The United States has always been a pioneer in conceiving and launching programmes designed at perfecting young singers’ vocal and dramatic gifts at the crucial stage that follows their graduation from conservatoires and helping launch their professional careers. First there was the San Francisco Opera’s superb Merola Opera Program, founded in 1957 and out of which emerged artists such as Susan Graham, Ruth Ann Swenson, Deborah Voigt, Dolora Zajick, Thomas Hampson, Joyce DiDonato, Stuart Skelton, Rolando Villazón, Nadine Sierra and Brian Jagde.
The Merola, which includes courses for stage directors, offers a combination of training and performance opportunities during a 12-week, allexpenses-paid summer programme, which includes fully staged operas with orchestra, a concert performance of operatic scenes, and the Merola Grand Finale Concert, which concludes the summer. Participants receive advanced…