Zoe Vandermeer

Getting a great recording is critical, regardless of your career level. Sometimes the task can be overwhelming— most singers aren’t recording engineers! So CS asked one expert, who happens to be both a singer and an engineer, to give you the questions to ask at every stage of the recording process, to make sure your time and money result in a product you are proud to have bear your name. Your perception is the fundamental key to your decision-making process in each phase of your recording project. Don’t miss Zoe Vandermeer’s class at the Classical Singer Convention 2006, May 18-20 in Philadelphia.

In a little more than 10 years, since her critically acclaimed appearance in Delibes’ Lakmé at New York City Opera shot her into stardom, Elizabeth Futral has established herself as one of this generation’s leading coloratura sopranos. In this Classical Singer exclusive, Ms. Futral speaks candidly about a myriad of issues, such as how to deal with being on the road, how the coloratura repertoire differs from other soprano repertoire, how to vary vocal color for dramatic purposes without sacrificing vocal beauty, and how she manages the business side of singing.

Looking for a way to take your singing to the next level? In this interview and discussion with Louis Menendez, he shares his formula for digging deep into the music and yourself to create real magic.

Some singers are not in a position to be hired by opera companies. Perhaps you are finding that your physique isn’t right for most roles in your Fach such as a 40-year-old soubrette, a 6-foot-tall, lyric soprano, or a very heavy coloratura lyric mezzo. You can find much more success in your singing—once you get away from others’ expectations and create your own niche.

Singers beware! You don’t want to make your recording in a padded studio where the sound is dead. Here’s all you need to know to make a great recording—and feel great while you do it.

We love to sing. We love to perform. To be able to sustain our love in a big way, we realize that we need to establish a name for ourselves, a career. So how do we make our career happen?