Science has not been idle when it comes to the study of aging. Singers interested in a long career might do well to get started on some of these suggestions early.
Our sample phone survey showed that, in general, opera companies, apprenticeships and competitions do not seem to know the laws set forth in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), or to believe that the laws apply to the arts. Should singers start lawsuits when they aren’t hired, or fired and suspect the decision is age-related? We think there is a better way to make changes.
We asked John Wehrle, Artistic Administrator of Utah Opera, to comment on how age, marriage and/or children affect hiring decisions. Many companies think singers can’t handle frank talk like this, so singers are left in the dark. We are grateful to Utah Opera for trusting C.S. readers.
