The thrill of singing for the first time at the Colón Theater

On the imposing stage of Colon Theater empty, with a black background and soft light, appear the candidates for the auditions, which have reopened again this year, with only the company of a pianist.

That’s all the singers selected have to recreate their lyrical characters, provide some magic with their voices and be able to convince the juries – Jan Latham Koenig, Paolo MaritanoMarcelo Ayub, Augusto Techera and Carlos Sampedro, who are valid candidates to be called up for future theatrical productions.

Through a call for proposals, through the networks, 369 candidates from all over the region registered, of which 150 were pre-selected for the audition in the auditorium (which began on Wednesday 7th until Friday 9th and ended on Monday 12th).

The singers, mostly professionals, who arrived at this stage had to prepare two arias of their choice: one in Italian and the other in any language.

Without imposing a repertoire for the auditions, the criteria to be taken into consideration for the candidates were above all intelligence in the search for the repertoire, the aptitude according to the voices, the ability to understand oneself as an artist and with which repertoire to identify and choose to do the hearing. So Maritano recorded it.

There is nervousness and excitement in the corridors. In general, there are no more expectations among singers than facing the great challenge of adding music to one of the most emblematic venues in the world.

“My expectation does not go beyond making myself heard and known,” says Iván, a professional singer, who came specially from Tucumán to add. “It is a privilege for us to be here. My first time singing on the stage of the Theater ”.

Bruno, from Rosario, has just finished the audition, sang the aria by Rimsky-Korsakov the singing of the Vikings and an aria from Masetto, from the opera Don Giovanni, by Mozart. “I think I have achieved it -he said enthusiastically-, I trust in what I love and in all the study I put in to make everything work in that moment”. After completing his studies at the Instituto Superior de Arte, Bruno underlines the importance of auditions: “As artists, we are very encouraged to participate in these auditions, especially after the difficult phases we have had. Being able to show ourselves, having the opportunity to be heard, is already a lot “.

Lucas, candidate from La Pampa, but who lives in Buenos Aires, is a tenor and works at the Institute as a pianist, agrees with Bruno: “I really appreciate that the auditions have been restored, which should be annual, because the new talents they always emerge, people are still training ”.

“After the pandemic, it’s not easy to be that much in Formula 1 again,” says Roxana, a professional singer and freelancer. “We went two years without singing. I don’t know if any singer sang every day of her life while in prison. We are a little out of practice, ”she concluded.

The singers seem tiny in the vastness of the stage, but the intimidating situation – for those who manage to win the challenge, of course – vanishes as soon as they start singing and are seen transforming into some kind of behemoth.

How to make a real professional career without facing these kinds of challenges?

While it may seem trivial, auditions at the Teatro Colón stopped taking place many years ago and the much-needed interaction between a public theater and its artistic community has been abandoned.

This is how Maritano, Director of Programming and Production, understands this when he explains that “it is the responsibility of a state theater to maintain the link with the artistic medium. It is a must. It is essential to accompany the artists who are part of this house, otherwise a theater is just a building ”.

And he added: “This house also has an art institute. Not only is interaction necessary, but also to establish a place for follow-up, for treatment. The idea is that this becomes a healthy habit and that it is done at least once a year. A virtuous circle is generated because this experience invites people to become professionals, invites professionals to continue studying, to find the best repertoire, to look for good trainers, to train. The virtues are many ”.

The Director of Programming and Production also said that in principle the idea is to work so that the auditions are also open to other artistic arias.

The word of Jorge Telerman

“We are very enthusiastic about the great response to the auditions – said the director of the Teatro Colón, Jorge Telerman-. Which speaks of the vitality of the opera scene that the city of Buenos Aires has, of the call that the Teatro Colón has. These hearings have not been open for many years.

We are listening to some very interesting voices and we feel it is a very inspiring passage for the whole opera scene that has a chance to reaffirm its credentials of excellence and gives Colón a very clear and very broad tool in the selection of the cast we have for the next seasons. We cannot be happier and happier with the response and the results we are seeing thanks to these hearings ”.

POS