Opera singers are some of the most talented vocalists on the planet. For years, opera singers have trained in various techniques related to both music and theater.
A day in the life of an opera singer consists of multiple activities that require talent, emotion, and analytical prowess. They dedicate time to reading and examining texts usually written in their non-native language.
Most opera productions are written and performed in one of five languages: Italian, German, French, English, and Russian.
Ambitious opera singers are not only fluent in their native language – they typically become proficient in multiple languages, including Italian, German, and French, to increase their odds of being cast for an opera production.
Solo performers and chorus members gather with the orchestra to participate in rehearsals under the guidance of a music or artistic director.
Group rehearsals may last up to six hours daily, and solo performers engage in one-on-one instruction with a vocal coach.
Opera singers also invest a great deal of effort in perfecting off-stage work. They practice entering and exiting the stage at critical moments, navigating the set and props, memorizing lyrics, and coordinating on-stage movement.
Few careers require the breadth and depth of knowledge and talent of an opera singer.
An evocative, stunning opera performance – which often seems like it stems from effortless talent – results from weeks and months of vocal athleticism, memorization, collaboration, and stamina.
Ahead, we discuss an opera singer’s average salary in America and the various pathways one can take to become a professional opera singer.
We will highlight some of the best conservatories, liberal arts colleges, and universities that offer renowned classical voice programs before sharing our thoughts on whether becoming an opera singer is worthwhile.
Salary – How Much Do Opera Singers Make?
While the salary range for an opera singer can vary from $60,000 to $200,000 per year, most professional opera singers earn $70,000 per year on average, according to the website Careers In Music.
Like music theatre performers, opera singers are paid per production, with the one major exception being those working in Young Artists Programs or as artists in residency. In these cases, opera singers are paid weekly.
How does an opera singer negotiate their salary? They first receive a contract from an opera company, which they can accept or negotiate.
The offer excludes taxes, so singers will need to pay the correct sum of estimated taxes from their contracted salary.
Once both parties agree on the terms, the singer will receive the first half of the fee after completing their initial performance and the second half of the payment after finishing the last performance.
As one can imagine, opera singers must have excellent money management skills, particularly during the summertime.
The opera season generally runs from September to May, and opera singers attempt to secure as many roles as they can during this time.
Most auditions are held from mid-October to mid-December for the following year’s programs.
Many opera singers will travel to big cities for intense rounds of auditions – talented international opera singers will travel to cities like New York and Los Angeles, while American opera singers may compete for roles in Rome, Berlin, and Paris.
Novice opera singers should expect a lower salary at the start of their career – possibly as low as $15,000.
That being said, some of the most highly acclaimed opera performers will exceed salaries of $250,000. Those in the most talented echelon can make several million dollars per year.
What is the best way to earn a higher salary as an opera singer?
First and foremost, audition for as many roles as possible!
Network, network, network. In the beginning, opera singers usually don’t have managers to book audition gigs for them.
Taking as many gigs early on helps new singers develop a robust portfolio, which looks better to opera companies holding auditions.
Another way to increase one’s salary is not only to be a great performer but to be a great collaborator. Opera companies look for talented, dependable, and agreeable performers.
They are impressed by auditioners who come in prepared and are fluent in multiple languages. They are looking for people who present themselves with poise and confidence.
What Is the Career Pathway to Become an Opera Singer
Opera singers begin their training at a young age, often as early as elementary or middle school! Early preparation might look like singing in an a cappella group, chorus, or glee club. Many young vocalists take private voice lessons regularly.
That being said, it is certainly possible to begin training at a later age – high school is generally the cut-off, as classical voice programs at the collegiate level often require students to audition and present a portfolio.
Opera singers pursue a BA in Vocal Performance and often earn an MA in Music or an Artist Diploma.
In these formative years, opera singers built a foundation in music theory, vocal technique, and stage awareness to support their natural abilities. They also take these years to become adept at reading and speaking multiple foreign languages.
While in college, opera singers will participate in as many performances as possible.
