Tell us how we’re doing. Tell us about the articles that have helped you and articles you’d like to read. We would like to publish your comments, received either by e-mail at editorial@classicalsinger.com or in the mail at P.O. Box 1710, Draper, UT 84020.
As we look back on 20 years of Classical Singer magazine, CS’ resident physician looks back on singer health over the past 20 years. Scientists, doctors, and laryngologists have played a critical role in helping singers stay well, but Dr. Jahn gives most of the credit to singers themselves, who are taking more ownership for their voices and their health.
In 1994, TNYON asked its readers if they lie about their age. In an overwhelming response, singers shared stories about lying, or not lying, about their age. The letters below appeared in March 1994. Is ageism worse now than it was then? Do you feel pressured to lie about your age? Write and tell us at editorial@classicalsinger.com.
Over the years, Classical Singer has brought you interviews with many of the legendary greats, such as Roberta Peters, Martina Arroyo, and Lucine Amara, who we featured in this interview reprinted from the October 1998 issue. In addition to speaking candidly about her long dispute with the Met over age discrimination and how she ultimately won, she also shares hilarious anecdotes and terrific tips for the next generation of singers.
Publisher David Wood, who founded CS—together with his wife, Carla Wood (a.k.a. CJ Williamson) —looks back on 20 years in the business.
In case you haven’t realized it yet, Classical Singer magazine completes its twentieth year of publication this month. For this special anniversary edition, we asked long time CS writer Kresha Faber to share with readers a bit of our history, from our start as The New York Opera Newsletter through the evolution to the Classical Singer magazine you see today. We hope you enjoy this special insider’s look at who we are and what we’re about.
The age-old issue of age has been a hot topic of discussion since the first days of TNYON and continues to be a hot topic today. CS’ editor-in-chief and senior editor in 1998 conducted a phone survey with opera companies, apprenticeships, and competitions to get the low down on age discrimination in the business. Their findings are reprinted here. In addition, we’ve included letters from readers on the topic (see pg. 65).
Many aspects of the singing profession haven’t changed much over the past two decades, but technology and how technology affects singers have changed dramatically. Here we take a nostalgic look at a few of the ways these changes are having an impact on the lives of singers.
The September 2002 issue of CS was devoted to the controversial topic of abuse in our industry. More than 400 singers participated in a Teacher Abuse Survey and shared their experiences on the Classical Singer forum. Here are excerpts from an article sharing singers’ experiences, discussing the cycle of abuse, and giving ideas for stopping the abuse. To read the full article and view the entire issue, visit the CS archives at www.ClassicalSinger.com.
Over the past 20 years, singers have shared their experiences—most often using their real names, but sometimes anonymously, or using pseudonyms—with other singers, first in the pages of TNYON and then CS. In this article an anonymous singer courageously shares how he ultimately pulled himself out of the dark days of addiction. In recent months, the issue of singers and substance abuse has been a hot topic in the news, showing that this article is as relevant now as when it originally appeared in December 2003.
