Why aren't there more arias on DictionHelper.com™?
For now, we've chosen to begin our catalog with art songs and arias that are
commonly studied and sung by young and beginning singers. The heavier,
more advanced repertoire will be available as we receive requests to provide it.
Do you plan to have songs and arias in Russian, Czech, Portuguese,
Swedish, etc?
It's possible, and even probable, that our catalog will grow to include some
songs in these languages. For now, we've chosen to be in service to young
and beginning singers, whose foreign-language repertoire will likely be
concentrated in Italian, French, German, and Spanish.
Did you consult native speakers in making these audios?
On occasion, we do consult with native speakers. However, lyric diction
(pronunciation for singing) in every language has some differences and rules
that are not observed in the conversational practice of the language. We
use experienced professional singers who specialize in diction for singers.
Who are the people making the recordings?
Our voices are professional singers and voice teachers with years of
language and diction study, and practical performance experience. We have
consulted other performers, widely-recognized diction texts, and our own taste
and experience in developing these audios.
I notice that in Italian, the difference between the open e and closed e
is not always clear. Why is that?
Our own experience in singing these songs has crept into the recordings.
We have instinctually modified some vowels for easier singing in the range in
which they appear in the song. Again, we are in service to the young and
beginning singer, and their teachers. Increasingly detailed refinements of the
diction are always possible. DictionHelper.com™ provides correct
pronunciation at the "entry level" of lyric diction.
Why isn't there more advanced repertoire available on this site?
Our mission and vision is to serve beginning singers of all ages. We provide a
solid "first exposure" to foreign-language diction for high school singers,
lower-level undergraduate voice students who have not had any formal diction
courses yet, and adult beginners who are not in school. As a student gains
more experience and knowledge in lyric diction, he/she may "outgrow" our site.
That's fine! Equally, singers with more expertise in lyric diction can
still use the DictionHelper audios as a practice tool and aid in memorization.
Will DictionHelper.com™ have audios for choral pieces?
We are researching the feasibility of that type of product. Stay tuned
as DictionHelper.com™ grows!
Will DictionHelper.com™ have songs in English for non-English speaking
singers?
At this time, we have no plans to include songs in English. However,
we are researching the feasibility of offering requested songs to our foreign
clients on a case-by-case basis. We'll let you know how this idea develops.
Find a Song
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