Caruso Tetrazzini eBook

8/12/2019 Caruso Tetrazzini eBook

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THE ART

OF SINGING

By Luisa Tetrazzini

and Enrico Caruso


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CONTENTS

PREFACE

THE ART OF SINGING By Luisa Tetrazzini

Luisa TetrazziniIntroductory Sketc

Breat Contro!Te Foundation o" Sin#in#

Te $astery o" te Ton#ue

Tone E%ission and Attack

Facia! E&'ression and $irror Practice

A''reciati(e Attitude and Critica! Attitude

THE ART OF SINGING By Enrico Caruso

Te Career o" Enrico Caruso

Fro% a Persona! )ie*'oint

Te )oice and Tone Production

Fau!ts to +e Corrected

Good ,iction a Re-uisite

Pet Su'erstitions o" Great Sin#ers


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PREFACE...

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IN OFFERING tis *ork to te 'u+!ic te 'u+!isers *is to !ay +e"ore tose *o sin# or *o area+out to study sin#in#/ te si%'!e/ "unda%enta! ru!es o" te art +ased on co%%on sense0 Te t*o#reatest !i(in# e&'onents o" te art o" sin#in#Luisa Tetrazzini and Enrico Carusoa(e +een cosenas e&a%'!es/ and teir ta!ks on sin#in# a(e additiona! *ei#t "ro% te "act tat *at tey a(e to sayas +een 'rinted e&act!y as it *as uttered/ te truts tey e&'ound are dri(en o%e "orce"u!!y/ and *attey re!ate so si%'!y is +acked +y years o" e&'erience and e%'asized +y te resu!ts tey a(eacie(ed as te t*o #reatest artists in te *or!d0

$uc as +een said a+out te Ita!ian $etod o" Sin#in#0 It is a -uestion *eter anyone rea!!y kno*s*at te 'rase %eans0 A"ter a!!/ i" tere +e a ri#t *ay to sin#/ ten a!! oter *ays %ust +e *ron#0Books a(e +een *ritten on +reatin#/ tone 'roduction and *at sin#ers sou!d eat and *ear/ etc0/ etc0/

a!! tendin# to %ake te sin#er se!"1conscious and to sin# *it te +rain rater tan *it te eart0 To-uote $%e0 Tetrazzini2 34ou can train te (oice/ you can take a ra* %ateria! and %ake it a "inised'roduction5 not so *it te eart06

Te country is o(errun *it in"erior teacers o" sin#in#5 %en and *o%en *o a(e "ai!ed to #et +e"orete 'u+!ic/ turn to teacin# *itout any 'ractica! e&'erience/ and/ ar%ed on!y *it a "e* %etods/teac tese a!ike to a!! 'u'i!s/ ruinin# %any #ood (oices0 Sou!d tese 'u'i!s can#e teacers/ e(en "orte +etter/ ten +e#ins te *eary undoin# o" te "a!se %etod/ o"ten *it no +etter resu!t0

To tese un"ortunate 'u'i!s tis +ook is o" inesti%a+!e (a!ue0 He or se cou!d not consistent!y coosesuc teacers a"ter readin# its 'a#es0 A#ain te si%'!e ru!es !aid do*n and terse!y and interestin#!y set"ort not on!y carry con(iction *it te%/ +ut tear a*ay te (ei! o" %ystery tat so o"ten is tro*n

a+out te di(ine art0Luisa Tetrazzini and Enrico Caruso so* *at not to do/ as *e!! as *at to do/ and +rin# te 'u'i!+ack to "irst 'rinci'!este art o" sin#in# natura!!y0


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THE ART

OF SINGINGBy Luisa Tetrazzini


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L7ISA TETRA88INI...

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Introductory Sketc o" te Career o" te9or!d1Fa%ous Pri%a ,onna

L7ISA TETRA88INI/ te %ost "a%ous Ita!ian co!oratura so'rano o" te day/ dec!ares tat se +e#an tosin# +e"ore se !earned to ta!k0 Her 'arents *ere not %usica!/ +ut er e!der sister/ no* te *i"e o" tee%inent conductor C!eo"ante Ca%'anini/ *as a 'u+!ic sin#er o" esta+!ised re'utation/ and er successroused er youn# sister:s a%+ition to +eco%e a #reat artist0 Her 'arents *ere *e!! to do/ er "atera(in# a !ar#e ar%y "urnisin# store in F!orence/ and tey did not encoura#e er in er deter%ination to+eco%e a 'ri%a donna0 One 'ri%a donna/ said er "ater/ *as enou# "or any "a%i!y0

Luisa did not a#ree *it i%0 I" one 'ri%a donna is #ood/ se ar#ued/ *y *ou!d not t*o +e +etter; So

se ne(er desisted "ro% er i%'ortunity unti! se *as 'er%itted to +eco%e a 'u'i! o" Pro"essorCoccerani/ (oca! instructor at te Lyc


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)oice e&'erts con"ess tat tey are not a+!e to so!(e te %ystery o" $%e0 Tetrazzini:s *onder"u!%ana#e%ent o" er +reatin#0

3It is 'er"ect!y natura!/6 se says0 3I +reate !o* do*n in te dia'ra#%/ not/ as so%e do/ i# u' in teu''er 'art o" te cest0 I a!*ays o!d so%e +reat in reser(e "or te crescendos/ e%'!oyin# on!y *at isa+so!ute!y necessary/ and I rene* te +reat *ere(er it is easiest0

3In +reatin# I "ind/ as in oter %atters 'ertainin# to sin#in#/ tat as one #oes on and 'ractices/ no%atter o* !on# one %ay a(e +een sin#in#/ tere are constant!y ne* sur'rises a*aitin# one0 4ou %aya(e +een accusto%ed "or years to take a note in a certain *ay/ and a"ter a !on# *i!e you disco(er tat/*i!e it is a (ery #ood *ay/ tere is a +etter06


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Breat Contro!Te Foundation o" Sin#in#

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THERE is on!y one *ay to sin# correct!y/ and tat is to sin# natura!!y/ easi!y/ co%"orta+!y0

Te ei#t o" (oca! art is to a(e no a''arent %etod/ +ut to +e a+!e to sin# *it 'er"ect "aci!ity "ro%one end o" te (oice to te oter/ e%ittin# a!! te notes c!ear!y and yet *it 'o*er and a(in# eac noteo" te sca!e sound te sa%e in -ua!ity and tona! +eauty as te ones +e"ore and a"ter0

Tere are %any %etods *ic !ead to te #oa! o" natura! sin#in#tat is to say/ te 'roduction o" te(oice *it ease/ +eauty and *it 'er"ect contro!0

So%e o" te #reatest teacers in te *or!d reac tis 'oint a''arent!y +y di(er#in# roads0

Around te art o" sin#in# tere as +een "or%ed a cu!t *ic inc!udes an entire ar#on o" *ords%eanin# one tin# to te sin#er and anoter tin# to te rest o" te *or!d and *ic (ery o"ten doesn:t%ean te sa%e tin# to t*o sin#ers o" di""erent scoo!s0

In tese ta!ks *it you I a% #oin# to try to use te si%'!est *ords/ and te "e* idio%s *ic I *i!!a(e to take "ro% %y o*n !an#ua#e I *i!! trans!ate to you as c!ear!y as I can/ so tat tere can +e no%isunderstandin#0

Certain!y te i#est art and a !i"eti%e o" *ork and study are necessary to ac-uire an easy e%ission o"tone0

Tere are -uantities o" *onder"u! natura! (oices/ 'articu!ar!y a%on# te youn# 'eo'!e o" S*itzer!andand Ita!y/ and te A%erican (oice is es'ecia!!y noted "or its 'urity and te +eauty o" its tone in te i#re#isters0 But ??tese natura!!y untrained (oices soon +reak or "ai! i" tey are used %uc un!ess tesin#er su''!e%ents te natura!/ God1#i(en (oca! #i"ts *it a conscious understandin# o" o* te (oca!a''aratus sou!d +e used0

Te sin#er %ust a(e so%e kno*!ed#e o" is or er anato%ica! structure/ 'articu!ar!y te structure o"te troat/ %out and "ace/ *it its resonant ca(ities/ *ic are so necessary "or te ri#t 'roduction o"te (oice0

Besides tat/ te !un#s and dia'ra#% and te *o!e +reatin# a''aratus %ust +e understood/ +ecausete "oundation o" sin#in# is +reatin# and +reat contro!0

A sin#er %ust +e a+!e to re!y on is +reat/ ust as e re!ies u'on te so!idity o" te #round +eneat is"eet0

A saky/ uncontro!!ed +reat is !ike a rickety "oundation on *ic notin# can +e +ui!t/ and unti! tat"oundation as +een de(e!o'ed and stren#tened te *ou!d1+e sin#er need e&'ect no satis"actoryresu!ts0

Fro% te #ir!s to *o% I a% ta!kin# es'ecia!!y I %ust no* ask a sacri"icete sin#er cannot *ear ti#tcorsets and sou!d not *ear corsets o" any kind *ic co%e u' i#er tan te !o*est ri+0
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In oter *ords/ te corset %ust +e notin# +ut a +e!t/ +ut *it as %uc i' !en#t as te *earer "indscon(enient and necessary0

In order to insure 'ro'er +reatin# ca'acity it is understood tat te c!otin# %ust +e a+so!ute!y !oosearound te cest and a!so across te !o*er 'art o" te +ack/ "or one sou!d +reate *it te +ack o" te!un#s as *e!! as *it te "ront0

In %y years o" study and *ork I a(e de(e!o'ed %y o*n +reatin# ca'acity unti! I a% so%e*at tedes'air o" te "asiona+!e %odiste/ +ut I a(e a dia'ra#% and a +reat on *ic I can re!y at a!! ti%es0

In !earnin# to +reate it is *e!! to tink o" te !un#s as ?e%'ty sacks/ into *ic te air is dro''in#!ike a *ei#t/ so tat you tink "irst o" "i!!in# te +otto% o" your !un#s/ ten te %idd!e 'art/ and so onunti! no %ore air can +e ina!ed0

Ina!e sort +reats trou# te nose0 Tis/ o" course/ is on!y an e&ercise "or +reat de(e!o'%ent0

No* +e#in to ina!e "ro% te +otto% o" te !un#s "irst0

E&a!e s!o*!y and "ee! as i" you *ere 'usin# te air a#ainst your cest0 I" you can #et tis sensation!ater *en sin#in# it *i!! e!' you (ery #reat!y to #et contro! o" te +reat and to a(oid sendin# too%uc +reat trou# te (oca! cords0

Te +reat %ust +e sent out in an e(en/ steady "!o*0

4ou *i!! notice *en you +e#in to sin#/ i" you *atc yourse!" (ery care"u!!y/ tat/ "irst/ you *i!! try toina!e too %uc air5 second!y/ you *i!! eiter "orce it a!! out at once/ %akin# a +reaty note/ or in tryin#to contro! te "!o* o" air +y te dia'ra#% you *i!! sudden!y cease to send it "ort at a!! and *i!! +e%akin# te sound +y 'ressure "ro% te troat0

Tere %ust ne(er +e any 'ressure "ro% te troat0 Te sound %ust +e %ade "ro% te continued "!o* o"air0

4ou %ust !earn to contro! tis "!o* o" air/ so tat no %uscu!ar action o" te troat can sut it o""0

O'en te troat *ide and start your note +y te 'ressure +reat0 Te 'ysica! sensation sou!d +e "irst

an e""ort on te 'art o" te dia'ra#% to 'ress te air u' a#ainst te cest +o&/ ten te sensation o" a'er"ect!y o'en troat/ and/ !ast!y/ te sensation tat te air is 'assin# "ree!y into te ca(ities o" te ead0

Te -uantity o" sound is contro!!ed +y te +reat0

In di%inisin# te tone te o'enin# o" te troat re%ains te sa%e0 On!y te -uantity o" +reat #i(en"ort ?Dis di%inised0 Tat is done +y te dia'ra#% %usc!es0

3Fi!are !a (oce/6 to s'in te (oice "ro% a tiny !itt!e tread into a +readt o" sound and ten di%inisa#ain/ is one o" te %ost +eauti"u! e""ects in sin#in#0

It is acco%'!ised +y te contro! o" te +reat/ and its 'er"ect acco%'!is%ent %eans te co%'!ete%astery o" te #reatest di""icu!ty in !earnin# to sin#0

I tink one o" te +est e&ercises "or !earnin# to contro! te (oice +y "irst #ettin# contro! o" te +reat isto stand erect in a *e!!1(enti!ated roo% or out o" doors and s!o*!y snu"" in air trou# te nostri!s/ina!in# in !itt!e 'u""s/ as i" you *ere s%e!!in# so%etin#0

Take ust a !itt!e +it o" air at a ti%e and "ee! as i" you *ere "i!!in# te (ery +otto% o" your !un#s and a!sote +ack o" your !un#s0

9en you a(e te sensation o" +ein# "u!! u' to te neck retain te air "or a "e* seconds and ten (erys!o*!y send it out in !itt!e 'u""s a#ain0
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"oundation o" tat tecni-ue+reat contro!0

Tis "ee!in# o" sin#in# a#ainst te cest *it te *ei#t o" air 'ressin# u' a#ainst it is kno*n as3+reat su''ort/6 and in Ita!ian *e a(e e(en a +etter *ord/ 3a'o##io/6 *ic is +reat 'ro'0 Tedia'ra#% in En#!is %ay +e ca!!ed te +e!!o*s o" te !un#s/ +ut te a'o##io is te dee' +reatre#u!ated +y te dia'ra#%0

Te attack o" te sound %ust co%e "ro% te a'o##io/ or +reat 'ro'0 In attackin# te (ery i#est notesit is essentia!/ and no sin#er can rea!!y #et te i# notes or (oca! "!e&i+i!ity or stren#t o" tone *itoutte attack co%in# "ro% tis seat o" res'iration0

