Metropolitan Opera National Council Holds Opera Auditions Today

The Metropolitan Opera National Council (MONC) of the Western Region will hold annual opera auditions at the Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. in Phoenix today, October 17. Auditions begin at 10 am and are free to the public.

Judging the auditions will be: Timothy O'Leary, General Director, Opera Theater of St. Louis; Gianna Rolandi, retired singer and voice consultant; Chicago Lyric Opera; and Keith Wolfe, General Director, Birmingham Opera. Dr. Robert Mills will be the official accompanist.

The MONC program is designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers.

The winners of this competition will advance to the Region Finals. Those finalists will go on to compete in the National Semi-Finals and Grand Finals Concert which will take place in New York City at the Metropolitan Opera House.

For information on auditioning or attending the auditions, contact Kim Smith at 480-510-3517. For information about the Musical Instrument Museum, contact 480-478-6000.

About the Metropolitan Opera National Council: The Metropolitan Opera National Council was founded in 1952 to increase national interest in and support for the Metropolitan Opera. For over 60 years, these volunteers have generously given of their time, money and support to assist young singers throughout the country in making it to the next level in their careers. The Metropolitan Opera is grateful for their commitment. Auditions have been a defining step in the careers of our greatest opera stars. The MONC auditions provide a stage where each year thousands of hopefuls compete for the chance to sing on the Met stage - and the opportunity to launch a major operatic career.