July 2015 – All Articles

Stage directors and opera company administrators discuss the rehearsal process.

Audition judges speak up about what it’s like to give audition feedback and what type of feedback is appropriate, as well as listing many of their dos and don’ts in an audition.

Find out what the coaches at Los Angeles Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and La Scala have to say about what young singers need to be accepted and excel in their company’s Young Artist Programs.

Nico Castel is known far and wide as the definitive singer’s source for expert diction advice. Long before he made his name as a diction guru, Castel enjoyed a successful career as a character tenor, appearing on the stages of the Santa Fe Opera, New York City Opera, and the Met. He was also staff diction coach at the Met and codirector of a summer program. Castel passed away on May 31, 2015, and in his honor we reprint here much of the January 2007 cover story highlighting his life and work on and off the stage.

Emilie Storrs first met Nico Castel (1931–2015) at a summer program where he corrected her Italian diction. Little did she know then that was just the beginning.

Soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen’s list of accomplishments is no doubt impressive: a former young artist at Houston Grand Opera; winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Belvedere, and Operalia; a recent Metropolitan Opera debut as Countess Almaviva; and upcoming roles at San Francisco Opera, Vienna State Opera, and a return to the Met. But just as impressive are this young soprano’s sense of herself and clear passion for the art form she feels deeply grateful to be a part of.

Sharon L. Stohrer shares the techniques that helped her overcome her struggles with performance anxiety. Learn more about both the author and her book, The Performer’s Companion: A Guide to Conquering Performance Anxiety.

Part 1 of this column, which appeared in the May Issue, exposed the factors that give rise to tongue tension and the ways it can interfere with singing. Part 2

Are travel plans in your future this summer? Make sure you stay healthy with this practical and timely advice from Dr. Jahn.

David Bennett assumed the role of general director of San Diego Opera on June 15. Read about his vision to reinvigorate this opera company’s legacy.

Does the thought of a musical theatre dance callback leave you shaking in your jazz shoes? Find out what you need to know to both prepare for and perform better at your next movement call.