How to Sing Opera

Opera is often a moving experience that utilizes music to tell a story. The music that accompanies the performance is passionate and dramatic. Singing opera requires a combination of natural talent, training, a love of languages, dramatic flair and an affinity for acting. As with anything, singing opera requires practice. You should expect long hours and hard work. After all, the word opera means "work" in Italian.

Things You'll Need

• Recordings of operas
• Opera tickets
• Voice lessons
• Knowledge of foreign languages
• Ability to read music

Instructions

1. Listen to opera music, attend live shows and study the great performers. The most important elements in learning any skill are knowledge and passion. If you have a love for the music, study the genre for a thorough understanding of it. It is crucial to understand the music if you want to be successful performing it. Studying the great opera singers will influence your style and allow you to find your own niche.

2. Take voice lessons to help you refine your abilities. An instructor will also help you find your tessitura (the range with which you feel most comfortable). If you are unable to afford professional instruction, look for discounted lessons at a local university or college. Students in music programs are often looking for pupils on which to test their skills.

3. Study foreign languages commonly used in opera. Italian is a wise choice, since the majority of opera music is sung in Italian.

4. Study music theory and how to read music. An instructor will help, but you can increase your knowledge through books and online resources. Data Dragon is one online site that offers in-depth instruction on how to read music (see Resources below).

5. Join a choir to train your voice further, test your range and practice reading music.

6. Sing every day. Cantolopera can help you practice by providing the background instrumentation for the songs featured in many popular operas (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Look for a music teacher through the National Association of Teachers of Singing (see Resources below).

• Always warm up your voice before you sing. It is important to prepare your vocal chords and stretch the muscles needed to sing.

Resources

• National Association of Teachers of Singing for a list of teachers in your area.
• Data Dragon for online lessons on reading music.
• Cantolopera for the background instrumentation needed to practice opera music.