‘It is a sad, but nevertheless undeniable truth, that the art of singing is in a terrible state of decadence; and this fact is all the...

*Notes* - The system (c.1500-1800) is based on three overlapping ’hexachords’ of six syllables - do re mi fa sol la. - In order to change...

‘...The union of all those talents, which we have mentioned, and their bearing thus upon a single point condensed into a focus, is a...

‘ARTICLE V. OF THE QUALITIES OF THE VOICE. Q. How many different qualities are there in the voice ? A. The principal are two, the open...

‘You may observe, that the different tones of the voice are produced by the different positions which the larynx assumes in its rising...

‘A few trials will suffice to prove that every shade of passion, however slight, will effect in a peculiar way the physical condition,...

This morning I went with young Oliver to his conservatorio of S. Onofrio, and visited all the rooms, where the boys practice, sleep and...

Davids Psalms sung in our English Meeter differ much from Cathedrall singing, which is so abominable, in which is sung almost every...

‘It should be noted that the [ancient] tonoi were not sung as we do [ours], that is, the bass [singer] intones re or ut or some other...

‘When I learned descant [1] from my master Bold he, seeing me so inclined and willing to learn, always had me in his company, and because...

‘I know of no musician today who has any idea what it means to sing on the book. It was an improvised and simultaneous melody [chant]...

The summary below is from Jean-Paul Montagnier, “Le Chant Sur Le Livre Au XVIIIe Siècle: Les Traités de Louis-Joseph Marchand et Henry...

‘... France, where musical taste has always been somewhat backwards, has never abandoned the mania for improvising on plainchant. The...

‘Singing exercises that last too long and involve too much effort make the voice screeching, cause the voice to go out of tune, and are...

Ԥ 5. Every Air has (at least) three Cadences, that are all three final. Generally speaking, the Study of the Singers of the present...

‘When several notes are sung to one syllable, the performance is called melismatic singing. Thus, every long or short extension of a...

I was recently flicking through an instruction book aimed at teaching modern singers how to ornament eighteenth-century repertoire, and I...

‘The loudness or softness, especially on long and serious notes, must be observed even by those who sing the supporting voices [not the...

I become nauseated when I recall some singers I have heard, whether solo or accompanied by others, improvising on a choirbook, not caring...

‘Suitable voices for the middle, or counter part are rather difficult to find; but let no-one, for that reason, attempt it with a feigned...