Clear words are key to clear communications. Whether you are a soloist, lead singer or choir member, having clear understandable words is necessary... for all styles of music. Lazy speech patterns or a regional accent can also get in the way. This CD will train your ear and articulators to give you what you want. Understandable Lyrics! And if you're a choir director, these principles can clean up a lot of those rough spots that keep your choir from being its best.

Songlist: Introduction, Open Your Ears, Objectivity, Vowels Consonants, The Problem With 'R', Twinkle Twinkle, Q & A and Closing

Darwin Sanders, nationally recognized language and diction specialist,teaches pronunciation for over 35 of the most common Latin texts used in choral singing. Each text is spoken by Sanders and is echoed by an onscreen ensemble. A helpful reference DVD for choral singers and conductors.

Songlist: The Roman MAsss, The Requiem MAss, Adoramus, Alma, Redemptoris, Ave Dulcissima, Ave Maria, Ave Regina, Coelorum, Ave Verum Corpus, Beatus Vir, Cantate Domino, Christus Factus Est, Confitemini Domino, De Profundis, Dixit Maria, Exsulate Deo, Exsulate Justi, Gloria PAtri, Haec Dies, Hodie, In Dulci Jubilo, Locus Iste, Magnificat, Non Nobis, Nunc Dimittis, O Bone Jesus, O Fili, O Magnum, O Nata Lux, and more

Now in its second edition, A Handbook of Diction for Singers is a complete guide to achieving professional levels of diction in Italian, German, and French, the three major languages of the classical vocal repertory. Written for English-speaking singers and offering thorough, consistent explanations, it is an ideal tool for students and an invaluable reference for voice teachers, vocal coaches, and conductors. The book combines traditional approaches proven successful in the teaching of diction with important new material not readily available elsewhere, presenting 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. Presented in an attractively concise format, the book goes into greater detail than comparable texts, providing specific information to clarify concepts typically difficult for English-speaking singers. Particular emphasis is placed 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. Featuring significantly expanded coverage of each of the three languages and illustrated with numerous examples, this second edition of A Handbook of Diction for Singers is an exceptional text for courses in diction and a valuable reference source for all vocalists.

Songlist: Introduction, International Phonetic Alphabet Symbols for Italian, Italian Vowels, Glides in Italian, Italian Diacritical Marks, Italian Dipthongs, Italian Tripthongs, Vowel Length In Italian, Italian Consonants, Single and Double Consonants, More About Vowels, Phrasal Doubling in Italian, Singing Consonant Clusters, Musical Settings of Italian Diphthongs, Italian Dictionaries, Sample Texts, Appendix, Introduction, International Phonetic Alphabet Symbols for French, French Diacritical Marks, Definition of Terms Relating to French Diction, French Syllabification, Word Stress in French, Mixed Vowels, Nasal Vowels, Glides in French, French Consonants, Liaison, French Dictionaries, Sample Texts, and more

While instrumentalists and singers must be solid technicians with an understanding of the methods required for their respective instruments, and both should have an understanding of theory, form, musicology and so forth, it is the singer who needs to be a dramatic actor because of the use of words. In the fourth DVD in the 'Choral Techniques and Methods Series,' you will learn how to teach your choir to deliver text with clear diction, meaning and color.

Songlist: Introduction, Words, What separates the singer from the other musicians, Diction, Understandability, meaning and color, Inflection, Natural syllable and word inflection, Consonants, Voiced and voiceless consonants, Percussive consonants, Dealing with "m" and "n", Of English diction, The power of words

Dorothy Uris' "To Sing in English" is an invaluable handbook for any singer, particularly the American vocalist, culled from decades of experience as an actress and teacher, on Broadway and in films. As Dorothy Tree, she was a contract player for Paramount and Warners and had featured roles in such films as "Abe Lincoln in Illinois", "The Asphalt Jungle" and "The Men". After her acting career ended ("I left Dorothy Tree in Hollywood!") she taught acting, speech and diction at the Mannes College and Manhattan School of Music for over two decades, and was English diction coach for the Metropolitan Opera. All of this experience results in a practical, thorough step by step approach to improving a singers' diction, including an introduction to learning the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), and the correct pronunciation of individual vowels and consonants, separately and in context. American singers in particular will benifit from the study of this book, as Mrs. Uris uses good American speech as her model.

