The Inner Voice: The Making of a Singer

This book is not only a beautiful piece but a definite must for any one studying voice. Renee Flemming doesn't just take you on a autobiographical tour of her life but more so, an autobiographical tour of her voice. Her insight is priceless, and determination inspiring.

This book is so high class I hardly know where to begin to recount its virtues. First, it is not a celebrity autobiography and it does not give the inside opera gossip. Thankfully, it is free of the nastiness that so many opera tell-alls seem to revel in. This is the opposite, a gracious recounting of the creation of a diva's career. Renee Fleming is the voice of experience. Her discussion of vocal technique may be estoteric to general readers, but well the voice student knows how basic is breath support, and that the key to an aria's suitability is not the individual high notes, but the tessitura as a whole. Renee Fleming is the best possible guide to making a lasting career, and she discusses her own mistakes candidly, such as choosing too difficult and unknown material for auditions. No overnight success, she struggled for mastery. She sounds like a balanced person with good basic values. Every disappointment she suffered she managed to turn to her advantage. For example, when she had to attend a state college rather than Oberlin for financial reasons, she found an excellent voice teacher there who helped in grounding her basic technique. Renee Fleming tells us the high points of a diva's impossibly glamorous life, but she also tells us how painful and lonely it is to tour without family and friends. Years ago, I observed an attractive, friendly woman who was attending a Cecelia Bartoli appearance at Tower Records - she was greeted warmly by her friends and called "Renee". I realized that this must be Renee Fleming. This book is the woman I saw -- pleasant, open, realistic, and nice. And much more - knowledgeable about the needs of a career in opera, and generous in conveying her knowledge to others. Ann Patchett, the novelist, is certainly behind the sure, artistic and professional prose style. A lovely book of lasting value.

Ms. Fleming provides concise, and wise answers to many of the questions that are usually answered ambiguously. I don't believe anyone on her level (where most of us would like to be) has spoken so candidly about their career. With chapters like "Business", "Apprenticeship", and "Education" there is a wealth of direct information that will inspire you to face the reality of your dreams. All young singer's (not just sopranos) must read.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a very candid portrayal of a very successful and busy singer and a mother above all. I do not have any formal music education. Therefore, sometimes it was hard to understand some of the concepts Ms. Fleming was writing about. Despite that I learnt a great deal about operatic singing. For instance, I now know the difference between chest voice and head voice. It is wonderful to understand how opera singers pour out those beautiful notes. Ms. Fleming takes us into her deeper world and tells us candidly about her upbringing, on stage and backstage experiences. I definitely have much more respect for opera singers after reading this book. Also, don't forget to listen to an album of Ms. Fleming while reading this book. It feels as if she is talking to you.