New York Times Magazine - Sing for your life: The ‘American Idol’ of opera

In last week’s New York Times magazine, Daniel Bergner writes about the “American Idol” of opera — the Metropolitan Opera’s annual National Council Auditions. These tryouts are open to anyone between 20 and 30 and take place at venues across the country. This year more than 1,200 aspiring singers took part, including bass-baritone Philippe Sly from Schulich School of Music…

"Philippe’s boyish good looks might have made him a pop idol, but when he rehearsed his Wagnerian aria, the precision and beauty of his voice made it clear he was where he belonged. And when he spoke, at high speed, about the intricacies of producing operatic sound, it was impossible to begrudge him his youthful confidence — he was so winningly immersed in his craft…"