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.
Hello, I am a senior this year in a vocal program at my school near Baltimore. I am trying to put together some songs for an audition rep. for scholarships, competitions, and college auditions.
I was just wondering your thoughts on them... I know its difficult as you've never heard me before but appropriateness and difficulty and such would be great to know.
I am a baritone (though people keep on saying they hear a tenor ring in my upper notes, that confuses the heck out of me...lol) my (functional) range is Ab - G and personally I prefer dark material and tend to dwell in the Schubert Lieder a lot...lol
This what I was thinking of...
Oratorio (order of fondness):
1.Frondi Tenere (recit)... Ombra Mai Fu- Handel (Xerxes)
2.O Loss of Sight (recit)... Total Eclipse- Handel (Samson)
3.Lord God of Abraham- (The Messiah)
Aria:
When the Air Sings of Summer- Menotti (Old Maid and the Thief)
O cessate di piagarmi
Gia il sole dal Gange
Pieta Signore
English Art Song:
Come Away Death- Finzi
Come Away Death- Quilter
Lieder:
Der Doppelganger
Der Atlas
Aufenthalt
In der Ferne
What do you think? I could always use more suggestions to choose from...
What are some good opera college programs? Can you give me a list? I hear Boston Conservatory has a really good one... I'm preferably looking for a BFA
Justin
Oh and is there a rule with transposition concerning classical material... I know in musical theatre its no big deal but like transposing oratorio or such a half step or so...?
ANSWER: Hi Justin,
You have excellent choices for the school auditions. Given that I haven't heard you it is a bit hard for me to judge - but my general belief is that you should do the pieces that you love, that you know backwards & forwards, that you feel the most confident in. Having said that here are some comments:
For university music schools you usually need German, Italian, English and French plus an aria and oratorio. For competitions - you might need a few more arias...
On the oratorio - the Ombra Mai Fu is fine and if that is your favorite I don't see why you can't go with it - although I also reallylike Total Eclipse - and that one isn't done as much.
I love the Old Mail and the Thief aria - really one of my favorites for baritone. If you have a beautiful, bel canto sound - it will be great. I also like the 3 Italian arias - but since most of your options are slower and more dark, as you say, I might offer the Gia il sole dal Gange - would show more movement. You might look at Silvio's aria from Pagliacci - E fra quest'anise...E allor perchè - it might be too difficult - but it's also beautiful.
If you need an Italian song - look at Donaudy's 36 arie di stile antico - esp. "o del mio amato ben" - it's beautiful..
Both of the English songs are good - I guess I like the Quilter better - but you should do what you want. Why don't you also look at the Copland Old American Songs - they are terrific - and not too hard. There are 2 sets - published by Boosey & Hawkes. Also Benjamin Britten arranged some English Songs that are wonderful as well.
On the German - again - if everything else is darker and slower - you might go with Der Atlas for a bit of a change... but I like all of the choices. Maybe also look at Schumann's Widmung.
On the opera college programs - there are many excellent ones. Of course, living in NYC I always mention Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music (where I went) and Mannes School of Music. Also since you are in Baltimore what about Peabody? And I know the Dean at Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at Catholic University in DC. Murry Sidlin is a great educator as well as a working conductor - and he has a good program there as well. There really are so many excellent programs it's hard to go through all of them. You might want to check out www.classicalsinger.com - they do have a fee to join but they have just done a big survey on all of the college programs - so it might be helpful to look at that data.
On transposing - in the classical world it's rarely done and is usually looked down on - so stick with the original key if you can.
I wish you all the best. You are definitely on the right track - you have a good selection and you are asking the right questions.
Good luck!
Pamela
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you so much for your response... I figure that while I am here I would ask about something I always wondered about.
Wagner. I was always taught that Wagner is some rep. that is put on a pedestal that no one save for some destined few that come a handful a generation could handle and it is strictly off limits to everyone else.
Is that true?... or are they just talking about The Ring and those songs? Is there easier stuff that us young singers could try... or is it as I was taught and best to leave it alone unless you are the chosen one...lol
Justin
Answer Hi Justin,
I think people steer young singers away from Wagner because, generally speaking, you need to have a fairly dramatic-size voice to sing it. But you might try singing the baritone aria from Tannhauser - Wie Todesahmung - O du, mein holder Abendstern" - it's more lyric than most. But when you and your teacher think your voice is right for Wagner - then go for it!
