2 answers
Josiah
Student
Sabetha, Kansas
10
Questions
Asked
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Opera Singer?
How exactly does being a freelance opera singer work? How do you get jobs? How many hours a day does an opera singer work during a performance season? Is being an opera singer possible as somewhat of a part-time or a "every once in a while" kind of job? I am also thinking about repetiteur work, private teaching, and solo performing, etc. if that helps answer how well these could work together...
2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2472
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Josiah !
I'd be happy to offer some advice again, this time for your interest in being an Opera Singer !
Opera Singers both work through having an agent as well as Freelance (Independent). It may be better to secure representation through an agent, however, because they have strong connections to the field and can send you out on auditions that maybe aren't advertised or that they know about. The situation is, however, an agent would choose you, you don't choose the agent. So you can do it freelance/independent in the beginning until an agent offers you representation. This career requires lots and lots of networking in person at events, parties and attending many opera performances and mingling with the cast, audience and just getting people to know you. You can enter competitions and festivals also.
You obtain parts by either registering at opera casting websites, obtaining representation by an agent, fill in gaps by doing some acting work or other genres of singing, or forming your own Opera Company in your local area by applying for grants. There's no guarantee for work. It's just a matter of auditioning and waiting to hear back. Your best bet is to start your own opera company and be in all the shows.
Until you are in a show, you never know "how many hours" you'd be needed to be available for any number of things. There are meetings, rehearsals, costume fittings, dress rehearsals and anything that comes up like interviews, TV news spots, etc. An Opera singer is always focused on the show and available for anything connected to the show. No one can tell you right now how many hours you'd be working. It depends on too much, even what type of part/role you have in the show. You'd have to want it so bad that you are willing to make it your life.
I think that the only way you can feasibly do opera part time or once in a while is if you start your own troupe locally. You can mount a show whenever you can, produce local original operas that someone in the community composes. But in the professional world, it is a morning to night venture and no one can tell you what your career would be like. Opera should not be chosen by analyzing the career, opera chooses you.
I'm not sure how much time you'd have to teach privately if you are full-fledged into an opera singing career, but it's always something you can do once you had been established and when you get older or retire from the performance end. You most certainly could audition for solo performance and an agent would be helpful for this or you can use the opera casting websites for those auditions.
Keep in mind that you would need to make a huge commitment as a performer, will have to travel with the production to different cities maybe and you will need keen focus on doing one thing, not several things at once. It's very time consuming as well as physically and mentally taxing but if you have a passion for it, it's not "work" at all.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
I'd be happy to offer some advice again, this time for your interest in being an Opera Singer !
Opera Singers both work through having an agent as well as Freelance (Independent). It may be better to secure representation through an agent, however, because they have strong connections to the field and can send you out on auditions that maybe aren't advertised or that they know about. The situation is, however, an agent would choose you, you don't choose the agent. So you can do it freelance/independent in the beginning until an agent offers you representation. This career requires lots and lots of networking in person at events, parties and attending many opera performances and mingling with the cast, audience and just getting people to know you. You can enter competitions and festivals also.
You obtain parts by either registering at opera casting websites, obtaining representation by an agent, fill in gaps by doing some acting work or other genres of singing, or forming your own Opera Company in your local area by applying for grants. There's no guarantee for work. It's just a matter of auditioning and waiting to hear back. Your best bet is to start your own opera company and be in all the shows.
Until you are in a show, you never know "how many hours" you'd be needed to be available for any number of things. There are meetings, rehearsals, costume fittings, dress rehearsals and anything that comes up like interviews, TV news spots, etc. An Opera singer is always focused on the show and available for anything connected to the show. No one can tell you right now how many hours you'd be working. It depends on too much, even what type of part/role you have in the show. You'd have to want it so bad that you are willing to make it your life.
I think that the only way you can feasibly do opera part time or once in a while is if you start your own troupe locally. You can mount a show whenever you can, produce local original operas that someone in the community composes. But in the professional world, it is a morning to night venture and no one can tell you what your career would be like. Opera should not be chosen by analyzing the career, opera chooses you.
I'm not sure how much time you'd have to teach privately if you are full-fledged into an opera singing career, but it's always something you can do once you had been established and when you get older or retire from the performance end. You most certainly could audition for solo performance and an agent would be helpful for this or you can use the opera casting websites for those auditions.
Keep in mind that you would need to make a huge commitment as a performer, will have to travel with the production to different cities maybe and you will need keen focus on doing one thing, not several things at once. It's very time consuming as well as physically and mentally taxing but if you have a passion for it, it's not "work" at all.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
John Riesen
Opera Singer and Head of Digital Promotion
1
Answer
Lancaster, New York
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Josiah!
I see you have some answers but I thought to offer my thoughts as a professional opera singer in the USA.
First and foremost, the hours are determined based on the company you're working for. Generally speaking, 6 hour days of rehearsals are standard (10-1, 2-5 or 2-5, 7-10 etc) for the start of rehearsals and then when you move to the theater, things change to whatever is needed to get the show ready to rumble. Some companies do it slightly differently, depending on if they are a union house (AGMA) or not, but MOST respect the 6 hour rule.
As for being part-time-- it is possible yes! Post-covid especially. Many opera singers are part-time in the US due to the ever shrinking pool of jobs due to company closure, fee reductions, and increased field interest hitting at the same time. It is not atypical at all for an opera singer to do 4-5 operas a year (which may happen in 2 week periods, 3 week periods, 5 week periods, or longer per opera) and then they pursue other passions/education/family interests.
Private teacher and other income streams within the same speciality are VERY common. I know seldom few opera singers who don't do something outside of the stage to give back, and have a more consistent non-gig based cash flow (as some gigs can provide large sums of money all at once, but may be 5 months apart).
REALLY good questions. The reality is, being an opera singer these days continues to change.
What I try and impress on people is that these skills can be used to achieve much on AND off the stage, and it's about doing what matches your needs and journey. As many say in our business: there is no one path.
Hope this helps a bit!
I see you have some answers but I thought to offer my thoughts as a professional opera singer in the USA.
First and foremost, the hours are determined based on the company you're working for. Generally speaking, 6 hour days of rehearsals are standard (10-1, 2-5 or 2-5, 7-10 etc) for the start of rehearsals and then when you move to the theater, things change to whatever is needed to get the show ready to rumble. Some companies do it slightly differently, depending on if they are a union house (AGMA) or not, but MOST respect the 6 hour rule.
As for being part-time-- it is possible yes! Post-covid especially. Many opera singers are part-time in the US due to the ever shrinking pool of jobs due to company closure, fee reductions, and increased field interest hitting at the same time. It is not atypical at all for an opera singer to do 4-5 operas a year (which may happen in 2 week periods, 3 week periods, 5 week periods, or longer per opera) and then they pursue other passions/education/family interests.
Private teacher and other income streams within the same speciality are VERY common. I know seldom few opera singers who don't do something outside of the stage to give back, and have a more consistent non-gig based cash flow (as some gigs can provide large sums of money all at once, but may be 5 months apart).
REALLY good questions. The reality is, being an opera singer these days continues to change.
What I try and impress on people is that these skills can be used to achieve much on AND off the stage, and it's about doing what matches your needs and journey. As many say in our business: there is no one path.
Hope this helps a bit!
Thank you so much! This was very helpful! Follow-up question though: How does someone who performs and teaches balance their teaching hours during the times when they have 6 hr+ rehearsal days, and also traveling often?
Josiah
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