In 'ractisin# te tri!! or staccato tones te 'ressure o" te +reat %ust +e "e!t e(en +e"ore te sound iseard0 Te +eauti"u!/ c!ear/ +e!!1!ike tones tat die a*ay into a so"t 'iano are tones struck on tea'o##io and contro!!ed +y te steady so"t 'ressure o" te +reat e%itted trou# a 'er"ect!y o'en troat/o(er a !o* ton#ue and resoundin# in te ca(ities o" te %out or ead0

Ne(er "or a %o%ent sin# *itout tis a'o##io/ tis +reat 'ro'0 Its de(e!o'%ent and its constant use%ean te restoration o" sick or "ati#ued (oices and te 'ro!on#in# o" a!! one:s (oca! 'o*ers into *at is*ron#!y ca!!ed o!d a#e0


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sensation o" one a+out to sneeze0 4ou *i!! see "ar +ack in te troat/ *ay +eind te nose/ a so"t s'ottat *i!! dra* u' o" itse!" as te sneeze +eco%es %ore i%%inent0 Tat !itt!e 'oint is te so"t 'a!ate0 It%ust +e dra*n u' "or te i# notes in order to #et te ead resonance0 As a sin#er ad(ances in er artse can do tis at *i!!0

Te adust%ent o" troat/ ton#ue and 'a!ate/ a!! *orkin# to#eter/ *i!! dai!y res'ond %ore easi!y to erde%ands0 Ho*e(er/ se sou!d +e a+!e conscious!y to contro! eac 'art +y itse!"0

Te conscious direction o" te (oice and co%%and o" te troat are necessary0 Fre-uent!y in o'era tesin#er/ sittin# or !yin# in so%e unco%"orta+!e 'osition *ic is not natura!!y con(enient "or 'roducin#te (oice/ *i!! conscious!y direct er notes into te ead ca(ities +y o'enin# u' te troat and !i"tin#te so"t 'a!ate0 For instance/ in te ro!e o" )io!etta te %usic o" te !ast act is sun# !yin# do*n0 In orderto #et 'ro'er resonance to so%e o" te i# notes I a(e to start te% in te ead ca(ity +y %eans/ o"course/ o" te a'o##io/ or +reat 'ro'/ *itout *ic te note *ou!d +e tin and *ou!d a(e no +odyto it0

Te sensation tat I a(e is o" a s!i#t 'ressure o" +reat strikin# a!%ost into a direct !ine into te ca(ity+eind te "oreead o(er te eyes *itout any o+struction or "ee!in# in te troat at a!!0

Tis is te correct attack "or te ead tone/ or a tone taken in te u''er re#ister0 Be"ore I e&'!ain te

re#isters to you I %ust te!! you one o" te "unniest co%'!i%ents I e(er recei(ed0 A (ery "!atterin# 'erson*as co%'arin# %y (oice to tat o" anoter i# so'rano *o% I (ery %uc ad%ire0

3Her (oice is +eauti"u!/ 'articu!ar!y in te u''er re#ister/6 I insisted *en te oter !ady *as +ein#criticized0

3A/ %ada%e/6 res'onded te "!atterin# critic/ 3+ut your re#isters #i(e out so %uc %ore *ar%t06

I tink tis oke is too #ood to !ose/ a!so te criticis%/ *i!e unust to te oter sin#er/ is interestin# tote student/ +ecause in te i# re#ister/ *ic inc!udes in so%e (oices a!! te notes a+o(e %idd!e C/te notes are tin and co!d un!ess su''orted +y te a'o##io/ te +reat 'ro'/ o" *ic I a(e to!d youso %uc0 Peo'!e ask *eter tere are suc tin#s as (oca! re#isters0 Certain!y tere are0 Tere aretree a!*ays and so%eti%es "our in (ery i# (oices0 Te ordinary re#isters are te !o*/ te %idd!e/ tei# (oice/ or ead (oice/ and so%eti%es te second i# (oice/ *ic as +een ca!!ed te "!a#e!!ant(oice0

A (oca! re#ister is a series o" tones *ic are 'roduced +y a certain 'osition o" te !aryn&/ ton#ue and'a!ate0 In te *o%an:s (oice te %idd!e re#ister takes in te notes "ro% E on te "irst !ine o" te sta""a+out to %idd!e C0 Te ead (oice +e#ins at %idd!e C and runs u' so%eti%es to te end o" te (oice/so%eti%es to B "!at or C/ *ere it oins te second ead re#ister/ *ic I a(e eard ascend into a*ist!e in 'eno%ena! (oices cu!ti(ated on!y in tis re#ister and use!ess "or (oca! *ork0

Tou# te re#isters e&ist and te tones in %idd!e/ +e!o* and a+o(e are not 'roduced in te sa%e%anner/ te (oice sou!d +e so e-ua!ized tat te can#e in re#isters cannot +e eard0 And a tone sun#*it a ead (oice and in te !o* (oice sou!d a(e te sa%e de#ree o" -ua!ity/ resonance and 'o*er0

As te (oice ascends in te sca!e eac note is di""erent/ and as one #oes on u' te 'ositions o" te or#ano" te troat cannot re%ain te sa%e "or se(era! di""erent tones0 But tere sou!d ne(er +e an a+ru'tcan#e/ eiter audi+!e to te audience or "e!t in te sin#er:s troat0 E(ery tone %ust +e i%'erce'ti+!y're'ared/ and u'on te e!asticity o" te (oca! or#ans de'ends te s%ootness o" te tone 'roduction0Adustin# te (oca! a''aratus to te i# re#ister sou!d +e +ot i%'erce'ti+!e and %ecanica!*ene(er a i# note as to +e sun#0

In te i# re#ister te ead (oice/ or (oice *ic (i+rates in te ead ca(ities/ sou!d +e used cie"!y0Te %idd!e re#ister re-uires 'a!ata! resonance/ and te "irst notes o" te ead re#ister and te !ast ones


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o" te %idd!e re-uire a udicious +!endin# o" +ot0 Te %idd!e re#ister can +e dra##ed u' to te i#notes/ +ut a!*ays at te cost "irst o" te +eauty o" te (oice and ten o" te (oice itse!"/ "or no or#an canstand +ein# used *ron#!y "or a !on# ti%e0

Tis is on!y one o" te reasons tat so %any "ine +i# (oices #o to 'ieces !on# +e"ore tey sou!d0

In an e&cess o" entusias% te youn# sin#er atte%'ts to de(e!o' te i# notes and %ake te% soundin er o*n ears/ at a!! e(entsas +i# as te %idd!e (oice0 Te 'ure ead tone sounds s%a!! and"ee+!e to te sin#er erse!"/ and se *ou!d rater use te cest -ua!ity/ +ut te ead tone as te'iercin#/ 'enetratin# -ua!ity *ic %akes it te!! in a +i# a!!/ *i!e te %idd!e re#ister/ un!ess used inits ri#t '!ace/ %akes te (oice %u""!ed/ ea(y and !ackin# in (i+rancy0 Tou# to te sin#er te tone%ay see% i%%ense/ in rea!ity it !acks resonance0

A sin#er %ust ne(er cease !istenin# to erse!" inte!!i#ent!y and ne(er ne#!ect cu!ti(atin# te ead toneor o(er1tone o" te (oice/ *ic is its sa!(ation/ "or it %eans (i+rancy/ carryin# 'o*er and yout to a(oice0 9itout it te "inest (oice soon +eco%es *orn and o"" 'itc0 7sed udicious!y it *i!! 'reser(e a(oice into o!d a#e0


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Tone E%ission and Attack..

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IN %y "irst ta!k I said a "e* *ords/ +ut not a!" enou#/ on te su+ect o" +reat contro!0

$y second ta!k *as te 'ysio!o#ica! as'ect o" te troat/ ead and ton#ue/ "or it is necessary to+eco%e torou#!y ac-uainted *it te %ecanis% *it *ic you are to *ork +e"ore you can rea!!ysin#0 Today I:% #oin# to take u' te su+ect o" tone e%ission and te attack0

A #reat %any sin#ers su""er "ro% te de"ect ca!!ed 3troatiness6 o" te e%issiontat is to say/ teyattack or start te note in te troat0 Sooner or !ater tis attack *i!! ruin te %ost +eauti"u! (oice0 As Ia(e said +e"ore/ te attack o" te note %ust co%e "ro% te a'o##io/ or +reat 'ro'0 But to a(e te

attack 'ure and 'er"ect!y in tune you %ust a(e te troat entire!y o'en/ "or it is use!ess to try to sin# i"te troat is not su""icient!y o'en to !et te sound 'ass "ree!y0 Troaty tones or 'inced tones are tones*ic are tryin# to "orce te%se!(es trou# a a!"1c!osed troat +!ocked eiter +y insu""icient o'enin#o" te !aryn& or +y sto''a#e o" te troat 'assa#e/ due to te root o" te ton#ue +ein# "orced do*n and+ack too ard or 'ossi+!y to a !o*/ so"t 'a!ate0

In order to a(e te troat 'er"ect!y o'en it is necessary to a(e te a* a+so!ute!y re!a&ed0

I a(e "ound in studyin# di""erent nationa!ities tat it is "air!y easy "or te Frenc and S'anis 'eo'!e to!earn tis re!a&ation o" a* and te o'enin# o" te troat/ +ut te En#!is1s'eakin# 'eo'!e #enera!!yta!k *it te troat a!" sut and e(en ta!k trou# a!"1sut teet0 So%eti%e/ *en you are ta!kin#ra'id!y/ sudden!y 'ut your and u' to your a*0 4ou *i!! "ind tat it is sti""5 tat te %usc!es +eneat it

ton#ue %usc!es are ti#t and ard5 tat te a* se!do% #oes do*n (ery "ar in 'ronouncin# any o" teEn#!is *ords/ *ereas in sin#in# te a* sou!d +e a+so!ute!y re!a&ed/ #oin# do*n and +ack ust as"ar as it can *it ease0

Te a* is attaced to te sku!! ri#t +eneat te te%'!es in "ront o" te ears0 By '!acin# your t*o"in#ers tere and dro''in# te a* you *i!! "ind tat a s'ace +et*een te sku!! and a* #ro*s as tea* dro's0

In sin#in# tis s'ace %ust +e as *ide as is 'ossi+!e/ "or tat indicates tat te a* is dro''ed do*n/#i(in# its aid to te o'enin# at te +ack o" te troat0 It *i!! e!' te +e#inner so%eti%es to do si%'!ere!a&in# e&ercises/ "ee!in# te a* dro' *it te "in#ers0 It %ust dro' do*n/ and it is not necessary too'en te %out *ide/ +ecause te a* is re!a&ed to its ut%ost0

Ho*e(er/ "or a +e#inner it is as *e!! to 'ractice o'enin# te %out *ide/ +ein# sure to !o*er te a* atte +ack0 ,o tis %any ti%es a day *itout e%ittin# any sound %ere!y to #et te "ee!in# o" *at ano'en troat is rea!!y !ike0 4ou *i!! 'resent!y +e#in to ya*n a"ter you a(e done te e&ercise a cou'!e o"ti%es0 In ya*nin# or in startin# to drink a si' o" *ater te troat is *ide!y o'en/ and te sensation is acorrect one *ic te sin#er %ust study to re'roduce0

I a(e noticed a #reat %any actors and actresses in A%erica *o s'eak *it a*s ti#t!y c!osed/ or at!east c!osed to suc an e&tent tat on!y te s%a!!est e%ission o" +reat is 'ossi+!e0 Suc a (oice'roduction *i!! ne(er a!!o* te actor to e&'ress any (aryin# de#ree o" e%otion and *i!! a!soco%'!ete!y eradicate any natura! +eauty o" tone *ic te (oice %ay a(e0 Ho*e(er/ tis is a "au!t
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*ic can easi!y +e o(erco%e +y 'racticin# tis dai!y re!a&ation o" te a* and a!*ays *en sin#in#+reatin# as i" te a* un# 'er"ect!y !oose/ or/ +etter sti!!/ as i" you ad none at a!!0 9en you can seea (oca!ist 'usin# on te a* you can +e 'er"ect!y certain tat te tone se is e%ittin# at tat %o%ent isa "orced note and tat te *o!e (oca! a''aratus is +ein# tortured to create *at is 'ro+a+!y not a'!easant noise0

Any kind o" %enta! distress *i!! cause te a* to sti""en and *i!! a(e an i%%ediate e""ect u'on te

(oice0 Tis is one o" te reasons *y a sin#er %ust !earn to contro! er e%otions and %ust not su+ecterse!" to any arro*in# e&'eriences/ e(en suc as *atcin# a sensationa! s'ectac!e/ +e"ore se is#oin# to sin#0 Fear/ *orry/ "ri#tsta#e as *e!! as oter kindsset te a*0 So does too #reat adeter%ination to succeed0 A sin#er:s %ind %ust contro! a!! o" er "ee!in#s i" it is #oin# to contro! er(oice0 Se %ust +e a+!e e(en to sur%ount a "ee!in# o" i!!ness or sta#e "ri#t and to contro! er (oca!a''aratus/ as *e!! as er +reat/ no %atter *at a''ens0

Te sin#er sou!d "ee! as i" er a* *ere detaced and "a!!in# a*ay "ro% er "ace0 As one #reat sin#ere&'resses it2 34ou sou!d a(e te a* o" an i%+eci!e *en e%ittin# a tone0 In "act/ you sou!dn:tkno* tat you a(e one06 Let us take te "o!!o*in# 'assa#e "ro% 3Te $arria#e o" Fi#aro/6 +y $ozart2

Tis *ou!d %ake an e&ce!!ent e&ercise "or te a*0 Sin# on!y te (o*e!s/ dro''in# te a* as eac oneis attacked3o/ e/ a06 Te o/ o" course/ is 'ronounced !ike te En#!is o and te i in (oi !ike e0 Te ein ce is 'ronounced !ike te En#!is a0 Sa'ete is 'ronounced sa'ata0 4ou no* a(e te (o*e!s/ o/ ee/a/ a/ a0 O'en te troat *ide/ dro' te a* and 'ronounce te tones on a note in te easiest 'art o" your(oice0

