Metropolitan opera auditions draw varied crowd

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, surrounded by the first act set from the Jacobs School of Music production "Manon," graduate student Miroslaw Witkowski, 27, began his aria, "Aleko's Cavatina" from Rachmaninoff's opera "Aleko," accompanied by pianist Kim Carballo.\nWitkowski, who appeared on the Musical Arts Center's stage earlier this semester as the Commandatore in Mozart's "Don Giovanni," was taking part in the district level of the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions. The Auditions Program, sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera National Council, was created in 1954 to give leaders in the field of opera the opportunity to recognize and help develop young singers' talents. \nSome of today's most celebrated singers, including IU alumnae Sylvia McNair and Angela Brown, have been named as winners.\nSaturday's auditions, which were open to the public, drew a small but varied crowd. Some were there just as music-lovers.\n"I've come to these several times in the past," philosophy professor emeritus Paul Eisenberg, said, "just for the enjoyment of singing."\nOthers had a more vested interest in attending, such as Witkowski's teacher, voice professor Tim Noble.\nNoble was straightforward about his hopes for his student.\n"I don't have any expectations for these kind of things," he said. "I would like for him to have a good, confident sing.\n"If he learns from it," he added, "I'll be happy."\nNoble said he was primarily interested in exposing Witkowski to the audition atmosphere, even with the little preparation time they had available. Witkowski has only been in Bloomington for two and a half months, coming from his hometown near Krakow, Poland, to study at the Jacobs School of Music as one of the first recipients of a Jacobs Scholarship. \n"I could have waited longer (to sing in the auditions)," Witkowski said, "and I'll be much better prepared next year. But it's very important to do these competitions because they give you new contacts with people." \nIn his case, he explained, he received valuable feedback from the panel of judges that echoed much of what his own teacher has told him.\n"They told me exactly what I have to work on, exactly what Noble said," Witkowski said.\nWitkowski, Noble explained, comes from the Eastern European singing tradition that emphasizes darker, deeper tones than the brighter sound he is hoping Witkowski will acquire.\n"I'm happy with his work so far," Noble said. "It's a great instrument, and he's very passionate, intelligent and hard-working."\nWitkowski, the first member of his family to travel to the United States, began corresponding with Noble after discovering he had also taught Jordan Bisch, IU alumnus and 2005 Met National Council Auditions grand prize-winner. \nJudging Saturday's auditions were Richard Bado, chorus-master of the Houston Grand Opera; William Farlow, director of operas at University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Roger Pines, dramaturg for the Chicago Lyric Opera.\nIf Witkowski is selected as the district winner, he will go on to perform at the regional auditions held at Butler University in January 2007. \nRegardless of the outcome, both student and teacher said they remain optimistic.\n"I think he's got a future in the business," Noble said.\nWitkowski, for his part, is already looking ahead to possible summer programs in Brevard, N.C., or Cincinnati and, of course, next year's district auditions.