We often hear slighting things said of the quality of American voices,
especially the speaking voice. They are frequently compared to the
beauty of European voices, to the disparagement of those of our own
country. Remembering the obloquy cast upon the American voice, it is a
pleasure to record the views of some of the great singers on this point.
"There are quantities of girls in America with good voices, good looks
and a love for music," asserts Mme. Easton. Mme. Hempel says: "I find
there are quantities of lovely voices here in America. The quality of
the American female voice is beautiful; in no country is it finer, not
even in Italy." Herbert Witherspoon, who has such wonderful experience
in training voices, states: "We ought to have our own standards in
judging American voices; until we do so, we will be constantly comparing
them with the voices of foreign singers. The quality of the American
voice is different from the quality found in the voices of other
countries. To my mind, the best women's voices are found right here in
our midst." And he adds: "Any one can sing beautifully who does so with
ease and naturalness, the American just as well as those of any other
country. In fact I consider American voices, in general, better trained
than those of Italy, Germany or France. The Italian, in particular, has
very little knowledge of the scientific side; he usually sings by
intuition."