In opera, we spend years developing our voices. But alongside that, something else is quietly developing too.
Our artistic identity. Our perspective. Our confidence. Our ability to trust our instincts and tell stories with greater honesty.
Some roles ask for more than technical skill. They ask for emotional depth, resilience and a voice that has had time to grow into itself. Those things can’t be rushed.
It’s no coincidence that many of the sopranos leading the world’s major opera houses today are in this stage of their careers. Singers such as @asmikgrigorianofficial, @sondraradvanovsky, @lisedavidsen, @natalya_romaniw and @sonyayoncheva continue to demonstrate the extraordinary artistry, vocal maturity and dramatic depth that years of experience can bring.
That’s why I wanted to celebrate mid-career artists.
Not because they’re “better” than younger artists, but because they bring something uniquely their own. Just as emerging artists bring freshness and possibility, artists further along in their careers bring years of artistry, curiosity and lived experience.
Opera is at its richest when artists at every stage of life are represented on our stages.
Mid-age is magical 🧙
I’d love to know...what do you think time adds to an artist?
#opera #operasinger #classicalmusic #performingarts
3 months agodancinginblue
I returned to music school at 37. Learned I was a dramatic coloratura. Hope the opera world still wants us in a few years ... 🙌
3 months agoannchristineopera
Thank you! You describe a very important dimension of artistry, music, opera. As a young singer, I valued working on stage with experienced singers. Some of them were of retirement age, around 65 years old. That situation is only found on the very largest stages today. Instead, there is an ensemble of between 30-40 years old. The experience that an older singer has, the stability and the leadership that it conveys is invaluable for a good healthy rehearsal and performance period. Having an entire working life as a tool is something that is felt by the audience and participants, which gives it depth and perspective on our lives. An important point to raise in this context is that we were trained to last a very long career. My teachers had the goal that by 50 a singer/artist should be at his zenith vocally, as an interpreter and actor. Nowadays, practicing singers with decades of experience do not teach at our conservatories. They have instead been replaced by teachers who have barely been on stage. It becomes obvious to me, when I meet the majority of young singers during coaching, that the basic building blocks for a long and stable singing career are missing. Many of these singers have 4-6 years of studies at conservatory level and they have invested many years of their lives and already a lot of money on studies that are not enough to get an engagement. On the other hand, their teachers and schools have presented an enormous advanced repertoire of Lieder that I have barely heard of and that requires an experienced skilled singer to do justice. My question is to what use? Wouldn't it be better to use the years of study to lay a solid foundation and then have the tools to study repertoire for various engagements and auditions...?
3 months agomartinmuehle
If regiesseurs have the power of choosing the singers for an opera production and their vote is more important then the conductors, our profession is in danger. I won't say more.
3 months agocourtneyamills
👏👏👏 say it louder for the casting directors and agents in the back 👏👏👏 this art form has always focus on respect for the music … more recently it’s about the bells and whistles and that’s not working. Singers start too soon and burn out fast. I started my career at the Met at 23 years old. I was NOT ready… on all levels especially navigating the business side. I didn’t feel ready and in control of everything until mid/late 30s. Doesn’t mean people in their 20s can’t work… but they shouldn’t be expected to handle what someone in their 30s/40s can handle. Vocally and also personally.
3 months agochristianaserafin
Wonderful message. Life experience as well as a honed technique enhance an artist. Too often we hear unprepared voices sing unsuitable repertoire and sadly such singers break down or burn out early. For opera to be maintained at a high standard more experienced singers need to be hired. And I know more mature singers male and female, who are hot 🔥.
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