Vocal-cord injury bears a stigma in the world of opera — it is wrongly thought to be caused invariably by improper technique, though problems can arise with the most technically proficient of singers.
But he knows that singers proficient in, say, Mozart and Baroque opera are common enough these days that he can wait longer to cast those works.
Stewart was already well-acquainted with Reynolds and Shane, having sold two of his early songwriting efforts to the Trio, and he was a proficient guitarist, banjoist, and singer who seemed to the partners to be perfectly positioned to replace Guard.
She was a good singer, and was proficient in the piano, violin and Japanese harp.
In an age in which young singers have become incrementally proficient at counterfeiting certain emotions – not least suffering and grief – on shows such as The X Factor, Jungr has the voice of a woman who has lived.
At fifteen, she was the lead singer of the Ackleys, a proficient and precocious alternative-rock band whose brisk, tuneful songs sometimes seemed to be at war with her knotty lyrics.
The occasion, a rendition of Verdi's "Lombardi Alla Prima Crociata" ("The Lombards on the First Crusade"), had the hallmarks of a solid outing for this long-serving institution: leisurely conducting by Eve Queler, the orchestra's founder; proficient work and better from her players; and good, strong singers surrounding a pair of standouts, here Mr. Fabiano and the soprano Angela Meade.
The best male singers, the undervalued but too prim Devin Velez and the technically proficient but shy Burnell Taylor, weren't broadly appealing.
He was extremely proficient with crossword puzzles, an excellent bridge player, a terrific bowler, an avid sports fan, a talented singer and a lousy golfer.
Mr. Peart, one of the most proficient and vivid drummers in rock 'n' roll history, is the articulate third of this band, which also includes the singer and bassist Geddy Lee and the guitarist Alex Lifeson.
