Being Schooled in Opera
Wow. I have learned so much over the past day or so. I had been thinking of this job only as a stepping-stone to something better, and assumed that most people here are in the same position. But it turns out that mostly, it was an educational opportunity.
One of my colleagues in the chorus sang roles at the Met for over a decade. Another sang leading roles at NY City Opera (the other major company in NYC). Another has a flourishing career in Europe and took this gig because it gives him a chance to spend time with his family, who all live around here. All of them were here because they chose to be here, and displayed no shame about singing chorus parts. Other singers here have done solo work with some of the best choruses in the country.
None of the people I've met seem the least bit full of themselves or haughty. All have been happy to talk to me about their career arcs and the choices they've made. It's been such an enlightening experience!
One of my colleagues in the chorus sang roles at the Met for over a decade. Another sang leading roles at NY City Opera (the other major company in NYC). Another has a flourishing career in Europe and took this gig because it gives him a chance to spend time with his family, who all live around here. All of them were here because they chose to be here, and displayed no shame about singing chorus parts. Other singers here have done solo work with some of the best choruses in the country.
None of the people I've met seem the least bit full of themselves or haughty. All have been happy to talk to me about their career arcs and the choices they've made. It's been such an enlightening experience!