…the great instrumental players devote years to the acquirement of human skill that enables…this, for they know that however great their powers of intellect or imagination may be, they will not make up for the deficiency in craftsmanship.

Singers of the the present day do not appear to realize this…

Time and energy are not now devoted in anything like the measure they were in the past, to the acquirement of the technique of singing – general intelligence and imagination being made to take the place, or remedy the deficiencies of perfection of technical means of expression, instead of fulfilling their true function of giving life, grace and inspiration to sound craftsmanship.

Shakespeare, William. Plain words on singing. GP Putnam’s Sons, 1924.