The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1909-04-16
r the thousands Of people who

~ visit the opera during the
w. season few outside of the
small proportion of the init
ated realize how much the perform
@nce Of the singer whom they see and
hear ON the stage Is dependent on pre-
viOus rehearsal, constant practice and
Vatchfulness over the physical condi.
diOns that preserve that most precious
of our assets, the voice.
Nor does this same great public In
general know OF what the singer often
suffers In the way of nervousness or
stage fright before appearing In front
OF the footllghts, nor that his life, out
'wardly SO feted and brilliant, Is in pri.
vate more or less of retired, ascetlc
one and that his social pleasures must
be strictly limited.
These conditions, of course, vary
greatly with the individual singer, but
u will try to tell In, the following artl-
'isspS, as eXempllfied In my own case,
what great responsibility voice is
when one considers that 1t is the great
God given treasure which brings us
Wi our fame and fortune.
am perhaps more favored than
many in the fact that my voice was
Always "there" and that, with proper
cultivation, of course, l have not had
80 overstrain 1t In the attempt to reach
~ocal heights which have come to
ssOme only after severe and long con-
5ftnued effort. But, on the other hand
cthe finer the natural voice the more
sedulons the care required to preserve
81 I'm it's pristine freshness TO bloom.
This is the singers ever present prob
denim my case. however. mostly n
EDatter OF common sense living.
As regards eating-a rather impor-
gant item, by the way-I have kept to
che light continental" breakfast,
which I do not take too early; then a
rather substantial luncheon toward 2
O'Clock. My native macaroni, special
" prepared by my chef, who is en-
I-aaed particularly for his ability in
rSYSSs way. Is often n feature in this
midday meal, l incline toward the
simpler and more nourishing food.
matter, but lay particular stress on
7Ehe excellence of the cooking. for one
cannot afford to risk ones health on
Tudiiferently cooked food no matter
what its quality.
NSSD the nights when I sing take
nothing after luncheon, except perhaps
a sandwich and glass of Chant
up1Gl after the performance, when
have supper Of whatever / fancy
within reasonable bounds. Being
blessed with good digestion, / have
not been Obliged to take the extraor
afannry precautions about what eat
That some singers do. Still, am care
/ fuI never TO Indulge to excess In the
pleasures of the table. for the condi-
sion of our alimentary apparatus and
chat OF the Cocal chords are very close
tfyl related, and the unhealthy state of
ttic unue Immediately reacts on the
other,
lSly reason for abstalning from food
Cor so long before singing may be in
1rf!red. IT Is simply that when the
Sarge space required by the diaphragm
I'm expanding to, take lin breath is part
.;y occupied by ones dinner the result
is that one >cnnnot take as deep
sSreath ,as Cme would like and conse
!. uuentSy THE tone suffers and the all I'M
portant ease OF breathing is interfered
mIdA In addition Il certain amount of
Bodily energy Is used In the process of
digestion which would otherwise be
entirely given to the production Of the
voice.
- These facts. seemingly so simple, are
very vital ones TO singer particularly
4on an "opening night" A singers life
Ns such an active one, with rehearsals
stnd performances, that not much OPP
soortunity Is given for exercise" and
vthe time given to this must, of course,
S0e governed by individual needs. !
vdnd few simple physical exercises In
rthe morning after rising somewhat
.SsimIlar to those practiced in the army
S1r fhe use for few minutes Of n"
sof light dumbbells very beneficial. 9th
q sr-wise must content myself with an
occasional automobile ride, One must
Rlot forget, however that the exercise
of singing, with its constant deep in
ghRlation (and acting in itself is consid
,,erable exercise also) tends much to
HTeep one from acquiring an oversupply
-<of embonpoint,
A proper moderation in eating, how
sever, as have already said, will con-
StrTbute as much to the maintenance of
correct proportion in ones figure as
amy amount of voluntary exercise
(which one only goes through with on
gprinciple
AS so many of you In number Of
vCs1a ties of this great country are feeling
sand expressing as we'll as voting opin'
Ions on the subject of whether one
SHOULD or should not drink intoxicants,
Syou may inquire what practice is most
IN eonsonance with a singers well be-
iSIng, In nay opinion. Here, again, Of
course, customs vary with the indi'
NyVidual. In Italy we habitually drink
tahe light wines of the country with
our meals and surely are never the
ygorse for IT, have retained my fond
mess for my native Chianti, which
hAve even made on my own Italian
estate. but believe and carry out the
nelief that moderation is the only pos