[ Roy Henderson, Scottish baritone and singing instructor of Kathleen Ferrier. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Roy Henderson') to 'Mrs Ruskin', regarding 'the right kind of training required', 'Bel Canto singing' and the teaching of 'Mr. Arnold'.

2pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with slight traces of mount adhering at head of reverse of leaf. 40 lines of text. The letter concerns a singing instructor named 'Mr. Arnold' who has offered to teach Mrs Ruskin or a member of her family 'at half fees'. Having been asked his advice Henderson begins: 'It is extremely difficult to give an opinion about the right kind of training required. The Bel Canto singing from the point of voice production is undoubtedly the very best. It means smooth even singing. But it often ends at a sort of cold unemotional rendition, and something else is required besides the smooth even singing to get the maximum effect. But the Bel Canto is the basis and the rest comes afterwards.' He then turns to 'Mr. Arnold', about whom he knows nothing, although 'There are far more teachers even in one big institution who teach wrong methods, and I must confess that it is usually the unsuccessful teachers who are willing to take people at half fees.' A question which Henderson considers 'carries a great deal of weight is – Can he sing himself? I always think that a teacher who can demonstrate with his & her own voice is more certain of getting better results, and is a better teacher.'