As you prepare for your trip to Germany for fall audition opportunities, it is important to keep in mind that the German system is still greatly affected by the aftershock of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the continued attack on Ukraine. There is a greater amount (more than usual) of fine Ukrainian and Russian singers in Germany, which increases the competition in the job market. The number of singers looking for work is also increased by the Covid-19 backlog of Musikhochschule graduates, making the job search even more competitive. It means your website, materials and audition repertoire have to be very well prepared if you’re going to have a chance to be considered.
Yes, you will have it tough this year. But no tougher that than some earlier generations. I am lucky to have known two of opera’s greatest singers. They both relayed stories to me of their unique challenges auditioning…and I relay them here for you to keep in mind when times get tough this year.
Tito Gobbi (pictured above), the great Italian baritone who sang and directed from 1935 until 1979 told me the story of one of his early auditions. It was a cattle call, and everybody had a maximum of two minutes. He had been a top notch skier, so for his entrance onto the audition stage, he somersaulted onto the director’s table and launched into his aria. He got their attention and sang well enough to get the job. Your acrobatics may not be Olympian, but the point is…something about your performance has to turn heads. Whether it is emotional, interpretive, physical, or just good old glorious high notes. Something has to be special. Normally just good won’t do.
And speaking of famous Scarpias, Bryn Terfel (pictured below) was a prizewinner at a major competition, had an agent who arranged 40 auditions for him after the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. We all know his vocal, musical and physical gifts…yet he was rejected 38 times. Moral of the story…prepare yourself mentally that it will be tough. It’s not easy for anybody and rejection is a big part of the game. As Terfel said to me (and I’ve learned myself), it’s often a matter of luck: being at the right place at the right time. You just have to go to a lot of places, be as prepared as you possibly can and remain persistent!
