Playing the Role of an Opera Singer — Toni Marie Palmertree

Donna elvira in don giovanni at arizona opera

The Never-Ending Training of an Opera Singer

One of the things I love most about being an opera singer is that the training never stops! Our work goes far beyond just singing—we constantly refine our minds, bodies, and voices to meet the demands of this incredible art form.

Opera singers train in acting, dance, movement, stage combat, music theory, piano, and multiple languages—just to name a few essentials. Each role brings new challenges and requires a deep dive into history, culture, and technique.

Movement Matters

Costumes aren’t just for show—they dictate how we move on stage. A hoop skirt shouldn’t swish or lift when sitting, which is much harder than it sounds! Fans weren’t just accessories in certain periods; they were tools of communication, and we must master their use. Even stage combat requires specialized training to ensure both safety and authenticity.

The Preparation Behind the Performance

Before rehearsals even begin, the work is already in motion. We study the libretto, source material, and historical context. We work with diction coaches to sound like native speakers and stay sharp in the languages we perform in—especially since rehearsals can be conducted in the director or conductor’s native tongue.

floria Tosca in tosca at florida grand opera

The Business of Singing

As opera singers, we are also entrepreneurs. We invest in coaches, teachers, and training long before stepping into the rehearsal room. We manage our own branding through social media, requiring skills in content creation, graphic design, and audio/video editing.

Agents help us secure gigs, but we cover many costs upfront—flights, accommodations, lessons, and coaching. If a production is canceled, as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of those expenses aren’t reimbursed. Even auditions require travel and lodging, which are out-of-pocket expenses.

For concert work and smaller gigs, we also take on the roles of makeup artists and stylists, investing in stage makeup, wigs, formalwear, and alterations.

The Daily Discipline

A healthy voice requires daily care—proper nutrition, exercise, and recovery practices like massage, yoga, and Pilates. The physical and mental stamina needed for this career is immense, but it’s all in service of creating something magical.

Being an opera singer is more than a profession—it’s a calling. Every performance is the result of years of dedication, study, and passion. Our goal is to transport audiences to another time and place, surrounding them with the unamplified power of the operatic voice.

I can’t wait to share that magic with you. See you at the opera!