The recent commercialization of opera singing has contributed to standardize vocal styles regardless of the requirements of différent languages. A French school of opera singing, which existed until about 1972, has given way to a more universal style, resulting in the loss of a national tradition. This work explores vocal technique, French diction, and déclamation, and synthesizes these éléments to define an idiomatic French style. Several famous French singers of the post-Second World War generation discuss these topics and their training within the lyric company of the RTLN (Reunion des Théâtres Lyriques Nationaux). This work is intended to assist singers, vocal coaches, opera directors, conductors, and audiences to understand what has been lost in a few generations and how it can be recovered.