Brazilian Portuguese Lyric Diction for American Singers and Antônio Carlos Gomes

The purpose of this document is to make the reader aware of two areas of vocal Brazilian music that have long been neglected, and are now receiving the attention of researchers and performers: Brazilian Portuguese lyric diction and the operas of Brazilian composer Antônio Carlos Gomes. Many people are familiar with popular genres of Brazilian music. The samba, bossa nova, choro and the driving rhythms associated with carnival dances are widely popular among the general public. However, few are familiar with the classical vocal repertoire. The first section is dedicated to pedagogical tools for teaching Brazilian Portuguese diction. American singers will find the process of preparing Brazilian repertoire more accessible with this concise but objective guide. The second half is a discussion of the operatic works of Antônio Carlos Gomes, with focus on Gomes as a transitional figure from the bel canto to verismo in Italy in the second half the 19th century, as well as his contributions to the operatic repertoire.