Has anybody ever given serious thought why there have been so many world class Jewish violinists, pianists, woodwind players etc., yet relatively few great opera singers?
Granted, there were exceptions. Names such as Joseph Schmidt, Jan Peerce, Richard Tucker, Beverly Sills all reached great heights as international singers of renown, yet the numbers seem to pale into insignificance compared with the great instrumentalists.
Jewish singing is still, even in current times, closely related to chazanut. A few noteworthy exceptions like Dudu Fisher make it to the concert platform, but among the great names in opera today, there is a lack of Jewish artists.
Young Jewish singers are slowly starting to make their way into the world of opera, particularly in Israel. The Israel Tel-Aviv-Yaffo Opera is a relatively new institution opening in 1985, but it is interesting to note that opera was first staged in Israel as early as 1923, with a performance of La Traviata in Tel Aviv. The lack of a quality opera company in Israel for so many years did little in the quest for good singers.
One of the critical factors for the development of fine opera singing is the standard of training of young singers. Israel possesses two fine music colleges, one the Buchmann Mehta School of Music at the University of Tel Aviv, the other the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. There are other music schools in various locations, so the facilities for teaching are available.
However, entry into music schools in not all that straightforward. Students must be proficient in both vocal development and music theory to pass the entry auditions. The difficulty is often the cost of private tuition needed before a student can be brought to the required level to pass an audition for entry into a music college.
In conclusion, just a further complication for potential opera singers. Instrumentalists may start learning to play at a very tender age. Some, even before enrolling at primary school. Singers really cannot start to develop their voices until teenage, at the earliest. Making it big time on the opera stage is not something you can not expect before the age of 25 to 30 years.
You need a lot of training to make a successful career in the world of opera. In addition, a lot of patience. Far too many young singers ruin potentially fine careers by pushing their voices too hard while the vocal chords are still relatively tender. Others choose roles to sing that are just wrong for the voice.
It’s a tricky business reaching the top, but a thrilling ride to fame if you’re gifted.