A Study Of The Singing Of Mozart's Soprano Aria "Where Have You Been, Good Times"

As one of the brightest jewels in the history of world music,Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has left us with a legacy of beautiful melodies,profound connotations and timeless stories that have touched and enchanted millions of listeners over the centuries.Mozart was born in 1756 into an Austrian musical family,and it is probably because of this family atmosphere that he was able to write 22 operas,both elegant and popular,during his lifetime.Of all his operas,the Italian comedy The Marriage of Figaro is undoubtedly one of the most exemplary.A narrative musical,The Marriage of Figaro portrays the irreconcilable conflict between the Italian people and the aristocracy,in which the protagonists,Figaro and Susanna,overcome the vicious and greedy aristocracy through a series of efforts and encounters to gain the right to live happily ever after.The opera,with its dramatic and melodic plot,has been a favourite of the people since its inception.Not only that,but the classic "Where Have the Good Times Gone" has even become an essential part of the lyric soprano’s repertoire in later years.The most iconic of the Countess’ s cantatas,"Where Have the Good Times Gone" not only portrays the character and thoughts of the character,but also highlights the beauty of the new age aristocratic woman who is devoted to her marriage and daring to love and hate.This passage is the highlight of the opera as it intensifies the conflict and gives the Countess a fuller image.This thesis will focus on four specific aspects of the singing of this work,including the use of breathing and its use,the articulation and logic of the language,the emotional approach to the characters and,most importantly,the singer’s understanding of the work and the presentation of the work during the performance of the opera.