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Great Singers on Great Singing
Top opera stars discuss their careers and the technical aspects of singing, including breath control, posture, and placement
- GenresMusicNonfictionReference
356 pages, Hardcover
First published July 31, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 14, 2010
I'm a singer, so this was automatically going to be fascinating to me. A lot of it was, but really, after thirty chapters of Hines asking each singer the exact same questions, I was a little bored. I know, I know, that's the point. He wanted to get each singer to define what those sticky ambiguous terms--"breath support," "open throat," "placement"--meant to them. But it still made for slightly tedious going towards the end (took me forever to get to Sills and Sutherland!). Certainly a valuable read, and worth looking back to. I loved Shirley Verrett's "chocolate" and "apple" exercises!
September 19, 2008
Sadly, I was not mentioned in this book.
April 5, 2024
It's definitely more interesting and *clear* than his subsequent book, "The Four Voices of Man", said to have been born out of these interviews. Still, it's quite useless in terms of learning how to sing. I know, i know, there is a disclaimer repeated several times throughout the book that one SHOULD NOT learn how to sing by a book, but, then again, what's the point of writing singing-specific books if people shall not learn from them?
During the reading, it was becoming increasingly difficult to cope with the writer's interjections and his bigger-than-life attitude. I can clearly imagine his self-indulgent smirk while writing the book and thinking, 'ahhhh, i bet they'll laugh their asses out' and 'my charm is my weapon'.
ALSO, being an agnostic person myself and a hard-working but talented individual, i can't help but feel that a lot of times he attributes to God what maybe is not due? Who knows. Anyhow, read this for funny singers and nice biographical info.
During the reading, it was becoming increasingly difficult to cope with the writer's interjections and his bigger-than-life attitude. I can clearly imagine his self-indulgent smirk while writing the book and thinking, 'ahhhh, i bet they'll laugh their asses out' and 'my charm is my weapon'.
ALSO, being an agnostic person myself and a hard-working but talented individual, i can't help but feel that a lot of times he attributes to God what maybe is not due? Who knows. Anyhow, read this for funny singers and nice biographical info.
February 2, 2022
A wonderful book and very interesting to learn how each of these great singers interpret the concept of vocal technique. One comes away with the realization that, vocal techninque is an "art and not a science." (words my voice teacher, the wonderful tenor and vocal pedagogue Wayne Conner said to me often).
Words and concepts like diaphramatic breathing, open throat, lowered larynx, etc. mean different things to different people. This is not a book to use as a guide to proper and healthy singing per se, but rather, an interesting glimpse into the various practices and techniques that have worked for these great voices.
Altogether an enjoyable and edifying read.
Words and concepts like diaphramatic breathing, open throat, lowered larynx, etc. mean different things to different people. This is not a book to use as a guide to proper and healthy singing per se, but rather, an interesting glimpse into the various practices and techniques that have worked for these great voices.
Altogether an enjoyable and edifying read.
January 7, 2019
This is a must read for all vocal students. There have been times where I would have a teacher refer to something, and I really had no clue what they were really talking about. I have a dark, deep voice and forward placement has been a nightmare to understand and hold onto. Also, what is legato? I have always been someone who has struggled with the legato sound, I think because as a child it was hard for people to understand me. I had been told to separate and pronunciate. This book clarifies so many of the areas that I have driven teachers bonkers with.
May 9, 2024
"when the voice is placed right, singing is like walking. you don't usually think when you walk, but if you are climbing the stairs, you'd better pay attention to the steps, or you'll fall."
very insightful view into lots of successful singers! the interviews do get a bit repetitive towards the end, but they all having interesting techniques. i really enjoy the vocalises!
very insightful view into lots of successful singers! the interviews do get a bit repetitive towards the end, but they all having interesting techniques. i really enjoy the vocalises!
November 17, 2021
Loved the real life stories! Great advice....makes you see how singing is comprehended so differently. The voice is a magnificent instrument and there is not one way to approach technique. This book proves that!
