Volume I. A new dimension of theatrical-concert vocal works: A discussion of Luciano Berio's 'Circles' and Jacob Druckman's 'Animus II'. Volume II. The Mystery of the Butterfly (Original composition, Italy)

Volume I. Many vocal works written after 1960 have semantically or phonetically deconstructed texts, extended vocal techniques, and physical movement. Their performance practice and vocal styles are a hybrid of various genres and art forms, and have contributed significantly to the emergence of a new art form. This dissertation uses Luciano Berio's Circles and Jacob Druckman's Animus II as two such examples to examine how their treatment of text, and use of extended vocal techniques result in a new integration of music and language.; This paper is in four chapters. In the first chapter, the discussion focuses on the historical phenomena that led to the new ways composers thought about writing for the human voice. It also discusses why the sound and direct expression of the sung text but not the verbal meaning are the essence of this kind of vocal work. The second and third chapters present detailed analyses of Luciano Berio's Circles and Jacob Druckman's Animus II from these points of view. The fourth chapter provides a conclusion, and a summary of how the integration is achieved in this kind of music.; Volume II. This composition is a theatrical-concert vocal work for three female performers (a soprano, an actor, and a dancer), seven instrumentalists, and electronic music accompaniment on an audio CD (the audio CD is available in the library of University of California, Los Angeles). It consists of six movements. The story is a short meditation between a female student living in modern life and the ancient Chinese legend woman, Zhu Ying-Tai, who had to dress in male uniform to obtain a chance to study.