Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-12-31
CHAPTER ON TENORS.
NO OTHER PROFESSION DEMANDS
 SUCH REGULARITY OF LIFE.

Great Care Taken of His Valuable Throat.
 tidiousness in Regard to Physical Condi-
 tions-The Prima Donna.
 There has been." says Sims Reeves in his autobiography, "for some time past a de- cided fall in tenors; not that there is no de- mand for the article, but because the demand which really exists cannot be supplied. For in art the great principle which rules in commerce does not hold good. On the con- trary, instead of the demand creating the supply, it is the supply which creates or at least stimulates the demand Quotations for first rate prima donnas were never so high as they are now, yet never before were prima donnas 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.
 HIS 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 glutton; drinks noth- ing but claret and water, when by universal consent he is flaming, fiery drunkard. You get your feet wet, are hoarse, and are we'll the next day. The more delicate, more sus- ceptible tenor gets his feet wet, is hoarse snd Is not we'll the next day; and so long as he is unable to sing not only loses his money-if he happens to be a concert singer-but is usually regarded as an fmpostor, because he frankly and conscientiously declines to tor ture the ears of a public he has been in the habit of deighting Tenors have their faults &I,.1- Il,.A AI, any fairness, be accused of irregular habits There is no profession, indeed, which demands such absolute regularity of life, such punctu- alty ill the performanco of duties, as that of the actor, and above all, or Q singer. who besides his general health, has his voice often 8 very delicate one-to think of In deed, the care the teneEE 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 throats Is something incredi- ble to those who have not witnessed it, There are some tenors who seem to keep themselves constantly enveloped, as if in cotton wool, and I have known more than one who would not start even on the shortest journey but he must take with him collec- tion of scarves, wrappers and other band ages. Notwithstanding some drawbacks, the position of a tenor Is, all the same, fine one, and if the great tenors are disappearing 1t cannot be said that such enthusiasm as they were wont to excite is now called forth by baritones or basses.
 THE PRIMA DONNA.
 "The prima donna is not only as great favortte 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, eontralto, tenor, baritone and bass. In these matters there is no dictating to the public; but whatever the fact may signify fact it is that, whereas Mime. Patti, Mime. Nilsson, Mime. Albani and Mime. Gerster are sought for in all countries, and travel in the character of stars to the most distant lands, none in any part of the world seem to care much for the voice of any tenor, baritone or bass now on the Italian operatic stage"
 Amateurs and struggling genius will do we'll to ponder over these remarks about singing masters. II should like," says Mir. Sims Reeves, ito make short Aggression, and comment on the great evils arising from the pretensions of musical quacks, who offer to teach singing without possessing one of the necessary qualifications; indeed, could count the really cleNeH pToIeSSoIS Ol sluSluS on my fingers. 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 I regret to say, the monstrous evil is growing, by 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 protesting to hold con- servatoire diplomas and to be able to teach proper production of voice and phrasing, within given time, at a less price than yer min powder costs, good singers ought to be plentiful, but unfortunately the reverse holds good; we have few eminent vocalists, and un- questionably 1t Is not for the lack of good voices "-Pall Mall Gazette,