The activity and artistry of solo vocal performance: Insights from investigative observations and interviews with western classical singers

This paper draws on data collected from four professional solo classical singers as they prepared and performed the same piece, each working with the same accompanist. It examines their thoughts and feelings — inner mental states — as recalled and expressed in interview, and their perceptible outer states as observed in their physical behaviours. Data were collected from both talk-aloud reflections on the activities of practice, rehearsal and performance, and observer evaluations of rehearsals and performance as observed in video recordings. The aims of these reflections were to investigate: i) the nature of mental and bodily action for technical and expressive musical communication; ii) the nature of social interaction within the rehearsal and performing contexts; iii) overall, this work is undertaken to broaden knowledge and understanding of how an expert vocal performance is prepared, delivered and perceived. Results suggest that a subtle interplay of social and musical communication is necessary to achieve a “good performance”. These ideas are discussed in terms of a social theory relating to how inner and outer mental states are displayed through the body in musical performance.