,o not attack a note at te sa%e ti%e tat you are ina!in#0 Tat is too soon0 Take te +reat trou#te nose/ o" course/ and #i(e it an instant to sett!e +e"ore attackin# te sound0 In tis *ay you *i!! a(oidte stroke o" te #!ottis *ic is caused +y te sudden and uncontro!!ed e%ission o" te accu%u!ated+reat0 In attackin# a note te +reat %ust +e directed to te "ocusin# 'oint on te 'a!ate *ic !ies ustat te critica! s'ot/ di""erent "or e(ery tone0 In attackin# a note/ o*e(er/ tere %ust +e no 'ressure ontis '!ace/ +ecause i" tere is te o(ertones *i!! +e una+!e to soar and sound *it te tone0

Fro% te %o%ent te note is attacked te +reat %ust "!o* out *it it0 It is a #ood idea to "ee! at "irst asi" one *ere 'u""in# out te +reat0 Tis is 'articu!ar!y #ood "or te i# notes on *ic a s'ecia! stress%ust +e !aid a!*ays to attack *it te +reat and not to 'ress or 'us *it te troat0 As !on# as tetone !asts te #ent!e +ut uninterru'ted out'ourin# o" te +reat %ust continue +eind it0 Tis +reat

'ressure insures te stren#t and/ *i!e o!din# te note to te "ocusin# 'oint on te 'a!ate/ insures its'itc0 In a #enera! *ay it can +e said tat te %ediu% tones o" te (oice a(e teir "ocusin# 'oint in te%idd!e 'art o" te 'a!ate/ te !o*er tones co%in# nearer to te teet to +e centra!ized and te i# notes#i(in# te sensation o" "indin# teir "ocusin# 'oint in te i# arc at te +ack o" te %out and #oin#out/ as it *ere/ trou# te cro*n o" te ead0


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Te resonance in te ead ca(ities is soon 'ercei(ed +y tose *o are +e#innin# to sin#0 So%eti%es in'roducin# teir "irst i# notes youn# 'eo'!e +eco%e ner(ous and irritated *en sin#in# i# tones atte curious +uzzin# in te ead and ears0 A"ter a sort ti%e/ o*e(er/ tis sensation is no !on#er anirritation/ and te sin#er can #au#e in a *ay *ere is tones are '!aced +y #ettin# a %enta! idea o"*ere te resonance to eac 'articu!ar tone sou!d +e0

Hi# notes *it '!enty o" ead (i+ration can on!y +e o+tained *en te ead is c!ear and te nasa!

ca(ities uno+structed +y %ucous %e%+rane or +y any o" te de'ression *ic co%es "ro% 'ysica! or%enta! cause0 Te +est *ay to !ose suc de'ression is to 'ractice0 Practicin# te !on# sca!e/ +ein#care"u! to use te di""erent re#isters/ as descri+ed !ater/ *i!! a!%ost in(aria+!y e(en out te (oice andc!ear out te ead i" continued !on# enou#/ and *i!! ena+!e te sin#er to o(erco%e ner(ous or %enta!de'ression as *e!!0

Te di""erent sensations in 'roducin# te tone (ary accordin# to te co%'arati(e ei#t and de't0Be#innin# "ro% te %ediu% tones/ te sin#er *i!! "ee! as i" eac tone o" te descendin# sca!e *ere+ein# sun# "arter outside o" te %out/ te (i+ration ittin# te u''er teet as it #oes out/ *ereas*it te ascendin# sca!e te (i+rations 'ass trou# te nasa! ca(ities/ trou# te ca(ity in te"oreead and u' +ack into te ead/ unti! one "ee!s as i" te tone *ere +ein# "or%ed i# o(er te eadat te +ack0

I *ant to say ri#t ere tat *ene(er a youn# sin#er "ee!s unco%"orta+!e *en sin#in# e or se issin#in# incorrect!y0

In attackin# te note on te +reat/ 'articu!ar!y in te i# notes/ it is -uite 'ossi+!e tat at "irst te(oice *i!! not res'ond0 For a !on# ti%e %ere!y an e%ission or +reat or 'era's a !itt!e s-ueak on tei# note is a!! tat can +e o'ed "or0 I"/ o*e(er/ tis is continued/ e(entua!!y te ead (oice *i!! +eoined to te +reat/ and a "aint note *i!! "ind utterance *ic *it 'ractice *i!! de(e!o' unti! it+eco%es an easy and +ri!!iant tone0

Te reason tat te tone as not +een a+!e to co%e "ort is +ecause te (oca! a''aratus cannot adustitse!" to te needs o" te (oca! cords or +ecause tey te%se!(es a(e not accusto%ed te%se!(es to

res'ond to te *i!! o" te sin#er and are too sti"" to 'er"or% teir duty0Te sca!e is te #reatest test o" (oice 'roduction0 No o'era sin#er/ no concert sin#er/ *o cannot sin# a'er"ect sca!e can +e said to +e a tecnician or to a(e acie(ed resu!ts in er art0 9eter te (oice +eso'rano/ %ezzo or contra!to/ eac note sou!d +e 'er"ect o" its kind/ and te note o" eac re#istersou!d 'artake su""icient!y o" te -ua!ity o" te ne&t re#ister a+o(e or +e!o* it in order not to %ake tetransition noticea+!e *en te (oice ascends or descends te sca!e0 Tis +!endin# o" te re#isters iso+tained +y te inte!!i#ence o" te sin#er in %i&in# te di""erent tone -ua!ities o" te re#isters/ usin# asaids te (arious "or%ations o" te !i's/ %out and troat and te e(er 'resent a'o##io *itout *ic no'er"ect sca!e can +e sun#0


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Facia! E&'ression and $irrorPractice

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IN studyin# a ne* r=!e I a% in te a+it o" 'racticin# in "ront o" a %irror in order to #et an idea o" tee""ect o" a "acia! e&'ression and to see tat it does not take a*ay "ro% te correct 'osition o" te %out0

Te youn# sin#er sou!d 'ractice constant!y in "ront o" a %irror as soon as se +e#ins to sin# son#s orto e&'ress e%otions in er %usic/ "or te #ir! *it te e&'ressi(e "ace is !ike!y to contort er %out sotat te correct e%ission o" tones is i%'ossi+!e0

Te dra%atic artist de'ends !ar#e!y "or er e&'ression on te can#in# !ines o" te %out/ cin and a*/

and in any !ines s'oken *ic denote co%%and or *i!! you *i!! see te actor:s a* settin# and+eco%in# ri#id *it te rest o" te "acia! %ask0

No*/ a sin#er can ne(er a!!o* te "acia! e&'ression to a!ter te 'osition o" te a* or %out0 Facia!e&'ression "or te sin#er %ust concern itse!" cie"!y *it te eyes and "oreead0

Te %out %ust re%ain te sa%e/ and te a* %ust e(er +e re!a&ed/ *eter te son# is one o" dee'intensity or a %erry sca!e o" !au#ter0

Te %out in sin#in# sou!d a!*ays s%i!e !i#t!y0 Tis s!i#t s%i!e at once re!a&es te !i's/ a!!o*in#te% "ree '!ay "or te *ords *ic tey and te ton#ue %ust "or% and a!so #i(es te sin#er a s!i#tsensation o" u'!i"t necessary "or sin#in#0

It is i%'ossi+!e to sin# *e!! *en %enta!!y de'ressed or e(en 'ysica!!y indis'osed s!i#t!y0 7n!essone as co%'!ete contro! o(er te entire (oca! a''aratus and un!ess one can si%u!ate a s%i!e one doesnot "ee! te (oice *i!! !ack so%e o" its resonant -ua!ity/ 'articu!ar!y in te u''er notes/ *ere tes%i!in# 'osition o" te %out adusts te troat and air 'assa#es "or te e%ission o" !i#t tones0

Te !i's are o" te #reatest aid in sa'in# and sadin# te tones0 9a#nerian sin#ers/ "or instance/ *oe%'!oy tru%'et1!ike notes in certain 'assa#es are o"ten seen sa'in# teir !i's !ike te %out'iece o" atru%'et/ *it a so%e*at s-uare o'enin#/ te !i's 'rotrudin#0

Ho*e(er/ tis can +e 'racticed on!y a"ter 'er"ect re!a&ation o" te a* and contro! o" te ton#ue a(e+een acco%'!ised0

A sin#er:s %out %ust a!*ays !ook '!easant/ not on!y +ecause it creates a disa#reea+!e i%'ression on

te audience to see a crooked and contorted %out/ +ut a!so +ecause natura! and correct (oice'roduction re-uires a %out sa'ed a!%ost into a s%i!e0

Too *ide a s%i!e o"ten acco%'anies *at is ca!!ed 3te *ite (oice06 Tis is a (oice 'roduction *erea ead resonance a!one is e%'!oyed/ *itout su""icient o" te a'o##io or enou# o" te %outresonance to #i(e te tone a (ita! -ua!ity0 Tis 3*ite (oice6 sou!d +e torou#!y understood and isone o" te %any sades o" tone a sin#er can use at ti%es/ ust as te i%'ressionist uses (arious unusua!co!ors to 'roduce certain at%os'eric e""ects0

For instance/ in te %ad scene in 3Lucia6 te use o" te 3*ite (oice6 su##ests te +a++!in# o" te %ad


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*o%an/ as te sa%e (oice in te !ast act o" 3Tra(iata6 or in te !ast act o" 3Bo%e6?su##ests utter'ysica! e&austion and te a''roac o" deat0

An entire (oice 'roduction on tese co!or!ess !ines/ o*e(er/ *ou!d a!*ays !ack te +ri!!iancy and te(ita!ity *ic ins'ire entusias%0

One o" te co%'ensations o" te 3*ite (oice6 sin#er is te "act tat se usua!!y 'ossesses a 'er"ect

diction0 Te (oice itse!" is trust into te ead ca(ities and not a!!o*ed to (i+rate in te "ace and %outand #i(es a%'!e roo% "or te "or%ation o" (o*e!s and consonants0 And te sin#er *it tis (oice'roduction usua!!y concentrates er entire attention on diction0

Te cure "or tis tone e%ission is/ "irst o" a!!/ te cu!ti(ation o" te +reat 'ro'/ ten attackin# te(o*e! sound o o in te %ediu% (oice/ *ic re-uires a !o* 'osition o" te !aryn&/ and e&ercises on teascendin# sca!e unti! te i#er notes a(e +een +rou#t do*n/ as it *ere/ and #ain so%e o" te +odyand su''ort o" te !o*er notes *itout !osin# teir -ua!ity0

Te sin#er:s e&'ression %ust concern itse!" cie"!y *it te '!ay o" e%otion around te eyes/ eye+ro*sand "oreead0 4ou a(e no idea o* %uc e&'ression you can #et out o" your eye+ro*s/ "or instance/unti! you study te -uestion and !earn +y e&'eri%ent tat a co%'!ete e%otiona! sca!e can +esy%+o!ized out*ard!y in te %o(e%ents o" te eye!ids and eye+ro*s0

A (ery droo'in# eye+ro* is e&'ressi(e o" "ati#ue/ eiter 'ysica! or %enta!0 Tis !o*ered eye!id is teas'ect *e see a+out us %ost o" te ti%e/ 'articu!ar!y on 'eo'!e 'ast teir "irst yout0 As it so*s a !acko" interest/ it is not a "a(orite e&'ression o" actors and is on!y e%'!oyed *ere te r=!e %akes itnecessary0

Increasin# an&iety is de'icted +y s!antin# te eye+ro*s o+!i-ue!y in a do*n*ard !ine to*ard te nose0

Concentrated attention dra*s te eye+ro*s to#eter o(er te +rid#e o" te nose/ *i!e "urti(eness*idens te s'ace a#ain *itout e!e(atin# te eye+ro*s0

In te eye+ro*s a!one you can de'ict %ockery/ e(ery sta#e o" an&iety or 'ain/ astonis%ent/ ecstasy/terror/ su""erin#/ "ury and ad%iration/ +esides a!! te su+t!e tones +et*een0

In sin#in# r=!es o" son#s it is necessary to 'ractice +e"ore te %irror in order to see tat tis "acia!e&'ression is 'resent and tat it is not e&a##erated5 tat te "ace is not contorted +y !ines o" su""erin# or+y te !ines o" %irt0

Anoter tin# te youn# sin#er %ust not "or#et in %akin# er initia! +o* +e"ore te 'u+!ic is te-uestion o" dress0 9en sin#in# on te '!at"or% or sta#e/ dress as *e!! as you can0 9ene(er you "acete 'u+!ic a(e at !east te assurance you are !ookin# your (ery +est5 tat your #o*ns an# *e!!/ are*e!! "itted and are o" a +eco%in# co!or0

It is not necessary tat tey sou!d +e #or#eous or e&'ensi(e/ +ut !et te% a!*ays +e suita+!e/ and "or+i# cities !et te% +e ust as su%'tuous as you can a""ord0 At %ornin# concerts in Ne* 4ork/ (e!(etsand and1'ainted ci""ons are considered #ood "or%/ *i!e in te a"ternoon andso%e si!k or satin

"rocks o" a (ery !i#t co!or are *orn *it ats0

I" a sin#er cooses to *ear a at !et er +e sure tat its sa'e *i!! not inter"ere *it er (oice0

A (ery !ar#e at/ "or instance/ *it a *ide +ri% tat co%es do*n o(er te "ace/ acts as a sort o" +!anketto te (oice/ eatin# u' te sound and detractin# "ro% te +eauty o" tone/ *ic sou!d #o "ort into teaudience0 It is a!so !ike!y to sade te sin#er:s "eatures too %uc and ide er "ro% (ie* "ro% tosesittin# in te +a!conies or #a!!eries0 As a ru!e/ te sin#er:s at sou!d +e s%a!! or *it a "!arin# +ri%/*ic does not detract "ro% te tone0
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Anoter *ord on te su+ect o" corsets0 Tere is no reason in te *or!d *y a sin#er sou!d not *earcorsets/ and i" sin#ers a(e a tendency to #ro* stout a corset is usua!!y a necessity0 A sin#er:s corsetsou!d +e es'ecia!!y *e!! "itted around te i's and sou!d +e e&tre%e!y !oose o(er te dia'ra#%0

