AboutPamela Thomas Expertise Questions on Opera performance, repertoire, vocal technique, acting for opera. I have some 20 years experience in opera in both leading roles and chorus. I have sung with New York City Opera since 1981. I have studied voice in NYC for over 20 years and have also taught technique and coached singers in acting.
Question QUESTION: I am planning to perform an Audition at the end of November and was wondering if you could recommend any dramatic tenor arias that I could learn(pretty quick learner). I would like 2 different arias in 2 different languages other than English. Could you help me by chance.
ANSWER: Hi OperaFanatic,
Here are some that come to mind. Although end of November is coming pretty soon - and these are fairly difficult.
1. Die Walkure - "Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond" (Siegmund's Aria) - this is a truly dramatic tenor aria - so don't do this unless you really have a Ben Hepner or Jon Vicker's type voice.
2. Il Trovatore (Verdi) - Di Quella Pira (this has some high C's - but listen to Franco Corelli sing it - amazing
3. Carmen - Don Jose's Flower aria - La fleur que tu m'avais jetée
4.La fanciulla del west (Puccini) -"Ch'ella mi creda" - this is fairly short but very exciting.
5. Fidelio (Beethoven) - Act II "Gott, welch Dunkel hier"
What you might do is look at some aria CDs from the dramatic tenors: Franco Corelli, Jon Vickers, Ben Heppner - and listen to what they do. That way you might find an aria that you really love and identify with - will make it much easier to learn as well.
Best of luck to you!
Pamela
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QUESTION: Pamela, your suggestions are great. I know that I have trouble singing a solid A and hope that a few of those selections are not sitting on A's. I am going to the library to see if I can locate a few of those or maybe just youtube and find them. A principal in the production in which I a member of the chorus suggested arias from the magic flute and la traviata. Would you agree that the range in either of those might be better suited for me?
Answer Hi,
Let me ask you a couple of questions: how old are you? If you are young, perhaps you're not quite at the dramatic tenor stage yet. It's a bit hard to find an tenor aria without a Bflat. If you are a dramatic I think the magic flute and traviata might be too light.
Here are a few with A's that might work:
G. Verdi: "Quando le sere al placido" (from Luisa Miller)
Gaetano Donizetti: "Una furtiva lagrima" (L'Elisir D'Amore)
Amilcare Ponchielli: "Cielo e mar" (La Gioconda)
G. F. Händel: "Ombra mai fu (from Serse) - this one only goes to a G, I think - it might be just the right thing for you.
What kind of competition is this? Do you think you might sing as a Baritone for now - until you get your high notes down?
Hope this helps somewhat... but consider the baritone repertoire. The judges probably would expect you to have the high A as a tenor. The other thing is - maybe you shouldn't do the competition? It's really important to go out when you are ready... once you get your high A and Bflat you'll be a knockout as a dramatic tenor. Don't be in too much of a hurry.
