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 Hey, my name is Brynn S. and I've become completely enamored with opera! My aunt took me to Madame Butterfly and then i saw the Phantom of the Opera about a year ago. I started listening to more and now hope that I can be an opera singer. The problem is I'm already 14, almost 15, and live in a very small town, Bally, Pa. I have an awesome voice coach and a nice soprano voice, but I don't want to sing opera as just a hobbie. My 2 questions are, 1: is 14/15 to late to start opera with the possibility of being a professional opera singer, and 2: how could I go about learning opera even when finding a strictly opera coach is pretty much impossible around here.
I'd love if you'd reccomend some good operas/singers too!
~Brynn
Answer Hi Brynn,
At 14/15 you are very young and have a lot of time to study singing & Opera. Did you say that you do have a voice coach? If so, he/she can help you learn. Meanwhile here are some things to think about:
1. Listen to operas (with the libretto) - listen to La Boheme, Carmen, Tosca, Elixir of Love, etc. watch all of the opera telecasts you can (go to the Metropolitan Opera website and see where they are playing their operas in the theatres.. Listen to Kiri te Kanawa, Renata Tebaldi, Leontyne Price, Marilyn Horne, Pavarotti, Domingo, Franco Corelli... Take an opera history course - or look on the internet and read about the history of opera. You can go to YouTube and see many, many recordings of arias, duets, etc. with many different singers. Look at "O mia babbino caro" in YouTube - I'm sure there will be many, many versions. That will give you an idea of how it's done.
2. Work on your musicianship - learn the read music; play an instrument (piano will help you learn roles when you get older); if you can study theory.
3. Study languages, especially, Italian, French and German. You will need the languages in opera!
4. Study acting (if you can) or at least join the drama club and try to get into the school musicals. Having this experience will help you later as well.
5. Sing in your choir or chorus (this will help your sightreading which you need to learn quickly).
6. If you can't find a teacher - just sing as naturally as you can. Get the 24 Italian Songs and Arias book (published by Schirmer) and work on those songs - they are wonderful.
7. Think about college/music school. do your homewok and learn about the schools. When you are ready to audition for them you will be able to use one or two of the Italian songs - you can add repertory later.
Don't worry about singing arias at your age. Just focus on making a beautiful sound, working on your breathing, etc. If you go to college/music school and get an excellent teacher - you will be ahead of the game.
I can't emphasize how important it is to study in all of your classes! This will round you out - the more you know about life, the better actor you will be - the easier it will be to create a role. Also - just sing - whether in choir, chorus, musicals - all will give you experience.
I hope this helps! It's wonderful you've discovered opera - you will love it!
