"I have often heard the statement made by foreign singers, as a demonstrated fact, that the German artists are artists in feeling indeed, and serious in their devotion, but that their singing is crude"

In this quote, Anton Seidl is talking about the perception of German artists by foreign vocalists. He mentions that he has actually heard many times that German artists are extremely knowledgeable in revealing emotions and are deeply dedicated to their craft. Nevertheless, there is likewise a belief that their singing is not fine-tuned and lacks elegance. This might recommend that while German artists might excel in communicating feeling and enthusiasm, they may not have the technical skill and polish that is valued by foreign vocalists. Seidl's usage of the word "crude" indicates a lack of refinement or roughness in their singing style. Overall, this quote highlights the contrasting viewpoints and stereotypes surrounding German artists in the eyes of foreign singers.