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Kentucky District |
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“For me, the auditions have shaped my career into what it is today. They began opening opera house doors from the very first round. If it weren’t for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, I most certainly would not have the kind of career that I have today.”
“I met a lot of wonderful friends and associates in the business through the National Council Auditions. We continue to stay in touch throughout the years, and enjoy getting together and catching up whenever possible.” Denyce Graves, Mezzo-Soprano
"The Met Auditions meant everything to my career. Because I won, I was asked to enter the Met's Lindemann Young Artists Program and it really saved me. James Levine took an interest in me after the final Auditions concert and I was very careful to listen to his advice. Of course, he was right on the money." Paul Groves, Tenor
"An Auditions winner is a special person, someone recognized for his or her talent, challenged to galvanize that potential as a professional, and, like myself, as an artist eternally grateful for the support and dedication of so many who have given us so much." Thomas Hampson, Baritone |
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FROM LEXINGTON TO LINCOLN CENTER The fabled stage of the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in New York is the desired destination for all young singers participating in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Winning the Kentucky District competition - and being rewarded a ticket to the Tri-State Regional Finals - is the first hurdle to overcome in this career steeplechase. Since the beginning of the new millennium, Memorial Hall, a landmark of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, serves as the Kentucky starting point for the thrilling annual ritual to discover the most promising new opera talent in North America. The Kentucky District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, sponsored by the Lexington Opera Society are open to eligible singers from all over the country and Canada. (The Tri-State Region consists of the Indiana, Southern Ohio and Kentucky Districts.) We invite you to make your not so impossible dream a reality with an impressive appearance at the Kentucky District Auditions. You can trust the experience of our judges and be assured that you are welcomed with open arms.
If you want to know more about Lexington (lodging etc.)
MISSION STATEMENTThe purpose of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Program is: 1. To discover exceptional young talent. The auditions are held annually in fifteen Regions of the United States and Canada. There are forty-five Districts within these Regions, each providing an opportunity for talented young singers to enter the auditions at the local level. The auditions are administered by National Council members and volunteers in each area. Many of the world’s foremost singers, such as Renee Fleming, Susan Graham, Ben Heppner, Thomas Hampson and Samuel Ramey, have received awards from the National Council. Each season approximately 100 former contestants appear in Metropolitan Opera productions. The winners of the District auditions advance to the Regional Finals. Winners of this competition are brought to New York for musical preparation under the guidance of the Metropolitan Opera’s music staff. They then audition with piano on the Metropolitan Opera stage before members of the Met Artistic Staff at the National Semi-Finals. Those not selected as National Finalists will receive a cash award of $ 1,500. The National Finalists will remain in residence at the Met for another week and continue to coach with the Met’s Music Staff in preparation for the Grand Finals Concert with the MET Orchestra. During this final audition they will compete before a full house audience and a distinguished panel of judges for awards in the amount of $ 15,000. Finalists not chosen as Winners will receive $5,000. All travel and housing for participants at the national level is paid for and arranged by The Metropolitan Opera National Council. To Reach the Metropolitan Opera Council National Audition website, click here. The music featured on the site is of Gail Robinson singing, " Ah! Je veux vivre" from Roméo et Juliette.
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