I recently read a post by a fellow blogger who quoted the esteemed vocal pedagogue Richard Miller, who, half-in-jest, asserted that the master class teacher should avoid claiming to be a bel canto teacher.

While I don't make that kind of statement in a masterclass, the late Mr. Miller might take issue with my studio website since my teaching "integrates the principles of the old Italian school." None other than bel canto.

While there is no magic method called bel canto, there is a body of knowledge that has leapt flamelike from student to teacher and can be heard in many recordings as well as found in many writer's works—the most interesting to this writer being Hermann Klein.

It is gratifying to me to know that the great American people appreciate the sound theories of the old school and they will assuredly find in you one among its few capable exponents. —Manuel García to Hermann Klein, July 1901

Klein wrote about García's teachings and utilized the gramophone to illustrate his meaning. Klein's effort—which seems to have fallen on deaf ears—can be found at my account (Daniel Shigo) at YouTube or Soundcloud.

Find it there and you'll also find the meaning of bel canto.