The Swedish-Italien Method
Maestro Jones’ teaching descends from Alan Lindquest, who studied with many of the most prominent teachers of the twentieth century. It was Mr. Lindquest who brought the Swedish-Italian school of singing to the United States.
Alan Lindquest’s most significant study involved two major teachers in Sweden – Joseph Hislop (teacher of Jussi Bjoerling) and Madame Ingebjart-Isene (teacher of Kirsten Flagstad). Both of these teachers studied with Dr. Gillis Bratt, who trained under the famous pedagogues, G.B. Lamperti and Manuel Garcia, as well as Lombardi (Caruso’s teacher). Mr. Lindquest also was influenced by his study with Madame Paola Novikova, teacher of Nicolai Gedda and George London. Madame Novikova was the student of the famous baritone, Mattia Battistini, one of the last direct proponents of the Old Italian School.
Mr. Lindquest became one of the most important vocal researchers of his time. In 1955, he taught the famous vocal pedagogue, William Vennard (teacher of the famous mezzo-soprano, Marilyn Horne).
Alan Lindquest played a major part in saving the Swedish-Italian School of Singing from extinction. Few singers and teachers know of this technique, which adopts the brilliance and clarity of the Old Italian School with the beauty and richness of the Swedish language. Manuel Garcia, Enrico Caruso, and Alan Lindquest originally created many of the exercises now taught by David Jones. The result is a powerful voice, with a true balance of height and depth, color and ring (known as chiaroscuro, bright-dark). This technique can be applied to all musical styles, from opera to musical theater.