I" %ade in tis *ay it *i!! not inter"ere in te s!i#test de#ree *it te +reat0

No* as to diet and te #enera! %ode o" !i"e0 E(ery sin#er %ust take care o" er ea!t0 But tat does notnecessari!y %ean tat se %ust *ra' erse!" in cotton +attin# and !ead a se-uestered e&istence0 I don:t+e!ie(e tat any 'erson *o *ants to %ake a 'u+!ic career can acco%'!is it and a!so indu!#e in socia!dissi'ations0 Society %ust +e cut out o" te !i"e o" te *ou!d1+e sin#er/ "or te de%ands %ade +y it onti%e and (ita!ity can on!y +e #i(en at a sacri"ice to one:s art0

Te care o" te ea!t is an indi(idua! %atter/ and *at a#rees *e!! *it %e *ou!d cause oters tosicken0 I eat te si%'!est "ood a!*ays/ and natura!!y/ +ein# an Ita!ian/ I 're"er te "ood o" %y nati(e!and0 But si%'!e Frenc or Ger%an cookery a#rees *it %e -uite as *e!!0 And I a!!o* te te%'tin#'astry/ te ric and o(ers'iced 'Jt


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A''reciati(e Attitude and Critica!Attitude

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THERE is notin# so +ene"icia! to te youn# artist as te kind!y and ust criticis% o" a 'erson *okno*s and notin# so sti%u!atin# as is 'raise0

A%on# %y %ost 'rice!ess 'ossessions I treasure te *ords o" encoura#e%ent #i(en %e +y Patti andSe%+ric/ tose *onder"u! artists/ *en I *as +e#innin# %y career0

$%e0 Patti is a s'!endid e&a%'!e o" te %any sidedness necessary to artistic 'er"ection0 Her *onder"u!(oice *as a!*ays su''!e%ented +y co%'!ete kno*!ed#e o" te art o" sin#in#/ and er %astery o"

!an#ua#es and o" di""erent "ie!ds o" art %ade er not on!y a #reat artist/ +ut a %ost interestin# *o%an0

To ear an artist o" tis kind is one o" te %ost 'ro"ita+!e 'arts o" a %usica! education0

But tere are t*o *ays o" !istenin# to a sin#er0 Tere is te a''reciati(e *ay/ and tere is te entire!ycritica!0 Te +e#inner usua!!y tries to so* er kno*!ed#e +y er intense!y critica! attitude0

Te o!der you +eco%e in your art te %ore readi!y you *i!! +e a+!e to a''reciate and !earn "ro% tesin#ers you ear on te o'era or concert sta#e0

Te #reatest and te u%+!est sin#er can teac you so%etin#0 But to !earn you %ust +e in a rece'ti(eattitude0

Te 'u+!ic as no rea! conce'tion o" *at an a%ount o" inte!!i#ent *ork +esides ta!ent and art is

necessary to acie(e te resu!ts *ic it sees or ears0 On!y tose *ose !i(es are de(oted to te sa%eidea!s can understand te stru##!es o" oter artists/ and it is "or tat reason tat a''reciation and notconde%nation sou!d +e on te ton#ues o" tose *o te%se!(es a(e studied0

Te artist %ay de%and te #reatest tin#s o" erse!"/ and *at %ay +e #ood enou# "or oters is not#ood enou# "or er0 As te 'oet says/ 3Art is !on#/6 tou# !i"e %ay +e sort/ and sin#in# is one o" te%ost "!eetin# o" a!! arts/ since once te note is uttered it !ea(es on!y a %e%ory in te earer:s %ind andsince so %any +eauti"u! (oices/ "or one reason or oter/ #o to 'ieces !on# +e"ore teir ti%e0

I" te sin#er:s ea!t is #ood te (oice sou!d end on!y *it !i"e itse!"/ 'ro(ided/ o" course/ it as +eenused *it understandin# and *it art0

In 'er"or%in# +e"ore te 'u+!ic one sou!d +e #o(erned +y te tastes o" te 'u+!ic/ not +y one:s o*n

tastes0 Kust as te co%edian usua!!y *ises to '!ay Ha%!et and te %an o" tra#ic %ien tinks e cou!d+e a co%edy star/ te sin#er *o cou!d %ake a "ortune at inter'retin# cansonnettes usua!!y *ises tosin# o'eratic ro!es/ and te sin#er *it a dee' and ea(y (oice is !on#in# to in"!ict +a+y son#s on a!on# su""erin# 'u+!ic0

It is easy enou# to "ind out *at te 'u+!ic *ises to ear/ and/ tou# one sou!d a!*ays +een!ar#in# one:s re'ertory/ it is not a +ad idea to stick to tat "ie!d "or *ic one is 'articu!ar!y "itted(oca!!y and 'ysica!!y0

In studyin# a r=!e a"ter one as %astered te tecnica! di""icu!ties one sou!d try to stee' one:s


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'ersona!ity into tat o" te caracter one is to 'ortray/ and "or tat reason a!! study/ no %atter *at it is/and readin# o" a!! kinds e!' one in de(e!o'in# a 'art0

Te #reat Ita!ian tra#edienne/ ,use/ to!d %e tat one o" er #reatest '!easures *as to *ander a+out testreets inco#nito *atcin# te ty'es o" 'eo'!e/ "o!!o*in# te% round/ o+ser(in# te% in teir dai!y!i(es and re%e%+erin# a!! te s%a!! detai!s o" action/ #esture or e&'ression *ic se cou!d so%e daye%+ody into a r=!e0

Te %ore one sees and studies 'eo'!e *it sy%'aty/ te %ore 'oints one #ets "or te study o" !i"e*ic is e%+odied in te art one #i(es "ort0 But it is sy%'aty *it one:s "e!!o* +ein#s and kind!yo+ser(ation *ic e!' one ere/ ne(er te critica! attitude0

An artist can on!y a""ord to +e co!d!y critica! to*ard is o*n *ork and not to*ard te *ork o" oters0

Recent!y a youn# *o%an *o started er (oca! career as a contra!to as sun# te %ost di""icu!t o"9a#nerian so'rano 'arts0 Her i# notes/ it is true/ *ere not te i# notes o" a natura! so'rano (oice/+ut te care and 'er"ection *it *ic eac i# note *as attacked *ere *orty o" c!osest attentionand ad%iration and de"ied criticis%0

Hearin# te s%a!!er sin#ers/ te +e#inners *o are sti!! stru##!in# *it teir art/ sou!d a*aken in te

eart o" te inte!!i#ent !istener not conte%'tuous criticis%/ +ut sou!d +e one %eans o" rea!izin# one:so*n (oca! de"ects and te 'ossi+!e *ays o" o(erco%in# te%0

Tere are +ad sin#in# teacers/ o" course/ +ut o"ten te 'u'i!s are *orse and *i!! not !isten to ad(ice0Te !ar#e and sriekin# (oice usua!!y +e!on#s to tis ty'e o" 'u'i!/ "or it is easier to "orce te (oice*en te te%'era%ent is ro+ust and te (oca! cords e-ua!!y stron# tan it is to !earn #ent!y and -uiet!yte correct and natura! 'osition in (oice '!ace%ent/ and it is easier to %ake a noise as +est you can tanto use inte!!i#ent!y te di""erent resonance ca(ities "or te +!endin# o" te 'er"ect tone0

Anoter "au!t se(ere!y criticised in te yout"u! sin#er is a !ack o" correct 'ronunciation or diction0 It ison!y a"ter te (oice is 'er"ect!y contro!!ed tat te !i's and ton#ue can "unction "ree!y "or te'ronunciation o" sy!!a+!es0

9i!e te (oice is in *at %i#t +e ca!!ed a state o" "er%ent te sin#er is on!y an&ious to 'roducetones/ and diction s!i's +y te *ayside0 Te a''reciati(e !istener sou!d +e a+!e to kno* *eter a !acko" diction on te sin#er:s 'art %eans i%%aturity or si%'!y s!o(en!iness0

Sti!! anoter "au!t in (oice 'roduction is te tre%o!o0 It is te o(era%+itious sin#er/ te sin#er *o"orces a s%a!!/ !i#t or#an to do ea(y *ork/ *o de(e!o's te tre%o!o0

Te tre%o!o is a sure si#n tat te (oca! cords a(e +een stretced +eyond teir natura! !i%its/ andtere is on!y one tin# can cure tis0 Tat is a+so!ute rest "or so%e ti%e and ten +e#innin# te study o"te (oice/ "irst sin#in# *it te %out c!osed and re!yin# entire!y on (ery #ent!e +reat 'ressure "or te'roduction o" te sound0

Te 'u'i! su""erin# "ro% tre%o!o or e(en (ery stron# (i+rato %ust a(e coura#e to sto' at once and to

"ore#o a(in# a +i# (oice0 A"ter a!!/ te %ost +eauti"u! (oices in te *or!d are not necessari!y te+i##est (oices/ and certain!y te tre%o!o is a+out te *orst "au!t a sin#er can a(e0 But tat/ !ike a!%ostany oter (oca! de"ect/ can +e cured +y 'ersistent e""ort o" te ri#t kind0

In sin#in# in 'u+!ic as *e!! as *en 'racticin# te sin#er %ust stand so tat te +ody *i!! +e 'er"ect!yand "ir%!y 'oised0 One sou!d a!*ays stand in suc a 'osition as to +e a+!e to ina!e co%"orta+!y andcontro! a !ar#e +reat/ to a!!o* te troat a+so!ute "reedo%/ *it te ead su""icient!y raised to !et tein"!o*in# air 'enetrate a!! te resonance ca(ities0

Te #reat tin# to a(oid is sti""ness or disco%"ort o" any kind in te 'ose0 At te sa%e ti%e one %ust


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a(e a #racious air/ and *i!e "ee!in# 'er"ect!y so!id!y 'oised on te "eet/ %ust %ake te i%'ression o"a certain !i#tness and "reedo% "ro% a!! +odi!y restraint0

I a(e not %eant in tese sort artic!es to #i(e you anytin# +ut a (ery #enera! idea o" te sa!ient 'ointso" te art o" sin#in#0 A"ter a!!/ eac one %ust do te rea! *ork erse!"0

Te road is "u!! o" discoura#e%ents and ardsi's/ +ut tere is a!*ays so%etin# ne* and interestin# to!earn/ and to acie(e success/ *eter "or te 'u+!ic or %ere!y "or te o%e circ!e/ is *ort a!! tetrou+!e one can take0 And so I *is you a!! success0


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THE ART

OF SINGINGBy Enrico Caruso


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Te Career o" Enrico Caruso...

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Ho* a Nea'o!itan $ecanic:s Son Beca%e te9or!d:s Greatest Tenor

ENRICO CAR7SO enoys te re'utation o" +ein# te #reatest tenor since Ita!o Ca%'anini0 Te !atter*as te !e#iti%ate successor o" Bri#no!i/ an artist *ose *onder"u! sin#in# %ade is uncout sta#e'resence a %atter o" !itt!e %o%ent0 Caruso:s (oice at its +est reca!!s Bri#no!i to te (eteran o'eraa+itu


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account/ e no* announced is intention o" "orsakin# en#ineerin# and de(otin# i%se!" to art and%usic0 9en is "ater eard o" tis o'en re+e!!ion e "e!! into a #reat ra#e and dec!ared tat e *ou!da(e no %ore o" i%/ tat e *as a dis#race to te "a%i!y and tat e need not so* is "ace at o%e0

So Caruso +eca%e a *anderer/ *it notin# in is a+so!ute 'ossession sa(e a 'ysi-ue tat *as 'er"ectand an o'ti%is% tat *as ne(er "ai!in#0 He 'icked u' a scanty !i(e!iood +y sin#in# at curc "esti(a!sand 'ri(ate entertain%ents and in ti%e +eca%e kno*n *ide!y as te %ost ca'a+!e +oy so'rano in

Na'!es0 $oney ca%e %ore '!enti"u!!y/ and e *as a+!e to !i(e #enerous!y0 In a sort ti%e is (oice *astrans"or%ed into a %ar(e!ous a!to/ and e soon "ound i%se!" in #reat de%and and *as sur"eited *itattention "ro% te ric and 'o*er"u!0 It *as a+out tis ti%e tat in# Ed*ard/ ten Prince o" 9a!es/eard i% sin# in a Nea'o!itan curc and *as so de!i#ted tat e in(ited te +oy to #o to En#!and/ anin(itation *ic youn# Caruso did not acce't0 No* tat e ad 3arri(ed6 Na'!es *as #ood enou# "ori%0

One day so%etin# a''ened *ic '!un#ed i% into te dee'est des'air0 9itout a *arnin# o" anysort is +eauti"u! a!to (oice disa''eared/ !ea(in# in its '!ace on!y te "ee+!est and %ost un%usica! o"croaks0 He *as so o(erco%e at is !oss tat e sut i%se!" u' in is roo% and *ou!d see no one0 It*as te "irst #reat a""!iction e ad e(er kno*n/ and e ad%its tat e %editated suicide0 He ad %ade%any "riends/ and so%e o" te% *ou!d a(e +een #!ad to co%"ort i%/ +ut is #rie" *ou!d ad%it o" no'artnersi'0

One e(enin# *en e *as sku!kin# a!on# an o+scure i#*ay/ at te (ery +otto% o" te *e!! o" isdes'air/ a "ir% and *as !aid on is sou!der and a ceery (oice ca!!ed out2 39iter so "ast; Co%eo%e *it %e/ 'oor !itt!e sa(er6

