Concurso San Miguel 2011
2011 changes at Opera de San Miguel
On December 10, 2010, Ópera de San Miguel announced the resignation of its artistic director, Joseph McClain, so that the fourth contest, originally scheduled for April 2, 2011, will be postponed until the Board of Directors of the company implements a reorganization plan.
The first Concurso San Miguel, held in 2008, was created with the aim of discovering the most talented young opera singers in Mexico and nurturing their professional development. The contest has been growing steadily and by 2010 more than 150 singers auditioned from almost every state in the country; with 11 finalists selectyed for the last stage of the competition held in San Miguel de Allende. In the past contest, more than $160,000 pesos were awarded in prizes at the Ángela Peralta Theater
The San Miguel Contest will return in 2012
Under the patronage of Óper de San Miguel (OSM), which was recently reorganized by its new artistic director, John Bills, the Concurso San Miguel will be held again in 2012. Young singers who apply for the Concurso will compete in a first round of auditions, which will take place in San Miguel Allende in early January. Between 10 and 12 finalists will be chosen and will take an intensive week of master classes in repertoire, staging and languages, prior to the grand finale of the Concurso, which will be held on March 3, 2012 at the Ángela Peralta Theater in the city of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.
Next year, the finalists will receive coaching from Joseph McClain, founder of the OSM and its artistic director emeritus, and internationally renowned soprano Carol Vaness. Additionally, finalists will receive expert career guidance from Ken Benson, former Vice President of Columbia Artists Management, America's leading artist management agency.
Says Bills: “We are proud to be able to offer hands-on help to these outstanding young artists, through cash prizes, world-class mentoring and opportunities to perform. The vision and generosity of our donors are helping launch the careers of the next generation of opera stars, not to mention making San Miguel Allende one of the nation's brightest cultural hotspots."
OSM is dedicated to identifying and promoting, through professional scholarships and job opportunities, young opera singers from Mexico. “Our donors —says Bills—, understand that once many of the singers who complete their formal studies in Mexico are not fully prepared to embark on a professional career. Some lack the training in certain crucial skills, the funds to support them through advanced study, and the expert guidance required to prepare for a professional career in the world of opera. And almost all of them suffer from the same problem: few job opportunities.
“Although they have great potential —he concludes—, many young artists unfortunately abandon their professional aspirations. We try to address these concerns through the Concurso.”