This is just a small sample of the collection of music related books that I have accumulated over the years. I’m sharing the ones that I have uses or use the most in my practice and hopefully, they can be of help to you in yours too. 🙂 

For the first group of books, I’d like to give credit to my voice teacher, Claire Galloway, for recommending some of these in Core Singers Essentials. I found (almost) all of these on Amazon, but I linked them to make it easier for you! 

I’ll add to this as I add to my collection so be sure to check back often! 🙂

Books to help with lyric diction, translation & song style

1. Singer’s Italian – A Manuel of Diction & Phonetics by Evelina Colorni 
2. A Handbook of Diction for Singers (Italian, German, French) by David Adams
3. The Singer’s Guide to German Diction by Valentin Lanzrein & Richard Cross
4.  French College Dictionary – Harper, Collins, Robert
5. Introduction to Italian Poetry by Luciano Rebay
6. The Interpretation of French Song by Pierre Bernac
7. Song – A guide to Art Song Style & Literature by Carol Kimball

Books on Technique & Vocal Anatomy

I’m somewhat of a vocal pedagogy (or technique) nerd – always wanting to know how and why singers do what they do! I also love learning everything about our vocal anatomy and how each part of us functions as an instrument. 

1. A Modern Guide to Old World Singing by David L. Jones
2. How to Sing by Lilli Lehmann
3. Caruso & Tetrazzini on the Art of Singing by Enrico Caruso
4. Vocal Wisdom – Maxims of Giovanni Battista Lamperti
5. Anatomy of the Voice by Theodore Dimon

Books of Vocal Exercises

I mostly use the exercises that my voice teacher gives me, but when I want to add to my practice or work on a specific area of my voice (ie: coloratura or flexibility), or just to switch things up a bit, I find many of these vocalises to be fun as well as challenging. 

1. Vaccai Practical Method of Italian Singing (I have high Soprano for myself and mezzo-soprano, baritone and tenor for students)
2. Marchesi Op. 15 – 20 Elementary & progressive Vocalises for Medium Voice
3. Marchesi Vocal Method – Complete
4. Bel Canto: A Theoretical & Practical Vocal Method – Marchesi
5. The Estelle Liebling Vocal Course (for coloratura soprano, lyric soprano & dramatic soprano)
6. The Estelle Liebling Book of Coloratura Cadenzas
7. Sieber Op.92 – 36 Eight-Measure Vocalises (for soprano)
8. Sieber Vocalises for all other voices

Books on Composers, Music History or Music in General

This is basically the misc. list! Most of these books are really old, like I’ve had them since the 90’s when I was just a baby soprano! 

1. Mozart’s Women by Jane Glover
2. A Soprano on Her Head by Eloise Ristad
3. The Madrigal by Jerome Roche
4. Inside Music – How to Understand, Listen to and Enjoy Good Music by Karl Haas
5. Modern Music – A Concise History by Paul Griffiths
6. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music – Michael Kennedy
7. The Vintage Guide to Classical Music by Jan Swafford