Italian pronunciation...professional singers/Italian speakers only please?

Question

In the song 'Caro Mio Ben', is the "credimi almen" part pronounced as 'cre-di-mial-men' (the mi and al share 1 note) or 'cre-di-al-men' (w/o the 'mi')? I've heard it sung both ways by professionals and I've no idea which is correct. I've to prepare this song for my next lesson and want to at least get the pronunciation right. Also, is 'finisca' sung 'finis-ka' or 'finis-chia' (with a very short 'i' sound)? Again I've heard it done both ways. And no I don't own any singers' pronunciation guide yet. I've barely started lessons - the only reason why I'm learning that song is because I made some really rapid progress in a few lessons.

Answer 1

I am a former opera coach, so you can trust me. I also speak Italian. "Credimi almen" - both "mi" and "al- should be pronounced clearly, but smoothly. Neither syllable should have much emphasis; they are both unstressed syllables. "Finisca" is pronounced "fee-nees-ka" in standard Italian, which is what you should be using. However, in certain places, such as Naples, you would most probably hear "fee-neesh-ka". But NEVER is it pronounced "fee-neesh-ah"!

The rule for "c" and "g" is as follows: if followed by the letter h, a, o, or u they are pronounced "hard" (as in the English "cat" or "girl"). Italian examples: "che"(pronounced "keh", "preghiere".(pronounced "preh-gyeh-reh")

If they are followed by the letter e or i, they are pronounced "soft" (as in the English "church" or "gentle").Italian examples: "ciao" (pronounced, of course, "chow"), "girare" (pronounced "gee-rah-reh").

Answer 2

"Caro Mio Ben" is classically sung in the "Bel Canto" style.

Briefly, this means that the first time through, the singer keeps to the original music/lyric matching.

So, the first time through the song, I sing "'cre-di-mial-men".

This has nothing to do with where I come from (if I am Italian). There is only one classical language style considered universally acceptable in the vocal arts.

The second time through, the "trills" of extra notes per syllable are added.

Some might call this "jazzing" the notes, but jazz borrowed this from the Bel Canto style, not vice--versa.

SO, in my view and the view of my voice teachers in L.A. (G. Anderson, H. Blair) one would never sing "cre-di-al-men". It is not only incorrect, it is a sign of a vocalist who is all about the music but not a serious student of the language.

Believe me, in college the lazy voice majors were far greater in numbers than those who strictly followed the classic language pronunciation rules.

So, just because someone is out there making money--being a "professional"--does not mean that they adhere to correct pronunciation and phrasing.

In the age of the classics, a singer had a benefactor, and their public performances were not for profit but for the sake of the expression of the art.

Nowadays, if enough people buy tickets to a performance or purchase a CD/.mp3 file, a person is automatically lauded as a "professional".

The great singers still prefer the title of "artist" over "professional".

If I were you, I would simply do the best I could with the knowledge, skills and talent you currently posess.

Your lesson is not a time to be perfect. The lesson is the time when your teacher can fine tune all facets of your vocal interpretation.

Learn the passage both ways, and at the start of the lesson, let your teacher know that you have a question regarding the pronunciation and phrasing.

If your teacher is simply a voice teacher and not also an expert in the language you are studying, then you need to find a teacher who is an expert at both OR take a classical Italian course at the same time you are learning how to sing in the language.

That is the way it is done in any classical voice program, and you shortchange yourself and your art if you are not willing to commit to both at the same time...otherwise, you are simply a singer who is trying to learn the language by "rote", and vocal artists and true aficionados will immediately peg you as less than a committed artist.

Have fun!

Answer 3

there are some good answers ahead of me. I'll only add the following: when you have two syllables on one note, it's generally easiest to divide the time value of the note between the two vowels/ syllable groups. your cre-di mi-al-men will turn into long,long short-short,long.
sometimes this is not the case, as when the stress or accent of the word is affected. There, only a good fundamental knowledge will be of assistance.
A guideline along the way: where there is an accent mark, there is a long note. Saría becomes short-long-short.
Most any good dictionary ( Italian/English) will have an IPA guide for pronunciation at the front. ( If not, then it's not a good dictionary...)
Keep up the good work.

Answer 4

Italian singing does this type of elision quite often. When two vowels are sung on the same note, it is generally preferred to slur the two vowels, but if that is not possible, omit the first and sing the second.

So in this case, you get cre - di - mi'al - men. That slurred syllable is prounced like "myal".

Answer 5

I've just heard this piece a few times in order to confim my first idea when I've read yr question and I can assure you that the correct pronunciation is 'cre-di-mial-men' (as you say the mi and al share 1 note). Whoever says 'cre-di-al-men' is not respecting the lyrics and the music of this nice song (music by Giuseppe Giordani, isn't ?).
Also "finisca" must be pronounced "finis.ka" !!

Answer 6

Caro Mio Ben Lyrics

Answer 7

I do not speak Italian but I do know that the Italian accent varies in different parts of the country. That could explain why you hear different pronunciations. It depends on where the singer came from or where their teacher came from.

Answer 8

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RE:
Italian pronunciation...professional singers/Italian speakers only please?
In the song 'Caro Mio Ben', is the "credimi almen" part pronounced as 'cre-di-mial-men' (the mi and al share 1 note) or 'cre-di-al-men' (w/o the 'mi')? I've heard it sung both ways by professionals and I've no idea which is correct. I've to...

Answer 9

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