Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-15
CHAPTER ON TENORS
NO OTHER PROFESSION DEMANDS
SUCH REGULARITY OF LIFE.


Great Care Taken OF His Valuable Throat.
What the Public Thinks of Eim-Fas-
tidiousness in Regard to Physical Condi-
tions-The PriIna Donna.
There has BEEN" says Sims Reeves in h:
autobiography, for some time past de-
cided fall in tenors; not that there IS no ds-
Inand for tie article, but because the demand
which really exists cannot be supplied. For
in ert the great principle which rules in
commerce does not hold good. On the con-
trary, instead of the demand creating the
supply, 1t is tie supply which creates Or at
least stimulates the demand Quotations for
first rate pTinla donnas were never SO high as
they are now, Yet never before were prirna
dcnnas so numerous No one, on the other
hand, goes to the opera TO hear a tenor, sim
ply because there are none Of the highest dis
tinction To hear.
lis VALUABLE THROAT.
think how every tenor, who wishes at all
times to do his best, must regulate his life,
must protect his valuable throat against all
possible and impossible draughts. He eats
in the most sparing manner, when all Lon
don sets him down as gluuton; drinks moth
ing but claret and water, when by universal
consent he IS . flaming, fiery drunkard. You
get your feet wet. are hOarse, and are Well
the next day. The more delicate more suS-
ceptible tenor gets his feet wet, is hoarse and
is not well the next day; and so long as he is
unable to sing not only loses his noney-it
he happens TO be a concert singer-but is
usually regarded as an impostor, because be
frankly and conscientiOusly declines to tor
ture the ears Of a public he has been in the
habit OF delighting. Tenors have their faults
like other men. But they can scarcely. with
any fairness, be accused Of irregular habits.
There is 10 profession, indeed, which demands
such absolute regularity of life, such punctu-
atty in the performance of duties, as that Of
the actor, and above all, OF a singer, who.
besides his general health has bis voice
often a very delicate one-to think of In
deed, the care the tenor takes of himself
amounts in many cases to fastidiousness.
when he is On his travels, especially in
our capricious, changeable climate, the tenor
does really incur risks, and the care these
delicate voiced singers are obliged to take OF
their valuable Threats is something iucredi.
bic TO those who have not witnessed it.
There are some tenors who seem to keen
themselves constantly enveloped, as if III
cotton wool and | have known more than
one who would not start even on the shortes.
journey but he must take with him collec-
ton Of scarves, wrappers and other band
ages. Notwithstanding some drawbacks,
the position or tenor is, all the same a fine
one, and if the great tenors are disappearing
it cannot be said that such enthusiasm as
they were wont to excite is now called forth
by baritones OF basSos.
THE PRIdA DONNA.
''The prina donna is not only as great
favorite as ever, but is often the only mem
Der OF an operatic cast TO whom every sort
of favor is shown. For her exclusively is re-
served the admiration which was formerly
shared by the prima donna, contralto, tenor,
baritone and bass. In these matters there IS
no debating to the public; but, whatever the
fact may signify, 4 fact it is that. whereas
Nine. Patti, Nine. Nilsson, Nine. Albani and
Nine. Gerster are sought for in all countries,
and travel IN the character of stars 10 the
most distant lands, none in any part Of the
world seem to care nlucn for the voice of am
tenor. baritone or bass now on the Italian
operate stage
Amateurs and struggling genius viii do
well TO ponder over these remarks about
singing masters ~ should Ike" says Mr. !
Sims Reeves, ito make a short DEPRESSION,
and comment on The great evils arising from
the professions of musical quac5s, who offer /
TO teach singing without possessing one of the /
necessary qualifications; indeed, Icould count /
the really clever professors of singing on my
fingers. A carpenter. house painter, or any
other mechanic has to serve an apprentice /
ship in order to learn his craft, but all that
the charlatan professor of singing requires +
is brass door plate, and an unlimited amount
OF cheek
MANY a voice, which was naturally sweet
and sympathetic, has been irreparably ruined
by this system; yes, and l regret to say, the ,
nonstTous evil is growing, 10y reason OF ad- /
vertisements. which offer unwary musical |
aspirants lessons at rate less than is paid !
for the most ordinary kind of mechanical /
labor. With teachers processing to hold con- /
serva5oire diplomas and to be able TO teach /
proper production of voice and phrasiug,
within q given time, at less price than ver-
min powder costs, good singers ought to be .
plentiful, but unfortunately the reverse holds /
good; we have few eminent vOcaists, and IN /
questtonnbiy it is not for the lack of good /
voices Pail Mall Gazette.