to this treatise. She and Cambridge University Press are careful to delineate what parts of the text are Tosi, Agricola and Baird. It is an invaluable reference work for the serious student of historical vocal practice.