Television shows such as America’s Got Talent and its British counterpart bill performers as the next operatic superstar as soon as one decides to perform an aria. Competitors from Paul Potts to ten-year-old Jackie Evancho have received this moniker for their respective performances of Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” and “O Mio Babbino Caro.”
Unfortunately, these overnight sensations often lack the extensive training in foreign languages and vocal techniques necessary to sustain multiple hours of performance and project their voices throughout large halls without microphones.
Thanks to the Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, opera fans can see the real next generation of operatic talent at the companies’ annual auditions for their respective young artist training programs.
The Met has traditionally offered free viewing of its regional National Council Auditions and sold tickets to the final event. This year, the Lyric Opera of Chicago took the unprecedented step of making its final auditions, on Sat., Sept. 20, free and open to the public – even welcoming audience members to come and go as they pleased and offering complimentary refreshments.
This move further solidifies the Lyric’s renewed commitment to outreach and engagement by welcoming casual viewers into the world of opera through a familiar and enticing competitive format which included an “Audience Favorite Award”.
For a backstage look at these competitions, check out the film The Audition, showcasing the process of singers preparing for the 2007 National Council Auditions. Otherwise, mark your calendars for the next round of the Lyric Opera’s Ryan Center Final Auditions which will take place next September.
