Hints to Singers.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 998, 17 April 1891, Page 9

Hints to Singers.

SOME HELPS FOR VOCAL SUCCESS. By Emma Aleani-Gye. * What is the best food for a singer ?’ is a question very often asked of me, and of all professional singers. I reply ; —‘ The plainest food is by far the best.’ Good, plain, but nourishing food ; for that is the best for health, and to be well in health is to be well in voice, and good health is absolutely necessary for good singing. Some few things should be entirely avoided, such as nuts, for instance, which affect the throat as well as the digestion. To lead a regular life is also absolutely essential, and young —and, indeed, all —artistes, if they wish to excel, must live for their art alone, and must give up a great many ‘ pleasures ’; but if this, as it should do, enables the artiste to become great, then they will have their reward for all sacrifices. To be artistes, they should live as artistes—go, whenever possible, to hear and to see fine singing and fine acting; endeavour to see fine pictures, fine statues; read clever books and the biographies of great men and great historical characters ; to live, in fact, in an atmosphere of art and of intellect, which will help them far more than at first they may be disposed to think in their own artistic career,

I would to a student, ‘ Study the notes, the words, the intention and meaning of everything; think these thoroughly out, gather it aU up into one consecutive whole, and then add to it any genius you may have of your own.’ And in doing this do not be discouraged if you do not immediately attain the desired result; but persevere in your idea. In studying a new work I have many times failed to reach the effect for which I was striving; but I have worked on, and perhaps at rehearsal, or perhaps at the first performance, it has come to me quite unexpectedly and as a great surprise, like an inspiration. But all this must not also mean the shutting yourself up in the selfish contemplation of your own personal career alone, for you must remember that to act" well you must understand human nature well; and to sing so as to touch others’ hearts you must be in sympathy with those hearts yourself. -