Description

Sergius Kagen's comprehensive guide to vocal music has served as a fundamental reference for singers and educators for almost three decades.

For each of the several thousand compositions, singers can discover the vocal range and tessitura, the appropriate vocal type for the song, along with comments on the character or difficulties of the piece, including occasional guidance for the accompanist.

Headnotes provide general insights into notable composers and significant song cycles. This singular volume assists performers in locating works by numerous composers from Europe and America, spanning from the Renaissance to the mid-20th century, and encompassing genres from folk melodies to bel canto.

Entries are organized by composer within broader categories: Songs and Airs prior to the 19th Century, Songs of the 19th and 20th Centuries, Folk Songs, and Operatic Excerpts. An index of composers further facilitates access to the listings.