
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
Jul 29, 2016
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1872–1936
A towering contralto with a famously rich voice, she became one of Britain’s best-loved concert singers and an early star of recordings and broadcasts. Her career stretched from the 1890s into the 1920s, winning admiration from audiences and composers alike.
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1873–1921
One of opera’s first global superstars, this celebrated Italian tenor brought a rich, powerful voice to the world’s great stages and helped turn sound recording into a mass phenomenon. His performances made him a legend far beyond the opera house.
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1858–1943
A leading Welsh tenor of the late Victorian and Edwardian years, he moved easily between opera, operetta, concert work, and oratorio. Admired for his clear, expressive singing, he became one of Britain’s best-known tenors of his day.
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1861–1931
One of the great stars of opera’s golden age, she rose from Australia to become an international sensation with a brilliant coloratura soprano voice. Her fame was so wide that even Peach Melba and Melba toast helped keep her name in everyday life.
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