
audiobook
by Dame Clara Butt, Enrico Caruso, Ben Davies, Dame Nellie Melba
In this lively guide the author unpacks what it really takes to become a singer, breaking the craft down into four essential elements: the voice itself, the individual performer, the teacher, and the chosen repertoire. Drawing from personal experience at the Royal College of Music, she argues that natural talent and the willingness to sing matter more than any surgical tweak, sharing a dramatic moment when she refused a tonsil operation. The opening chapters blend theory with candid anecdotes, setting a tone that feels both instructional and conversational.
Beyond anatomy, the book explores how climate, language, and everyday habits shape vocal quality, noting the striking brilliance of singers from warm regions. It then moves to the fundamentals of breath control, insisting that proper abdominal support distinguishes singing from ordinary speech. Listeners will find clear, actionable exercises and insightful commentary that together form a solid foundation for anyone eager to nurture their voice.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (81K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2016-07-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1872–1936
One of the great contraltos of her age, she became a huge concert and recording star in Britain and beyond. Her rich, powerful voice and commanding stage presence made her a defining musical figure of the late Victorian and Edwardian years.
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1873–1921
One of opera’s first true international superstars, he brought a warm, powerful tenor voice to the great stages of Europe and the Americas. His hugely popular recordings also helped turn classical singing into something people could enjoy at home.
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1858–1943
A leading Welsh tenor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he built an international reputation in opera, concerts, and oratorio. His career carried him from South Wales to major stages in Britain, the United States, and Australia.
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1861–1931
One of the first Australian performers to become an international classical star, she brought her bright soprano voice to the great opera houses of Europe and America. Her fame was so wide that her stage name still lives on in dishes, music history, and Australian cultural memory.
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