#123541 - 02/23/04 08:50 AM
Re: A performance sublime
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 01/18/01
Posts: 13858
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Back to the definition: "...obvious effort is the antithesis of grace...."
That would seem to make "bravura" and "sprezzatura"
mutually exclusive.
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#123542 - 02/23/04 09:07 AM
Re: A performance sublime
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/01/00
Posts: 13655
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#123543 - 02/23/04 09:19 AM
Re: A performance sublime
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 01/18/01
Posts: 13858
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Bravura seems to require effort, which seems to me to be
antithetical to sprezzatura.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary
bravura
Definition: \Bra*vu"ra\, n. [It., (properly) bravery, spirit, from
bravo. See {Brave}.] (Mus.)
A florid, brilliant style of music, written for effect, to
show the range and flexibility of a singer's voice, or the
technical force and skill of a performer; virtuoso music.
{Aria di bravura}[It.], a florid air demanding brilliant
execution.
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#123544 - 02/23/04 09:30 AM
Re: A performance sublime
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 09/30/01
Posts: 6296
Loc: Piedmont Region of Virginia, U...
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I agree completely with wwh's point about the difference between spretz and bra.
Now, will someone comment on the root 'colora' in 'coloratura'?
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#123545 - 02/23/04 09:37 AM
Re: -turus
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veteran
Registered: 01/06/04
Posts: 1474
Loc: California
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Sure, it's from the Latin coloratura 'coloring' from the past participle coloratus from the verb coloro 'to color'. The Latin future infinitive, e.g., amaturus 'about to love', is cool. Best known from the phrase: "Nos morituri te salutamus Cæsar." (We who are about to die salute thee, O Caesar.)
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#123547 - 02/24/04 03:37 PM
Re: A performance sublime
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addict
Registered: 11/09/03
Posts: 619
Loc: Carpal Tunnel Country
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There seem to be differing opinions on the definition of sprezzatura
When a word like "sprezzatura" is imported into the english language, is it de rigeur that the word conform rigidly to its original [foreign] meaning?
"Sprezzatura" is such a grand and colorful word to the english ear, even more grand and colorful than "bravura".
"Bravura" looks and sounds like it would be lucky to sit at the same table as "sprezzatura".
How disappointing to discover that, in Italian, a "bravura" performance may even surpass a "sprezzatura" performance.
Are we stuck with this unjust result?
Or, can we set "sprezzatura" free
To be as grand as it seems to be?
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#123548 - 02/24/04 05:09 PM
Re: A performance sublime
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 01/18/01
Posts: 13858
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We import foreign words because they express ideas for
which there is no good English equivalent.
I would deplore changing them in any way, which would rob
them of their value.
My idea of "sprezzatura" in American artists was Bing Crosby. His ability to appear and sound totally relaxed was a big part of his charm.
But I also used to like Heldentenors, who projected their
masculinity proudly.
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#123549 - 02/24/04 06:48 PM
Re: A performance sublime
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 08/27/02
Posts: 2154
Loc: British Columbia, Canada
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But I also used to like Heldentenors, who projected their masculinity proudly I once held a tenor - the rest I leave to your imagination! 
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#123550 - 02/24/04 07:50 PM
Re: A performance sublime
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 01/18/01
Posts: 13858
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Dear Zed: would you rather have held a Vatican Soprano?
They had lots of sprezzatura. Guaranteed incapable of
effort.
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