The evening world., 1911-03-02
eoNcI REPLIES TO eiSPHAM
As TO TEACHING ENGLISH.

Aiessandro Bonci, the distinguished
italian tenor. in a letter to h writer
dated Galveston. Tex. Feb. 81, asks for
A little space to reply TO David Bis
pham's remarks about him that were
read ~ the recent dinner OF tie Fraternal
AS ociation Of Musicians. when "Opera
IN English was the subject Of discus
sion. Because Of his widely extended
concert tour. Mr.. Bonci says. the matter
has only just been called to his atten-
tion. Mr.. Bonci says:
Il note that Mr.. Bispham. after pay
Ing a tribute Of admiration to my sing
Ing. tried e heap ridicule on me with
the assumption that I pretend to teach
English pronunciation to American
singers. Now this is quite untrue. Two
years ago in Chicago. at a banquet ten
dered 20 me by the Press Club OF that
city, I nrst expressed my opinion that
tho English language Is singable and
that singing in English should he quite
enjoyable. The somewhat indefinite
color OF some of its vowels. its cultural
ounds with their tendency to prevent
the bringing of tho voice TO the front
C the mouth. I said. will no more be a
handicap TO the production OF a beauti-
fail tone and to the rendering OF the
legato style II the singer will submit to
a proper training OF his voice and will
make a special study OF the articula-
sion.
when I returned to this .country last
November. I decided 10 give a public
demonstration OF my ideas as to sing
ing in English at my recital in Car
negie Hall. on the morning following
tho recital I was surprised TO read In
several New York papers that had
sung with an excellent pronunciation
and that my diction NIGH put most OF
the native singers to shame. ! was
surprised Mt such opinions as well as |
am now surprised to learn hat Mr..
Bispham has chosen to attribute 10 me
the pretention OF teaching American
singers how to sing in English and the
American people how TO pronounce their
own language.
Mr.. Bisphan adds: What would be
thought II l went to Italy 10 teach
people how TO pronounce Italian |
could answer Mr.. Bispham that In
Italy IA country much more sectional
than America nobody is tolerated OF
the lyric stage unless he can pronounce
Italian we'll; but should we he unable
10 speak our language we'll and
should we discover that an American
sohld lFhSl US y" ~ ll'Aioilibc ~
Correctly in singing, we would no
doubt welcome and bless him. It Is
not Italy that has not yet understood
that chauvinisme IN art land in America
there Is unfortunately an abundance Of
81 Is perhaps the most serious handi-
cap 10 tho development OF the artistic
possibilities OF a country. But | do
not want to enter such a discussion. |
am satisfied with stating most en-
phatically hat l never claimed my
ability to teach English diction 10
American singers.
"Mr, Bispham, 1t appears. IS almost
IN despair over the possibility OF a
large backing OF money for Al ~lnstitu-
tion headed by me with the purpose Of
giving opera in English. and calls TO
account the Americans who have sug-
gested such a thing.
Now I do not know NJ. Bispaan
personally, but I sincerely wish 20 he
on the best of terms with him. There
fore / am quite willing to turn the
Americans IN question over 10 him. |
an an extremely busy man. Let .lr.
Bispham assume the administration and
rear the glory"