In light of the recent lameness concerning the (as yet not definitively substantiated but possible) singer discrimination against Hope Briggs and the SF Opera, an article about priorities within various judges' minds (while sitting on an audition panel for the Opera San Jose Irene Dalis Vocal Competition) shouldn't be shocking. But it is. ew. just: ew.
David and Barbara Sloss with the brand-new Fremont Opera are looking for a Mimi and a Rodolfo, major characters in the upcoming production of "La Boheme." The Slosses come back every year "because you'll often find someone surprisingly good," David Sloss says, quickly adding: "But it isn't often that someone will blow you away."
Finding the right singer for the right role is a complicated process, one helped by the Excel spreadsheet Sloss has open in his laptop. "Our Mimi has to look credible. She dies of TB, so she shouldn't be too hefty," he says, running down his checklist. "She requires a lyrical voice and musical sensibility, and has to also be a touching actress."
ok, we know that meanie that is Frengo did it to Violeta Urmana for the December 2006 Aida la prima, but that was a completely different story (we’re dealing with Frengo and his ego, not some scrappy second-rate conductor). Should this kind of discrimination be tolerated in a "semi-staged concert version" of La Bohème? What the hell? I guess David isn't too fond of this La Bohème then.