Bel Canto: Principles and Practices Signed by Author to Canon B. C. Newman (1900-1984)

New York: Coleman-Ross Company, Inc.. Good with no dust jacket. 1950. First Edition. Hardcover. 211 pp. Index. Extremely scarce 1st edition, inscribed and signed on the half title by Cornelius L. Reid to "priest - friend - pupil" Canon Bernard C. Newman, dated Christmas 1950. An important and influential work on bel canto by the noted voice teacher and music scholar. The book is still cited by vocal students and teachers for its clear insight and explanation of bel canto techniques. Includes Historic Background of Bel Canto; Early History of Voice Training; The Bel Canto Ideal (Loud vs Big, Resonance) ; Basic Principles of Bel Canto; The Mental Cocnept (Imitation) ; The Vocal Registers (Registers and Range; Registers and Intensity Control; Mutation of Registers; The Feigned Voice) ; Scales and Exercies (Building on the Soft) ; The Vibrato, Tremolo and Wobble; Breathing (Breath Control) ; Decline of Bel Canto; "Science vs. Early Tradition. Plus Bibliography and Index. Green cloth cvover with gilt is faded, some shelf wear, spine tips starting to fray, spine gilt nearly gone, corners rubbed. Interior has pencil signature of Anna Freund, well-known northern NJ vocal coach on the first fly, Reid's inscription on the half title, title page has 3 small chips at the top edge near the gutter, paper overall is starting to tone and soften. Introduction page has a 1" tear near the bottom gutter, page 17 has two small edge chips, page 62 has a small edge tear, page 100/101 has a stain from an old newspaper clipping, page 186 has a 1" tear near the top gutter, and 13 pages at the front of the book have a few ink underlinings, very neatly done. A very scarce book with an even scarcer gift inscription by Reid to the Vicar of Trinity, NY, with rich musical associations. ; 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall; 211 pages; Signed by Author .