HINTS TO VOCAL AMATEURS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 30, 25 July 1891, Page 208

HINTS TO VOCAL AMATEURS.

To those distinguished musical amateurs anxious to husband their vocal resources, I give a few hints derived from the experiences of several eminent artistes. Madame Patti, on the days when she is engaged to sing, never talks above a whisper, and avoids all possible bodily fatigue. Tn careful observance of diet she has a great belief, and always orders a beef steak, plain boiled potatoes, and dish of roast apples for her dinner, which she takes at three o’clock, before appearing in opera on the same night. If the throat be very dry, the prima donna declares that a good remedy is to sip seltzer water in the intervals of singing, but as a general rule she advises neither wine nor water to be drunk during an evening’s performance. The diva isa devout believer in homueopathy.and swallows pilules of phosphorus and causticuni every time she leaves the stage, after delivering a grand aria. These remedies, she imagines, are most clearing and beneficial to the throat. For the rest, she advises early hours and perfect moderation at table. Madame Albani, who entirely concurs in this last stricture, is also equally careful in not speaking aloud on the day she intends to sing, and occupies herself with embroidery or some quiet employment, instead of walking, driving, or receiving visitors as on other occasions. The Canadian prima donna, like Mme. Patti, only drinks claret at dinner, but fortifies her voice with a cup of bouillon, made after a French recipe, slowly imbibed between the acts of an opera. Mme. Nilsson, on the other hand, has faith in ale and porter as a tonic for the throat and chest, and considers that both her sister artistes take overmuch care in resting and nursing their voices with such assiduity—an opinion shared by Mme. Melba, who, casting aside all these theories, eats, drinks, and is merry like any lady in private life, and vows that her voice requires no such indulgence. Miss Liza Lehmann, whose charming organ always appears in excellent condition, recommends the inhaling of ammonia in hot water whenever the voice may lie suffering from the effects of cold winds, — The Gentlewoman.