It *as $essiani/ te "a%ous +aritone/ *o ad a!*ays "e!t an interest in te +oy and *o *ou!d notre!ease i% in s'ite o" is (i#orous e""orts to esca'e0 Te +i# +aritone took i% to is !od#in# and*en e ad succeeded in ceerin# te una''y !ad into a %o%entary "or#et"u!ness o" is %isery askedi% to sin#0

3But I can:t/6 so++ed Caruso0 3It as #one6

$essiani *ent to te 'iano and struck a cord0 Te *ee'in# +oy 'i'ed u' in a tone so tin and "ee+!etat it *as a!%ost indistin#uisa+!e0

3Louder6 ye!!ed te +i# sin#er/ *it anoter "u!! cord0 Caruso o+eyed and ke't on trou# te sca!e0Ten $essiani u%'ed u' "ro% te 'iano stoo!/ seized te astonised +oy a+out te *aist and raisedi% i# o"" is "eet/ at te sa%e ti%e ye!!in# at te to' o" is (oice2 39at a !itt!e ackass 9at a!itt!e idiot6

A!%ost +urstin# *it ra#e/ "or te %isera+!e +oy tou#t is "riend *as %akin# s'ort o" i%/ Carusosearced te a'art%ent "or so%e *ea'on *it *ic e %i#t a(en#e i%se!"0 Seizin# a ea(y +rasscand!estick/ e ur!ed it at $essiani *it a!! is "orce/ +ut it %issed te +aritone and !anded in a %irror0

3Ho!d/ %ad%an6 inter'osed te start!ed sin#er0 34our (oice is not #one0 It is %a#ni"icent0 4ou *i!! +e

te tenor o" te century06

$essiani sent i% to )er#ine/ ten te %ost ce!e+rated trainer o" te (oice in Ita!y0 Te %aestro *as notso entusiastic as $essiani/ +ut e 'ro%ised to do *at e cou!d0 He o""ered to instruct Caruso "ouryears/ on!y de%andin# 'er cent0 o" is 'u'i!:s recei'ts "or is "irst "i(e years in o'era0 Caruso si#nedsuc a contract *i!!in#!y/ a!tou# e rea!ized a"ter*ard tat e *as te (icti% o" a (erita+!e Sy!ock0

9en )er#ine *as trou# *it te youn# tenor e dis%issed i% *itout !a(is co%%endation/ +ut*it a re%inder o" te ter%s o" is contract0 Caruso o+tained an en#a#e%ent in Na'!es/ +ut did notacie(e %arked success at once0 On e(ery 'ayday )er#ine *as on and to recei(e is 'ercenta#e0 His


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re#u!arity "ina!!y attracted te attention o" te %ana#er/ and e %ade in-uiry o" Caruso0 Te youn#tenor so*ed i% is co'y o" te contract and *as orri"ied to +e to!d tat e ad +ound i%se!" to isSy!ock "or a !i"eti%e5 tat te contract read tat e *as to #i(e )er#ine "i(e years o" actua! sin#in#0Caruso *ou!d a(e reaced te a#e o" "i"ty +e"ore te !ast 'ay%ent ca%e0 Te %atter *as "ina!!yadusted +y te courts/ and te unscru'u!ous teacer !ost @@/@@@ !ire +y te ud#%ent0

In Ita!y e(ery %an %ust ser(e is ti%e in te ar%y/ and Caruso *as cecked in is o'eratic career +y

te ca!! to #o into +arracks0 Not !on#/ o*e(er/ *as e co%'e!!ed to under#o te tediu% o" ar%y !i"e0In consideration o" is art e *as 'er%itted to o""er is +roter as a su+stitute a"ter t*o %onts/ and ereturned to te o'era0 He *as en#a#ed i%%ediate!y "or a season at Caserta/ and "ro% tat ti%e is riseas +een steady and uni%'eded0 A"ter sin#in# in one Ita!ian city a"ter anoter e *ent to E#y't andtence to Paris/ *ere e %ade a "a(ora+!e i%'ression0 A season in Ber!in "o!!o*ed/ +ut te 9a#nerin"!uence *as do%inant/ and e didMMnot succeed in restorin# te su're%acy o" Ita!ian o'era0 Tene&t season *as s'ent in Sout A%erica/ and in te ne* *or!d Caruso %ade is "irst triu%'0 Fro% Rioe *ent to London/ and on is "irst a''earance e ca'tured is Co(ent Garden audience0 9en e%ade is "irst a''earance in te 7nited States e *as a!ready at te to' o" te o'eratic !adder/ and/a!tou# %any atte%'ts to dis!od#e i% a(e +een %ade/ e stands sti!! on te to'%ost run#0
http://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Tetrazzini/Art_Singing.htm#navhttp://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Tetrazzini/Art_Singing.htm#navhttp://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Tetrazzini/Art_Singing.htm#nav


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Fro% a Persona! )ie*'oint..

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OF te tousands o" 'eo'!e *o (isit te o'era durin# te season "e* outside o" te s%a!! 'ro'ortion o"te initiated rea!ize o* %uc te 'er"or%ance o" te sin#er *o% tey see and ear on te sta#e isde'endent on 're(ious reearsa!/ constant 'ractice and *atc"u!ness o(er te 'ysica! conditions tat'reser(e tat %ost 'recious o" our assets/ te (oice0

Nor does tis sa%e #reat 'u+!ic in #enera! kno* o" *at te sin#er o"ten su""ers in te *ay o"ner(ousness or sta#e "ri#t +e"ore a''earin# in "ront o" te "oot!i#ts/ nor tat is !i"e/ out*ard!y so"ted and +ri!!iant/ is in 'ri(ate %ore or !ess o" a retired/ ascetic one and tat is socia! '!easures %ust

+e strict!y !i%ited0Tese conditions/ o" course/ (ary #reat!y *it te indi(idua! sin#er/ +ut I *i!! try to te!! in te "o!!o*in#artic!es/ as e&e%'!i"ied in %y o*n case/ *at a #reat res'onsi+i!ity a (oice is *en one considers tat itis te #reat God1#i(en treasure *ic +rin#s us our "a%e and "ortune0

I a% 'era's %ore "a(ored tan %any in te "act tat %y (oice *as a!*ays 3tere/6 and tat/ *it'ro'er cu!ti(ation/ o" course/ I a(e not ad to o(erstrain it in te atte%'t to reac (oca! ei#ts *ica(e co%e to so%e on!y a"ter se(ere and !on#1continued e""ort0 But/ on te oter and/ te "iner tenatura! (oice te %ore sedu!ous te care re-uired to 'reser(e it in its 'ristine "resness to +!oo%0 Tisis te sin#er:s e(er 'resent 'ro+!e%in %y case/ o*e(er/ %ost!y a %atter o" co%%on sense !i(in#0

As re#ards eatin#a rater i%'ortant ite%/ +y te *ayI a(e ke't to te !i#t 3continenta!6

+reak"ast/ *ic I do not take too ear!y5 ten a rater su+stantia! !unceon to*ard t*o o:c!ock0 $ynati(e %acaroni/ s'ecia!!y 're'ared +y %y ce"/ *o is en#a#ed 'articu!ar!y "or is a+i!ity in tis *ay/is o"ten a "eature in tis %idday %ea!0 I inc!ine to*ard te si%'!er and %ore nourisin# "ood/ tou#%y tastes are +road in te %atter/ +ut !ay 'articu!ar stress on te e&ce!!ence o" te cookin#/ "or onecannot a""ord to risk one:s ea!t on indi""erent!y cooked "ood/ no %atter *at its -ua!ity0

On te ni#ts *en I sin# I take notin# a"ter !unceon/ e&ce't 'era's a sand*ic and a #!ass o"Cianti/ unti! a"ter te 'er"or%ance/ *en I a(e a su''er o" *ate(er I "ancy *itin reasona+!e+ounds0 Bein# +!essed *it a #ood di#estion/ I a(e not +een o+!i#ed to take te e&traordinary'recautions a+out *at I eat tat so%e sin#ers do0 Sti!!/ I a% care"u! ne(er to indu!#e to e&cess in te'!easures o" te ta+!e/ "or te condition o" our a!i%entary a''aratus and tat o" te (oca! cords are(ery c!ose!y re!ated/ and te unea!ty state o" te one i%%ediate!y reacts on te oter0

$y reason "or a+stainin# "ro% "ood "or so !on# +e"ore sin#in# %ay +e in-uired0 It is si%'!y tat *ente !ar#e s'ace re-uired +y te dia'ra#% in e&'andin# to take in +reat is 'art!y occu'ied +y one:sdinner te resu!t is tat one cannot take as dee' a +reat as one *ou!d !ike and conse-uent!y te tonesu""ers and te a!!1i%'ortant ease o" +reatin# is inter"ered *it0 In addition a certain a%ount o" +odi!yener#y is used in te 'rocess o" di#estion *ic *ou!d oter*ise +e entire!y #i(en to te 'roduction o"te (oice0

Tese "acts/ see%in#!y so si%'!e/ are (ery (ita! ones to a sin#er/ 'articu!ar!y on an 3o'enin# ni#t06 Asin#er:s !i"e is suc an acti(e one/ *it reearsa!s and 'er"or%ances/ tat not %uc o''ortunity is


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#i(en "or 3e&ercise/6 and te ti%e #i(en to tis %ust/ o" course/ +e #o(erned +y indi(idua! needs0 I "inda "e* si%'!e 'ysica! e&ercises in te %ornin# a"ter risin#/ so%e*at si%i!ar to tose 'racticed in tear%y/ or te use "or a "e* %inutes o" a 'air o" !i#t du%++e!!s/ (ery +ene"icia!0 Oter*ise I %ustcontent %yse!" *it an occasiona! auto%o+i!e ride0 One %ust not "or#et/ o*e(er/ tat te e&ercise o"sin#in#/ *it its constant dee' ina!ation and actin# in itse!" is considera+!e e&ercise a!so/ tends %ucto kee' one "ro% ac-uirin# an o(ersu''!y o" e%+on'oint0

A 'ro'er %oderation in eatin#/ o*e(er/ as I a(e a!ready said/ *i!! contri+ute as %uc to te%aintenance o" correct 'ro'ortion in one:s "i#ure as any a%ount o" (o!untary e&ercise *ic one on!y#oes trou# *it on 'rinci'!e0

As so %any o" you in a nu%+er o" States o" tis #reat country are "ee!in# and e&'ressin# as *e!! as(otin# o'inions on te su+ect o" *eter one sou!d or sou!d not drink into&icants/ you %ay in-uire*at 'ractice is %ost in consonance *it a sin#er:s *e!! +ein#/ in %y o'inion0 Here/ a#ain/ o" course/custo%s (ary *it te indi(idua!0 In Ita!y *e a+itua!!y drink te !i#t *ines o" te country *it our%ea!s and sure!y are ne(er te *orse "or it0 I a(e retained %y "ondness "or %y nati(e Cianti/ *ic Ia(e e(en %ade on %y o*n Ita!ian estate/ +ut +e!ie(e and carry out te +e!ie" tat %oderation is teon!y 'ossi+!e course0 I a% inc!ined to conde%n te use o" s'irits/ *isky in 'articu!ar/ *ic is so're(a!ent in te An#!o1Sa&on countries/ "or it is sure to in"!a%e te de!icate !itt!e ri++ons o" tissue*ic 'roduce te sin#in# tone and tenaddioto a c!ear and rin#in# i# C

Tou# I indu!#e occasiona!!y in a ci#arette/ I ad(ise a!! sin#ers/ 'articu!ar!y youn# sin#ers/ a#ainst tis'ractice/ *ic can certain!y not "ai! to a(e a +ad e""ect on te de!icate !inin# o" te troat/ te (oca!cords and te !un#s0

4ou *i!! see +y a!! te "ore#oin# tat e(en te #i"t o" a #ood +reat is not to +e a+used or treated!i#t!y/ and tat te 3#oose *it te #o!den e##6 %ust +e %ost care"u!!y nurtured0

Outside o" tis/ o*e(er/ one o" te #reat te%'tations tat +eset any sin#er o" considera+!e "a%e is te%any socia! de%ands tat cro*d u'on i%/ usua!!y unsou#t and !ar#e!y undesired0 $any o" tein(itations to rece'tions/ teas and dinners are "ro% co%'arati(e stran#ers and cannot +e considered/ +ut

o" tose "ro% one:s "riends *ic it *ou!d +e a '!easure to attend (ery "e* indeed can +e acce'ted/ "orte sin#er:s "irst care/ e(en i" a se!"is one/ %ust +e "or is ea!t and conse-uent!y is (oice/ and teattraction o" socia! intercourse %ust/ a!as/ +e !ar#e!y "ore#one0

Te continua! e""ort o" !oud ta!kin# in a tron# *ou!d +e e&tre%e!y +ad "or te sensiti(e %usica!instru%ent tat te (oca!ist carries in is troat/ and te (arious +e(era#es o""ered at one o" youra"ternoon teas it *ou!d +e too di""icu!t to re"use0 So I con"ine %yse!" to an occasiona! -uiet dinner *ita "e* "riends on an o"" ni#t at te o'era or any e(enin# at te '!ay/ *ere I can at !east +e si!ent durin#te 'ro#ress o" te acts0

In co%%on *it %ost o" te "orei#n sin#ers *o co%e to A%erica/ I a(e su""ered so%e*at "ro% tee""ects o" your +ar+arous c!i%ate/ *it its sudden can#es o" te%'erature/ +ut 'era's a(e +eco%e%ore accusto%ed to it in te years o" %y o'eratic *ork ere0 9at as a""ected %e %ost/ o*e(er/ iste o(ereatin# o" te ouses and ote!s *it tat dry stea% eat *ic is so tryin# to te troat0 E(en*en I took a ouse "or te season I ad di""icu!ty in kee'in# te air %oist0 No*/ o*e(er/ in te (ery%odern and e&ce!!ent ote! *ere I a% -uartered tey a(e a ne* syste% o" (enti!ation +y *ic teair is auto%atica!!y rendered 'ure and te eat contro!!eda #reat +!essin# to te o(er1sensiti(e(oca!ist0

A"ter readin# te a+o(e te casua! 'erson *i!! 'era's +e!ie(e tat a sin#er:s !i"e is rea!!y not a +it o" asinecure/ e(en *en e as attained te %easure o" tis *or!d:s a''ro(a! and a''!ause a""orded +y te3#reat orsesoe06


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Te )oice and Tone Production..

