The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-26
MUSIC POINTERS.
Contribution to Musical Section
of City Library.
Mrs. p. H. Adams Turns Over
Standard Works.
TELLS OFIMPORTANCE
standard Works That Help the
Young Singers.
Discusses the Various Methods
of Teaching.
TELLS OFIMPORTANCE

Mrs P H Adams has presented to
the city library three valuable books
on musical subjects. Garcia's Art Of
Singing. Lamperti's Art of Singing and
Pronunciation and Leo Kofier's
Breathing Gymnastics. The books
have been added to a small but well
chosen collection OF works on mu-
steal technique. history and criticism.
Mrs. Adams is one or Topeka's most
finished and artistic singers She was
for some years e pupil of John O'Neal,
who was Madame Nordica teacher
for six years and who laid the foun-
dation OF the great diva's faultless and
wonderful art O'Neal was pupil OF
Manuel Garcia. the eminent master
with whom Madame Marches studied
for more than four years.
81 found" says Mrs. Adams, the
library had Henderson's Art of Sing
Ing. and Madam Marchesis Singing
Lessons. Henderson's book is thor
oughly good and comprehensive and
should be read by all students Of the
voice but probably no name is so ia
miIiar and no teacher 50 well known
the world over as an acknowledged
authority as Madam Marchesf The
fact that Murska. krauss, Gerster,
Fames, Calve and Melba were her pu-
pills proves conclusively that she gets
results. and as Henderson says. Is suf-
6cieut evidence Of her skill in carrying
on the work of her master, Manuel
Garcia.
Everyone who contemplates the
study Of the voice should not fail TO
read Marchesis Singing Lessons; they
should also read the works of Garcia
and Lamperti on the Art of Singing,
and they will see that Marchesis
training IS the same as that of the old
masters of more than a century ago,
and that in her teaching she strictly
- 60 shaw method and fdaaE of
tone production and correct singing,
and no doubt her marvellous success as
a teacher. without a peer, is largely
due TO this fact
Marchesi Henderson and kofier in
clude everything desirable in the art
Of singing. and through these works
all who will may choose the proper
course Of training.
Merely reading or making a study
Of these books would not of course en-
able one to teach, though many hum
bug teachers attempt it; one can only
acquire a thorough knowledge Of
vocal culture by actual training.
THE first steps in vocal culture
are the most important TO the student,
TT is false idea to consider any
teacher good enough for a beginner.
Il is Of greatest Importance that the
beginning should be made under the
guidance OF a CdpdDle master. even
though II cost more. The art OF
singing can not be learned cheaply.
'~Technic. and a goodly amount of
II is absolutely necessary il you would
lay a sure foundation for correct sing
ing. Technic is one Of the things in
which Marchesi excells. Melba-her
greatest pupil.-Hammerstei says
IS the most perfect technician here or
abroad.
But to those who presume to say
there is no such thing as method in
vocal culture. 1 would suggest that
they read what authority says about
it and they will find that all of the old
masters taught the old Italian method
and all the greatest singers the world
has ever known have studied II and
endorse ii. Marchesi says: There is
no other right method of singing, for
this one is built on nature
some teachers claim to have a
method Of their own, but since the old
Italian method is simply natures
method il IS absurd for any one to
attempt to improve upon it. 1t was
the masters OF the old Italian school
% singing who produced the singers
and only by their method can teachers
ever hope TO get right results.
1T takes years of the most diligent
study to become a competent teacher.
many finished singers can not teach
and there are some excellent teachers
who can not sing Teachers must be
able to impart their knowledge, they
must have a gifted as we'll as a
schooled ear, a clear conception and
: perfect understanding OF the re-
quirements of each pupil, and the
teacher who does not thor
the throat is wholly incompetent to
teach.
'Crescentini said: The art of sing
Ing is looseness Of the neck. throat.
tongue and jaw and the breath con-
trOIed by the diaphragm These CON
ditions are made possible by GER
tain exercises under proper guidance.
Singers who do not enunciate dis
bnctly-when there exists. no impedi-
ment-are not placing their tones cor
tectly. and II is unmistakable evidence
or A lack OF cultivation. Pacchiarotti
one OF the very greatest singers
SAID he who knows hn-- To he he