BLC Studio may earn a commission when you choose to use our links.
Singer’s Italian – A Manuel of Diction & Phonetics by Evelina Colorni
A Handbook of Diction for Singers (Italian, German, French) by David Adams
The Singer’s Guide to German Diction by Valentin Lanzrein & Richard Cross
French College Dictionary – Harper, Collins, Robert
Introduction to Italian Poetry by Luciano Rebay
The Interpretation of French Song by Pierre Bernac
Song – A guide to Art Song Style & Literature by Carol Kimball
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!
A Modern Guide to Old World Singing by David L. Jones
How to Sing by Lilli Lehmann
Caruso & Tetrazzini on the Art of Singing by Enrico Caruso
Vocal Wisdom – Maxims of Giovanni Battista Lamperti
Anatomy of the Voice by Theodore Dimon
Vaccai Practical Method of Italian Singing (I have high Soprano for myself and mezzo-soprano, baritone and tenor for students)
Marchesi Op. 15 – 20 Elementary & progressive Vocalises for Medium Voice
Marchesi Vocal Method – Complete
Bel Canto: A Theoretical & Practical Vocal Method – Marchesi
The Estelle Liebling Vocal Course (for coloratura soprano, lyric soprano & dramatic soprano)
The Estelle Liebling Book of Coloratura Cadenzas
Sieber Op.92 – 36 Eight-Measure Vocalises (for soprano)
Sieber Vocalises for all other voices
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.
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.
Mozart’s Women by Jane Glover
A Soprano on Her Head by Eloise Ristad
The Madrigal by Jerome Roche
Inside Music – How to Understand, Listen to and Enjoy Good Music by Karl Haas
Modern Music – A Concise History by Paul Griffiths
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music – Michael Kennedy
The Vintage Guide to Classical Music by Jan Swafford
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!
-Claire Galloway | Opera Singer & Vocal Teacher
-Deanna Erway | Owner of Organic hair Salon
-David Scime | Owner of Sigma Martial Arts
-Solomon L.| VOcal Student & Composer
-Samantha | Mom to voice & Piano Student, melody