An introduction to acting training for the developing character tenor

The acting training method for the character tenor presented in this essay was developed from a combination of musical, theatrical, and professional sources and was applied through examples using the character tenor role King Kaspar from Gian Carlo Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. To successfully portray a character tenor role, a true integration of singing and acting must take place. The goal of this program was to introduce fundamental interpretive and acting analysis techniques, with specific procedures and practical applications, in the vocal studio. Because character tenor roles are most often shorter and less demanding vocally than leading tenor roles, they allow the developing tenor the freedom to focus on other necessary skills while building stamina and learning vocal technique. Also, this essay serves as an introduction to the eclectic character tenor fach or voice category.