Songlist: The Many To Thank, Illustrations, Foreword (and Backward), The Range of Diction, Structure, Sense, and Stress, Rhythms Within Words, English, A Legato Language, The Vowel Content of American English, The Shapes and Sounds of the Consinants, Invitation to a Diction Class, Appendices

"The fusion of text with music is one of the most powerful methods by which a composer can express emotion to an audience, yet, all too often, the diction of choral groups is lacking to such a degree as to make the text unintelligible." So argues Duane R. Karna, who in The Use of the International Phonetic Alphabet in the Choral Rehearsal brings together 30 essays by experts from around the world to describe how the character symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can be used by singers in the choral rehearsal.In an effort to conquer one of the greatest challenges facing choral directors and their choirs, contributors explore the use of the IPA system in a vast range of languages. Readers will find essays devoted to the use of IPA on matters of lyric diction for the following tongues: Baltic Languages, Basque, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch, Ecclesiastical Latin, English, Finnish, French, Georgian, German, Germanic Latin, Greek, Hawaiian, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, and Swedish. Holding firmly to the belief that basic instruction in IPA character is part of a choir's training, Karna and his contributors see enormous potential for choirs to expand considerably their foreign-language repertoire and save considerable rehearsal time.The Use of the International Phonetic Alphabet in the Choral Rehearsal is the ideal primer for choral directors and choirmasters as well as choir members.

This book consists of three parts: PART I describes the vocal mechanism and its functions briefly and in simple non-technical language. A general knowledge of the instrument often helps the student to clarify a question of tone production. PART II, forming the major portion of the book, consists of basic, fundamental vocalises carefully selected to develop the specific voices for which the book is written. PART III presents the important elements of diction in the five languages most commonly used in singing: English, Italian, French, German and Spanish.

Songlist: PART I, The Breath System, The Phonating System, The Resonating System, The Articulating System, General Remarks, PART II, Fundamental Exercises, The Turn, The Soprano Registers, Pianissimo Studies, Staccato Studies, Trill Studies, Messa Di Voce, Style, Special Problems, PART III, English, Foreign Language Diction, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Glossary of Musical Terms, Songs for Sopranos, Recordings of Great Singers

G. Schirmer Opera Anthology : Diction Coach - Coloratura Arias For Soprano   

Diction lessons on each aria in the series recorded by top language coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School plus International Phonetic Alphabet and word for word translations With these book/CD packages that match the standard aria collections edited by Robert L. Larsen, any singer anywhere has access to the best diction coaching available at a very affordable price. Each aria is recorded twice. In the first version the coach recites the text as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and the mood. The second version is a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. These experienced language coaches adapt the "R" in German and French in the slow versions for singers. They also are very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings. The book includes International Phonetic Alphabet for each aria and word for word translations. The native speaking professional diction coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School are: Corradina Caporello for Italian, Pierre Vallet for French, Irene Spiegelman for German, Kathryn LaBouff for English, Yveta Synek Graff for Czech, and Gina Levinson for Russian. Companion to 50483986 Coloratura Arias for Soprano.

Songlist: Alcina, Ariadne Auf Naxos, Un Ballo In Maschera, Il Barbiere Di Siviglia, Les Contes D'Hoffmann, Les Deux Avares, Dinorah, Don Pasquale, Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail, La Fille Du Regiment, Die Fledermaus, Hamlet, Lakme, Linda Di Chamounix, Lucia Di Lammermoor, Manon Lescaut, Martha, Mignon, The Pirates Of Penzance, I Puritani, Der Schauspieldirektor, La Sonnambula, The Telephone, Die Zauberflote, Zolotoj Petushok

G. Schirmer Opera Anthology : Diction Coach - Arias for Bass   

Diction lessons on each aria in the series recorded by top language coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School plus International Phonetic Alphabet and word for word translations With these book/CD packages that match the standard aria collections edited by Robert L. Larsen, any singer anywhere has access to the best diction coaching available at a very affordable price. Each aria is recorded twice. In the first version the coach recites the text as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and the mood. The second version is a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. These experienced language coaches adapt the "R" in German and French in the slow versions for singers. They also are very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings. The book includes International Phonetic Alphabet for each aria and word for word translations. The native speaking professional diction coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School are: Corradina Caporello for Italian, Pierre Vallet for French, Irene Spiegelman for German, Kathryn LaBouff for English, Yveta Synek Graff for Czech, and Gina Levinson for Russian. Companion to 50481101 Arias for Bass.

