An indispensable guide written by active professionals for young aspirants: career management for foreign students and professional novices. More than a third of all voice students at Germany ’s conservatories come from abroad, many from Korea and Japan .
Singing Opera in Germany is the first book devoted specifically to this target group. It guides foreign students and young professionals on their career path from their choice of vocation to their first engagement in a German theatre. Among the topics it discusses are the demands of training and everyday professional life, including auditions, caring for the voice, opera choruses, and acting on the opera stage. It also has useful tips on such mundane matters as visas, work permits, contracts, money, taxes, insurance, and writing applications. Rounding off the book is a bilingual glossary of technical terms (from German to English and English to German), a select bibliography, mailing addresses, and suggested repertoire. Practical tips, good advice and useful information written by active professionals make this book a must for every budding young singer.
Contents include
- Daily living in Germany
- Studying in Germany
- How to audition
- Professional behaviour
- Managing your career
- Sample letters in German
- Valuable web-sites
- German-English theatre terms
The authors
Marita Knobel is a longstanding soloist at the Munich Opera and has been involved for many years in the advanced training of young opera singers.
Brigitte Steinert is a manager responsible for cultural matters.
“This book is invaluable for any young singer planning to come to the German-speaking countries and getting their first experiences in the world of opera. This world is absolutely different from any other operatic structure because of the sheer quantity of productions that a German or Austrian house puts on in any given season. Marita Knobel and Brigitte Steinert have many years of experience in their field and share their knowledge with whoever wants to find his or her way in this business”. Zubin Mehta
Reviews of the German edition (2002):
“A relaxed yet authoritative view of the opera singer’s profession ... Highly recommended!”
(Das Opernglas )
“This book is a must for every voice student and a treasure-trove of information for anyone who loves opera.”
(Oper Tanz)
“... a good and wise book.”
(Bavarian Radio)