Opera Theater Presents Mildred Miller International Voice Competition, 11/3 & 4

Aspiring singers will be showcased in the real life drama of two vocal competitions today, Nov. 3 and tomorrow, Nov. 4, Carnegie Mellon University's Carnegie Mellon Institute Auditorium, 4400 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. 

Both professional and amateur singers will compete for opportunities for prize monies and roles in Opera Theater SummerFest's 2013 season. For a second year, Anna Singer, WQED-FM mid-day host and music programmer, emcee for the Mildred Miller International Voice Competition for emerging professional opera singers and Opera Champion of Pittsburgh for regional amateur divas and divos.

Audiences may attend the Miller competition semi-finals at no charge today, Nov. 3 from 11 am to 1 pm and 3-5 pm. Both Miler and Opera Champ Gala Finals will be held on Sun., Nov. 4 at 2 pm. A $25 general admission ticket includes a post program reception at which audience members can meet the artists. Order by phone at: (412) 326-9687 or online at otsummerfest.org, where all competition details and coverage of 2011 winners can be found.

Named in honor of Opera Theater's founder, the Mildred Miller International Voice Competition brings young professionals aged 35 and younger from across the world to Pittsburgh, with prize monies and roles in the company's SummerFest 2013 season offered to winners. The competition will be judged by world-renowned musicians, includingMarianne Cornetti, Robert Croan, Jane Eaglen, Mildred Miller Posvar, and Eugene Perry. In addition, Opera Theater also presents Opera Champion of Pittsburgh, the second annual regional competition for amateur singers. The prize is $1,000 and operatic fame: the winner - any age, any voice, but no professionally-trained singers may apply - will receive the Drs. Michelina Fato & Carl Snyderman $1,000 cash prize, and will star onstage in a role surrounded by professional opera singers in SummerFest 2013.

First place winner of the 2011 Mildred Miller International Voice Competition, countertenor Andrey Nemzer, was cast in two leading roles in Opera Theater's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute and Leonard Bernstein's Candideduring the inaugural SummerFest 2012 season.The Duquesne University alumnus also went on to win the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. 2011 Opera Champ winner William Andrews of Fox Chapel appeared in SummerFest 2012 in Mozart's The Magic Flute and in one of the Night Caps mini-operas in a leading role.

"Our competitions offer young singers the chance to be on stage and immediately build their experience and repertoire," says Opera Theater's Artistic Director Jonathan Eaton. "Opera is for everyone because singing is for everyone – we are all, somewhere, deep down, budding singers. So I say let's bring 'em out of the showers and onto the stage!"

Mildred Miller, one of America's best-loved opera stars, with a 25-year long career at the Metropolitan Opera, says about 'her' international voice competition: "It is wonderful to be able to support a new generation of talented young singers, and to help launch their careers onto the professional opera stage."

Candidates for the Opera Champion Competition of Pittsburgh live within 75 miles of Pittsburgh and may be any voice type and any age. Applicants recorded an audition video for consideration and semi-finalists are being selected via public voting online through 9 am on Sat., Oct. 27. Visit otsummerfest.org/champ for details. A pre-screening occurred before Opera Theater posted videos for online voting. Semi-finalists will be selected by public voting on Opera Theater's website and narrowed to 5 five finalists by Opera Theater. The winner will be chosen by audience acclaim at the gala final concert.  

Alexandra Strycula is currently pursuing a degree in Theatre and American Studies at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City. While at Barnard, Alexandra has produced and assistant directed several works of student theatre. Her keen interest in arts administration has also led her to positions with Disney-ABC Television Group, Pittsburgh CLO, The New Group, The New York Musical Theatre Festival, and Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre. Born and raised in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Alexandra is thrilled to put her theatrical passion to use as a contributing editor for her hometown.

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