Lowered larynx

[GrandiTenori]

In what does the lowered larynx vocal technique, as taught by Melocchi, consist in?

[andy hughes]

Arturo Melocchi is credited, or derided depending on your point of view, with the origin of the 'lowered larynx' vocal technique. The easiest way to explain the concept is to feel how your throat feels when you yawn, that is your larynx fully open. With practice, it is possible to open, or 'lower' the larynx at will, providing a technique for a particular style of opera singing.
Melocchi taught opera tenors to use his technique to strengthen their vocal delivery, which it did, but purists believe this was at the expense of any subtlety of tone vital to the range of emotion in Italian opera.
The technique was learned by Melocchi in China, and his pupils met with adulation and derision in almost equal measure when using it. An opera such as 'Aida' which relies on vocal subtleties from the tenor is said to be totally unsuited to the 'lowered larynx' style, although those who like their tenors to rise above large orchestras in large opera houses advise that the tehcnique is admirably suited to the work.
It is said that excssive use of the technique can cause permanent damage to the vocal chords, even Melocchi referred to himself as a'throat wrecker' which suggests that the technique is perhaps ill-advised, at least for prolonged use.