Songlist: Ah,Un Foco Insolito, Als Bublein Klein, Aprite Un Po' Quegl'occhi, Come Dal Ciel Precipita, Dalle Stanze, Epouse Quelque Brave Fille, Gremin's Aria (Onegin), Il Lacerato Spirito, In Diesen Heil'gen Hallen, Infelice! E Tuo Credevi, La Calunnia, La Vendetta, Le Veau D'or, Let Things Be Like They Always Was, Madamina! Catalogo E Ques, Miei Rampolli Femminini, Non pi� andrai from Le Nozze di Figaro, O Isis Und Osiris, O Tu, Palermo, O Wie Will Ich Triumphir, Pour Les Couvents C'est Fini, # Quand La Flamme De L'amour, # Schweig' S--Damit Dich Niemand W, # Se vuol ballare from Le Nozze di Figaro, Vecchia Zimarra, Vi Ravviso (Sonnambula), Vous Qui Faites L'endormie, What What Is It

G. Schirmer Opera Anthology : Diction Coach - Arias for Baritone   

Diction lessons on each aria in the series recorded by top language coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School plus International Phonetic Alphabet and word for word translations. With these book/CD packages that match the standard aria collections edited by Robert L. Larsen, any singer anywhere has access to the best diction coaching available at a very affordable price. Each aria is recorded twice. In the first version the coach recites the text as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and the mood. The second version is a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. These experienced language coaches adapt the "R" in German and French in the slow versions for singers. They also are very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings. The book includes International Phonetic Alphabet for each aria and word for word translations. The native speaking professional diction coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School are: Corradina Caporello for Italian, Pierre Vallet for French, Irene Spiegelman for German, Kathryn LaBouff for English, Yveta Synek Graff for Czech, and Gina Levinson for Russian. Companion to 50481100 Arias for Baritone.

Songlist: Ach, Wir Armen Leute, Ah Per Sempre Io Ti Perdei, Ah Pescator, Avant De Quitter Ces Lie, Bella Siccome Un Angel, COME PARIDE VEZZOSO, Deh vieni alla finestra, Der Vogelfanger bin ich ja from Die Zauberflote, Di Provenza Il Mar Il Suol, Donne mie, la fate a tanti from Cosi fan tutte, Ein Madchen Oder Weibchen, Fin ch'han dal vino from Don Giovanni, Hai gia vinta la causa from Le Nozze di Figaro, Largo Al Factotum, Mab, La Reine Des Mensonges, Minnie, dalla mia casa son partito, O Du Mein Holder Abendst, O Vin, Dissipe La Triste, Pari Siamo (Rigoletto), Questo Amor, Vergogna Mia, Si Puo? Si Puo?, Vision Fugitive, Voila Donc La Terrible Cite, Votre Toast, Je Peux, Warm As Autumn Light, You Rascal, You I Never Knew You, Zaza, Piccola Zingara

G. Schirmer Opera Anthology : Diction Coach - Arias For Tenor   

Diction lessons on each aria in the series recorded by top language coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School plus International Phonetic Alphabet and word for word translations. With these book/CD packages that match the standard aria collections edited by Robert L. Larsen, any singer anywhere has access to the best diction coaching available at a very affordable price. Each aria is recorded twice. In the first version the coach recites the text as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and the mood. The second version is a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. These experienced language coaches adapt the "R" in German and French in the slow versions for singers. They also are very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings. The book includes International Phonetic Alphabet for each aria and word for word translations. The native speaking professional diction coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School are: Corradina Caporello for Italian, Pierre Vallet for French, Irene Spiegelman for German, Kathryn LaBouff for English, Yveta Synek Graff for Czech, and Gina Levinson for Russian. Companion to 50481099 Arias for Tenor.

