New-York tribune., 1922-06-11
Caruso's Ideas on Singing
Disclosed by Physician
n, p. Mario Mara6oti. Endorsed by the Late Tenor.
Discusses His Method in Volume Urging
Reform in Voice Education

ing embodied n the word,-n.tursl
singing. he also mentions the soft
consistency Of his vocal chords, which
the physician believes accounted
partially for the mellowness O, hi,
voice.
Discussing The deeadenee Of singing.
Dr. MarAaoti cites two causes FOR the
degeneration Of bslcsnto; hrst. N.
evolution Of singing music. on the
whole, and especially Of opera: second.
the eornmereislization Of AIT by sing
ers who forsake artistic ideals for the
sole pursuit Of financial success. Tho
aim oi bis book is radical reform
In voice education.
This reform Is based upon seven
principles. The writer devotes chap
ter TO each one. He feels that although
they we're not personally written BY
Caruso they are faithful reproductions
Of his own ideas and. above all, Of his
feelings" about his own singing
These principles are as follows;
1-Voiee Is speech ard Is produced
By the mouth. rot by the vocal eords
The vocal cords produce only sounds,
which are transformed into vowels and
eonsonsnts by q phonetic process TAX
ing place in the mouth and giving
origin 20 the voice.
. (s)-The full extension Of the
natural range ot the voice is produced
only BY using the minimum tension Of
the vocal cords and the minimum
breath required for each tone. This
establishes correct mechanism Of
voice production.
(b)-The lsryngeal sounds must be
transmitted 20 The mouth free Of any
interference. Freedom Is the funda-
mental pillar Of voice production.
s-Breath is an indispensable factor
in voice production. but it is not the
essential power which develops the
voice as II Is taught to-day. On the
contrary, the function Of singing de-
velops the breathing apparatus and It's
power just as any physiological func-
tion develops the organ from which It
takes origin. Therefore singing de-
velops breathing, not breathing sing
ing.
4-Resonance Is the most important
factor in voice production. II fur
nishes 20 the voice the volume and
quality and emphasizes its loudneSs.
To rely on resonsnce rather than on
force IS essential for producing big
and pleasing voice.
S. Speaking and singing are similar
functions, produced by the same physi-
oloeieal mechanism; therefore they are
the same vocal phenomenon.
The speaking voice is the substantial
factor Of the singing voice and singing,
IN It's very essence, is merely speaking
in musical rhythm; hence no correct
singing can exist without correctly
produced speaking voice.
8. The pitch and the dimensions OF
THE singing voice-the volume, the
quality and loudness--sre determined
By the speaking voice. Speaking high
or low. resonant. loud or soft, in any
eradation Of sentiment and shade Of
color. lays the ground for singing in
high or low pitch. loud, resonant or
soft. in any musical color or express
sion.
7. There are no registers in the sing
Ing voice when II Is correctly produced.
According 10 natural laws the voice Is
made up Of only one register, which
constitutes its entire range.
The book further includes a chapter
on "The Italian Vowels and Conscnants
as Fundamental Phonetic Elements for
Voice Culture" with numerous charts
and illustrations, among others FIVE
photographs Of Csruso IN the act Of
singing the FIVE vowels; a fac-simile Of
Nespolitsn song, copied by Csruso,
with Italian and English words, show
ing his method Of teaching himself how
20 sing in English, and a series Of vocal
exercises suggested by DR.. Msrahoti.