Cathy Berberian: Pioneer of Contemporary Vocality

Cathy Berberian (1925-1983) was a vocal performance artist, singer and composer who pioneered a way of composing with (and listening to) the voice in the musical worlds of Europe, North America and beyond. As a modernist muse for many avant-garde composers, she went on to embody the principles of postmodern thinking in her work. This volume celebrates her path through musical landscapes including her approach to performance practice, gender performativity, vocal pedagogy and the epistemological borders of art music, the concert stage, the popular LP and the opera industry of her times. The collection features primary documentation and a Foreword by Susan McClary.