Songlist: Ach, So Fromm, Amor ti vieta from Fedora, Amore O Grillo, Be Not Afraid, Che gelida manina from La Boh?me, Com'e gentil, Dal Labbro Il Canto, Dalla sua pace from Don Giovanni, De Miei Bollenti Spiriti, Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd sch?n from Die Zauberfl?te, E La Solita Storia Del Postore, Ecco Ridente In Cielo, En Fermant Les Yeux, Firenze E Come Un Albero FioritoFrisch zum Kampfe! from Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail, Horch, Die Lerche, I Know That You All Hate Me, Il mio tesoro from Don Giovanni, Inkslinger's Song, Je Crois Entendre Encore, La donna e mobile, La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee, Lenski's Aria, Lonely House, O wie angstlich from Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail, Outside This House, Pourquoi Me Reveiller, QUANTO E BELLA, Questa O Quella, Salut Demeure Chaste Et Pure, Spirto Gentil, and more

G. Schirmer Opera Anthology : Diction Coach - Arias For Mezzo-Soprano   

Diction lessons on each aria in the series recorded by top language coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School plus International Phonetic Alphabet and word for word translations. With these book/CD packages that match the standard aria collections edited by Robert L. Larsen, any singer anywhere has access to the best diction coaching available at a very affordable price. Each aria is recorded twice. In the first version the coach recites the text as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and the mood. The second version is a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. These experienced language coaches adapt the "R" in German and French in the slow versions for singers. They also are very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings. The book includes International Phonetic Alphabet for each aria and word for word translations. The native speaking professional diction coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School are: Corradina Caporello for Italian, Pierre Vallet for French, Irene Spiegelman for German, Kathryn LaBouff for English, Yveta Synek Graff for Czech, and Gina Levinson for Russian. Companion to 50481098 Arias for Mezzo-Soprano.

Songlist: Acerba Volutta, Ah, Michele, Don't You Know, Amour Viens Aider Ma Faiblesse, Augusta, How Can You, Chacun A Son Gout, Che Faro Senza Euridice?, Cruda Sorte..Gia So Per Pratica, En Vain, Pour Eviter, Faites-Lui Mes Aveux, Il Segreto Per Esser Felici, L'AMOUR EST UN OISEAU REBELLE, Lullaby, Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix, Must The Winter Come So Soon?, Nobles Seigneurs, Salut, Non Piu Mesta, Non so pi� cosa son from Le Nozze di Figaro, O Mio Fernando, Pres Des Remparts, Printemps Qui Commence, Que Fais-Tu, Blanche Tourterelle, Smanie implacabili from Cosi fan tutte, Stride La Vampa, Una Voce Poco Fa, Va Laisse Couler Mes Larmes, Voce Di Donna, Voi Lo Sapete, Voi, Che Sapete, We Cannot Retrace Our Steps, When I Am Laid In Earth

G. Schirmer Opera Anthology : Diction Coach - Arias for Soprano   

Diction lessons on each aria in the series recorded by top language coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School plus International Phonetic Alphabet and word for word translations. With these book/CD packages that match the standard aria collections edited by Robert L. Larsen, any singer anywhere has access to the best diction coaching available at a very affordable price. Each aria is recorded twice. In the first version the coach recites the text as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and the mood. The second version is a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. These experienced language coaches adapt the "R" in German and French in the slow versions for singers. They also are very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings. The book includes International Phonetic Alphabet for each aria and word for word translations. The native speaking professional diction coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School are: Corradina Caporello for Italian, Pierre Vallet for French, Irene Spiegelman for German, Kathryn LaBouff for English, Yveta Synek Graff for Czech, and Gina Levinson for Russian. Companion to 50481097 Arias for Soprano.

