Sara Wilen

A discussion on the practice of opera improvisation as a means to go in dialogue with music and performance culture in the western classical field, inspired by perspectives from cultural theory, suggesting notions of intertextuality and interperformativity.

The artistic doctoral project Singing in action – processes of vocal improvisation is an investigation of vocal improvised performance from my point of view as a classically trained singer and vocal improviser. It focuses on an artistic tradition which has its roots in medieval Provence and Italy (Wilen, 2013a) and which is an expanding classical vocal genre of today: opera and art song improvisation as extemporization, or instant composition, performed by classical singers in dialogue with the listeners.As a forum for classical singers’ and musicians’ experimental work, it is still fairly uncommon in the field of classical music making today. The aim of the project is to problematize aspects of the role of classical singers in performance. At its centre is my work as a classical vocal improviser in various contexts, such as the Swedish ensembles Impromans and Operaimprovisatorerna.My working research questions are:- How can I investigate and analyze the creative interaction in emer...

This dissertation explores performative perspectives on classical and contemporary vocal improvisation (CCVI) as a critical, creative tool for development of and research in vocal performance. It consists of one introductory part and five articles, with additional documentation on a homepage. The artistic projects have been performed in close collaboration with fellow classically trained singers and musicians. The practice of CCVI is contextualised in relation to vocal history, opera, improvisation practice(s) and research in vocal performance. The artistic methods of opera improvisation, lyrical improvisation and CCVI without words are described in text and video. The studies performed also investigate how theoretical concepts such as performativity, action and interperformativity can be used for articulating aspects of communication, creativity and knowledge in CCVI. Central to the thesis is a suggested model for analysing performativity in three dimensions: the structural, the sy...

Opera improvisation at The Malmo Academy of Music has been a pedagogical and artistic experiment. This is the final account concerning this pedagogical and artistic research project. Singers who are studying classical singing at the bachelor and master programmes of the academy have participated. The account includes historical and theoretical reflections on the subject and comments on the work in progress. At the same time this publication, with its attached DVD, can be used as a handbook for those who have a particular interest in working with improvisation where the starting-point is opera. During the period 2007-2008 we organized about fifteen seminars, a three day workshop at the island of Ven, and four public performances. In this experiment different purposes and methods of working have been included in order to find out how the unexpected, the spontaneous, the non-prepared can influence and inspire singing students, generally familiar with performing already composed classic...