<p>Hi. I'm new to the discussion but wanted to say that the most important thing you can do for auditions is to do the pieces that you are really comfortable with and that really "speak to you" and that you sing beautifully. It is hard for any of us, not having heard you or knowing your voice, to speak to much about what you should sing - that is something you and your teacher should continue to discuss. But, assuming you are at a high enough level to sing the lyric Puccini I see no reason not to sing Babbino Caro. I don't think Doretta is right for you even not hearing you - it's a really full lyric and difficult aria. If you have time let me suggest you look at 2 English arias that are beautiful and lyric: Beauty's aria from Beauty and the Beast (by Giannini) - it starts "all that I ask is one red rose". It's a terrific 1-act little opera. The other is "Steal me, Sweet Thief" from "Old Maid and the Thief" by Menotti. I also think Batti, Batti would be fine - stay away from Pamina's aria for now. The most important thing is that you have the pieces "in your voice". .. that you are really prepared when you have to sing. That way you can focus on interpretation and connecting with your auditioners. I wish you all the best. I think you are in very good shape - ultimately... do the pieces you really enjoy singing - that will show through.</p>
<p>Musicmadame, my issue with "Batti, Batti" is that it will either show that she can do things that they will not care about at her level, or she will get tripped up on the runs that go in and out of most soprano's passaggio nearly three times in one run. It's a difficult aria. If she is interested in Don Giovanni, she would be better off to think of "Vedri carino". </p>
<p>However I stand by my opinion on a baroque aria. Maybe "Cara speme" or "V'adoro pupille".</p>
<p>So, I'm going to think about the aria selection thing for a few weeks, since I'd only have to have one if I got an audition at Mannes. That wouldn't be till March anyways.</p>
<p>SO...my selections have changed a bit for my pre-screening recording:
Tu Lo Sai
Les Chemins de l'amour (Poulenc)
Iris by Daniel Wolf </p>
<p>Then if I get an audition at Mannes, I'll use those pieces and an aria that has yet to be determined.</p>
<p>A few places ask for four selections minus an aria, so I was thinking of bringing "The Nightingale and the Rose (Rimsky-Korsakoff). Does this sound okay?</p>
<p>Nightingale and the Rose is very beautiful, but I don’t know if it’s done often for college auditions. I’m not sure if you are doing it in Russian, but I think most people try to stick with pieces performed in their original language. I can’t remember if it’s a requirement or not. The piece is also a little dramatic and showy. If you can pull it off and they don’t mind hearing it in a translation go for it.</p>
<p>I just really hope that you’ll keep in mind that it’s better to do something less challenging that makes you sound great than to do something that is difficult and could show a flaw. I was very successful in my college auditions because I choose music that I was super comfortable with and that wasn’t too difficult. You should consider reading Renee Fleming’s book. She has some interesting ideas about it this.</p>
<p>You should also keep in mind that whatever you choose, you may not get much time to work with a pianist.</p>
<p>That's a good point about the translation. I hadn't even thought about that. I've been singing it in English, so I'll assume it's probably not the best choice for my auditions. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>dramaticoinky,</p>
<p>As I mentioned in #13 (and now expanding), I did mention "The Nightingale and the Rose" was a very bold piece, and could be a potential top piece for you...as an alternate (should you be given the option of having alternate pieces at auditions--I don't know if this is the case at your schools, but if your adjudicators wanted to hear something else not on your initial audition list, but on your rep list, per se). My reasoning: I was a little concerned about the translation aspect (I wasn't sure if you were doing it in English or the original Russian). I'm with CCMguy on this one (who needs to get out of my head, because I was going to mention Ms. Fleming's book also).</p>