Songlist: Ach, ich f?hl's, Adieu, Notre Petite Table, Ah Je Rise De Me Voir, Ah Je Veux Vivre, Batti, batti, o bel Masetto from Don Giovanni, Bester Jungling, The Black Swan, Caro Nome, Deh Vieni, Non Tardar, Donde Lieta, Dove Sono I Bei Momenti, Elle A Fui, La Tourterelle, Fair Robin I Love, Je Dis Que Rien Ne M'epouvante, Kommt Ein Schlanker Bursch Geg-, Mi Chiamano Mimi, Monica's Waltz, O Mio Babbino Caro, O War Ich Schon Mit, Porgi, amor from Le Nozze di Figaro, Quando Men Vo, Saper Vorreste, Signore Ascolta, Silver Aria, The, Stridono Lassu, Sul Fil D'un Soffio, Tu Che Di Gel Sei Cinta, Un Bel Di Vedremo, V'adoro, Pupille, Vedrai, Carino, and more

G. Schirmer Opera Anthology : Diction Coach - Arias for Soprano Vol 2   

Diction lessons on each aria in the series recorded by top language coaches from the Metropolitan Opera and the Juilliard School plus International Phonetic Alphabet and word for word translations. With these book/CD packages that match the standard aria collections edited by Robert L. Larsen, any singer anywhere has access to the best diction coaching available at a very affordable price. Each aria is recorded twice. In the first version the coach recites the text as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and the mood. The second version is a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. These experienced language coaches adapt the "R" in German and French in the slow versions for singers. They also are very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings. The book includes International Phonetic Alphabet for each aria and word for word translations.

Geoffrey G. Forward, acting coach and leading expert in American diction, clearly illustrates for the singer how to gain control by eliminating vocal tension and poor diction and replacing it with clear pronunciation. Put the finishing touches on your singing not only with the excellent diction you will gain by using this text, but also through the concepts of phrasing, identifying key words and singing with emotion, which are brought to life in this book. Learn how to pronounce all vowels, dipthongs and constanants clearly and how to link sounds together to form easily understood words and phrases.This 270-page book is an essential addition to the library of every singer, voice teacher and vocal coach.

Songlist: Introduction to Diction, Exercises for the Articulators, Speech Sounds, Vowels, Tongue Vowels, Lip Vowels, Other Vowels, Diphthongs, Consonants, Fricative Consonants, Plosive Consonants, Affricative Consonants, Glide Consonants, Semi-Vowel Consonants, Nasal Consonants, Pronunciation, Pop Pronunciation, Inflections and Intonations, Expressive Singing

This collection of enjoyable and challenging tongue twisters using every letter of the alphabet is set to fun music for all ages. Say them! Sing them! Use them to focus your choir's attention! These tongue twisters are effective tools to improve diction and enunciation, while offering some amusing "icebreaker" moments. Whether used as a warm-up, warm-down or focus moment, they will taunt even the most talented in town with a tang-tungling time! Greg Gilpin has written the piano accompaniment with chord symbols so your choir can move up and down the scale with ease.

Initiating a new series of coordinated diction manuals and anthologies, this book helps students to move beyond diction to clear understanding and authentic style. Thomas Hampson says, "This guide not only achieves an excellent study of the tools for proper translation and diction, it goes much deeper and more importantly to the teaching of musical and poetic expression from the inner side of the language." Every German example word or phrase is translated into English and is also spoken perfectly on the included CD by trained actress Dr. Nora Henry, from Hanover, Germany.

Songlist: Phonetic Concepts, Germanic languages and German dialects, Characteristic Patterns and Sounds in German, What makes German sound German?, How German words are formed - Grammatical ending, How German words are formed - Compound words, Syllabication for singers., Syllabication of simple words, Syllable separation before vowels, Do you have to make a glottal stop?, Long and Short Vowels, How vowel length works in German, Why must singers understand vowel length., Vowel quality, vowel length and syllabic stress, German Diction in Musical Context, The role of stress and unstress, Practicing words with mixed vowels, Adjusting consonants for singing, Singing doubled consonants, A final checklist

As part of a series of coordinated diction manuals and anthologies, this book helps students to move beyond diction to clear understanding and authentic style. Thomas Hampson says the series, "not only achieves an excellent study of the tools for proper translation and diction, it goes much deeper and more importantly to the teaching of musical and poetic expression from the inner side of the language." Every Italian example word or phrase is translated into English and is also spoken perfectly on the included CD by linguist and native Italian Dr. Anna Siragusa.

