The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1909-03-26
I alks ON Singing
N.---FaciaI Expression and Mirror
Practice.


By LUISA TETRAZZINI

your eyebrows, for instance, until you
study tie question and learn by exper-
| imcnt that complete emotional scale
can be symbolized outwardly in the
movements of the eyelids and eye
brows
A very dropping eyebrow is express
I've of fatigue, either physical or men
tai. This lowered eyelid is the aspect
we see about us most of the time, par
ticularly on people past their first
youth. AS 1t shows lack Of interest,
1t is not favorite expression of actors
and is only employed where the role
makes Il necessary.
Increasing anxiety is depicted by
slanting the eyebrows obliQuely in n
downward line toward the nose.
Concentrated attention draws the
eyebrows together over the bridge Of
the nose, while fmtiveness widens the
space again without elevating the eye
brows.
In the eyebrows alone you can depict
mockcry, every stage Of anxiety or
pain, establishment, ecstasy, terror.
suffering, fury and admiration, besides
! all the subtle tones between.
IN Sin ig roles Of songs 1t is neces-
sary to practice before the mirror in
order to see that this facial expression
is present and that it is not exagger-
| ated; that the face Is not contorted by
lines Of suffering or by the lines of
mirth.
Another thing the young singer must
not forget in making her initial bow
before the public is the question of
dress. When singing on the platform
or stage dress as we'll as you can.
Whenever you face the public have at
least the assurance you are looking
your very best; that your gowns hang
well, are well fitted and are Of be-
coming color.
IL Is not necessary that they should
be gorgeous or expensive, but let them
always be suitable, and for big cities
let them be just as sumptuous as you
can afford. At morning concerts in
New York velvets and hand painted
chiffons are considered good form,
while in the afternoon handsome silk
or satin frocks Of very light color
are worn with hats.
If singer chooses to wear hat let
her be sure that it's shape will not in
terfere with her voice.
A very large hat, for instance, with
wide brim that comes down over the
face, acts as sort of blanket to the
voice. eating up the sound and de-
tracing from the beauty of tone
which should go forth into the audi
ence. 1t is also likely to shade the
singers features too much and hide
her from view from those sitting in
the balconies or galleries. AS q rule,
the singers hat should be small or
with fiaring brim, which does not
detract from the tone.
Another word on the subject Of cor
sets. There is no reason in the world
why singer should not wear cOrsets,
and If singers have tendency to grow
stout corset is usually a necessity.
singers corset should be especially
well fitted around the hips and should
be extremely loose over the diaphragm.
If made in this way it will not inter
fere In the slightest degree with the
breath.
Now as to diet and the general mode
of life. Every singer must take care
! of her health. But that does not nee
essarily mean that she must wrap her
self in cotton batting and lead Sc
questered existence. l don't believe
that any person who wants to make a
! public career can accomplish 1t and
also indulge in social designations. So
ciety must be cut out Of the life of the
would be singer. for the demands made
by 1t on time and vitality can only be
given at sacrifice to ones art.
The care of the health is an individ-
ual matter, and what agrees well with
me would cause others to sicken.
eat the simplest food always, and nat
urally, being an Italian, I prefer the
food of my native land. But simple
French or German cookery agrees with
me quite as well. And / allow the
tempting pastry, the rich and over
spiced pate, to pass me by untouched
and console myself with quantities OF
fruit and fresh vegetables.
Personally | never wear a collar ant
have hardened my throat to cOnsid
cradle extent by wearing slightly cut
out gowns always In the house, and
even when wear furs | do not have
them closely drawn around the neck
try to keep myself at an even bodily
temperature, and fresh air has beer
my most potent remedy at all times
when l have been indisposed.