Indeed, Passy, in his dissertation written only a few years after the establishment of the
International Phonetic Alphabet, observed that /a/ "is often pronounced with partial rounding, ([??]) or ([??]).
Six appendices are included on "Laryngeal Structure and Function," "The Structure and Mechanics of the Breath Apparatus," "The Physiology of the Vocal Tract Resonator System," "The Physical Factors of Vocal Registration," "Influences of Various Voices and Unvoiced Consonants on Resonator Adjustment" and "
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) Symbols." Glossaries on nonmusical and vocal terms are included, as well as a very extended bibliography on articles and books.
Pronunciations have been simplified, without use of the
International Phonetic Alphabet. An appendix on punctuation, a glossary of grammatical terms, and conversion tables are also included.
While it shares symbols with the
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), there are differences as well.
Each has been phonetically transcribed into the
International Phonetic Alphabet and is accompanied by both word-for-word and idiomatic translations.
The author uses the
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), and offers a brief guide to the nine vowels and twelve consonants used in the book.
The widespread adoption of the
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for the study of lyric diction has produced singers who are adept in performing repertoire in many languages.
Selected Opera Arias: 10 Essential Arias with Plot Notes,
International Phonetic Alphabet, Recorded Diction Lessons and Recorded Accompaniments, in five volumes for Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, and Bass.
(In a nod to the singers who will be using this book, all pronunciations are given in
International Phonetic Alphabet symbols.)
The first part, which serves as an introduction, is a brief but information laden summary of phonetic concepts, including an explanation of diction, pronunciation, articulation, and an introduction to the
International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
The author encourages singers to familiarize themselves with the
International Phonetic Alphabet; she employs the standardized pronunciation system through the book (albeit eschewing the standard square brackets and opting instead for quotation marks).