I’ve recently met several young singers in Berlin who are simultaneously earning money singing in the opera chorus on a professional stage, and working on developing a solo career. There used to be a pretty rigid divide between the two but things are different now and there are advantages for both sides. Singers gain valuable …
Daylight Savings Time begins in the US on March 8, but not until March 28 in Germany and Europe. They call it ‘Sommerzeit’ – Summertime) and for those 20 days there will be a FIVE HOUR time difference between Germany and the US East Coast – the sun rises first here -, d.h.(German for ‘that …
Kay Metzger is currently Intendant at the theater in Ulm, Germany. In his long career he has been an active stage director and Intendant at three different theaters. I sang my first Tannhäuser with him in the small theater in Halberstadt and later a Siegfried in Detmold, as well as a Radames which he directed …
Singers in Germany are dusting off their Fracks (tails) and concert dresses because Silvester is coming. Not the cat who wants to eat Tweety Bird in the old cartoons, but New Year’s Eve in Germany and that means lots of fireworks, both vocal and incendiary. The country is a madhouse of fireworks which makes the …
It’s gotten cold and wet in Berlin, so if you’re coming to Germany anytime soon, bring winter gear, especially something waterproof, since it still rains a lot here. By the way many Americans here celebrate Thanksgiving on the weekend since Thursday is just another workday. Whole turkeys, when you can get them, are smaller here, …
Prepare For Winter Weather During Audition Season Read More »
It’s audition season in Germany and singers are madly contacting agents and writing theaters to find a job. It’s a good idea, but having an informed method in the madness is vital. Knowing which theater to write is the first step. The wrong choice may even hurt your career since big theaters won’t consider inexperienced …
German Theater Ratings: Why you need to know them before you schedule auditions! Read More »
Tag der deutschen Einheit is tomorrow, October. 3. What’s that, you say? First, its a big holiday and a relatively new one. It celebrates the fall of the Berlin Wall-Der Mauer as it’s usually known here and the reunification that followed. We were there and watched in amazement: I was in Bern, singing Trovatore and …
The sun is now setting before 7 PM (19.00Uhr) and we’re losing several minutes od daylight per day. It’s getting downright chilly at night-into the 40’s (10 Celsius). Summer’s definitely over, so if you’re coming over bring those sweaters and a medium weight coat., preferably water resistant. Umbrellas are not too expensive here and even …
The top notch Summer Programs will be starting their auditions this Fall, so it’s a good idea to use what you’ve learned this past summer for next summer.Take a look and find the programs with coaches, teachers, and agents from top theaters and agencies. If you’re really ready for this level start thinking of repertoire …
You’d be surprised what the Theater Workers Union (GdBA) has done for youeven if you’re not a member! Especially if you have a long term engagement (Festvertrag). They’ve won some important things in their new contract, which governs most opera houses in Germany and will improve both life and art. for singers Even if you’re …