.. .................................

THE -uestion/ 3Ho* is it done;6 as a''!ied to te art o" sin#in# +rin#s u' so %any di""erent 'oints tatit is di""icu!t to kno* *ere to +e#in or o* to #i(e te !ay%an in any kind o" !i%ited s'ace a conciseidea o" te 'rinci'!es contro!!in# te 'roduction o" te (oice and teir a''!ication to (oca! art0

E(ery sin#er or sin#in# %aster is 'o'u!ar!y su''osed to a(e a %etod +y "o!!o*in# out *ic e asco%e to "a%e0 4et i" asked to descri+e tis %etod %any an artist *ou!d +e at a !oss to do so/ or e!sedeny tat e ad any s'eci"ic %etod at a!!/ suc a su+t!e and 'ecu!iar!y indi(idua! %atter it is tatconstitutes te tecnica! 'art o" sin#in#0 $ost sin#ersin "act/ a!! o" te%do %any tin#s in sin#in#

a+itua!!y/ yet so incons'icuous!y tat tey cou!d not descri+e o* or *y tey did te%0 4et tis !itt!eset o" 3artistic6 a+its a!! arise "ro% %ost !o#ica! causes and a(e +eco%e a+its "ro% teir "itness tote 'ersona!ity o" teir o*ner and teir s'ecia! (a!ue in ena+!in# tat sin#er to do is +est *ork +y teiraid0 For instance/ a sin#er *i!! kno* "ro% tria!s and e&'erience ust te 'ro'er 'osition o" te ton#ueand !aryn& to 'roduce %ost e""ecti(e!y a certain note on te sca!e/ yet e *i!! a(e co%e +y tiskno*!ed#e not +y teory and reasonin#/ +ut si%'!y o"t re'eated atte%'ts/ and te kno*!ed#e e asco%e +y *i!! +e (a!ua+!e to i% on!y/ "or so%e+ody e!se *ou!d 'roduce te sa%e note e-ua!!y *e!!/+ut in -uite a di""erent *ay0

So one %ay see tat tere are actua!!y as %any %etods as tere are sin#ers/ and any 'articu!ar %etod/e(en i" accurate!y set "ort/ %i#t +e use!ess to te 'erson *o tried it0 Tis is *at I rea!!y *ou!dre'!y to anyone 'uttin# tis -uestion to %etat %y o*n 'articu!ar *ay o" sin#in#/ i" I a(e any/ is/

a"ter a!!/ 'ecu!iar!y suited to %e on!y/ as I a(e a+o(e descri+ed0Ho*e(er/ tere are %any interestin# and (a!ua+!e tin#s to +e said a+out te (oice in a #enera! *ay0

S'eakin# "irst o" te c!assi"ication o" (oices/ %any youn# sin#ers are 'ut %uc in dou+t and di!e%%a+ecause tey are una+!e to deter%ine *at sort o" (oice tey rea!!y 'ossess/ *eter so'rano/ %ezzo orcontra!to0 O" course/ it is easy enou# to distin#uis +et*een te e&tre%es o" tese/ +et*een a 3rea!6tenor and a !o* +ass/ +ut te di""erence +et*een a i# +aritone and tenor is rater %ore di""icu!t todiscern/ and a youn# %an studyin# as o"ten +een at #reat disad(anta#e +y i%a#inin#/ "or instance/ tate ad a tenor (oice and tryin# constant!y to sin# %usic too i# "or i%/ since e in rea!ity ad on!y ai# +aritone0

In te course o" de(e!o'%ent a (oice (ery o"ten increases its ran#e and can#es its -ua!ity su""icient!y

to 'ass "ro% a +aritone to a tenor/ and it is so%eti%es a 'ro+!e% to '!ace it durin# te transition'rocess0 Pera's te surest *ay to deter%ine te rea! caracter o" a (oice is to see on *at notes *ordscan +e %ost easi!y 'ronounced0 For te a(era#e tenor te notes u' to A a+o(e %idd!e C/ "or te+aritone/ , a+o(e %idd!e C/ and "or te +ass u' to %idd!e C itse!"/ can +e 'ronounced on te +est0

One sou!d ne(er try to can#e te tessitura/ or natura! caracter o" te (oice0 A (oice *i!! +eco%ei#er ust *en it sou!d +y te de(e!o'%ent due to rationa! *ork and ne(er +y "orcin# it0 Notin# iseasier tan to "orce a (oice u'*ard or do*n*ard/ +ut to cause it to 3recede/6 as it *ere/ in eiterdirection/ is anoter %atter0 A +aritone *o tries to increase is u''er ran#e +y %ain stren#t *i!!


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sure!y in ti%e !ose is +est !o*er notes/ and a !i#t tenor *o atte%'ts to "orce out notes !o*er tan isran#e *i!! ne(er +e a+!e to sin# !e#iti%ate tenor ro!es/ and a"ter t*o or tree years %ay not +e a+!e tosin# at a!!0

It %ay +e *e!! to s'eak no* o" a (ery i%'ortant 'oint in sin#in#*at is ca!!ed te 3attack6 o" tetone0 In #enera! tis %ay +e descri+ed as te re!ati(e 'osition o" te troat and ton#ue and te -ua!ity o"(oice as te tone is +e#un0 Te %ost serious "au!t o" %any sin#ers is tat tey attack te tone eiter

"ro% te cest or te troat0 E(en *it ro+ust ea!t te "inest (oice cannot resist tis0 Tis is tereason one sees so %any artists *o a(e %ade a +ri!!iant de+ut disa''ear "ro% si#t (ery soon or *indu' !ater on a %ediocre career0 Sin#ers *o use teir (oices 'ro'er!y sou!d +e at te ei#t o" teirta!ents at "orty1"i(e and kee' teir (oices in "u!! stren#t and (iri!ity u' to at !east "i"ty0 At tis !attera#e/ or c!ose a"ter it/ it *ou!d see% *e!! to a(e earned te ri#t to c!ose one:s career0

A #reat artist ou#t to a(e te di#nity to say "are*e!! to is 'u+!ic *en sti!! in "u!! 'ossession o" is'o*ers and ne(er !et te *or!d a''rise i% o" is "a!!in# o""0

To a(e te attack true and 'ure one %ust conscious!y try to o'en te troat not on!y in "ront/ +ut "ro%+eind/ "or te troat is te door trou# *ic te (oice %ust 'ass/ and i" it is not su""icient!y o'en itis use!ess to atte%'t to #et out a "u!!/ round one5 a!so te troat is te out!et and in!et "or te +reat/ and

i" it is c!osed te (oice *i!! seek oter canne!s or return -uenced *itin0It %ust not +e i%a#ined tat to o'en te %out *ide *i!! do te sa%e "or te troat0 I" one is *e!!(ersed in te art/ one can o'en te troat 'er"ect!y *itout a 'erce'ti+!e o'enin# o" te %out/ %ere!y+y te 'o*er o" res'iration0

It is necessary to o'en te sides o" te %out/ at te sa%e ti%e dro''in# te cin *e!!/ to o+tain #oodtroat o'enin#0 In takin# i#er notes/ o" course/ one %ust o'en te %out a !itt!e *ider/ +ut "or te%ost 'art te 'osition o" te %out is tat assu%ed *en s%i!in#0 It is a #ood idea to 'ractice o'enin#te troat +e"ore a %irror and try to see te 'a!ate/ as *en you so* your troat to a doctor0

In 'ronouncin# te sound 3a6 one %ust a!*ays attack it in te +ack 'art o" te troat/ takin# care/o*e(er/ +e"ore utterin# te sy!!a+!e/ to a(e te troat *e!! o'en5 oter*ise *at is ca!!ed 3stroke o"

te #!ottis6 occurs and te tone "or%ed is ard and disa#reea+!e0 I" you e(er ear tis stroke o" #!ottison te attack/ you %ay kno* tat te sin#er did not attack "ar enou# +ack in te troat0

Te tone once !aunced/ one %ust tink o* it %ay +e 'ro'er!y sustained/ and tis is *ere te art o"+reatin# is %ost concerned0 Te !un#s/ in te "irst '!ace/ sou!d +e torou#!y "i!!ed0 A tone +e#un*it on!y a!" "i!!ed !un#s !oses a!" its autority and is (ery a't to +e "a!se in 'itc0 To take a "u!!+reat 'ro'er!y/ te cest %ust +e raised at te sa%e %o%ent te a+do%en sinks in0 Ten *it te#radua! e&'u!sion o" te +reat a contrary %o(e%ent takes '!ace0 Te dia'ra#% and e!astic tissuesurroundin# and containin# te sto%ac and (ita! or#ans and te %usc!es surroundin#/ +y 'racticeac-uire #reat stren#t and assist considera+!y in tis 'rocess o" res'iration and are (ita! "actors in te%atter o" contro!!in# te su''!y *ic su''orts te tone0 Te dia'ra#% is rea!!y !ike a 'air o" +e!!o*sand ser(es e&act!y te sa%e 'ur'ose0 It is tis a+i!ity to take in an ade-uate su''!y o" +reat and toretain it unti! re-uired tat %akes or/ +y contrary/ %ars a!! sin#in#0 A sin#er *it a 'er"ect sense o" 'itcand a!! te #ood intentions 'ossi+!e *i!! o"ten sin# o"" te key and +rin# "ort a tone *it no (ita!ity toit/ distressin# to ear/ si%'!y "or !ack o" +reat contro!0

Tis art o" res'iration once ac-uired/ te student as #one a considera+!e ste' on te road to Parnassus0

To 'ractice dee' +reatin# e""ecti(e!y it is an e&ce!!ent '!an to +reate trou# te nose/ *ic aids inkee'in# te con"ined +reat "ro% esca'in# too soon0 Te nose a!so *ar%s and "i!ters te air/ %akin# it%uc %ore a#reea+!e to te !un#s tan i" taken direct!y trou# te %out0 In te 'ractice o" s!o*+reatin# %ake sure tat te !un#s are as near!y e%'tied as 'ossi+!e on te e&'u!sion o" te +reat


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+e"ore +e#innin# a ne* ins'iration/ as tis #i(es e&tra i%'etus to te "res su''!y o" air and stren#tensa!! te +reatin# %usc!es0

I" tis is not done/ %oreo(er/ te e""ect is !ike t*o 'eo'!e tryin# to #et in and out o" te sa%e narro*door at te sa%e ti%e0

Te (oice is natura!!y di(ided into tree re#isterste cest/ %ediu% and ead0 In a %an:s (oice o"!o*er -ua!ity tis !ast is kno*n as 3"a!setto/6 +ut in te case o" a tenor e %ay use a tone *ic insound is a!%ost "a!setto/ +ut is rea!!y a %ezza (oce/ or a!" (oice0 Tis !atter !e#iti%ate!y +e!on#s to a%an:s co%'ass5 a "a!setto does not0 Te %ost i%'ortant re#ister is te %ediu%/ 'articu!ar!y o" tenors/"or tis inc!udes te #reater 'art o" te tenor:s (oice and can +e uti!ized e(en to te to' o" is ran#e i"ri#t!y 'roduced0

In te %atter o" takin# i# notes one sou!d re%e%+er tat teir 'urity and ease o" 'roduction de'end(ery %uc on te *ay te 'recedin# notes !eadin# u' to te% are sun#0 Be#innin# in te !o*er re#isterand attackin# te ascendin# notes *e!! +ack/ a +a!ance %ust +e %aintained a!! te *ay u'/ so tat tei#est note recei(es te +ene"it and su''ort o" te ori#ina! 'osition o" te troat/ and tere is nodan#er/ conse-uent!y/ o" te troat c!osin# and 'incin# te -ua!ity o" te to' notes0

Sin#ers/ es'ecia!!y tenors/ are (ery a't to tro* te ead "or*ard in 'roducin# te i# notes/ and

conse-uent!y #et tat troaty/ strained (oice *ic is so disa#reea+!e0 To a(oid tis one sou!d try tokee' te su''!y o" +reat do*n as "ar to*ard te a+do%en as 'ossi+!e/ tus %aintainin# te u''er'assa#es to te ead -uite "ree "or te e%ission o" te (oice0 Re%e%+er a!so to sin# *itin yourse!"/ asit *ereto "ee! te tones a!! trou# your +ein#5 oter*ise your sin#in# *i!! 'ossess no senti%ent/e%otion or autority0 It is te "ai!ure to acco%'!is tis *ic as 'roduced so %any sou!!ess artistssin#ers endo*ed *it %a#ni"icent (oices/ ca'a+!e o" sur%ountin# e(ery tecnica! di""icu!ty/ +ut de(oido" tat car% o" intonation *ic is so (ita! to success on te o'eratic sta#e0


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. ....................................

Fau!ts to +e Corrected...

. .................................

