The Possibility of Singing with Physical Expression. A Case Study with Sigismondo d’India’s “Lamento di Didone”

Abstract

Using "Lamento di Didone" by Sigismondo d'India as an example, I explored the possibilities of singing with physical expression – inspired by historical sources. Thus, I analysed the poetry and music of the song with reference to L'arte de' cenni (1616) by Giovanni Bonifacio and Chirologia (1644) by John Bulwer, who were active at the same time as Sigismondo d'India. After those studies, I performed the piece in an experimental concert. By docu-menting the different experiences (performer, accompanist, and audience) with the help of a questionnaire, I studied how singing with physical expres-sion is received by people living in the present.