September 2006

CS remembers an extraordinary musician who left this world in July after leaving an indelible mark on the musical community.

Financial success is not just about budgeting your money and investing properly. Before the numbers can fall into place, your mind needs to be in the right place! The first part of this series will show you the power of positive and negative thinking, and how you can make your thoughts work for you rather than against you. Watch for future articles when Lynnette Owens will dive into the nitty gritty details of your finances until your singing success and your financial success are humming in tune.

European stage directors continue to lead the trend in changing the face of opera, for better or for worse. John Louis DiGaetani brings CS a report of summer operatic events abroad.

The third annual AudComps, part of the Classical Singer Convention at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia last May, gave participating singers a chance to boost their careers. Read about this exciting event, and about the singers who took home big prizes and became Certified Singers for 2006-2007.

Welcome to the inaugural column of “Inspirazione!” In Italian it means “inhaling” or “breathing in,” and each month this column will offer something for you to breathe in that will nourish, empower, and excite you. Topics will include books, recordings, physical techniques, the latest technology, as well as Lisa Houston’s own experiences as a working singer and voice teacher.

World-renowned singer Deborah Voigt has long been known for her commanding performances in the dramatic soprano repertoire. A master of the “big girl” roles, Ms. Voigt recently underwent gastric bypass surgery to ensure that distinction applied to her voice and not her figure. In this Classical Singer exclusive, Ms. Voigt shares her tips for finding the right voice teacher, making the move from young artist to professional, and knowing when to cancel due to illness. In addition, she talks about the difficulties of balancing a personal life and a singing career and why she no longer dreads recitals.

In the six years since Jay Meetze founded Opera Company of Brooklyn remarkable things have happened for the new company, culminating in a new recording project with American composer Thomas Pasatieri. Read how one man and his New York City-based opera company are working tirelessly to change the tide for the “dying” art form called opera.

We asked CS readers to give us their opinions about the importance of higher education, and the response was overwhelming. The answers are certainly varied, but some common threads emerge—from the importance of finding the right teacher to remaining flexible as a singer. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Classical Singer magazine or its publisher.

Moving to New York is a choice many singers make—and most consider—at one point or another. Three singers who have made New York their adopted hometown sit down with Classical Singer to disclose the secrets of their success, and the traps to look out for when making the move.

Having the opportunity to watch auditions can be an eye-opening experience! After having just such an experience, Erda shares her advice for the things to do and not to do at that next audition. If you have a question for Erda, e-mail erda@classicalsinger.com.

CS’ Fulbrighter departs temporarily from her accounts of her adventures abroad to answer readers’ questions about the Fulbright application process. Find out what the process entails, get great tips about the application, and decide if a Fulbright experience might be something that interests you.

Just a three-hour drive from New York City, Binghamton, NY, is home to Binghamton University, and Tri-Cities Opera. The shared hometown location of these two organizations has proved a fortuitous phenomenon for classical singers