The Lambertville record., 1889-01-02
CHAPTER ON TEN0RS.
NO OTHER PROFESSION DEMANDS
SUCH REGULARITY OF LIFE.

Great Care Taken of His Valuable Throat.
What the Public Thinks of Him-Fas-
tidiousncss in Regard to Physical condi-
tIons--The Prima Donna.
"There has been, says Sims Reeves In his
autobiography, ''for some time past 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 prina
donnas so numerous No one on the other
hand, goes to the opera to hear tenor, sim
ply because there are none Of the highest dis
tinction to hear.
HIS VALUABLE THROAT.
"ThinlS 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 glutton; drinks moth
ing but claret and water, when by universal
consent he is a 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 and
is not well the next day; and so long as he is
unable to sing not only loses his money--if
he happens TO be concert singer-but is
usually regarded as an impostor, because he
frankly and conscientiously declines to tor
ture the ears of 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 no profession, indeed, which demands
such absolute regularity of life, such punctu-
alty in the performance Of duties, as that of
the actor, and above oil, of singer, who,
besides his general health, has his voice
often very delicate one--to think Of In
deed, the caro- 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 arc 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 keer
themselves constantly enveloped, as IL in
cotton wool, and / have known more than
one who would not start even on the shortest
journey but he must take with him collec
ton of scarves, wrappers and other band
ages. Notwithstanding some drawbacks
the position of a tenor is, all the same, a fine
one, and IL the great tenors are disappearing
1t cannot be said that such enth asm as
10 tc
by baritones or basses.
THE PRIMA DONNA.
"The prima donna is not only as great Q
favorite as ever, but Is often the only mem
Der of an operatic cast to whom every sor
| Of favor is shown. For her exclusively Is re
served the admiration which was formerl,
shared by the prima donna, contralto, tenor
| baritone and bass. In these matters there
no debating TO the public; but, whatever th
| fact may signify, fact it is that, wherea
! Mime. Patti, Mime. Nilsson, Mime. Albani an,
Mime. Gerster are sought for in all countries
and travel in the character OF stars to tn
most distant lands, none In any part Of th
world seem to care much for the voice OF an
tenor, baritone or bass now ON the Italia
| operatic stage
Amateurs and struggling genius will d
|
singing masters. II should like" says Mr.
Sims Reeves, 'to make short depression
and comment on the great evils arising from
| the pretensions Of musical quacks, who offel
to teach singing without possessing one of th,
necessary qualifications; indeed, could coun
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 thai
the charlatan professor of singing requires
Is a brass door plate, and an unlimited amount
| of cheek
"Many voice, which was naturally swee
and sympathetic, has been irreparably ruined
by this system; yes, and regret to say, tn,
monstrous evil is growing, by reason of ad
vertisements, which offer unwary musica
aspirants lessons at a rate less than Is pait
for the most ordinary kind Of mechanical
labor With teachers protesting to hold con
servatolrc diplomas and to DO able to teacl
proper production Of voice and phrasing
within given time, at O less price than yer
min powder costs, good singers ought to b
plentiful, but unfortunately thereyerse hold
good; we have few eminent vocalists, and IN
questionably 1t Is not for the lack of goo
voices. Pail Mall Gazette.