Kein Angst Baby

by Dorothy Maddison, Gail Sullivan

When it comes to operatic careers, many are called but few are chosen. Almost anyone who aspires to a life of singing opera and making a living at it faces a series of sometimes difficult decisions. One of them is whether or not to try for a career in a German-speaking country. For a long time, it was a given that Americans seeking operatic careers had to start in Europe and build their reputations before they could hope to find work in their native country. That move is no longer requisite, thanks to the growth of apprentice programs and regional opera companies in North America, but German-speaking countries remain a valuable source of singing jobs. Anyone who hates living out of a suitcase but who still wants a full-time career as an opera singer will find those positions especially attractive: German houses employ their singers on yearly contracts, which makes having a home life and a career a much more realistic possibility. The home life, of course, is outside of American culture, a reality that is brought squarely home in this useful little volume.

Kein' Angst, Baby! (the name comes from the German version of Magnum P.I., and means "No problem, baby!" or "No hassle!"), written by a pair of singers who hit the German audition trail and found gainful employment, is a valuable resource for anyone considering such a move. It will help some singers to plan their audition tours--and help dissuade others from even trying it. Included are basics such as what to pack; how to budget; names and addresses of agents and opera houses (they list more than 100 of the latter in Germany, Austria, and German-speaking Switzerland); a guide to the German fach system (the means by which roles and singers are pigeonholed by voice type); and a lot of things that you might not consider until you're in the midst of your tour. While there will never be a completely satisfactory substitute for having a teacher who's been there, a friend already ensconced in Germany who can offer sage advice and contacts, not to mention the free use of a sofa bed, Kein' Angst, Baby! is the next best thing.

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

Reviews

[N. N. Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Safety - Women should have a handbag with a sturdy strap...as this will be harder for a thief to grab. The other alternative is to use the newer design of money purse that goes around your waist.

Italics mine! Funny anachronisms like the above aside (also cf. instructions on sending telegraphs to East German opera houses), much is surely still relevant, and it is written clearly, insightfully and with good humour (but not cloyingly so).