• Includes numerous practical exercises and suggestions for execution of difficult sounds
• Features hundreds of musical examples illustrating each point
• Provides performance practice information for each of the three languages

Combining traditional approaches in the teaching of diction with new material not readily available elsewhere, author David Adams presents the sounds of each language in logical order, along with essential information on matters such as diacritical marks, syllabification, word stress, and effective use of the variety of foreign-language dictionaries. A Handbook of Diction for Singers places particular emphasis on the characteristics of vowel length, the sequencing of sounds between words, as well as the differences between spoken and sung sounds in all three languages, all while taking care to clarify concepts typically difficult for English-speaking singers. This revised third edition offers significantly expanded coverage of each language as well as a new chapter that introduces readers to the specific sounds unique to those languages. The result is a concise yet thorough treatment of the three major languages of the classical vocal repertory, and an invaluable reference for vocalists and voice teachers.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Individual Sounds

Chapter 2 Italian Diction

Chapter 3 German Diction

Chapter 4 French Diction

Bibliography

Index of Sounds by Spelling

General Index