Here's something you might be interested in.
At the San Diego District Metropolitan Opera Auditions this year, three out-of-town sopranos were put through to the regional round in Los Angeles.
I want to make it clear that this not an audition but a competition that is open to the public.
Besides the three contestants who went to L.A. (each receiving a $1,000 award), five local singers were given encouragement awards ($250 to $300 each)
These local singers were Vlad Bgatov, Austin Thompson, Elisa Jordan, Christian Sanders, and Michael Blinco.
These five contestants were far more exciting than the three sopranos who "won".
Why? Because four of them are age 21 and the other is 24. In the opera world, these are children.
The allure of youth is ever present for those whose singing future is either present, past or never existed.
I heard several comments like, "Oh he is just adorable, what stage presence and so young." or, "She's only 21 just imagine her in a few years when she gets her adult voice." or "What an amazing actor, he's going to be wonderful, he's only 21."
What made the audience excited and hopeful for these young singers is that the operatic voice usually reaches it's prime in the mid 30's and can continue well into the 50's or 60's.
Some of these singers have 15 years before they hit their stride. A lot can happen in 15 years.
Some of these singers will more than likely spend some of those years in nebulous consternation.
There is no clear cut process to transition to the level of lead opera singer.
Usually grad school is a must as well as one, two, or even three stints as a young artist.
Some might try finding work in smaller European houses. Some will become almost professional sining contestants, participating in contest after contest.
Some might quit.
Only one thing is certain, they're going to get a lot of advice from a lot of people.
If any of you are interested in hearing these young singers perform, four of the five encouragement winners will be performing with Point Loma Opera Theatre's production of Cendrillon in November.
At the San Diego District Metropolitan Opera Auditions this year, three out-of-town sopranos were put through to the regional round in Los Angeles.
I want to make it clear that this not an audition but a competition that is open to the public.
Besides the three contestants who went to L.A. (each receiving a $1,000 award), five local singers were given encouragement awards ($250 to $300 each)
These local singers were Vlad Bgatov, Austin Thompson, Elisa Jordan, Christian Sanders, and Michael Blinco.
These five contestants were far more exciting than the three sopranos who "won".
Why? Because four of them are age 21 and the other is 24. In the opera world, these are children.
The allure of youth is ever present for those whose singing future is either present, past or never existed.
I heard several comments like, "Oh he is just adorable, what stage presence and so young." or, "She's only 21 just imagine her in a few years when she gets her adult voice." or "What an amazing actor, he's going to be wonderful, he's only 21."
What made the audience excited and hopeful for these young singers is that the operatic voice usually reaches it's prime in the mid 30's and can continue well into the 50's or 60's.
Some of these singers have 15 years before they hit their stride. A lot can happen in 15 years.
Some of these singers will more than likely spend some of those years in nebulous consternation.
There is no clear cut process to transition to the level of lead opera singer.
Usually grad school is a must as well as one, two, or even three stints as a young artist.
Some might try finding work in smaller European houses. Some will become almost professional sining contestants, participating in contest after contest.
Some might quit.
Only one thing is certain, they're going to get a lot of advice from a lot of people.
If any of you are interested in hearing these young singers perform, four of the five encouragement winners will be performing with Point Loma Opera Theatre's production of Cendrillon in November.