As part of a series of coordinated diction manuals and anthologies, the fully reproducible Teachers' Supplementary Materials for Gateway to French Diction help students to move beyond diction to clear understanding and authentic style. Supplemental instructional, review, and testing materials are included in the book and on the accompanying Data CD. Thomas Hampson says the series "not only achieves an excellent study of the tools for proper translation and diction, it goes much deeper and more importantly to the teaching of musical and poetic expression from the inner side of the language."

This book teaches non-classical or pop-style singers how to pronounce lyrics in American English. Its primary audience is singers with English as a second language, but all singers of pop music, and indeed anyone wishing to improve their vocal technique, can benefit from this book. Through the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet, which assigns a specific symbol to each consonant and vowel sound, singers can immediately produce American sounds devoid of any local accents. Each sound is taught through a list of several practice words, photographs of mouth positions, and examples on the accompanying CD.

Songlist: How To Sing American, How To Use This Book, Symbols Used In This Book, The IPA Vowel Triangle, Vowel Triangle Mouth Positions, The "R" Pages, Removing the Silent "E", Syllabification, More Syllabification, How To Write Lyric for IPA Analysis, Part 1: Vowels, Dipthongs, Part 2: Consonants, Appendix, How To Sing American CD, Song Lyrics In IPA, IPA Fonts, Answers to Diction Quiz, Answers to American Diction Checkup

This book and CD set was created to help those working in the public speaking arena. It can also be an effective tool for those desiring to strengthen and improve their speaking voice. The lessons consist of breathing exercises, vowel/consonant study, tone/resonance, diction/enunciation, projection, and overall voice production. All exercises were developed and practiced by the late Maestro David Kyle, renowned teacher of both singing and spoken voice.

Songlist: The Diaphragm - Exercises for Perfect Breath Control, Abdomen - Exercises for Perfect Breath Contol, Coordination and Projection - More Exercises for Perfect Breath Control, Jaw - Tongue - Lips - Mouth - Improving Breath coordination and control, Vocalization - Vocal Exercises, Instruction on Letters N and NG, Resonance, Vowels, Consonants, Recap

In Singing and Communicating in English, internationally renowned diction coach Kathryn LaBouff provides singers with an accessible guide to the principles of English diction they need to communicate the text successfully. Her thorough and much sought-after technique clarifies the physiology of speech, emphasizes the studied practice of careful and articulate pronunciation, and focuses on the study of English cadence. Covering aspects of phonetics from vowels to diphthongs to fricatives, the book includes multiple practical exercises in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions, helpful diagrams, and pronunciation drills, each chosen from the most essential English art song and operatic repertoire. In addition to standard American and British English, a variety of regional dialects and accents are covered in depth. A companion website features a full range of vowel/consonant drills, poems read aloud by the author and by theater and voiceover actor John Keating, as well as an exercise answer key, and publishers' lists to help the singer locate a vast array of English language works for performance. This book is an invaluable resource for all vocalists (both professional and aspiring), diction instructors, teachers, and coaches, and choral directors. Kathryn LaBouff teaches English Diction and English Vocal Literature at the Juilliard School of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Curtis Institute of Music. Diction Coach for the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and Washington Opera, she has coached and prepared more than 300 professional opera productions in English.

Songlist: Foreword, Introduction to Diction, Communicating the Thought, Introduction to Vowels, The Fronting Vowels, The Backing Vowels, The Mixed Vowels, Dipthongs, The Three Semi-Vowel Glides, Introduction to Consonants, The Plosives, The Fricatives, The Nasal Consonants Plus the Lyrical L, The Owner's Manual, Singing in the British Dialect, The Mid-Atlantic Dialect, Afterword, Appendices, Glossary, Music Publisher's Guide, Selected Bibliography and Resources, Index of Song Texts, General Index, Exercise Guide

With IPA and word for word translations and CDs of recorded diction lessons This is a companion to The Lieder Anthology, edited by Virginia Saya and Richard Walters, with 65 songs by 13 composers. The diction lessons were recorded by Irene Spiegelman, German coach at the Metropolitan Opera. The diction for each song is recorded twice: first recited as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and the mood, followed by a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. This experienced language coach adapts the R in German in the slow versions as recommended for classical singers. She is also very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings.