Philosophy of Song and Singing

In Philosophy of Song and Singing: An Introduction, Jeanette Bicknell explores philosophical questions that have not yet been thoroughly researched by philosophers, musicologists, or scientists. Issues addressed include: the relationship between the meaning of a song’s words and its music; the performer’s role and ensuing gender complications, social ontology, and personal identity; the performer’s ethical obligations to audiences, composers, and lyricists; and the metaphysical status of isolated solo performances compared to the continuous singing of opera or the interrupted singing of stage and screen musicals. Each chapter focuses on one major musical example.