I HA)E 're(ious!y %entioned %ezza (oce and *i!! no* say a *ord on tis su+ect/ "or te artistic useo" te 3a!" (oice6 is a (ery (a!ua+!e adunct in a!! sin#in#0 It %ay +e de"ined si%'!y as te natura!(oice 'roduced so"t!y/ +ut *it an e&tra stren#t o" +reat0 It is tis +reaty -ua!ity/ o*e(er*icone %ust +e care"u! ne(er to e&a##erate or te tone *i!! not carrytat #i(es tat (e!(ety e""ect to tetone tat is so de!i#t"u!0

$ezza (oce is ust a concentration o" te "u!! (oice/ and it re-uires/ a"ter a!!/ as %uc +reat su''ort0 Aso"t note *ic is taken *it te 3ead (oice6 *itout +ein# su''orted +y a +reat taken "ro% tedia'ra#% is a e!'!ess sort o" tin#0 It does not carry and is inaudi+!e at any distance/ *ereas te so"t

note *ic does 'ossess te dee' +reat su''ort is 'enetratin#/ concentrated and %ost e&'ressi(e0Anoter i%'ortant 'oint is tat/ *it a 3'iano6 note 'ro'er!y taken in te re#ister *ic is 'ro'er to it/tere is no dan#er o" a(in# to can#e te 'osition o" te troat and conse-uent!y te rea! caracter o"te note *en %akin# a crescendo and a#ain di%inisin# it0 It *i!! +e te sa%e note continuin# tosound0

On te oter and/ *it a so"t note taken in a re#ister "orei#n to it/ as soon as its stren#t is au#%entedte re#ister %ust sudden!y +e can#ed and te resu!t is !ike a Tyro!ean yode!0

So re%e%+er in a %ezza (oce to see tat te re#ister is ri#t and to use a dou+!e +reat stren#t0 Is'eak o" te %atter o" re#ister ere "or te +ene"it o" tose *o %ust kee' tis constant!y in %ind0 I%yse!" a(e +een +!essed *it *at is ca!!ed a natura!!y '!aced (oice/ and ne(er ad trou+!e *it te

%ezza (oce0 Te %aority o" Ita!ian sin#ers co%e to it easi!y0Tere are a nu%+er o" *ron# sorts o" (oices *ic sou!d +e %entioned to +e sunnedte 3*ite6(oice/ te 3troaty6 (oice/ te 3nasa!6 (oice/ and te 3+!eat06 Te nasa! -ua!ity is te %ost di""icu!t tocorrect0 $any teacers/ es'ecia!!y te Frenc/ %ake a 'oint o" '!acin# te (oice in te nasa! ca(ity onte 'rete&t o" stren#tenin# it/ and tis nasa! -ua!ity/ 'art!y on account o" te sound o" %any o" teFrenc *ords/ is on!y too 're(a!ent0 Te (oice/ o*e(er/ can on!y +e stren#tened +y !e#iti%ate%eans5 oter*ise it can easi!y +e ruined0 One can +reate trou# te nose/ +ut ne(er attack or sin#trou# it0

Te 3*ite (oice6 (oce +ianca is a ead (oice *itout dee' su''ort and conse-uent!y *itout co!or5ence its a''e!!ation0 One can !earn to a(oid it +y 'racticin# *it te %out c!osed and +y takin# care

to +reate trou# te nose/ *ic "orces te res'iration to descend to te a+do%en0Te 3troaty6 (oice co%es "ro% sin#in# *it te troat insu""icient!y o'ened/ so tat te +reat doesnot 'ass easi!y trou# te nose and ead ca(ities and/ a#ain/ "ro% not attackin# te tone dee'!yenou#0

To cure onese!" o" tis troaty -ua!ity attack your notes "ro% te a+do%en/ te %out *e!! o'en/standin# in "ront o" a %irror0 Te "orce o" te res'iration *i!! kee' te ton#ue de'ressed and te troat*i!! re%ain "ree0

As "or te "au!t o" nasa!ity/ it is/ as I a(e said/ te %ost di""icu!t to #et rid o"0 So%eti%es one ne(er


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does !ose it0 Te on!y re%edy is *at I a(e 're(ious!y indicatedto attack "ro% te a+do%en/ *itte troat o'en/ and carry te (oice o(er te so"t 'a!ate/ "or i" te (oice is '!aced in te nose it indicatestat one is sin#in# too "ar "or*ard/ *ic is a#ainst te ru!es o" son#0 I" te student as a tendency tosin# in tis *ay it is *e!! to 'ractice in (o*e! sounds on!y a1e1ee1!a1!ay1!ee/ etc0 in order to +ecured o" tis serious "au!t0

A"ter a!!/ o*e(er/ tose *o a(e 'racticed te art o" ri#t +reatin# need a(e none o" te de"ects

%entioned a+o(e0

Te 3+!eat6 or #oat (oice/ a 'articu!ar "au!t o" Frenc sin#ers/ 'roceeds "ro% te a+it o" "orcin# te(oice/ *ic/ *en it is o" s%a!! (o!u%e/ cannot stand te conse-uent "ati#ue o" te !aryn&0 $anysin#ers *it (oices suita+!e on!y "or !i#t o'era are constant!y tryin# to +ranc out into +i# dra%aticarias0 Suc 'er"or%ances are assured!y distressin# to ear and are certain!y disastrous "or te (oicesconcerned0 It is no *onder tat tese 'eo'!e are o"ten i!!/ "or one cannot %ake suc e""orts *itoutinurin# te ea!t0 I rea!ize tat tey o"ten do it to '!ease teir directors and to +e o+!i#in# in ane%er#ency/ +ut *en tey are do*n and out oters *i!! easi!y re'!ace te% and tey are eard "ro% no%ore0

To kee' te (oice "res "or te !on#est 'ossi+!e ti%e one sou!d not on!y ne(er o(erste' is (oca!

3%eans/6 +ut sou!d !i%it is out'ut as e does te e&'enses o" is 'urse0Tere is on!y one *ay to cure a +!eaty (oice/ and tat is to cu!ti(ate an a+so!ute rest5 ten/ on takin# u'sin#in# a#ain/ to use te 3c!osed %out6 %etod unti! te ti%e te stren#t o" res'iration sa!! +e suctat one can o'en is %out and !et te restored (oice take its course0

A "e* *ords on 'racticin# *it c!osed %out %ay ere +e a''ro'riate0 Tis %etod o" study is rea!!ya!! tat is necessary to '!ace certain (oices/ +ut is +ad "or oters0 It a!! de'ends on te "or%ation o" te%out and troat0 For e&a%'!e/ a sin#er trou+!ed *it te "au!t o" c!osin# te troat too %uc sou!dne(er *ork *it te %out c!osed0 9en one can do it sa"e!y/ o*e(er/ it is a %ost e&ce!!ent resource"or 're'aratory e&ercises in res'iration0 Since/ as I a(e a!ready e&'!ained/ +reatin# trou# te nose*it c!osed %out tro*s +ack te res'iration to te a+do%en/ it is +est to do te e&ercise seated in a

co%"orta+!e/ natura! 'osition0)oca! *ork *it c!osed %out is a!so a 'o*er"u! au&i!iary to (oca! a#i!ity0 $any #reat artists 'er"or%teir dai!y (oca! e&ercises *it te %out sut/ and I can 'ersona!!y testi"y to te e&ce!!ency o" tis'ractice0 It %ost certain!y stren#tens te +reatin# 'o*ers and at te sa%e ti%e rests te (oice0 Butone sou!d kno* o* to do it 'ro'er!y0 I kno* o" %any +ad!y "ati#ued (oices tat a(e +een restoredto teir nor%a! condition in tis *ay0

Sin#ers/ o" a!! %usicians/ a(e te re'utation o" dis'!ayin# te !east re#ard "or ti%e0 In o'eratic *ork/o*e(er/ *it an orcestra to "o!!o* or +e "o!!o*ed/ it is es'ecia!!y essentia! to o+ser(e a sane res'ect"or te 'ro'er te%'o0 Oter*ise one is !ia+!e to #et into i%%ediate trou+!e *it te conductor0 O"course I do not %ean tat one sou!d sin# in a %ecanica! *ay and #i(e notin# o" one:s o*n'ersona!ity0 Tis *ou!d natura!!y ro+ te %usic o" a!! car%0 Tere are %any sin#ers *o cannot or*i!! not count te ti%e 'ro'er!y0 Tere are tose *o sin# *itout %etod/ *o do not "it teir+reatin#/ *ic is rea!!y te re#u!ator o" (oca! 'er"or%ance/ to te ri#t 'eriods/ and *oconse-uent!y are ne(er in ti%e0 Tey %ake a!! kinds o" ra!!entandos *ere tey are not necessary/ to#ain ti%e to reco(er te +reat tat tey a(e not taken *en tey sou!d0 It is not enou# to #i(e tenotes teir "u!! (a!ue0 Te rests/ a+o(e a!!/ sou!d +e care"u!!y o+ser(ed in order to a(e su""iciento''ortunity to #et a #ood +reat and 're'are "or te ne&t 'rase0 It is tis e&actitude tat #i(es certaintyto one:s rendition and autority in sin#in#so%etin# %any artists do not 'ossess0 A sin#er %ay %akea!! te e""orts e desires and sti!! kee' te ti%e/ and e mustkee' it0


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Tose *o roar %ost !oud!y rare!y sin# in ti%e0 Tey #i(e e(ery tou#t to te (o!u%e o" tone tey are'roducin# and do not +oter te%se!(es a+out anytin# e!se0 Te ri#t accents in %usic de'end (ery%uc on te e&act ti%e0 Tone artists/ *i!e sti!! %akin# a!! teir desired 3e""ects6 in a''arent "reedo%o" sty!e and de!i(ery/ ne(erte!ess do not e(er !ose si#t o" te ti%e0 Tose *o do are usua!!y a't to +ea%ateurs and are not to +e i%itated0


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. ....................................

Good ,iction a Re-uisite...

. .................................

GOO, diction/ or te art o" 'ronouncin# te *ords o" a son# or o'era 'ro'er!y and inte!!i#ent!y/ is a%atter sad!y ne#!ected +y %any sin#ers/ and indeed is not considered i%'ortant +y a !ar#e 'ro'ortiono" te audiences in tis country/ *o do not understand "orei#n !an#ua#e/ at any rate0 And in an o'erasun# in a !an#ua#e unkno*n to %ost o" te audience it is a''arent!y uni%'ortant *eter te *ords areunderstood or not as !on# as tere is a #enera! kno*!ed#e o" te '!ot/ and te %ain consideration is/ o"course/ te %usic0

4et "or tose *o are con(ersant *it te !an#ua#e in *ic te o'era is *ritten/ o* co%%on ane&'erience it is in concert/ a!so to +e a+!e/ in s'ite o" teir !in#uistic kno*!ed#e/ to understand !itt!e o"

*at is +ein# sun#/ and *at a dra*+ack tis rea!!y is Ho* %any sin#ers tere are *o see% to turna!! teir attention to te 'roduction o" +eauti"u! sounds and ne#!ect in %ost cases te *ords tat o"tenare e-ua!!y +eauti"u!/ or sou!d +e

One ears a #reat dea! ust no* a+out te ad(isa+i!ity o" #i(in# o'eras in te nati(e !an#ua#e/ as it isdone in France and Ger%any/ and te idea *ou!d see% to a(e its ad(anta#es/ as as a!ready +eende%onstrated in so%e e&ce!!ent 'er"or%ances o" Ger%an/ Frenc and Ita!ian o'eras in En#!is0 But o"*at a(ai! *ou!d suc a 'roect +e i"/ a"ter a!!/ one cou!d not understand te *ords o" is o*n !an#ua#eas tey *ere sun#;

Te !an#ua#e %i#t as *e!! +e Sanskrit or Cinese0

In France te %atter o" diction is 'ro+a+!y #i(en te #reatest attention/ and sin#ers at te O'era

Co%i-ue/ "or instance/ are noted "or teir 'ure and distinct enunciation o" e(ery sy!!a+!e0 Indeed/ it isas %uc o" a sine -ua non tere as #ood sin#in#/ i" not %ore so/ and te nu%erous su+t!eties in teFrenc !an#ua#e are di""icu!t enou# to usti"y tis s'ecia! stress !aid u'on correct 'ronunciation0

It re-uires a (ery 'articu!ar a+i!ity in a "orei#ner to attain te at%os'ere o" 'er"ect Frenc to any (eryi# de#ree0 Ita!ian is #enera!!y considered an easier !an#ua#e to 'ronounce in son#/ as indeed it is/ a!!te (o*e! sounds +ein# "u!! and sonorous and !ackin# tat 3co(ered6 or %i&ed -ua!ity so o"tenoccurrin# in te Frenc0 Ne(erte!ess/ Ita!ian as its di""icu!ties/ 'articu!ar!y in te *ay o" distinct!yenunciatin# te dou+!e consonants and 'ro'er di(ision o" te !iaisons/ or co%+inin# o" "ina! (o*e!s*it initia! (o*e!s/ and te correct a%ount o" so"tness to +e #i(en to te !etter C0

A!! tis/ o" course/ is "ro% te stand'oint o" tose to *o% tese !an#ua#es are "orei#n0

Certain!y no sin#er can +e ca!!ed a #reat artist un!ess is diction is #ood/ "or a +eauti"u! (oice a!one *i!!not %ake u' "or oter de"iciencies0 A sin#er endo*ed *it a s%a!! (oice or e(en one o" not (ery'!easin# -ua!ity can #i(e %ore '!easure tan a sin#er 'ossessin# a +i#/ i%'ressi(e (oice/ +ut no diction0

So%e 'eo'!e c!ai% tat a 'ronunciation too distinct or too %uc insisted u'on s'oi!s te rea! (oice-ua!ity/ +ut tis sou!d not +e te case i" te *ords are correct!y and natura!!y +rou#t out0 ,ou+t!ess/tis i%'ression as co%e "ro% te "act tat/ 'articu!ar!y in France/ %any sin#ers 'ossessed o" s%a!!(oices %ust e&a##erate teir diction to o+tain teir e""ects0 But i" tey did not a(e tis 'er"ect dictiontey o"ten *ou!d a(e !itt!e e!se to reco%%end te%0 I *ou!d a(er tat a "ine enunciation/ "ar "ro%inter"erin# *it it/ aids te (oice 'roduction/ %akes it so"ter and %ore concentrated/ +ut diction sou!d


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act rater as a "ra%e "or te (oice and ne(er re'!ace it0

Eac o" te tree !an#ua#es/ Frenc/ Ger%an and Ita!ian/ as its 'ecu!iar caracteristics/ *ic are o"aid to te student in te #enera! study o" 'ronunciation/ and it is *e!! to a(e a kno*!ed#e o" te% a!!outside o" te "act tat an artist no*adays needs to a(e tis kno*!ed#e in order not on!y to rank *itte #reatest/ +ut to co'e *it te de%ands o" an o'eratic career0

