THE GERMAN FACH SYSTEM — A MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF VOICES

DOI: 10.36871/hon.202201009

Authors

E. N. Sergeev
Russian State Specialized Academy of Arts, Moscow, Russian Federation

Abstract

The German Fach voice classification system is one of the most important systems in modern opera world. The author of the Fach system was a German pianist, conductor, music historian and theorist Rudolf Kloiber. Kloiber's major work "Das Handbuch der Oper" has been reprinted more than five times, translated into English, French, Italian, Spanish and followed by other musicians such as Richard Boldrey, Sandra Cotton etc. However, the problems of classification discussed in the works of these authors have not yet been published in Russia. This paper highlights the importance of vocal classifications; the ways of development; the most common points of the traditional classification and the Fach system. The reason for considering this problem is the author's interest in showing the difference between the three viewpoints of Rudolf Kloiber, Richard Boldray and Sandra Cotton. The article provides the main arguments of each opinion. The author of this article strives to present the problem from different perspectives, to compare them and to try to explain.

Keywords

Rudolf Kloiber, "Das Handbuch der Oper", relevance of voice classifications