The Singing Voice in Contemporary Cinema

edited by Diane Hughes and Mark Evans

Book cover: The Singing Voice in Contemporary Cinema

Extent: 232 pages

Publisher: Equinox Publishing

Subjects: Music & Performing Arts

Series: Genre, Music and Sound

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(December 2020)

ISBN: 9781781791127

6.14 x 9.21 inches

Price: $34.00

In stock

Hardback (Published)

(December 2020)

ISBN: 9781781794456

6.14 x 9.21 inches

Price: $100.00

Out of stock

This volume focuses on the singing voice in contemporary cinema and considers different contextual formations of singing and how they contribute to narrative, emotional affect and cultural sensitivities.


This volume focuses on the singing voice in contemporary cinema from 1945 to the present day, and rather than being restricted to one particular genre, considers how the singing voice has helped define and/or confuse genre classification. Typically heard in song, the singing voice is arguably the most expressive of all musical instruments. This volume celebrates the ways in which singing features in film. This includes the singing voice as protagonist, as narrator, as communicator, as entertainer, and as comedic interlude. Whether the singing voice in film is personally expressive, reflexive and distant, or synchronized for entertainment, there is typically interplay between the voice and visual elements. Extending beyond the body of literature on ‘the musical’, the volume is not about musicals per se. Rather, The Singing Voice in Contemporary Cinema discusses the singing voice as a distinct genre that focuses on the conceptualization and synchronization of the singing voice in the post-War era. It explores the relationship between screen, singing, singer and song; it celebrates the intersection of the singing voice and popular culture. In doing so, the volume will cross multiple disciplines including vocal studies, film studies, film sound studies, and music production (vocal processing).

  • Edited by Mark Evans
  • Edited by Diane Hughes