These productions are often held at community theaters or opera houses. One can understand why studying classical voice in a city like New York City or Boston might be advantageous to the budding opera singer – they are close to many renowned performance venues!
After commencement, many opera singers will book a residency in a young artist program, equivalent to an internship.
Some opera singers may go abroad for immersive cultural experiences. It may be wise for recent graduates to consult with their collegiate career centers and identify nearby opera or theatre companies looking to hire performers or teachers.
After completing a residency in a young artist program, opera singers are typically ready to pursue prominent roles in opera companies, either as soloists or members of the chorus.
What Schools Offer Classical Voice & Opera Degrees?
Emerging opera singers can attend a conservatory, liberal arts college, or university to obtain a degree in vocal performance. There are many highly-ranked collegiate music programs in the United States, most of which include a track in Classical Voice or Opera.
Conservatories like the Cleveland Institute of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, and Eastman School of Music are explicitly dedicated to the study and performance of music.
Students attending these institutions may expect a social environment that is both friendly and competitive. Those sharing the same passion for singing and music will ultimately compete for similar opportunities and roles.
Many conservatories offer special courses to set themselves apart from their competitor schools. At the Cleveland Institute of Music, for example, students become proficient in the Bel Canto method of singing, which revolves around unforced vocal sounds.
The conservatory’s Career Services provides resources to students to help them build portfolios, access auditions, and manage their finances in a fast-paced, demanding career.
Highly acclaimed and experienced artistic directors often lead top conservatories. At Curtis, Eric Owens oversees the Vocal Studies Department and Curtis Opera Theater.
He has performed at some of the best venues and with some of the most talented ensembles in the world, such as the Royal Opera House, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Swedish Radio. Students at Curtis get performing experience in their first year of study.
Liberal arts colleges like Oberlin, Lawrence University, and the Gettysburg Sunderman Music School are often smaller schools with intimate social environments; unlike conservatories, liberal arts colleges expand their curricular offerings to topics outside of the arts.
At Lawrence University, vocal performance graduates proceed to enter and win major singing competitions like the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
Universities like UT Austin, UCLA, Indiana University, and the Carnegie Mellon School of Music generally enroll larger student populations and access many venues, community connections, and innovative technology.
Students pursuing a degree in voice performance at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music may audition to participate in up to five full-length operas and one musical per season, while Carnegie Mellon School of Music students benefit from four semesters of acting and dancing lessons, which means to enhance their overall attractiveness as a soloist or chorus member.
By the end of their senior year, a Carnegie Mellon graduate will have a repertoire in all English, Italian, French, and German.
Should You Pursue a Career As an Opera Singer?
Becoming an opera singer presents a rare opportunity to turn a beloved talent and passion into a career.
Those with the most robust work ethic will ultimately become the most successful in their field, with the most successful getting to travel worldwide to perform in some of the most exciting cities and venues.
Those who possess physical and mental stamina will thrive as opera singers.
The career path to becoming an opera singer is clearly carved out: begin training as early as possible, earn multiple degrees in classical voice or vocal performance, participate in a young artist program, and start auditioning.
A long-running opera career builds upon itself: talent, work ethic, and camaraderie beget more performance opportunities.
It is also essential to consider how to budget expenses in a career field where earnings can be inconsistent or unstable.
Opera singers – especially those living in cities with higher living costs – must be meticulous about spending, since they only receive two paychecks per production.
While the paychecks are generally large, lump sums, knowing how to “spread out” funds over an extended period is crucial, particularly if the performer does not secure an upcoming role.
Opera singers risk damaging their voices, either temporarily or permanently. These instances can have a significant impact on their career trajectories.
That being said, opera singers may transition to teaching positions at acclaimed collegiate or young artist programs.
Opera singers can expect to spend significant time traveling, with many soloists and chorus members performing six days per week and averaging over 150 performances in a single season.
The work of an opera singer is a labor of love, and as long as the performer can maintain their passion and drive for their craft, they will experience success throughout their career.
