News & Views
A number of renowned methods of singing in Italian point out the link between good diction and good singing technique. But what exactly are the benefits of correct Italian diction for singers?
Good diction is integral to the much desired ‘Italianate’ way of singing because it...
If you’re preparing for auditions or performances, or just looking to improve your general level of sung Italian, what should you prioritise? In this article, we discuss one of the most important areas of Italian diction for singers, and one that makes a significant improvement to clarity...
Beyond demonstrating language ability, how can good diction help the singer in an audition scenario? Matteo Dalle Fratte, Melofonetica Founder, discusses three tools in the text that can help singers to both feel fully in control of their performance and to sing with greater impact.
In sung...
Matteo Dalle Fratte, Founder of Melofonetica, explains how the evolution of the Italian language is directly linked to the birth of opera, and the key phonetic characteristics that give the language its beauty and musicality.
The Italian language is one of the most widespread languages in...
Recitative moves the plot along and is one of the most exciting features in an opera. If you’re looking to improve your skills in Italian recitative, keep these three top tips from our coaches in mind.
1. Pacing is key
Consider the trajectory of each section: is there a particular point...
Melofonetica’s Founder Matteo Dalle Fratte is a Visiting Professor at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD) in Cardiff. He discusses what’s important for singers when working in a large performance space, drawing on a coaching session with RWCMD postgraduate vocal...
Matteo Dalle Fratte, Melofonetica Founder, explains why vocalising with text is such a valuable exercise for singers.
Singers vocalise to warm up, build singing technique and grow vocal stamina and strength. Vocalising exercises usually focus on vowels and it is much less...
While it’s the singer’s job to convey the words with great diction, the importance of text to instrumentalists can’t be underestimated. We chat to our Veneto Opera Summer School conductor Peter Ford and music coaches Julie Aherne and Bernard Tan to get their views.
We chat to Bernard Tan, award-winning collaborative pianist, vocal coach and repetiteur, and Melofonetica music coach.
How important is it for you as an accompanist to have a good knowledge of diction?
Just as flour is the foundation of pasta, text is the foundation of vocal music....
We're often asked about rolling the r (a vibrant consonant) in sung Italian as many singers find this challenging. But with regular practice and specific exercises, everyone can achieve a rolled r (provided that there are no physical impediments to the tongue). Here’s a very effective...
