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 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.
