2003 – Page 13

Summer programs can be about getting a role on the resume, or they can be about learning skills, overcoming fears and becoming an entirely new performer. Several programs focus on the singer in this way such as Wesley Balk, Peter Harrower and others. Russell Herbert interviews alumni and 2002 participant of OperaWors.

Hundreds of singers wrote about their experiences at pay-to-sing programs in the summer of 2002. We have complied some of the most interesting quotes to share here. All of the responses can be found on our website.

Film director Benoit Jacquot and singers Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna discuss their experiences in front of and behind the camera on 2002's Tosca.

The following are reports of unsatisfactory experiences at the 2001 and 2002 Bel Canto Italia School of Opera. Classical Singer does not recommend this program.

CS had the opportunity to catch up with one of Eastman School of Music’s rising stars, to get her opinion about one of the top-rated summer programs. We asked her for her honest opinion about life in the trenches of a summer program.