Bravo! A book for serious craftspeople in opera. I think of a talented student of opera singing as a diamond in the rough, and perfect Italian diction is the table facet on the brilliant cut. This book makes the cut and polish.

Rockwell Blake, renowned tenor

Diction can frequently be taught in a way that divorces the techniques of diction from the expressive tools it offers a singer. Cheek and Toccafondi’s approach is entirely thorough in its technical breakdown of Italian diction, while never losing sight of the artistic universes that it opens.

Nicholas Phan, esteemed tenor, artistic director, Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago

We finally have an Italian diction book for 21st-century singers! While being practical and fun, this book includes everything classical singers need to know about singing in Italian and is a must for all classical singers, from beginners to professionals, voice teachers, vocal coaches, and diction teachers alike.

Mutsumi Moteki, professor of vocal coaching, University of Colorado Boulder

Much more than your typical diction manual, Perfect Italian Diction for Singers is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in singing in Italian. The book provides essential information as well as a clear methodology for putting that knowledge into practice. Comprehensive treatment of even the most subtle and intricate aspects of Italian diction make the book suitable for beginners and advanced students alike.

Salvatore Champagne, esteemed tenor, professor of voice, Oberlin Conservatory

Perfect Italian Diction for Singers is a stunning foray into the intricacies of accurate and idiomatic reproduction of Italian diction for all levels of singers and professionals alike—it reflects the vast experience of the authors. Not only does it address rules of lyric diction in a comprehensive fashion, but it also investigates the characteristic inflection and elements of style integral to a greater realization of authentic Italian performance. This is an essential tool for all who strive towards the highest levels of Italian repertoire performance, and it will certainly take pride of place on my bookshelf!

Howard Watkins, assistant conductor, pianist, coach, Metropolitan Opera; The Juilliard School; Bard Conservatory

This immense, exhaustive work is a fantastic new approach in helping Anglophones understand not only the technical minutiae of Italian language but also explains it in a wonderfully approachable and enjoyable vernacular. I cannot recommend this guide enough.

Chris Merritt, world renowned tenor