WHAT IT IS Holding court at the world’s most famous opera venue
WHY YOU WON’T DO IT Only a chosen few have the lungs for it
As American humourist Ed Gardner once noted: ‘Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings.’ However, there is much more to being a lead opera singer – whether you’re a diva soprano or a brow-mopping tenor – than just the ability to hold a tune, a propensity to plumpness, and a tendency to over-emote.
Perhaps the most famous opera house of them all is La Scala in Milan. Since it opened on 3 August 1778 with a debut performance of Europa Riconosciuta by Mozart’s rival Antonio Salieri, an appearance at this 3,000-seater venue has represented the pinnacle of many an artist’s career. The roll call of great names who have appeared here includes Dame Nellie Melba, Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. So how might you join this grand pantheon?
While the history of pop music is littered with ‘overnight stars’, they simply don’t exist in the opera world. To get to the top is a long road that needs to start early in life. Needless to say, in the first instance you must have the raw talent.
If you struggle to hit the high notes in your school choir, then you’re unlikely to suddenly develop into a great opera singer in later life. If, though, you have a rough diamond of a voice, then the long process of polishing it can begin. While some performers specialize in music only once they enter tertiary education, many of the greats spent their childhoods honing their craft in conservatoires. Your vocal technique should allow you to generate a beautiful, even sound across the high, middle and bottom ranges while performing operas that last as long as four hours. You must also be powerful enough to be heard above the roar of a full orchestra.
However, training the voice is but one aspect of an opera singer’s training. You will also study musical theory, music history, learn how to sight-read and master the full range of acting skills. You’ll need the memory skills to retain large chunks of a libretto too. Oh, and a good working knowledge of French, German, Italian and Russian will stand you in good stead – it’s always nice to understand what you’re singing. From there, it’s simply a case of waiting for the crowds to greet your performance with calls of ‘Encore!’ Achieving your dream may take perseverance, but as the famous saying goes, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.