Vocalises

Mathilde Marchesi, born Mathilde Graumann on March 24, 1821, in Frankfurt, Germany, and passing on November 17, 1913, in London, was a pivotal figure in 19th-century vocal pedagogy. Initially trained as a mezzo-soprano, she studied in Vienna and Paris under Manuel García II, debuting as a singer in 1844. After a brief performing career limited by an adequate but not exceptional voice, she shifted to teaching in 1849, marrying Italian baritone Salvatore Marchesi in 1852. Her teaching career flourished at conservatories in Cologne and Vienna, and in 1881, she established her own school in Paris, attracting notable students like Nellie Melba, Emma Calvé, and Mary Garden. Renowned for her bel canto approach, Marchesi emphasized natural breathing, vocal registration, and a deep connection to the text, influencing generations of singers with her rigorous methods and disdain for superficial training.

Marchesi’s vocalises, such as the "Thirty vocalises for high or medium voice" and works within her "Méthode de chant théorique et pratique, Op.31," are cornerstone exercises designed to refine singing technique and musicality. These progressive vocalises cover essential skills: portamento for smooth phrasing, sustained legato for breath control, diatonic and chromatic scales for pitch accuracy, arpeggios for flexibility, and articulations like staccato and sforzato for expressiveness. Structured to advance from basic to complex, they cater to singers at various levels, embodying her bel canto ideals of tone and agility. Widely available through modern editions like those on Singers.com, her vocalises remain a vital resource for developing vocal strength and historical performance skills, valued by students and professionals alike for their comprehensive approach to classical singing.