April 26, 2022
Such a good book on vocal technique with a variety of opinions and voices. I read this for my vocal pedagogy class and while it is by no means a textbook on singing, it gave me a lot of different approaches to singing to use with my students.
January 6, 2020
I reread chapters every few months
November 21, 2023
A valuable collection of interviews of opera stars done by an opera star. The humor, layout and knowledge expressed is great for anyone interested in singing.
October 11, 2012
I have not finished reading this book yet, but I thought I'd review it anyway, since I am not sure when I will finish it. And that is with the fact that I am kind of reading 9 books now at one go.
The book started off well, and it was quite interesting to read what the singers have to say about some of the basics of singing. The author, Jerome Hines, interviewed about 40 opera singers to write this book, a chapter for everyone of them. He tries to find out several common things, namely breathing technique, the passagio of passage in the voice, vocalising and warming up, support, open throat.
I don't attend or listen to opera much, but I did learn some useful things reading into their accounts and views on singing.
For example:
"The voice starts in the mind, not in the body." This is very true, Joanna, our Grace Notes conductor always ask us to think of the note first, of how it should sound before singing it.
"No gasping...ever!" This is very interesting because if you notice most of the pop singers these days, their breathing is so loud that it is disconcerting. My husband blamed it on me as he now could not listen to Kat Deluna sing without noticing her loud breathing. The other singer I found with extremely loud breathing is Lea Michele, who plays Rachel in the Glee series.
"We all have a little phlegm in the morning from sleep, which disappears by midday." No wonder! We at Grace Notes finds it hard when we have to sing in the wee hours of the mornings when we were invited to sing in church services.
"The piano you cannot learn." I am saddened to read this, that "a real good piano...a head sound, this you have to have. You have to be born with it." Christine, my fellow Grace Noter, sing high notes in piano (soft and quiet tone) very well, which I can't, however much I try. Now I sadly know why.
However, when I got to the middle of the book, I lost interest. Even though each of the singers have different views on their technique, being an amateur in singing, it becomes quite repetitive to me.
But finish it I will, the one thing that will motivate me is the chapter on the late Luciano Pavarotti that I have not read. But then again, it is only because of all the singers interviewed, he is the only one I know about.
p/s I finally finished the book. It is good..though I must admit I can only understand 75% of it :) it is not easy to read about the technicalities of singing.
The book started off well, and it was quite interesting to read what the singers have to say about some of the basics of singing. The author, Jerome Hines, interviewed about 40 opera singers to write this book, a chapter for everyone of them. He tries to find out several common things, namely breathing technique, the passagio of passage in the voice, vocalising and warming up, support, open throat.
I don't attend or listen to opera much, but I did learn some useful things reading into their accounts and views on singing.
For example:
"The voice starts in the mind, not in the body." This is very true, Joanna, our Grace Notes conductor always ask us to think of the note first, of how it should sound before singing it.
"No gasping...ever!" This is very interesting because if you notice most of the pop singers these days, their breathing is so loud that it is disconcerting. My husband blamed it on me as he now could not listen to Kat Deluna sing without noticing her loud breathing. The other singer I found with extremely loud breathing is Lea Michele, who plays Rachel in the Glee series.
"We all have a little phlegm in the morning from sleep, which disappears by midday." No wonder! We at Grace Notes finds it hard when we have to sing in the wee hours of the mornings when we were invited to sing in church services.
"The piano you cannot learn." I am saddened to read this, that "a real good piano...a head sound, this you have to have. You have to be born with it." Christine, my fellow Grace Noter, sing high notes in piano (soft and quiet tone) very well, which I can't, however much I try. Now I sadly know why.
However, when I got to the middle of the book, I lost interest. Even though each of the singers have different views on their technique, being an amateur in singing, it becomes quite repetitive to me.
But finish it I will, the one thing that will motivate me is the chapter on the late Luciano Pavarotti that I have not read. But then again, it is only because of all the singers interviewed, he is the only one I know about.
p/s I finally finished the book. It is good..though I must admit I can only understand 75% of it :) it is not easy to read about the technicalities of singing.
