Voices, Timbre(s), Identity(ies)

Nov. 24, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

Salle Jean-Papineau-Couture

In the ever-evolving field of music research and performance, timbre is often seen as being the unique fingerprint that distinguishes each performer or instrument. However, recent studies highlight the limitations of this essentialist view, emphasizing that timbre is rather a product of performative practice, musical context, and culture. Thus, timbre, while expressive, is not synonymous with identity but a means to communicate various identities, whether authentic or constructed. 

The "Voices, Timbre(s), Identiti(es)" event addresses this complexity from multiple angles: cultural, gendered, historical and stylistic. Beyond musicological and philosophical questions, speakers will explore the creative and pedagogical implications, particularly in vocal and operatic music. They will address the style and technique of operatic singing, as well as the impact of timbral diversity in opera, particularly from cultural and identity angles.

Schedule

3 pm - Patrick Giguère - Welcome, introduction

3:10pm - Kit Soden - Presentation "Au-delà de la couleur sonore : Élargir le vocabulaire de l'analyse timbrale pour décoder les identités dans la musique".

3:40pm - J. Marchand Knight - Presentation "Timbre vocal, biais visuel et trope de Carmen".

4 pm - Corinne Cardinal - Presentation "Les méchanismes de la voix gutturale"

4:20pm - BREAK

4:30pm - Round table

• Moderated by Patrick Giguère et Kit Soden
• Participants : Elham Manouchehri, Sarah Albu, Jean-François Daigneault, Corinne Cardinal, J. Marchand Knight

5:45pm - Questions from the audience to round-table speakers

6 pm - Closing

 

Participants

• Sara Albu (singer, experimentation and creation of contemporary operas)
• Corinne Cardinal (classical and metal singer, guttural voice researcher)
• Jean-François Daigneault (countertenor, specialist in early and contemporary music)
• Patrick Giguère (composer)
• Elham Manouchehri (singer specializing in Persian music) 
• Jay Marchand Knight (singer, teacher, researcher on timbre and gender perception)