Singers are always looking for tips from concert artists and teachers. The following information about soprano Gerda Nielsen will be of interest to singers and teachers alike.
Breslau, Germany
Gerda Nielsen was born in Breslau, Germany, on September 17, 1906, and grew up in Dresden. The daughter of a German-Canadian father and a Danish mother, her great-grandfather was principal bass at the Weimar Opera in Liszt's time. Nielsen studied first with a student of Lilli Lehmann, and then with the great singer herself. This was followed by study in London, England, with Dino Borgioli.
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After having a career in opera with the Dresden and Wiesbaden State operas, she sang at Covent Garden, London. She spent the rest of her life as a teacher and performer in Toronto, Ontario. Gerda Nielsen died in Toronto, Canada, on January 28,1977.
Nielsen gives explanations of vocal exercises in her book, A New Guide to Good Singing, and a few tips are included here for those interested in improving their vocal techniques. She mentions the following as being imperative in producing the head voice:
- Correct Posture: Stand erect, no curved spine. Straight head and shoulders, no slumping forward. Lift cheeks, lift upper lip to a smiling pout, showing six upper teeth. Lower lip will be loose.
- Correct breathing and breath control: the breath should be inhaled quickly and silently through an open mouth and must go straight down to the region of the lower ribs and the diaphragm. The abdomen should be completely relaxed and loose when taking a breath.
- Correct position and preparation of the facial muscles (lifted upper lip, slightly pursed; lifted cheeks, wide nostrils and lifted soft palate).
- Correct position of the tongue: the position of the tongue is the most important part of voice placement. It should be "parked" against the upper back teeth, wide, loose: the tip loosely resting behind the lower front teeth.
Resonance
Power is achieved by enthusiasm, spiritual reinforcement and increase of resonance. The ribs must be pulled out to prevent screaming. High notes are not be forced, and quality of tone should not be sacrificed for quantity. If a small voice has sufficient resonance it will will be heard above the orchestral accompaniment.
Attention to detail is paramount in vocal study. Careless practice is actually harmful and a waste of time.
Exercises are necessary but should be done mostly to keep the already well-trained voice in good condition or to bring it back if there is a relapse.Progress does not come all at once. The student should not despair when he/she comes to a standstill in progress... this is natural and occurs with every artist. When this happens one should rest from singing for a few days and come back with renewed confidence to one's studies.
Gerda Nielsen's life in music was an inspiration to all who knew her and studied with her.
For more information on women in music see:
Maria Malibran, Singer and Composer
Polish Mistress of the Harpsichord
Source: A New Guide to Good Singing, by Gerda Nielsen, The Avondale Press,1975
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