May 15, 2012
If you are a singer and studying classically, this is a must read. For Me, it was as if all my role model singers were coming to life as the people behind their voices. Behind every great voice there is hard work, difficulties and triumphs. Jerome Hines was also a lovely narrator throughout, bringing in personal side stories whenever it pleased him. Even for the singers I wasn't already familiar with, this certainly helped introduce me to their work and their music.
However, if you do not sing classically, you'll probably find this book quite dull. My brother, a musician himself, although with more mainstream and pop music, read about two pages before slamming it shut.
However, if you do not sing classically, you'll probably find this book quite dull. My brother, a musician himself, although with more mainstream and pop music, read about two pages before slamming it shut.
November 2, 2010
This is one of my favorite books on vocal technique. Jerome Hines, a famous operatic bass, has interviewed many opera singers (Pavarotti, Domingo, Rosa Ponselle, etc.) solely about their singing technique. It doesn't get bogged down in anatomy and technical language. It's just each person's view on how he or she sings. I have referred to it many times in my career, and always recommend it to students. Domingo and Pavarotti's descriptions of the tenor passaggio are fantastic, as is Corelli's discussion of what it means to have a low larynx.
December 18, 2006
Easy to read, filled with insights and anecdotes from some of the greatest singers in classical singing. Written by Jerome Hines, 6'6" Basso profundo, it is a must for any aspiring singer or opera lover. For the layperson it can shed light on the techniques and training that go into the vocal acrobatics performed by opera singers. Interviews with Pavarotti, Corelli, Domingo, Sills, Sutherland, et al.
August 7, 2019
This is by far the greatest treasure on singing that has ever been produced. Hines was an exquisite basso that traveled the world and sang in the best opera houses. He also wrote an opera and was known for his scholarship.
In this tremendous gift to the singing world, he interviews the greatest singers of that era/that has ever been produced. The likes of Pavarotti, Corelli, Caballe etc.
If you’re an operatic student, this needs to be your bible of bel canto.
In this tremendous gift to the singing world, he interviews the greatest singers of that era/that has ever been produced. The likes of Pavarotti, Corelli, Caballe etc.
If you’re an operatic student, this needs to be your bible of bel canto.
February 17, 2010
Elegant in its simplicity, this book is a delightful and informational read that any music lover will enjoy. An informal interview format that allows some truly amazing artists to speak simply about their medium and techniques makes this book facile and accessible to all. Read it, and you are enriched.
December 21, 2012
Amazing! Where else can you find out what scales Pavarotti used for warming up before shows!!
These are older singers, most if not all have since passed away, discussing how they do the things they do( i.e. breathing. warm up, support, acting, etc.) My copy is full of highlights and notes. All voice students should read it.
These are older singers, most if not all have since passed away, discussing how they do the things they do( i.e. breathing. warm up, support, acting, etc.) My copy is full of highlights and notes. All voice students should read it.
November 5, 2008
There is so much wonderful information for singers in this book, my only wish is that it could have been tabled in an appendix at the end! But alas. Indispensable for anyone who loves singing and learning about it and those who have been successful at it.
Currently reading
June 24, 2009Jerry Hines interviews some of the world's most famous opera singers on their ideas of breathing, support, placement, "open throat", scales, trainging, etc. It is fascinating reading how all of these singers have their own subjective terminology for the mechanics of singing.
April 24, 2016
Just fantastic, easily navigable and humorously written, Unlike newer books like Master Singers - that attempts to do the same thing but is not at all laid out well and presented in a more clinical and sterile way.
July 26, 2007
An intriguing look at various opera singers' view on how they sing. Not for beginners because they would get confused, but great for a serious student like myself.
January 2, 2011
An absolutely amazing, ingenious book. All trained singers and especially voice teachers should own one. It is an invaluable resource of imagery and technique.
September 27, 2014
Required reading for any professional singer, though, and I quote the famous American baritone Cornell MacNeil: 'This book May Be Injurious to your vocal health!' ;-)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews