The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-13
ADVICE TO
YOUNG SINGERS.
A Celebrated Tenor Tells Aspirants
How to Judge Their Chances
Of Success.
BY Alvarez. the Celebrated Tenor

By Alvarez, the Celebrated Tenor.
Since my arrival in America have
received a great many letters from
young singers asking advice in regard
to their future careers. A professional
singer has little time for the pleasures
OF correspondence, but l am glad to
offer few suggestions through this
medium to the unknown friends who
have thus honored me with their con-
hdence.
First, in regard to the voice I am
inclined to believe that any person pos
sessed of health, a deep chest, a good
larynx, and with no confirmed bad
habits in tone production, and who has
in addition an inexhaustible supply of
perseverance and patience, can sing.
Concentration of purpose is the true
secret of success in singing, as in every
other art and occupation under the sun
Granting, then, that you have a good il
not great voice. what are the next
essentials for an operate career?
Youth-cela va sans dire. You win
need all the years of your life to per-
feet your IA |, and the sooner you begin
after completing your physical deveIou-
ment the better. 1t is a great mistake.
however, to begin using the voice be-
fore attaining the growth. The vocal
organs previous to this time are inn
mature and very little strain will
weaken and often ruin them beyond
repair.
Properly equipped at the start with
voice, youth and health, a singer has
a.
Quired. In operate and in fact in All
stage work a pleasing personality. par
tlcuiarly for women, is desirable-I
might almost say indispensa HE
singer of unlovely or disagreed HE an
pearance starts in her or his work ter
ribly handicapped. The talent must he
phenomenal to overcome the first adj
verse impression given to the audience
But more is yet required for a sincere
artist. A thorough knowledge Of mn
SIC IN all It's branches is vital. Nearly
every one OF our great artists is a
skilled musician The better the rnusf-
clan the quicker are the results in the
cultivation of the voice
Temperament is the one great re.
qulrement for an opera singer, without
which all other qualities are insl1ffi
cient. The temperament which enables
one to feel the thought in the --usic az
well as in the words, and to give ex-
presslon TO that thought by voice and
action, is the soul of all true operate
work and from it is born dramatic abil-
ity.
With all these qualities you may
Inlnk success is certain. But that is
not So One may possess all of them,
yet never attain greatness. AppIica-
ton, perseverance, concentration are
the Qualities which tell. IndomitabIe
will accomplishes wonders, and You win
need it in operatic work
SO then, my friends, if after due con-
sideratio1 and competent advice voI,
think you are suited to operatic work.
~ Gil AAOdAS dCNOlC yOQISelI TO it Do
all in your power to fit yourself for
your work. If you cannot at once study
abroad, then do your best at home
Study the languages. Perfect Yourself
mentally, physically and vocalIy for
your chosen career. Remember thar a
great deal. almost everything, depends
upon yourself. Your instructor can
only guide you Do not rely upon him
to accomplish results. If your voice is
of only moderate compass and volume
do not think of going into operate
work. On the other hand, good lungs
do not make prima DONNA
Should you finally become a grand
opera singer, always remember that
whatever your position in the produce
tion-whether you be star or chorus
singer-you are always only part of
the ensemble, not the whole opera.
Your first object should be to interpret
to the best of your ability the thought
of the composer, and to this end not
only you but the other members of the
company, the chorus and the orchestra,
are all equally necessary. Sink your
personality as far as possible in the
character which you assume. Forget
that you are Nine. This or NJ. That
be Leonora, Alfredo, the village peas
ant. or whatever part is given to you.