I've enjoyed the discussion about what musical skills (sight reading, score reading, piano, etc.) a singer should cultivate. Isabelle, as always, your question shows a high degree of professionalism, motivation, and intelligence.
One point that may have relevance to some of you: this discussion has focused mainly on the ambitions of the opera singer to function well at the big-house level. A difficult truth is that many highly-qualified singers do not have the opportunity to work in that context. Many of us do freelance work and even some professional choral singing. (I know, I know, some of you are saying you'll *never* sing chorally, it's terrible for your voice, you're the best singer in your conservatory and you'll definitely be solo all the way. I hope you're right but remember that everyone else is saying the same thing to him or herself!)
Anyway, in the context of a freelance career, sightsinging skill is *imperative*. And to the extent that pianistic ability helps you learn music quickly, it too is imperative. I won't bore you with war stories, but I can say honestly that my musicianship (sightsinging in particular) has gotten me jobs, even when I was less than ideally prepared for auditions.
It's something to think about, anyway.
Naomi
|