The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-22
A Capable Book About singing.

Mr.. W. j. Henderson's book entitled:
'The Art OF the Singer" Charles Scribner's
sons is instructive and interesting In an
exceptional degree. II is remarkably we'll
written. Many who have perhaps modestly
concealed their predictions will be pleased
by the authors opening allegation to the
effect that singing is the Interpretation Of
text. 1t is OF course other things as well!
but definitely it Ia that, and q wholly agree
able assurance abides in the word. With
admirable lucidity, compactness and force
Mr.. Henderson goes on to consider In his
several chapters such matters OF interest
and Importance as what il and what should
be the attitude OF the public toward the
singer; how the fundamental breathing Of
the singer should be performed; how the
attack Of tone" should be effected; what
should be lone and whatDshould be avoided
In practice in beginning tones; the formation
Of tone; the proper time in practice 70 at
tempt the MESA Ill voce; the danger that
the fascinating portamento may become q
habit leading deplorably to "sooopin9';
the astonishing agility Of singers In The days
Of CafareIi; the treatment OF vowels and
consonants; the manner of singing the music
OF Wagner.
The chapter dealing with Wagner sing
ing emphasizes Mr.. Henderson's opening
declaration that singing is the interpre-
tation Of text. 1t starts forcibly and with
no equivocation Of meaning that We have
been able 60 discern. For years. says
Mr.. Henderson, -one Of the most formidable
obstacles in the way OF an immediate APP
probation Of the Wagnerian music drama
was the atrocious manner in which the
music was sung. I I'M here confronted
by a lion in the path, a vicious. snariing
lion Of evil tradition, fed fat In the news
OF Wahnfried itself. The manner In which
the music Of Wagner has been sung In the
past; and is still sung by the authority
OF Bayreuthi is fundamentally incorrect.
$50 Why does the TYPICAL German
singer Of the music Of Wagner bark, cough,
or sneeze the notes instead OF producing
them in a normal manner2
Why is it regarded by so large a part OF
the German people Vas absolutely wicked
TO sin9 the music OF Wagner It II true
that there are Germans who do really sing
this music, but they are always confronted
II wagging heads in their own land,
There ia believed TO be something radically
wrong with them because they permit the
voice parts OF the Wagner music dramas
10 he revealed IN their native beauty. In
the benighted country In which l live We
listen to such singing with Joy. For we
nave at last come out Of the wilderness In
Which we were aforetime lest, and have
learned that the highest achievement OF
the old Italian art OF singing is the delivery
Of Nagner's music "a he, poor man, dreamed
II, but rarely heard it," Mr.. Henderson
thinks that Wagner would have given much
u no could have found a Jean de Reszke
70 Introduce his PdrsifGI and a Temina
or Nordica to make known his IaoLde.
We we're interested in an anecdote that
MI henderson tells in speaking Of the over
employment Of the Of the nasal
cavity in his chapter concerning tone fOrma-
non We read: Joseph Sheehan. the tenor
OF Mr.. Savage's English opera company,
went 10 Paris one summer and studied three
months. About all that his teacher could
manage TO teach him in that time was that
W. should utilize tho nasal r~esonat9rs, which
ne mad previously not used at all. The result
was that when Mr.. Sheehan came back to
america and sang Rhdddmes in Aida he
was generally informed that he Yang through
DIS nose, whereupon he lamented bitterly
mat he had spent three months and much
honest coin in learning to do something
wrong"
Mr. Henderson's book is an admirable
i~erIormapce. All sorts Of readers will
discover that throughout It knows how to
MAKE the subject OF music luminous and
Interesting.
4 RPnPeheus,hla NFnsh.-