Te Ita!ian !an#ua#e in its (ery essence is ric in (o*e!s and (o*e! co%+inations/ "ro% *ic co%es'rinci'a!!y te co!or in tones/ and it as conse-uent!y +een ca!!ed te 3!an#ua#e o" son#06 Ita!ians tusa(e natura!!y *at it is so %uc trou+!e "or sin#ers o" oter nations to ac-uirete nu%erous(ariations o" (o*e! sounds0

Frenc as te nasa! sounds as its do%inatin# caracteristic and is (ery (a!ua+!e in te cu!ti(ation o"3nasa! resonance06

As I said +e"ore/ it is so easy to e&a##erate and te (oice is so a't to #et too %uc 3in te nose6 tatone as to +e e&tre%e!y care"u! in te use o" te Frenc 3n6 and 3n#06

Ger%an is so "u!! o" consonants tat one needs to a(e e&ce'tiona! contro! o" te ton#ue and !i's to#i(e teir 'ro'er (a!ue0

En#!is 'ossesses te "eatures o" a!! te oter !an#ua#eso" course/ in !ess %arked de#reerese%+!in# %ost/ 'era's/ te Ger%an0 Te 3t6 is te %ost di""icu!t sound to %ake e""ecti(e insin#in#0

I a(e a!ready s'oken o" te (arious 'ases o" ner(ousness *ic an artist "ee!s +e"ore te'er"or%ance/ +ut I *is to say ere a *ord in re#ard to te 'ractica! si#ni"icance o" suc ner(ousness0Artists *o do not e&'erience it are tose *o !ack rea! #enius0 Tere are rea!!y t*o kinds o" "eartatarisin# "ro% a rea!ization o" te i%'ortance o" *at is to +e done/ te oter "ro% a !ack o" con"idencein one:s 'o*er0 I" a sin#er as no conscience in is 'er"or%ance e is ne(er ner(ous/ +ut "u!! o"assurance0

It is se!do% tat true artists are %uc trou+!ed *it ner(ousness a"ter #oin# u'on te sta#e0 Genera!!y/

as I a(e +e"ore %entioned/ tey are a't to +e i!! durin# te day o" te 'er"or%ance/ +ut +e"ore te'u+!ic tey "or#et e(erytin# and are do%inated on!y +y te rea! !o(e o" teir art and sustained +y tekno*!ed#e o" 'ossessin# a 'ro'er 3%etod06

It is certain *it a #ood +reat su''ort e(en ner(ousness need not 're(ent one "ro% sin#in# *e!!/a!tou# one %ay +e actua!!y su""erin# "ro% tre'idation0 4et *e kno* tat so%eti%es te #reatest o"artists are 're(ented tus "ro% doin# teir +est *ork0 Te 'rinci'!e/ o*e(er/ re%ains unsaken tatsin#in# in a correct *ay is te #reatest 'ossi+!e 3+racer06

It is +est to re%ain a+so!ute!y -uiet and see no one on te day o" te 'er"or%ance/ so as not to +eener(ated +y te e""ort o" ta!kin# %uc/ to say notin# o" tirin# te (oca! cords0 One 'ri%a donna o"%y ac-uaintance occu'ies erse!" in tri%%in# ats on te day *en se sin#s/ +e!ie(in# tat tis

'ro(ides a distraction and rests er ner(es0 It is ust as *e!! not to 3'ass trou#6 te r=!e tat is to +esun# on te day o" te a''earin#/ +ut in te %ornin# a "e* tecnica! e&ercises to kee' te (oice in tune/as it *ere/ are to +e reco%%ended0 Te #reat Ita!ian sin#ers o" oter days "o!!o*ed tis ru!e/ and it sti!!o!ds #ood0

I" te sin#er #i(es %uc o" i%se!" as *e!! as o" is (oice to te 'u+!ic e sou!d sti!! o!d is+reatin# su''!y in/ so to s'eak/ as e *ou!d #uard te ca'ita! "ro% *ic co%es is inco%e0 Fai!uresou!d tus +e i%'ossi+!e i" tere is a!*ays a reser(e to dra* on0 So te %ore one sin#s *it #ood+reat su''ort te %ore +eauti"u! te (oice +eco%es0 On te oter and/ tose *o sin# a'azardso%eti%es +e#in te e(enin# *e!!/ +ut deteriorate %ore and %ore as te 'er"or%ance ad(ances and at


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te end are utterin# %ere raucous sounds0 Tey are !ike a %an una+!e to s*i% *o is in a dee' ri(erteir (oices contro! te% in '!ace o" tey contro!!in# teir (oices0 Tey stru##!e (ain!y a#ainsto+stac!es/ +ut are carried a*ay +y te "!ood and are "ina!!y en#u!"ed in te *aters0

$any too a%+itious students are teir o*n *orst ene%ies in te cu!ture o" teir (oices0 Because teya(e a !ar#e (oca! 'o*er tey *ant to sout a!! te ti%e in s'ite o" te re'eated ad%onitions o" teir%asters/ *o +e# te% to sin# 'iano0 But tey ear notin# e&ce't te noise tey %ake te%se!(es0

Suc eadstron# ones *i!! ne(er %ake a career/ e(en *it te "inest (oices in te *or!d0 Teir teacerssou!d #i(e u' tryin# to %ake te% !isten to reason and de(ote teir attention to tose *o %erit it and*ant to study serious!y0 Sin#in# as an art is usua!!y not considered *it enou# earnestness0 Onesou!d #o to a sin#in# %aster as one #oes to a s'ecia!ist "or a consu!tation and "o!!o* *it te #reatestcare is directions0 I" one does not a(e te sa%e res'ect and con"idence one '!aces in a 'ysician it%ust +e +ecause te sin#in# %aster does not rea!!y %erit it/ and it *ou!d +e %uc +etter to %ake acan#e at once0

In #enera! it is +etter not to stick entire!y to one teacer/ "or it is easy to #et into a rut in tis *ay/ andso%eone e!se %ay a(e a -uite di""erent and %ore en!i#tenin# *ay o" settin# "ort is ideas0

In takin# u' o'eratic *ork it is understood/ o" course/ tat te sin#er %ust a(e %astered %ost o" te

tecnica! di""icu!ties/ so as not to +e trou+!ed *it te% *en tey are encountered in so%e aria0It is a %ost e&ce!!ent tin# to secure an en#a#e%ent in one o" te s%a!! teatres a+road/ *ere one %ay#et a !ar#e e&'erience +e"ore tryin# to e""ect an entrance into te +i##er or#anizations o" te #reatca'ita!s0

But +e sure tat te (oice is *e!! '!aced +e"ore tryin# any o" tis sort o" *ork/ and ne(er atte%'t tosin# a r=!e a+o(e your 'o*ers in te ear!ier sta#e o" your career/ *ic oter*ise %ay +e co%'ro%ised'er%anent!y0

One %ore +it o" ad(ice in c!osin#0 Te +est sort o" !esson 'ossi+!e is to #o o"ten to te o'era and note*e!! te %etods o" te #reat artists0 Tis 'ersona! e&a%'!e is *ort %ore and is %ore i!!u%inatin#tan %any 'rece'ts0

Tis is not so %uc tat any "or% o" i%itation %ay +e atte%'ted as to teac te *ou!d1+e artist o* to'resent at is +est a!! tose te!!in# -ua!ities *it *ic e %ay +e endo*ed0 It is te +est o" scoo!s0


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. ...................................

.

Pet Su'erstitions o" Great Sin#ers..

.. .................................

THE %ost (isi+!e 'ase o" te o'era sin#er:s !i"e *en e or se is in (ie* o" te 'u+!ic on te sta#e isnatura!!y te one %ost inti%ate!y connected in te %inds o" te %aority o" 'eo'!e *it te sin#er:s'ersona!ity/ and yet tere are %any a''enin#s/ a%usin# or tra#ic/ "ro% te artist:s 'oint o" (ie*/*ic/ tou# o"ten seen/ are as o"ten not rea!ized in teir true si#ni"icance +y te audience in "ront o"te orcestra0 One %i#t natura!!y tink tat a sin#er *o as +een a''earin# "or years on te o'eraticsta#e in %any !ands *ou!d a(e o(erco%e or out#ro*n tat +ane o" a!! 'u+!ic 'er"or%ers/ sta#e "ri#t04et suc is "ar "ro% te case/ "or it see%s as tou# te #reater te artistic te%'era%ent te %ore tru!yte artist "ee!s and te %ore o" i%se!" e 'uts into te %usic e sin#s te #reater is ner(ousness

+e"oreand0 Te !atter is o" course au#%ented i" te 'er"or%ance is a "irst ni#t and te o'era as as yet+een untried +e"ore a !ar#er 'u+!ic0

Tis ad(ance state o" %isera+!e 'ysica! tension is te 'ortion o" a!! #reat sin#ers a!ike/ tou# inso%e*at (aryin# de#rees/ and it is interestin# to note te "or%s it assu%es *it di""erent 'eo'!e0 In%any it is so*n +y e&cessi(e irrita+i!ity and te dis'osa! to 'ick -uarre!s *it anyone *o co%es incontact *it te%0 Tis is an una''y ti%e "or te !uck!ess 3dressers/6 *i# %an and sta#e ands/ ore(en "e!!o* artists *o encounter suc sin#ers +e"ore teir "irst a''earance in te e(enin#0 Trou+!e iste 'ortion o" a!! suc0

In oter artists te state o" %ind is indicated +y a stern set countenance and a #ast!y 'a!!or/ *i!e sti!!oters +eco%e s!i#t!y ysterica!/ !au# u'roarious!y at notin# or +urst into *ee'in#0 I a(e seen a +i#

si&1"oot +ass sin#er/ (ery 'o'u!ar at te o'era t*o or tree seasons a#o/ *a!kin# to and "ro *it tetears runnin# do*n is ceeks "or a !on# ti%e +e"ore is entrance/ and one o" our #reatest co!oratura'ri%a donnas as co%e to %e +e"ore te o'era/ sun# a -ua(erin# note in a (oice "u!! o" e%otion andsaid/ *it toucin# accents2 3See/ tat is te +est I can do0 Ho* can I #o on so;6

I %yse!" a(e +een a""ected o"ten +y suc "ri#t/ tou# not a!*ays in te e&tre%e de#ree a+o(edescri+ed0 Tis ner(ousness/ o*e(er/ "re-uent!y so*s itse!" in one:s 'er"or%ance in te #uise o"indi""erent actin#/ sin#in# o"" te key/ etc0 Artists are #enera!!y +!a%ed "or suc sortco%in#s/ a''arentin te ear!y 'art o" te 'roduction/ *en/ as a %atter o" "act/ tey te%se!(es are ard!y conscious o"te% and o(erco%e te% in te course o" te e(enin#0 4et te 'u+!ic/ e(en critics/ usua!!y "or#et tis"act and conde%n an entire 'er"or%ance "or "au!ts *ic are due at te +e#innin# to seer ner(ousness0

Te o"t1uttered co%'!aint tat o'eratic sin#ers are te %ost di""icu!t to #et on *it o" any "o!k/ *i!eusti"ied/ 'era's/ can certain!y +e e&'!ained +y te "ore#oin# o+ser(ations0

9e o" te o'era are o"ten inc!ined to +e su'erstitious in a *ay tat %i#t annu! D%atter o" "actA%ericans0 One *o%an/ a distin#uised and %ost inte!!i#ent artist/ crosses erse!" re'eated!y +e"oretakin# er 3cue/6 and a 'ri%a donna *o is a "a(orite on t*o continents and *o is a!*ays escorted tote teatre +y er %oter/ in(aria+!y #oes trou# te (ery so!e%n cere%ony o" kissin# er %oter#ood1+y and recei(in# er +!essin# +e"ore #oin# on to sin#0 Te youn# *o%an "ee!s tat se cou!d not'ossi+!y sin# a note i" te %oter:s eye *ere not on er e(ery %o%ent "ro% te *in#s0
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Anoter "a%ous sin#er *ears a s%a!! +race!et tat *as #i(en to er *en an in"ant +y Gounod0 Se as#ro*n so%e*at stout o" !ate years/ and te oo' o" #o!d as +een ren"orced so o"ten tat tere isard!y any o" te #reat co%'oser:s ori#ina! #i"t !e"t0 Sti!!/ se "ee!s tat it is a car% *ic as %adeer success/ and *eter se sin#s te 'art o" a !o*!y 'easant or o" a 'rincess te +race!et is a!*ays(isi+!e0

And tese !itt!e custo%s are not con"ined to te *o%an sin#ers eiter/ "or te %en are e-ua!!y "ond o"

o+ser(in# so%e !itt!e tradition to ceer te% in teir 'er"or%ance0 Tese !itt!e traits/ tri(ia! 'era's inte%se!(es/ are o" (ita! i%'ortance in tat tey create a sense o" security in te sou! o" te artist/ *o#oes on is *ay/ i" not reoicin#/ at !east con(inced tat te "ates are not a#ainst i%0

One o" te 'ena!ties 'aid +y te sin#ers *o are %uc in te 'u+!ic eye is te constant de%and %adeon te% to !isten to (oices o" (oca! as'irantsnot a!*ays (ery youn# ones/ stran#e to say0 It is sad toconte%'!ate te nu%+er o" 'eo'!e *o tink tey can sin# and are destined +y ta!ent and te%'era%ent"or o'eratic careers/ *o a(e +een !ed +y %is#uided or "oo!is "riends and too o"ten +y o(era%+itiousand %ercenary sin#in# %asters into s'endin# ti%e and %oney on teir (oices in te "ond o'e o" so%eday astonisin# te *or!d0 A!as/ tey do not rea!ize tat te #reat sin#ers *o are eard in te Ne*4ork o'era ouses a(e +een 'icked "ro% te *or!d:s su''!y a"ter a 'rocess o" %ost drastic se!ection/and tat it is on!y te %ost rare!y e&

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