How to Become an Opera Singer
Becoming an opera singer is no easy task. It takes a huge amount of dedication and skill. However, it's much easier if you already possess a certain amount of talent. Opera is a very disciplined field and requires concentration and tenacity. Every aspiring singer should keep in mind these steps to become an opera singer.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
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Learning How to Sing Opera
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1
Acquire a vocal teacher. Many colleges, universities, high schools and churches have teachers who will take students at a discounted costs. If you are near a university or college, a higher volume of classically trained opera musicians reside near these institutions.
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2
Determine how many hours a week you are going to need to practice to achieve the level of skill you and your teacher believe you can attain with your natural singing talents. Be realistic about your time constraints. Typically 2-3 hours a day is required to keep the voice in proper condition.
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3
Determine what vocal category you will focus your study in with your teacher or coach. Male opera singers range from bass, bass baritone, tenor and counter tenor, and female singers range from contralto, mezzo-soprano, and soprano. Your instructor should after a few lessons be able to determine which range your voice is best suited.
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4
Study a foreign language. Many opera singers must learn how to sing in other languages; operas are written and performed most commonly in French, German, Italian, and English. Sign up for foreign language courses or acquire some home study course materials.
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5
Practice your skill as much as possible. Learn how to properly train and use your vocal chords. It is advisable that many opera singers take courses in anatomy to learn the workings of the human vocal passages.
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6
Plan a vocal recital to become accustomed to singing opera in front of an audience. Invite your friends and family so you are more comfortable in your performance. Pick pieces to perform that showcase your level of skill and appeal to your personality.
Becoming an Opera Singer
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1
Become acquainted with an opera repertoire in French, Italian, and German. These operas are the most commonly performed in the canon.
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2
Attend as many opera performances as you can and learn how the opera's performers got into their roles. You can learn from their experiences.
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3
Audition for as many roles as possible to gain experience for your resume. The more experience in productions the better. Check university audition boards and community listings for new castings for upcoming productions. No part is too small.
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4
Network yourself as an opera singer. Socializing with other opera singers and actors can be a great resource for meeting people to aid in your career as an opera singer.
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5
Ensure that you receive adequate compensation for your roles or if you are volunteering that you are billed properly for your participation in productions. If necessary, acquire a lawyer or agent to help in securing your rights as a performer.
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6
Join an opera company through auditioning. You then will be assured roles according to your skill and experience.
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Tips & Warnings
Be realistic about your natural singing ability. Performing opera takes some amount of talent and even more dedication.
Research your opera teachers history and education. If you do not feel chemistry between you and your teacher, find another. It is important to feel comfortable with your instructor.
Stay in good health and avoid screaming, yelling or loud parties or areas where you will strain your voice. Opera singers must maintain impeccable vocal chord condition.
Learn as much about opera and the history of the art as you can. It will aid in your appreciation and understanding of the art form.
Do not over-practice as this can cause burn-out and exhaustion which can cause irreparable damage to your vocal chords.
Research an opera performing group you want to join and talk to some of its members to ensure it's a good fit. It can be frustrating to be part of performing troupe you don't enjoy.
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Comments
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I sing with the deputy chair of AOTOS and have been for around 13 years. I sing to myself occasionally throughout the day but I never feel the need to "practise" unless I have a performance or audition coming up. If singing is something you love to do then you will do it naturally. If not, then you should seriously reconsider your career.
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I sing with the deputy chair of AOTOS and have been for around 13 years. I sing to myself occasionally throughout the day but I never feel the need to "practise" unless I have a performance or audition coming up. If singing if something you love to do then you will do it naturally. If not, then you should seriously reconsider your career.
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if I inside U, I will enter opera n practice...
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Well, You should sing 2- 3 hours a day, but not all at once. You spread it out and do and hour or a half hour in the morning, one in the afternoon and if you have time, one in the evening. Always give your voice breaks and keep well hydrated. But as an opera performance major, that's how often I practice. So no, do not practice 2-3 hours in one giant chunk, but do practice that much in separate bits throughout the course of a day. And remember to warm up properly each time! 1/3 -1/2 of each practice should be warming up the vocal chords to get them ready for the intense singing you will be doing next. :)
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useful!
