Scarecrow Press has released Dr. Steven Rickards' book, Twentieth-Century Countertenor Repertoire (IBSN 0-8108-6103-8). This is the only published source available on this topic. It has been well recieved by voice teachers and countertenors who are exploring this repertoire.

The primary purpose of this book is to collect and catalogue music written specifically for the countertenor from 1950 to 2000, focusing on music written in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. The catalogue also includes works submitted from many additional countries. Each of the entries includes the following information: composer's name, dates and nationality; medium and title of the work; author and language of text; instrumentation; voicing; range and tessitura; approximate duration; year of composition; publisher; additional sources where information concerning the work is available; information regarding a work's commission and premiere; and observations about the compositions by the author or the composer. The listing includes the following forms: songs, song cycles, duets, trios, chamber works with orchestra, and cantatas. The compendium also lists roles in musical theater works, oratorios and operas.

Twentieth Ccntury Countertenor Repertoire was favorably  reviewed in the Journal of Singing, The offical Journal of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc.  Vol. 65 No.4

 

Copies of his doctoral dissertation, A Listing of Repertoire for the Countertenor Voice Composed From 1950 To 1994, With an Emphasis On Compositions Found in the United States, Canada, and England, are available for purchase from ProQuest Information and learning.

 

Contact Me

steven@stevenrickards.com
(317)252-4311